The darkness subsides like a waking dream. Kiora's body aches from fatigue. Once her eyes flicker open, she struggles to rise. Arms and back creak as though they have not been moved in days. She grimaces from the discomfort. Upon a sigh, Kiora glances around her surroundings. The lone soldier finds herself sitting on a daybed beside an arched window. The crimson sun beams through a sheer, violet curtain. Kiora lifts the veil with shaky fingers.

Outside of the window pane reveals dense ...