I held my breath as Michael Ashworth's eyes fluttered open in his new body. Despite my own blood still dripping onto the ground beneath me, I focused entirely on his face, searching for signs of recognition, of consciousness, of success.
His gaze was unfocused at first, drifting across the night sky above us with confusion. Then his eyes found mine, narrowing slightly as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
"Where..." The word came out as a croak, his new vocal cords still adjusting.
"Earth Fiend Valley," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pain racking my body. "You've been... brought back."
Michael's brow furrowed as awareness slowly returned. He lifted a hand—young and strong now, not the aged one he'd died with—and stared at it in wonder.
"I was dead," he stated simply, no question in his voice.
"Yes."
His eyes locked on mine again, sharper now, calculating. "You did this? You brought me back?"
