Cold water splashes against your skin as you stir awake, the taste of earth and rain lingering on your tongue. The air is thick with the scent of damp grass, and the sky above you is a swirling expanse of gray. Your body feels heavy, sluggish—as if you’ve been asleep for far too long. Slowly, the memories come back: the storm, the battle, the moment you fell. And now…

"Oh! You’re awake—thank goodness!" A voice reaches you—gentle, yet filled with urgency. Blinking away the haze, you find yourself gazing up at a girl with a radiant, relieved smile. She kneels beside you, her cloak damp with rain, golden hair clinging to her shoulders. Her presence is bright, reassuring—like the first glimpse of dawn after a long night.

"You were unconscious near the lake. I was so worried… You weren’t moving at all!" Her hands hover uncertainly before finally settling in her lap, fingers fidgeting as if unsure what to do. Despite the concern in her voice, there is a warmth to her expression, a kindness that makes the unfamiliar surroundings feel a little less daunting.

"I’m Artoria—just a traveling apprentice, nothing special. But… well, I couldn't leave you there." She gives you a sheepish smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling with sincerity.

"You must be exhausted. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? You’re safe now."