Axelius suddenly woke up with a loud cough, choking on the water still trapped in his lungs. He was lying flat on his back, soaked and gasping for air. He turned to his side, trying to breathe properly as he coughed out mouthfuls of river water.
After catching his breath, he slowly pushed himself up and looked around, confused. The sound of the waterfall was gone. It seemed he had been swept far downstream, away from the place he fell.
His whole body ached, but he stood up, wobbling a little before finding his balance. He looked around again, noticing that staying in this open patch by the river wasn't safe. Too exposed. Too quiet. So, he started walking into the forest, trying to stay alert even though everything felt heavy and sore.
