When Leon woke from his coma, it was already the third day.
He opened his eyes and saw a white ceiling. Sunlight streamed in through the window, painfully bright.
He blinked, then closed his eyes again.
His mind was completely blank, as if it had been scrubbed clean.
He did not know who he was, where he was, or what had happened.
"My lord is awake!" someone shouted.
Footsteps approached. There were many people.
The bed was surrounded by people—some in armor, some in robes, some carrying bowls, some holding towels.
Their faces showed joy, worry, and anticipation.
Leon looked at them without speaking.
He recognized the captain of his personal guard, the old woman who always brought him meals, and the young girl who helped wash him.
But he did not want to speak.
Images began flashing through his mind.
A man in black robes, a golden sword, a grayish-white orb of light, severed limbs, wreckage, blood, Sophia...
Sophia had been held in someone's arms, forcibly kissed in front of everyone, then taken away by that demon.
At the thought, Leon suddenly sat up.
His eyes reddened, and his hands trembled.
"Where's Sophia? Where is Sophia...?"
The captain of the personal guard lowered his head. "My lord... Miss Sophia, she..."
"Where!" Leon's voice was like a beast's roar.
"She... she was taken away by that man in black robes..."
Leon threw off the blanket and stood.
His legs were weak, and he could barely stand. He had to grip the edge of the bed to keep from falling.
He lowered his head and looked at his body.
When that man had unleashed Spatial Storm, Leon had been standing in the center of the square, right at the heart of the storm.
Fortunately, he was strong enough, and with the