Situ did not know how long he slept.
For the first time in countless ages, there was no cultivation.
No meditation.
No awareness extending across worlds.
Only darkness.
Only sleep.
Only the exhaustion of a mortal body finally surrendering to its limits.
When his eyes opened again, the fire had long since died.
Gray ash covered the cave floor.
A pale light entered through the cave entrance.
Morning.
Or at least what passed for morning in this strange world.
Situ slowly sat up.
His muscles immediately protested.
A dull ache spread through his shoulders and back.
Sleeping on stone was far from comfortable.
He frowned slightly.
Even such trivial discomfort was becoming a regular part of his existence.
Outside, the crimson sun hung low above the horizon.
Its light stained the mountains blood-red.
The forest appeared peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Situ stood and approached the cave entrance.
The cold from the previous night had weakened considerably.
