Shadow of the Beautiful World

Body 21. Awakening

I don't know how long I have been sleeping, my chaotic consciousness is like being placed in cold water. It should have been a terrible experience, but the blocked body cannot perceive all this, so the soul can only live with the situation.

Maybe it was a day, maybe a month, at a certain moment of silence, Merlin's soul trapped in the darkness suddenly saw a ray of light.

A gentle call came from that light, like a warm hand holding Merlin's helpless soul.

Then, bit by bit, he was dragged back to the warm world from the dark quagmire where the dead silence gathered.

swish

He opened his eyes.

Light.

The light from the window hit his face, causing Merlin's eyes to close again the next moment.

The light of the setting sun was still too dazzling for him now.

It took him several minutes to get used to the light. His eyes were very dry, and they were constantly secreting liquid under the stimulation of the light, which made Merlin's vision blurred.

It's like the uncomfortable ghosting disease that appeared when he was just infected by dark magic.

Can't see anything clearly.

Fortunately, the dark perception is still there.

Merlin closed his eyes. He was a little jerky, spreading out his perception of darkness, covering the ward covered by the light of the setting sun bit by bit.

There is something odd about this house.

Its walls are made of metal, and apart from the life support equipment, there are basically no other decorations inside, it looks very simple and a bit empty.

Merlin tried to spread the perception of darkness farther, but perhaps because his body was too weak, when he increased the injection of magic power, there would be a burst of tearing pain in his body.

This means that his body is currently unable to perform such an action.

Merlin had no choice but to give up his plan to explore the surroundings.

He didn't know how long he had slept, but after a long period of coma, regaining control of his body was undoubtedly a very difficult act.

Every muscle in his limbs is like an old gear lacking oil lubrication, and even the movement of his fingers is very jerky. Merlin felt as if he was manipulating a very old computer with constant problems. Every time he entered a command, he had to wait several seconds before his body responded.

To make matters worse, there is a tube that helps him breathe, which is inserted deep into his nostrils, and this thing is making him feel extremely uncomfortable now.

He had to figure out a way to get this thing out.

It won't be hard

While Merlin quickly adapted to his poor health, he said to himself:

Come on, it only takes a few minutes for you to do it.

It took him nearly 15 minutes to curl the fingers of his left hand.

It took about 5 more minutes to curl up my arms.

After another five minutes passed, Merlin finally shuddered and grabbed the tube inserted into his nostril.

Three minutes later, he withdrew the tube from his body.

This simple action put Merlin under great pressure. He gasped for breath, propped himself up on the hospital bed with trembling hands, and let himself sit up bit by bit. Until this time, Merlin discovered that there was a strange feeling between his legs.

He lifted the quilt and looked at it. The next moment, he made a desperate voice:

Holy shit the catheter.

Ten minutes later, Merlin pushed the infusion stand beside his bed, and moved himself to the window of the ward little by little.

Merlin's movements are staggering, like an old man who is dying, but since he woke up, he is rapidly re-adapting to his body, which means that Merlin's body, except for a little muscle atrophy, is a little weak at the same time , basically there is no big problem.

But that's just the appearance.

At least Merlin himself knew what was fused into his blood vessels and body.

Gravitonium

That thing was the culprit that caused him to be in a coma for a long time, and I don't know if Dr. Hall has researched a solution to his problem.

With this worry in mind, Merlin opened the curtains, and the next moment, a desert scenery appeared in front of his eyes.

At dusk, Meilin's shocking golden light shines on the Gobi and mountains in front of Meilin's eyes in a splashing manner, as if covering the earth with the most gorgeous clothes. This is probably the most beautiful day in this place. It's time.

Merlin was a little thankful, it seemed that it was just the right time for him to wake up.

And he also knew where he was now from the familiar hill in front of him.

Is it the Pegasus base?

Merlin lay on the window sill, he said softly:

I really have a relationship with this place.

boom

Just as Merlin was feeling emotional, behind him, the door of the ward was pushed open.

Eric pushed the door and walked in with dinner in his hand, but when he looked up, he saw Merlin standing by the window, bathed in the evening sun, smiling at him.

Snapped

The dinner in the young man's hand fell to the ground, but thanks to the protection of the lunch box and plastic bag, it would not spill all over the ground.

Hi Eric. How are you?

Merlin looked at the sluggish young man in front of him. It had been a long time since he had seen him. This guy had matured a lot. He had a pair of round-rimmed glasses on his nose and a beard. , which made Merlin a little dissatisfied.

This kind of hair is called dreadlocks, which is a kind of cultural inheritance of black people, but Merlin doesn't like this kind of hair.

Facing Merlin's friendly greeting, it took Eric several seconds to react. He raised his hand and waved to Merlin.

Hello, Merlin, long time no see

But since you can walk on your own, why don't you put on pants?

—

Merlin is certainly not an exhibitionist. In fact, Eric's expression also has some problems.

It's not that Merlin didn't wear pants, he just didn't find his own clothes in this room, he only found a pair of boxers, and his current physical condition doesn't allow him to wear too complicated clothes.

You bastard, don't tell this, you know?

Merlin was lying on the bed, holding the spoon with difficulty, sending a spoonful of fruit porridge into his mouth tremblingly, and said to Eric who was smiling beside him:

If you dare to talk nonsense, you will die!

I promise not to say it everywhere, I promise puff, hahahaha!

Eric tried his best to maintain a serious expression, but when he saw the windbreaker on Merlin, he thought of the image of Merlin just now. He couldn't bear it anymore, and laughed while clutching his stomach.

A few seconds later, under Merlin's expressionless gaze, Eric hurriedly sat up straight, coughed a few times, and said to Merlin:

Okay, I won't gossip about your dark history, don't worry.

You can try it, but at your own risk.

Merlin withdrew his gaze, and the ordinary fruit porridge in his hand seemed to become more delicious after not eating rice for a long time. While comforting his weak body with food, he leaned against the bed and asked softly:

What time is it now?

Well.

Eric took out his phone and looked at it, and said to Merlin:

Six o'clock in the afternoon.

No, how many days?

Merlin looked at Eric:

I mean, how long have I been unconscious?

Merlin's question made Eric a little silent. He flipped the phone's screen and put it in front of Merlin's eyes. He said:

It is now June 19, 2000, and you have been in a coma for nine months.

9 months

Merlin closed his eyes, and at this moment, he lost interest in eating.

Eric didn't know how to comfort Merlin, life is so long, losing 9 months at once must feel bad. And before Eric was allowed to enter the base to take care of Merlin, he also learned about the whole process of Merlin's injury from Merlin's colleagues.

This smart kid probably guessed the reason for Merlin's silence.

Afghanistan

A few minutes later, Merlin asked in a sleepy voice:

The war started?

No, no.

Eric's expression changed, and he said:

Two months after you were sent back, the civil war in Afghanistan ended, and now an armed group called 'Al Qaeda' has gained power in that country.

No?

Merlin pulled a bleak smile on his face, and he said:

The war has already begun, Eric, but you don't know it. Those black hands won't be stopped so easily. He has planned everything. All he has to do is push forward the plan. Waiting for this will always be caught by public opinion. Just like the Vietnam War, he has found the most fatal weakness of this country.

He clenched his fists, and under the influence of the surging emotions in his heart, a crackling sound came from his fingers.

Merlin said in a gnashed voice:

They were deceived. Those people and that organization will not just calm down like this. This time is just a rehearsal. The next time, it will be a real war. Soon, the real attack will come.

It's none of your business, Merlin.

Eric saw Merlin's heavier breathing, and he hurriedly comforted him:

We all know that you saved more than 100 people in Afghanistan. You are a real hero. But the matter between the two countries cannot be resolved by one person. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

You tried your best and almost lost your life, it's not your fault.

For my job, just trying my best is not enough.

Merlin leaned against the bed, he whispered:

I had a chance to stop all of this. Those soldiers should have continued their missions. If I hadn't chosen to wait and wait and see when I entered that canyon for the first time, all this would have been impossible. It will happen, those soldiers will not die.

I chose wrong.

Merlin closed his eyes and said:

And the price is the lost lives.

You're blaming other people's mistakes on yourself.

Eric pushed his eyes, and he said to Merlin:

You can only try your best to delay the pace of war, Merlin! You are not a god, you can't stop millions of people from hating each other, you can't put all this on you, that's not your responsibility.

Facing Eric's persuasion, Merlin did not answer immediately.

After more than ten seconds of silence, Merlin sighed, as if reciting poetry, he said softly:

Everyone has a role to play, some are responsible for having great families and others are responsible for protecting them.

It's my job, my job. I have the ability to do it, and I didn't do it, and I can't talk myself into watching it happen. I make the decision, and then I'm responsible. That's how the world works, my lord. of.

It's not a question of can you do it Eric you try to tell me it's gonna happen and when it happens I can tell myself it's not my fault but sorry boy I can't do it .”

Merlin opened his eyes, he looked at the metal ceiling, he said:

I should have killed the Ten Rings when I saw them, instead of leaving them to the soldiers. I was too stupid to see the sinister intentions of the Mandarin, and I missed my best chance .”

I was so obsessed with getting things done that I ended up living up to my responsibilities.

so what?

Eric stood up angrily, looked at Merlin, and said:

You just decided to stay here so self-pitying and tell me you're a loser? No! You're not a loser, Merlin, 99% of the world can't do what you did. Stop blaming yourself !

What does it matter to me that they can't do it?

Merlin stared straight ahead at the empty ground, and said:

I just want to say that I made a stupid mistake and I have learned from it. If there is a next time, then I will not hesitate again.

Seeing Merlin's resolute expression, Eric didn't know what to say.

Go and help me call the chief officer of the base!

Merlin waved to Eric who was standing still, he picked up his fruit porridge again, and said without raising his head:

We should get out of here.

Are you in such a hurry to leave?

Eric walked towards the door and asked:

Is it making you uncomfortable to stay here? Do you want to change the room? I see that there are many vacancies here.

No.

Merlin raised his head, smiled at Eric, and said: