Dante's POV

Pain was the first thing I felt. Not fear. It came slowly at first, pulling me back into consciousness before I was ready to face reality. My body felt heavy, every movement carrying a sharp reminder that I was injured. My side burned. My legs felt stiff and weak. Even breathing required effort.

For a few seconds, I kept my eyes closed — not because I was resting, but because I was trying to understand where I was. The last thing I remembered was the forest. The blood. The ...