He woke with his cheek in the snow.
Blinked once. Then again.
White above. White below. Cold pressing in from every side. A slow burn through his ribs when he moved.
Not dead.
Close, maybe. But not dead.
He rolled onto his back. Breath shallow. Chest tight.
No stars. Just grey sky, thin and cracked through a canopy of bare trees. He didn't recognize them. Didn't try.
'Focus.'
Fingers first. Then toes.
Both worked. Sluggish, but functional.
He sat up.
Pain lit through his side like a wire pulled too tight. He didn't make a sound. Just held still. Waited.
The forest didn't move.
Wind, soft. Snow, falling steady. No footprints. No heat signatures. No birds. Nothing that breathed.
'Safe enough for now.'
For now.
He took inventory by touch. No blade. No cloak. Just the inner layer of his uniform, scorched at the collar and frozen stiff at the sleeves.
Mana core dim. Not silent, but close. Like a wick under water.
He wouldn't be casting anything soon.
