Matthew didn't waste time. He pulled himself off the bed and stepped over the mess. His body ached, but not in the same way as before. It was... solid now. Like his limbs had been tightened, realigned, strengthened. As someone who spent the last few years of his previous life in a state of paralysis, it was easier for him to notice that his physical state had changed.
Matthew ignored the blood-soaked floor for now. He sat down in a lotus position and took a deep breath. Then another. His body still ached in places, but not the same way as before. It was tight. Compressed. Efficient. He could feel it—like a machine that had just been tuned.
He closed his eyes and focused.
At first, there was only silence. Then, slowly, awareness settled in. His breathing evened out. He could feel his heart beating, sure, but beyond that… was something… more.
