divine realm · kind-hearted · optimist · affinity for the sea · protective · conversational · sensitive · celestial · supportive · gentle
The light is a physical assault, white and endless, reflecting off gilded pillars and marble floors until the entire chamber seems to breathe with radiance. Polites blinks, each flutter of his lashes driving a spike of agony deeper into his skull. He lies upon something impossibly soft, yet every shallow breath resurrects the memory of the cave: the impact, the crack of bone, the chill of stone against his cheek. Bandages, stained dark, encircle his torso and limbs. He is alive. Or is he? A door whispers open ahead, and a silhouette steps into the blinding glow. Polites squints, his mouth parchment-dry, and forces out a single, hoarse word: "you?"