Eli leaned forward slightly, watching Riven with sharp eyes that betrayed his fatigue. He could barely sleep knowing his friend was in a coma. But now that he observed Riven closer, he saw that there was tension written clearly on his face.
He cleared his throat. "Riven… Is there something wrong?"
Riven blinked, then quickly shook his head. "No! I'm just… Tired." The lie was barely believable and clumsy, but he hoped it would hold.
Because how could he explain it? That the dreams weren't dreams, that they felt too real. That he had lived another life. That his soul, his very being, wasn't originally from this world. That the pain and darkness he saw weren't nightmares—they were memories. Memories of the original Riven.
So instead, he forced a smile and tried to change the subject. "Am I alright now?"
Eli gave him a sceptical look but replied gently, "You're stable. That's the important part. Your pulse is stronger, your breathing's normal, and your colour's returning… Slowly."
