Ren's eyes fluttered open.
His vision swam, a blur of shifting color and light. Everything hurt—his back, his chest, his head. His body felt heavy, as if he'd been buried under a mountain of stone.
When the blur slowly cleared, he saw a woman squatting in front of him. She had fiery red hair braided tightly down her back, a few strands escaping and framing a face marked by faint scars. Her eyes were like molten amber, sharp and alive.
Her build was strong yet feminine—slightly broad shoulders, strong arms, a warrior's form that didn't belong to most women but to someone who'd lived and survived on the edge.
Seeing him stir, she grinned slightly and said, her voice deep and steady, "Don't worry, I'm not your enemy. I helped you get away from that abomination."
Ren blinked, trying to process the words. His throat was dry, and his tongue felt heavy. "...Who are you?" he croaked, struggling to sit up. "Where's Kyouka—my sister?"
