The storm had quieted to a faint drizzle by morning, the relentless drumming of rain replaced by a soft, persistent tapping against the windowpane
Gon lay sprawled across his bed, the furs tangled around his legs, his chest rising and falling with the slow, heavy rhythm of deep sleep
A faint snore rasped from his throat, barely audible over the distant drip of water still seeping through the stone walls
The room was cloaked in a gray half-light, the early dawn struggling to pierce the thick clouds outside
A sharp knock jolted him awake, the sound cracking through the stillness like a whip
Gon's eyes snapped open, bleary, unfocused, his heart thudding in his chest as he registered the intrusion
The door creaked open before he could respond, a guard stepped in, his boots clomping heavily on the stone floor
The man's armor clinked faintly with each movement, a metallic jingle that grated against Gon's groggy senses
