Chapter 158: Tree of Ebonthorn [1]

The silence was absolute.

"....." 

I heard nothing, not even a whisper of wind.

The world was dark. 

I couldn't see a thing. 

The world was silent and dark. 

No, I did hear something. 

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! 

It was the very sound of my heartbeat. 

.....It echoed in my ears, louder than ever.

So did the sound of my breath. 

"Haa... Haa..." 

Each breath felt amplified, almost intrusive.

The stillness wrapped around me like a heavy blanket.

I felt disconnected from everything.

'What's going on...?' 

My senses strained, seeking any hint of sound.

The silence pressed down, making me hyper-aware of my own existence.

From the beat of my heart to my very own thoughts. 

It felt incredibly eerie. 

"Haaa... Haa..." 

My breath continued to echo in the darkness. 

I couldn't move my body at all.