Several Pokémon stayed by his side. When they saw him wake up, they immediately gathered around him.
"How long was I asleep?" Xiao Ran asked, holding his head.
"I don't know, but Primarina has eaten more than a dozen meals!" Ralts's voice rang out. There was no cycle of sun and moon in the Secret Realm, so time could only be checked with things like watches. Ralts's way of keeping time was to count how many meals Primarina had eaten.
"All right!" Xiao Ran rubbed her head helplessly and reached for his Pokédex to check, only to freeze as he raised his arm.
Waves of sharp pain coursed through him, and his body was covered in blood. Xiao Ran felt pain all over even trying to stand. Fortunately, Xerneas seemed to have used the Life Flame to repair his body. Otherwise, he probably would have bled to death long ago.
Even so, despite the Life Flame having burned for a full seven days, every movement still brought a dull, stabbing pain. It sank deep into his bones, unbearable, like ants gnawing at him.
"The Life Flame will need about another month to finish repairing your body. Don't draw on the power inside you for now. Rest properly for a while, and you'll be fine!"
"That flash of blue light you saw earlier was the essence of the power within you. It lies buried in your deepest depths. You'll have to find the answer to what it is yourself."
"I drew out a tiny strand for you. Once your body has recovered, you can try to control that power. When you fully understand and master it, the energy sealed within you can gradually be released."
Xerneas's voice rang out. Clearly, Xerneas understood something of Xiao Ran's condition.
"Hiss... thank you!" Xiao