Chapter Forty-Four: The Awakening

Yozora lay motionless on the bed, his chest rising and falling in slow, rhythmic breaths. His usually sharp, calculating features were softened by exhaustion, his body heavy from the strain of what he had just undergone. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the crystals embedded in the walls casting faint, flickering shadows over his resting form. Beads of sweat still clung to his forehead, evidence of the intense effort it had taken to absorb the Temporal Distortion Core's immense power. His fingers twitched occasionally, as if still reacting to the lingering aftershocks of the ancient energy that had coursed through him during the process.

The Core had been unlike anything Yozora had ever encountered. It pulsed with Hindo—potent, raw, and untamable. Etching its complex patterns into his body had been no simple task. It demanded every ounce of his focus and strength as he wrestled to understand the intricate, shifting layers of time the Core controlled. The effort had taken him to the very edge of his limits, and even now, minutes—or what felt like minutes—after the ordeal had ended, his body was struggling to recover.

Across the room, Sirius paced restlessly. His usual carefree demeanor had been replaced by a gnawing concern. His steps were deliberate, his brow furrowed as he cast glances at Yozora’s still form. "It's been more than twenty-four hours,"Sirius muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as though raising it might disturb Yozora’s fragile rest. He scanned Yozora, looking for any sign of movement. "He should've woken up by now."

Sirius clenched his fist, tapping his finger against the wall rhythmically—a nervous habit he’d developed during their many years of training. It was unlike Yozora to stay unconscious for this long. He had seen Yozora push his body far beyond what any normal Tuner could withstand, but the Temporal Distortion Core wasn’t just any power. It didn’t simply manipulate Hindo; it tampered with the flow of time itself, bending reality in ways no mortal was meant to control. The fact that Yozora had survived the process was nothing short of a miracle. Yet, there was something terrifying about the fact that his body had yet to fully recover.

As Sirius continued tapping his fingers against the wall, a voice broke the silence. "Bro, stop that tapping. It’s annoying, and gross—biting your nails? Really?"

Sirius froze, a wave of relief crashing over him. He turned, his face a mix of surprise and joy. "Zora...! You’re awake!" He struggled to find the words. "You’ve been out for twenty-four hours, man!"

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Yozora blinked, his mind still foggy. "Twenty-four hours? No way. It feels like only minutes since I finished the process."

Sirius, immediately intrigued, whipped out his notepad and began jotting down notes. "I need to know everything! This is insane! That core is a device only the Primordials were said to be able to harness. Worth the risk, I suppose."

Yozora frowned, slowly sitting up. "Wait, 'risk'? You told me everything except the part where I could’ve died?! Come a little closer so I can choke you out, Sirius." His voice was laced with mock anger, though the threat wasn't entirely idle.

Sirius grinned, backing up a step. "Calm down, Zora. Did you die? No. Alright then, moving on! Tell me what happened. Give me all the juicy details."

Yozora rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smirk. "Fine, you ass." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "When I touched the Core, I felt its Hindo surge into me, like it was alive—like it was speaking to me. The symbols and workings of the Core weren’t things I etched manually; they formed themselves, creating these tattoos you see on my arms."

Sirius’ eyes widened, taking a closer look at the intricate patterns that now adorned Yozora's arms. They glowed faintly, as if the power still simmered beneath his skin.

"When the Hindo from the Core was fully absorbed, I felt like I was drifting in an ocean, like time itself had slowed to a crawl. What felt like minutes, you’re telling me, was twenty-four hours?" Yozora shook his head in disbelief.

Sirius leaned in, his expression serious now. "Zora, the time dilation from the Core is real. What you experienced is what the Primordials spoke of—time bending in a way that makes hours feel like moments. But the fact that you’re alive and conscious is... remarkable. You’ve tamed something that no one has before."

Yozora met Sirius’ gaze, his voice calm but intense. "Sirius, I have to test this power. I can’t just sit here. I need to see what I can do with it."

Sirius’ face shifted to one of concern. "Wait. Test it? You’re thinking of going on a raid? Are you out of your damn mind?"

"I’m not asking for permission," Yozora replied, standing up from the bed with newfound resolve. "I need to do this, Sirius. I can’t afford to wait. What’s the closest gate?"

Sirius threw his hands up in frustration, knowing full well there was no stopping Yozora when he was this determined. "Fine," he relented. "The closest gate is south of here. Ember’s Depths."

Yozora nodded, his eyes sharpening with determination. "Perfect. I’m heading out now."

Sirius sighed, shaking his head as Yozora began gathering his gear. "You better not get yourself killed, Zora. If you do, I’m not explaining it to anyone."

As Yozora moved toward the exit, a smirk crept across his face. "Don’t worry, Sirius. I’ll be back before you know it."