A wave of absolute exhaustion hit me the moment I let go of my focus. My muscles gave out, and I collapsed backward, my bare shoulders and back hitting the cold, rough stone of the cave floor.
A small gasp escaped my lips at the sudden chill.
Thanks to Virion's brutal training and my own heightened resilience, the impact was just a dull thud rather than a painful shock. But the weariness was a different beast altogether. It was a deep, soul-deep fatigue that made my very bones feel heavy - an irresistible urge to close my eyes and surrender to sleep pulled at me.
But then the smell hit me.
I wrinkled my nose, my enhanced senses rebelling.
I looked down at my body. A thin, greasy film of black and grey impurities coated my skin, the unwanted dregs expelled during the breakthrough. It wasn't thick, but the stench was foul.
'Right. Can't sleep like this.'
