Awakening

Chapter 63

"Epilogue"

Caliope's POV

I wake up slowly, my mind at least does. I can't manage to open my eyes yet as I feel them almost glued. I must have slept for several hours. My mouth feels dry and realizing this triggers an uncomfortable sensation in my throat; I am so thirsty.

I feel movement near me, I panic briefly but then I calm myself as I sense Amra's aura; he will always be that warmth and peaceful presence that calms me down. 'My Asteria... you are awake, finally...' I hear him in my mind. I try to open my mouth and feel the horrible sensation of dryness, so I nod. 'Yes, I think I am'. I sent him back.

"Is she ok?" I hear Nessa now from not too far. My dear friend, she must have been worried.

"Yes, she is waking up slowly, I think she is thirsty..." Amra says to her and I nod quickly.

"I will go tell the others and bring her a big jar of juice!" I hear her enthusiasm as she runs away.

'Let me help you...' He reaches to me mentally but I feel him get away briefly. He comes back soon enough and I feel some wet piece of cloth rubbing slowly on my forehead and eyes. He moves it slowly as I sigh.

Last thing I remember was when my vines took away Ignitious' life, his soul, his essence. As the last energy I had, which was borrowed from Amra already, was drained from me. I saw the ancient evil machine crack open and from within, the body of what my visions told me was Gaius, laid unresponsive. That was all I saw until my eyes shut down, as well as everything else. I simply couldn't stand on my own any longer. I fainted.

I try again to open my eyes and this time I make it, the light slightly bothering me as I get used to it again. At first I see Amra a bit blurry, but then I can see him in all his glory with a bright smile. I can't help but to smile back at him. "You had me worried... it has been five days since you fainted..."

I gasp and my eyes widen. Five days? I have been out for five days? Why I can't remember even a dream or anything else? Was this normal?

Nessa walks in and she smiles at me. "Baby! Gosh you had me so worried! But the guys here kept saying you were fine, that you were just resting and recovering some energy..." She brings me a big jar of purple juice and a glass, I extend my hand to it and she pours me some.

I haven't felt so good in ages, the way the liquid refreshes my mouth and throat makes me sigh and smile. "Yep, she was thirsty all right." I hear Nessa giggle.

I open my mouth and extend the glass to her. "More... please." I whisper with a raspy voice and she grins as she fills my glass to the top. She makes sure I catch the big ring on her finger and I widen my eyes as I look at her. "Congratulations! I am so happy for you!"

She grins and smiles and twirls around with happiness. "Thank you, he proposed yesterday..."

I see Elaine walk in with a wide smile as she sees me drink my juice. She looks well, happy, different. Perhaps a bit aged as well; but then, everything that happened has made us all age one way or the other. "Darling, finally you are rested. How do you feel?" Wiltshire comes right behind her, always at her side.

"I feel ok, normal? I was just, very, thirsty..." I chuckle and Amra smiles at me.

"Yes, that could be normal, you were resting for long. Pronab wanted me to nudge your head when you woke up, something about you pushing yourself too hard when you had all of us to fulfill the task. Yet I am not going to do that, but at least I delivered the message." She giggled and that was a sign of the old Elaine I knew, sweet and loving.