A light in the dark.

The good mood didn't last long.

Albeit the thirst was solved and while he fully convinced himself his own fat wouldn't let him starve, there was no denying he felt hungry.

And the more hunger he felt, the slower he got till he had to stop as night fell again upon him.

He wasn't fit to being with and the lack of water and food took his toll on him so maybe the distance he covered in two days would take only a single one for others, or maybe even less and especially so with any kind of mount or transportation means, but none mattered.

Not even the sunny morning rays could lift his spirits, nor the gently flowing rider on the side of the road.

His will to survive kept his going, slowly but steadily walking forward, but even his hope began to flicker and dim as time went on.

At noon the sky was high in the sky and shined upon the world, but for Ryu the world was actually turning dark as he stumbled forward.

Would he die like this? No, maybe his fat was still sustaining him so it would be a temporary dizzy spell, but right now for Ryu it really felt like the end, like he'd never get to see the light of the day if he closed his eyes right now.

And yet there was nothing he could do to escape the darkness... nothing.

Well, to be precise there was nothing HE could do. But what about others?

He had practically lost all hope when faint mumbles resounded in his mind, then he felt himself shake.

Again and again.

A soothing warmth enveloped his body, and along it a light pierced the darkness enveloping his mind, Ryu slowly opening his eyes to see... a goddess?