Three days later…
The sun was already high in the sky, and for some reason, the heat was unbearable today. I had placed several bowls of cool water around Aika, to keep the temperature down a bit.
I had also lit my oil lamps with my own flames. I willed the dark green flames to not decay, but to flicker at a steady, low pulse, filling the room with an unnatural chill.
Then I sat by her side, waiting on her.
Eventually, Aika finally stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and in the next breath, she quickly sat up, then clutched the side of her head and winced.
"Ouch… my head hurts." She muttered in a raspy thin voice.
Before she could take a look around, I pulled her in for a tight, long hug. Aika seemed completely stunned for a moment, but didn't pull away or say anything. Instead, she went limp in my arms and just let me hold her.
And for a moment, I didn't really feel like letting go.
