Rain's POV
Where am I? My eyes fluttered open to silver light. The air smelled of cold earth and burned incense. Shadows danced on twisted trees. My body felt heavy, but my heart beat like a drum.
"Where… where am I?" My voice cracked, barely a whisper. "What is going on?"
"Rain…" A voice, trembling and urgent.
I turned my head. Seraphina stood a few feet away, her red and black robes torn, her lamp flickering in her hand. Her eyes were wide with relief and something else—fear.
"You're alive," she breathed. "Thank the Goddess. You're alive."
"Seraphina?" I blinked at her, confused. "Is this real? Am I… dreaming?"
"No." Her voice was firm but soft. "You're not dreaming, Rain. This is real."
I sat up slowly, my chest aching. "I don't… I don't understand. What happened?"
"You were sick," Seraphina said gently. "Too far gone for anyone to save. Batista brought you here. He begged us to help you."
