My eyes fluttered open, and I woke up to the familiar darkness of the cell. I wasn't sure how much time had passed. After checking over my body, feeling the lightness in my limbs and the steady beat of my heart, I guessed it had been five or six hours. I was fully recovered.
My Essence storage was topped off and ready to go. Without wasting any time, I shifted fifty units of Essence into Strength and another fifty into the Null Heart.
I felt my muscles tighten and strengthen slightly as the changes settled into place. At the same time, I noticed the core of the Null Heart spinning just a little faster, humming quietly in the background of my senses.
Standing up, I stretched out my arms and legs, shaking off the stiffness, and activated [Essence Engine] again, letting it quietly refill my reserves while I moved around.
I called out quietly to Steve.
"You awake?"
He let out a low hum in response.
I raised my voice slightly and called out into the darkness.
