Kaiden feels a gentle warmth on his face, the sun's rays streaming through the window, gently coaxing him into wakefulness. He tries to sit up, but something is preventing him from doing so. He looks down and sees Loden lying beside him, their arms intertwined. Confused and sleepy, Kaiden's blue eyes widen as he realizes their closeness.

  Kaiden experiences a mix of embarrassment and uneasiness at their current proximity, their bodies just inches apart. Kaiden notices his heart racing at the thought. He imagines if Loden were to lean further forward or if he himself were to move, their faces would be so close that they could kiss.

  Kaiden's mind races with a multitude of thoughts, his cheeks taking on a rosy hue. He wonders if they had done something intimate while he was unconscious. Did they kiss? Why is Loden clinging to him so closely? As these thoughts swirl through his mind, Kaiden begins to panic.

  Kaiden silently wonders how long he had been asleep and how long they had been in this intimate position. Mustering all his strength and caution, he carefully untangles their arms and gradually scoots toward the edge of the bed. With some difficulty, he gingerly maneuvers himself over Loden, careful not to disturb his slumber.

  Upon placing his foot on the floor, Kaiden's gaze inadvertently shifts upward, where he is abruptly startled by the sight of Tibost asleep at the table, his head resting on his arms. The realization that Tibost had been watching them from afar causes Kaiden's heart to skip a beat, stirring a mixture of embarrassment and unease within him more.

  Kaiden shakes off the awkwardness, pushing himself off the bed to stand upright. Feeling the need to freshen up, he quietly attends to his daily routine. He splashes water on his face, taking a moment to ponder the small cuts on his arms. He wonders how they appeared but is unable to remember the previous events.

  Kaiden's rumbling stomach reminds him that he hasn't eaten anything since yesterday morning, having missed both lunch and dinner amidst the chaos of the previous day's turmoil. As he moves toward the door, a sharp pain shoots through his leg, evoking the familiar sensation of the dagger slicing his skin once more.

  Kaiden winces in pain, instinctively placing his hand on the back of his leg, trying to alleviate the discomfort. However, the pain persists, refusing to subside, and Kaiden's vision blurs momentarily. In an attempt to regain his composure, he takes a step back, but the world appears unstable, and in his disoriented state, he inadvertently bumps into the wall. The jolt magnifying his discomfort throughout his body.

  Kaiden rubs his shoulder lightly, acknowledging the unexpected touch as he accidentally collided with both his leg and shoulder against the wall. Kaiden murmurs a soft "Ow" at the unexpected pain. Loden's voice pierces through the air, asking, "Kaiden, Kaiden, what are you doing up?"

  Hearing Loden's voice, Kaiden turns to see Loden sitting upright on the bed, his gaze focusing on him. Kaiden responds to Loden, his tone hushed. "Oh, I just... I woke up and... couldn't go back to sleep."

  Loden quickly rises from the bed, planting his feet hard and pushing himself off the bed. His actions cause a vibration through the floor which Tibost senses and feels. Tibost jolts awake from his slumber, his head lifting off his arms with a start and his eyes looking at Loden with distain. A small strand of drool escapes from his mouth, which he hastily wipes away. Loden doesn’t take notice of Tibost and strides right over to Kaiden's side, his eyes meticulously scanning his body. With a hint of concern in his voice, he gently suggests, "Let's sit you back on the bed. You shouldn't be exerting yourself yet. You need to rest."

  Kaiden rolls his eyes in mild annoyance, but his defiance gives way to a pang in his head, and his vision momentarily wavers. He reasserts, "I'm fine. I've slept for hours already." As if on cue, his stomach growls loudly, Kaiden hastily attempting to quell the sound by covering it with his hands. Flushed with embarrassment, he adds, "Plus, I'm starving. I'm heading out to get some food."

  Tibost observes the unfolding situation between Kaiden and Loden, a smirk forming on his face. With a languid stretch, he extends his arms and legs on the chair, casting a glance towards the radiant light streaming into the room and silently pondering the hour.

  Loden shakes his head, firmly refusing Kaiden's insistence on leaving. "No, you'll remain here. We need to wait for Wulfric and Brokenfang; they should be returning soon. I can arrange for food to be brought here."

  Kaiden looks at Loden with a mixture of confusion and growing irritation. "Are you attempting to turn my own room into a makeshift prison for me? I want to go outside," he retorts, frustration lacing.

  Loden shakes his head, his frustration mounting. "We can't let you leave. We must keep you here, and you need to take it easy until we get the antidote," he explains, the stress evident in the pinch of his nose. He repeats with firm conviction, "Kaiden, we are trying to help you."

  Kaiden huffs in frustration, his vision still a bit hazy but at least manageable. He takes a step toward the door, determined to leave. Ignoring Loden, he moves forward, only to find the path blocked by Loden, who stands firmly in front of it.

  Kaiden feels a tightness in his chest and the familiar sensation of chills starting to spread once more start to intensify, but he forcibly suppresses the sensation, pushing onward in his resolve to leave. However, Tibost, ever perceptive, notices the subtle shifts in Kaiden's body language, which he takes as a sign of the resurgence of the poison. He stands up from his chair and moves to Kaiden's side, his gaze slowly examining his figure.

  Tibost closes to distance to Kaiden’s side and stands beside him, his voice calm but resolute, "Kaiden, we must insist that you rest. Moving around will only make the poison more active within your body." His concern is evident in his matter-of-fact tone, leaving no room for argument.

  Kaiden defiantly responds, "No." However, as he speaks, he suddenly feels a sharp pain spread through his leg and into his chest, the needlelike sensations intensifying. Overwhelmed, he clenches his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken and drum against his ribs.

  Tibost swiftly grasps Kaiden's arms, his expression betraying genuine concern. "Kaiden, does your chest hurt?" Tibost asks urgently. He then murmurs to himself, shaking his head, "The poison must have spread already."

  Kaiden nods, the pain worsening, his face contorted with discomfort. Loden, filled with concern, steps closer, his hand hovering near him as if instinctively wanting to soothe him.

  Tibost steadies his hold on Kaiden near his shoulders, ready to support him if he weakens to the point of falling. However, a sudden and unexpected event unfolds as Loden's hand touches Kaiden, releasing a burst of red light that briefly mystifies Tibost and Loden. Suddenly, Loden is forcefully thrown back, nearly losing his footing in the process. It was as if an invisible force had abruptly pushed him away.

  Loden, still in shock, gazes at Kaiden and Tibost, uttering a bewildered "What happened?" He moves to touch Kaiden once more, but this time, a glistening red light envelops Kaiden's skin. It's as if an imperceptible barrier has formed, impeding Loden's touch entirely. This barrier remains in place, shielding Kaiden.

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  Kaiden senses a drain on his energy, his heart racing faster as Tibost supports him. He maintains his eyes closed, trying to conserve energy and find some relief again.

  Loden desperately attempts to establish skin-to-skin contact with Kaiden, trying various parts of his arm and face. As this unfolds, Tibost's grip tightens on Kaiden, sensing that his strength is wavering, and his ability to hold himself up is faltering significantly.

  Tibost keenly observes the phenomenon unfolding, quickly realizing that the red energy is draining Kaiden's strength. He promptly moves Kaiden away from Loden's reach, intervening decisively. "Stop," he asserts, "you are making him worse."

  As Tibost speaks, Kaiden's strength gives out becoming limp in Tibost's hold. Forcing Tibost to act fast and shift his hold to compensate. He swiftly lifts Kaiden, now carrying him in his arms. He observes that Kaiden's breathing has become more labored, his heartbeat racing rapidly. Tibost notes that it starts to calm though, seemingly becoming regular after being held away from Loden for some moments the red energy not appearing around Kaiden’s skin.

  Loden steps forward, his irritation clear as he snaps back at Tibost, "Don't tell me what to do. I'm trying to heal Kaiden. You're getting in my way." As he extends his hand, Tibost takes a few cautious steps backward, maintaining a safe distance while keeping Kaiden secure in his arms.

  Tibost shakes his head, refuting Loden's assertion. "No, you aren't healing him. You're making him feel worse," he states, quickly moving away to lay Kaiden down on the bed. In a hushed tone, he mutters to himself, "Where are the other two with the antidote?"

  As Tibost gently lays Kaiden down on the bed, Kaiden curls up, holding his chest, his body trembling. Tibost shakes his head, racking his brain for alternative solutions, but his contemplation halts as he sees Loden making his way toward the bed. Quickly, Tibost moves to block Loden from getting near Kaiden, creating a physical barrier between the two.

  As Loden's irritation mounts, he demands with an irritated tone, "Get out of my way. Are we going to fight this time? Stop interfering." Tibost stands firm, maintaining his defensive stance to keep Loden at bay.

  Kaiden listens intently to the escalating conflict between Tibost and Loden, unable to see them but sensing the tension in the air. Despite his desperate attempt to remain focused, the pain intensifies, with the needle-like sensations spreading further and the sharp, throbbing pressure in his chest. Struggling to stay conscious, he lies still, his every breath becoming a challenge as he fights against passing out.

  Tibost presses on, trying to appeal to reason. "Loden, see reason. Your celestial energy is silver, just like Asterylan's. I know what I am saying. That energy that just now came from Kaiden... It was red." In a bid to keep Loden at bay, Tibost stands his ground, his arms splayed wide, effectively blocking Loden's path.

  Tibost maintains his composure as he speaks, "There's something blocking your energy, and it's draining Kaiden. We're running out of time." He lowers his arms, seeing Loden pause. "We need the antidote now. Celestial healing won't work anymore," Tibost concludes urgently.

  Loden resists, but his expression reflects a glimmer of understanding as he considers Tibost's words. He rubs his hand across his forehead, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before replying, "What can we do for now to help him until they get back."

  Tibost glances at Loden, noticing his comprehension and allowing himself to relax slightly. He then turns his gaze to Kaidens prone figure on the bed and back to his bag, contemplating a thought. Promptly deciding to pursue it, he swiftly rummages through his bag, sifting through a few items before withdrawing the blue-hued bottle.

  Loden observes Tibost's actions, eyeing the bottle in his hand. "Are you seriously needing to drink at a time like this?" he murmurs, restraining himself from moving forward. Remembering Tibost's admonishment not to approach Kaiden, Loden hesitates, his gaze shifting between the bottle and the prone figure on the bed.

  Tibost shakes his head as he moves toward the bed, explaining, "It's not for me." He gingerly maneuvers Kaiden into a slight upright position, allowing him to lean against his side. "Kaiden, this will help," Tibost assures softly, holding the blue bottle in his free hand and tilting it slightly toward Kaiden's mouth.

  Kaiden, though still conscious, picks up on the fragrance emanating from the bottle, instinctively turning his head away in protest. Loden observes silently from his spot, his fingers clenching with frustration. Recalling the episode at the tavern, Kaiden's aversion to ale comes to the forefront, making it clear he wouldn't willingly consume any unfamiliar substance even in his current condition.

  Loden moves to tell the physician but Tibost is one step ahead, addressing Kaiden with reassurance. "Kaiden, this will make the pain go away. I promise you, this will make you feel better. Drink a little bit of it," he gently urges, holding the blue bottle closer to Kaiden's mouth again.

  Frustrated and in pain, Kaiden attempts to turn his head away, but his muscles resist the movement, weakened by the toll of the poison coursing through his veins. Kaiden is gripped with a deep-seated aversion to the bottle's scent and a fierce desire to resist, clinging fiercely to the norms of the world he knows.

  Tibost persists with his actions, holding the bottle near Kaiden's mouth. Kaiden reluctantly opens his mouth, and Tibost skilfully pours the liquid, the taste quickly takes Kaiden by surprise. As the liquid makes its way down his throat, he reflexively opens his eyes, taken aback by the bitter taste and the burning sensation as it courses down his throat. Tibost swiftly moves dropping the empty bottle, and placing both hands gently on Kaiden's mouth, preventing him from regurgitating the liquid.

  Tibost firmly instructs, "Swallow." Keeping his hands firmly in place to prevent the liquid from escaping, he awaits Kaiden's response. A few drops manage to escape through Tibost's fingers, but Kaiden obediently swallows the remaining liquid in his mouth.

  Tibost removes his hands from Kaiden's mouth and gestures to his bag. He instructs Loden, "Loden, bring me the other bottle inside my bag. Throw it to me."

  Loden glances at Tibost and Kaiden, taking a moment to assess the situation before moving toward the bag. Upon finding the bottle and pulling it out, he hesitates, questioning Tibost's intentions. "Isn't this too much? You've already given him some," he inquurs, his uncertainty reflected in his expression.

  Tibost shoots a terse look at Loden, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why must you doubt me? I am the physician," he reiterates. “Look at Kaiden. This will help alleviate some of his suffering, hopefully until Wulfric arrives. I can't offer him anything else, and your healing won't work anymore," he reiterates, holding his hand out for the bottle that Loden still holds.

  Loden casts a final glance at Kaiden, noticing his half-closed eyes, labored breathing, and trembling body as he slumps against Tibost's side. With a resigned shake of his head, he gingerly tosses the bottle toward Tibost, who catches it with practiced ease.

  With swift and practiced movements, Tibost quickly uncorks the bottle and brings it to Kaiden's mouth. Despite his weakened state, Kaiden opens his mouth again, and the liquid slides down smoothly with no resistance from Kaiden. However, his eyes remain half-closed, and a subtle flush of redness spreads across his face.

  Tibost gently pours half the bottle into Kaiden's mouth before capping it and setting it down near him on the bed. Kaiden's trembling begins to subside, and his eyes slowly close as his breathing gradually eases. His body finds relief from the pain, numbed by the presence of alcohol in his system, flowing through his veins and dulling his senses.

  Loden observes from the table, noting how quickly Kaiden succumbs to the effects of the alcohol. A thought crosses his mind, thinking to himself, "He's such a lightweight." Tibost's voice breaks his thought, his words filled with urgency, “They better get here soon with that antidote," he murmurs, his worry evident in his tone and his face.

  Loden pauses, seemingly itching to speak, but he restrains himself, instead choosing to sit down in the nearby chair. Clearly, he is concerned about causing further harm to Kaiden through the red energy's unexpected reaction, and he silently decides to address this issue with Wulfric upon his return.

  Tibost remains beside Kaiden, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat and breathing, savoring the physical closeness to the young man who rests against his side. Despite the lingering tension in the air, Tibost occasionally looks at Loden, momentarily displaying a smirk before it quickly vanishes, well aware of the jealousy Loden would likely feel over this intimate moment.

  As Tibost continues to hold Kaiden close, his thoughts are briefly consumed by his mind envisioning scenarios that could unfold between himself, Kaiden, and perhaps even Loden. He indulges in musings about the intimate moments that might transpire between the three of them or just the two of them, picturing both serious and playful situations in his mind's eye. However, he quickly shakes his head, dismissing the tantalizing thoughts and redirects his focus to patiently waiting for the arrival of Wulfric and the other warrior.