Rebirth
Chapter 5: Awaken (Avalon)
The injured Mystic had slept for two days and a half. During that time, Maya had grown increasingly worried about Avalon's health. Kazan would often try to take her mind off such things, but he found that to be an impossible task.
One evening the slumbering Mystic did awaken. Golden eyes slowly took in the environment with a rather passive expression. He sat up with the smallest of groans escaping his mouth. It was then that he realized how much pain he truly was in. He stayed in sitting position for long passing minutes before he decided that he could handle trying to move once again. The process of actually standing was long and tedious. He would pause for each movement as the throbbing pain would escalate with agitation and then subside again after a few minutes.
His steps were slow and measured as he made his way to the entrance of the room. He peered past the doorway and to the mysterious woman who sat in front of a roaring fire. She seemed to sense him as her head made a movement as if she had been alerted of something.
"Avalon?" Maya exclaimed.
The Mystic was a little startled that she had known his name, but this never showed on his face. Maya stood up and walked over to him cautiously, peering up at his golden eyes.
"I'm not sure if you know my name or not, so I'll just tell you. I'm Maya. How are you feeling?" she asked kindly.
"I…shouldn't be feeling anything—I shouldn't be alive."
"But you are," Maya reminded him.
"And you, did you save me?"
Maya nodded to him with a smile.
"Why?"
"Well, I couldn't just let you die especially when there was something I could do to prevent that."
Maya wasn't sure if the other was satisfied with her answer as his expression remained unreadable. Was he angry? Despondent? She could have stayed there forever staring into his unfathomable eyes.
"Do you…expect something in return?" Avalon asked finally breaking the silence.
"Only one thing—promise me you won't get yourself hurt like that again."
"That kind of promise is impracticable—it is too easily broken."
"Do you plan on getting yourself into more trouble then?"
"No."
"Well then why—
"Perhaps a different promise."
Maya thought for a few moments completely at a loss, "Promise me that whatever you were doing before, you won't continue it."
"Fine, it is done."
"Really? Is it that easy?"
"Maya, I am tired and I am nearly powerless—I'm not much of a threat any longer."
She blinked twice when he said this unprepared for such a blunt statement.
"Do you know then about your origin?"
"I am well aware."
Maya's eyes strayed away from Avalon, "I'm sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing for something that doesn't concern you?"
Then Maya's eyes jumped quickly back to Avalon's, "I wasn't apologizing. I was only feeling—
"Pity."
"No, empathetic."
"I fail to see the difference."
"There is a difference," Maya argued.
Avalon's bright eyes narrowed unwilling to believe her. Maya turned from him then and went back to her previous position in front of the fire.
"You can join me if you want," Maya said with only a suggestion of excitement in her voice.
He didn't move immediately and for a moment, Maya thought that he would simply return to his room. A little smile crept to her face when he decided otherwise. His progress was slow and lethargic, Maya noted, but eventually he joined her opting to sit opposite of her.
"I feel as if I am intruding."
Maya shook her head, "Don't worry, you're not. You should stay awhile—at least until you're fully healed."
"I'm not sure if that's possible."
"What's not possible? Getting your full health back?"
He nodded once.
"Of course it's possible."
"I'm used to a constant flow of energy, unending and bountiful. I've grown accustomed to feeling invincible, impervious to anything that could inflict pain, even sickness. Will I return to such a stature? That seems farcical at this point.
"Maybe you won't, but you'll still be alive. Isn't that enough?"
"It should be," Avalon said heavily.
Then his eyes turned to the flickering flames. It gave his eyes a strange tint.
"Are you hungry," Maya asked cautiously.
She supposed two days of rest would warrant such a request.
"Funny…" he said slowly, "I am."
"It's completely normal."
"It's a completely mortal activity."
"What do you mean?"
"I've never required such nourishment until now."
"That's…" Maya began.
Avalon looked up to her wondering what she would say, but she shook her head unable to think of a word.
"Well," Maya said standing up, "I'll be right back."
Avalon watched as she exited through the back door. A blast of cold air swept briefly through the central room and he shivered consciously. He gave a sigh when the door finally closed and returned his eyes to the fire. Now he knew why Maya dressed so heavily—it wasn't because she was overly religious or self-conscious about her body, it was simply because of the constant chilly temperatures outside.
The warmness from the flames was comforting and soon he found himself dozing.