When Greg woke up, the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.
The grayish-yellow stone vault was covered in fine cracks. A few vine-like plants dangled from the gaps, swaying gently in the dim light.
He blinked, his mind going blank for a moment before awareness flooded back.
Suddenly remembering something, he practically sprang upright from the ground and shouted, "Ellie!"
"I'm right here, you idiot young master. You're going to deafen me."
A familiar voice, tinged with its usual nonchalance and biting sarcasm, came from nearby.
Greg looked toward the voice and saw Ellie crouching beside a campfire a short distance away, poking at it with a stick.
The firelight illuminated her profile, and her expression looked no different from usual.
"Ha... looks like I made it."
Seeing Ellie there safe and sound, Greg finally felt his heart settle back down from his throat.
He let out a long sigh of relief. His legs went weak, and he plopped straight back onto the ground.
He remembered now-at the last possible moment, he had made it in time, burned away the three time Monsters with the World-Devouring Black Flame, and saved Ellie.
But when he thought about what would have happened if he'd been just a few seconds later... Greg realized that a large patch of his back was already soaked in sweat.
Ellie stood and walked over with a ceramic bowl whose rim was slightly chipped.
The bowl held hot water that had cooled to just the right temperature to drink.
She crouched in front of Greg and handed him the bowl. "Drink some water. You're as pale as a ghost."
Greg took the bowl and gulped down several mouthfuls. The warm water slid down his throat into his stomach, making him feel a little more alive.
He