A distant rumble rolled somewhere beyond the tent flap, followed by the muted sound of some kind of explosion. Another tremor shivered through the ground behind his back.
It should've been deafening, yet all that came through was just a slight shake that he barely felt. As if the sound was submerged underwater.
Ryn tried to inhale and found that even that was sluggish.
"...Ryn."
The voice barely cut through and reached his ears.
His vision finally cleared enough to make out the tent overhead, a lantern swinging gently from a hook, and Jay leaning over him with an expression that didn't belong on the alchemist's face.
"What…" Ryn managed. He tried to move his body but felt nothing.
Jay didn't answer immediately. His hand was pressed against Ryn's neck, fingers searching for something that clearly wasn't where it should've been.
"How the hell are you alive right now?" Jay muttered under his breath.
