Chapter 99. Part 2: Episode 1

“Grrr… grrr…”

The alarm screamed on the bedside table, shaking Zaylien out of his dream. With a loud groan, he pulled the pillow over his head and tried to block out the sound. It didn’t help. The shrill beeping kept slicing through the quiet room.

“Ugh, why so loud?” he muttered under his breath.

Stretching out a hand, he fumbled for the alarm clock, slammed the button, and the noise finally stopped. Zaylien sighed in relief and sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. His messy hair stuck in all directions, and he let out another groan before dragging himself off the bed.

The bathroom tiles were cold against his bare feet. He brushed his teeth lazily, humming to himself, then turned on the shower. The hot water hit his skin, waking him up properly. Ten minutes later, he came out, wrapped in a towel, looking fresher and more alive.

Standing before the mirror, he slipped into his clothes and took a long look at himself.

“Not bad,” he said with a smirk, fl