Sid's eyes snapped open. That familiar tone, the voice behind the system, still echoed in his head. His senses slowly returned, grounding him in the present. He was awake, back in his reality.
Looking up, his gaze widened as the ceiling came into view, a vast cathedral dome painted with intricate mosaics, vibrant scenes of angels, saints, and figures from forgotten myths. Moonlight streamed in through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the floor.
"Ugh… my head. Why does it feel like it's splitting in two?"
The dream or perhaps memory… still clung to him, a replay of death and life interwoven. Every choice, every moment he had lost, flashed back like fragments of a world both haunting and familiar.
The cold stone of the cathedral floor pressing into his back. His entire body felt like it had been wrung out, every muscle trembling from overuse. He rubbed his temples and let out a bitter laugh.
