Elio's eyes fluttered open slowly, his body still heavy with hunger.
The aroma of freshly prepared food was the first thing he perceived. His stomach growled with an intensity that surprised him, reminding him how long it had been since he'd eaten properly.
He blinked several times, adjusting to the room's light. His swift summon, perched on the bedside table, chirped softly in greeting.
"Finally awake, sleeping beauty!" Kriz's voice resonated in the room, followed by a thud and an indignant "Ow!"
"I told you not to shout," Zara whispered, glaring at Kriz before turning to Elio, her face showing both relief and concern at the same time. Her salamander, mirroring her worry, scampered onto the bed, nudging Elio's hand gently.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
Elio tried to sit up, feeling every muscle in his body protest. "Like I fought an army of Locus... and lost," he groaned. "How long was I unconscious?"
"Almost 12 hours," Ren replied, his tone serious but with a hint of relief. His rabbit hopped nervously at his feet, sensing the tension in the room.
Kriz, always ready to lighten the mood, grinned broadly. "Yeah, we thought you'd extended your vacation in the monster sea indefinitely. How was the service?"
"Terrible, the provisions didn't last long, and hunger is a worse enemy than I remembered."
Brok approached with a tray full of food, his rabbit perched on his shoulder, sniffing curiously at the dishes. "Then you'd better replenish your strength. You have a lot to tell us."
Without needing further invitation, Elio began to devour everything within reach. Between bites, he observed his friends: Zara, Kriz, Brok, Ren, and Micah. All looked at him expectantly, eager to hear his story.
"I suppose you'll want to know what happened..."
"Not at all," Micah responded sarcastically. "We just like watching you eat as if there's no tomorrow." His frog, seemingly sharing its master's humor, mimicked Elio's eating motions.
Elio couldn't help but smile. Between bites, he began to recount his experience. "Level 6 was... intense," he said, reaching for another plate. "The challenge consisted of a long, seemingly endless frozen tunnel."
His friends listened attentively, fascinated by every detail.
He proceeded to tell them about his experience: the icy tunnel, the struggle against the cold that consumed his resistance, the discovery of the barrier.
Silence fell over the room. The others exchanged uncomfortable glances, feeling they were witnessing a private moment. Even the summons seemed to sense the tension, huddling closer to their respective masters.
Elio slowly stood up and approached Zara. "You're right," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about how my absence would affect you all."
Zara looked at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Just... don't do it again, okay?"
Elio nodded, but then a small smile formed on his lips. "Well, about that... Next time, you won't have to worry."
Zara looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Elio said, his smile widening, "that next time, you're coming with me."
Surprise flashed across Zara's face, quickly followed by excitement and nervousness. "Are you serious?"
Elio nodded. "Completely. I'll need all the help I can get for what's coming, and I trust you more than anyone."
Kriz, unable to contain himself, chimed in: "Oh, great. A romantic date in the sea of monsters. Make sure to pack more food this time."
Before Zara could smack Kriz for interrupting the moment, the door burst open. Lucien and Selene entered, their faces showing relief at seeing Elio awake. Their frogs hopped in after them, looking curiously around the room.
"Elio," Lucien greeted, slightly inclining his head. "It's good to see you awake."
"You had us worried," Selene added, her tone softer than usual.
Elio nodded, grateful for their presence. "I'm sorry for worrying you. There's much to discuss."
"And much to teach, apparently," Micah interjected. "You mentioned you'd help us reach level 6... But no one has taught us the corrosive attack yet."
Elio nodded. "That's right. And I'll also teach you the explosive attack. It'll be essential for what's coming."
"What's coming?" Micah asked, intrigued. "What are you planning, Elio?"
Elio looked at each of his friends before responding. "We're going back to the sea of monsters. But this time, I need a large team."
Kriz let out a nervous laugh. "Wow, and I thought my idea of a date for two in the Locus sea was risky."