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Still as Water
Ch. 1 - Locked in a Monologue

Ch. 1 - Locked in a Monologue

Aaargh!!

My body!

It's in so much pain, but I can't feel it, legs, arms, head. I can't feel my body at all, only pain there to make me remember I have them!

It seems that only my vision and hearing are working, and barely, my vision is blurred, I can only hear some random splashing noises and a low humming, at least that's what I can make out for the moment, uurgh. Surely I would be rolling on the floor and screaming in pain if I could.

I can only see the brownish ceiling of the isolation room and one of the pillars still glowing and maintaining the barrier. Wait, barrier? That was the humming!? Ah, yes! That's right, I was trying to absorb the water essence from the water crystal, yet something happened that led to this event! I just adjusted myself to enter a meditative state, and my mind felt like it exploded. Perhaps I really exploded to be launched all the way next to a pillar. Guh, everything is going dark.

...

Huh? Did I pass out? How long since I have been in this state? I can't move, I can't even ask for help, am I going to die alone here? Agh! Haha, I guess that's what I deserve for being this reckless, a waste. My vision and hearing are starting to fade, but at least the pain is fading a little too. My time is running short. I can't simply die like that, but what can I do!?

Banging noises

Huh? By the gods, Is someone trying to enter?

BANG!

BANG!

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CLAAANG!

Yes! Something heavy hit the floor, it's probably the door, and I can hear footsteps! Friend or enemy, I'm leaving this place for good! I may not be able to do anything in this state, but I will menacingly stare at whatever enters my field of vision! However, it's walking slowly, is it, limping? It takes a while to get on the altar, but it finally arrives. I hope it can see me. Oh, it's coming my way!

And finally, something alive appears in my eyes, it's blurry but, a tall man wearing animal hides is visible, he's hurt and missing an arm, but he seems familiar, two black horns on his head and a shocked expression... is that you Ignis? How and why the hell are you here? He seems to recognize me, but for some reason, he turns towards the pillar I'm near, anxious, he enters a fighting stance for a second, and-

(He smashes the damn thing into pieces with his remaining arm.)

I wish I could verbalize this, but that was impressive! Though it looks like your arm isn't so good after that punch. With that pillar gone, the barrier quickly dissipates into small particles, and for some reason, the pain eases a lot too. Oh, gods, what did that explosion do to me? It feels like I received a breath of life, my consciousness is back in good condition, I can feel, move my head AND talk.

I turn my head to look at Ignis properly. My neck movement is weirdly free.

"I have a lot to ask, but thanks for saving me, Ignis!"

He once again appears shocked for some reason and points at me.

"That face, is it really you, Flint? What the hell happened to your body?"

The fear in his voice had me scared, but also made me remember I can finally check out my current condition. I figuratively tremble, but still, turn my head to look at my body and, gods, where is my body?

There is only water!