Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2568

When Sheena returned to her quarters, she was completely stunned.

Andrew's room was a wreck. The furniture was overturned, and the air was thick with heat and tension.

Luna and Valerie were sprawled unconscious on the floor, while Andrew sat cross-legged on the bed, his body radiating intense heat like a furnace.

"Sheena, you're back!" Andrew rasped hoarsely, forcing a faint smile despite the strain on his voice.

Sheena asked, "What happened? What's wrong with you? And why are those two unconscious?"

Andrew winced slightly in pain as he smiled bitterly, "They both depleted too much energy. After I woke up, I forcibly pushed them away, which caused them to pass out. As for me, well, I was careless."

Sheena stepped forward and checked on him, her expression grave. "Andrew, the energy inside your body is getting more violent. This energy is so massive and abundant, it's almost unbelievable. What did you eat or absorb?"

Andrew said helplessly, "Last night, I ate a piece of Blood Pith. You know how powerful that thing is."

Sheena's mouth dropped open in rare shock, "Blood Pith? As in, the ancient warrior essence kind? How could you do something so reckless? Don't move! Let me help you!"

Andrew quickly stopped her. "Don't touch me. You're about to face Alfredo in battle. You shouldn't disrupt your energy flow before the fight... It could affect your strength later."

"If I'm right, they're known as The Onyx and Ivory. They're Alfredo's twin sword retainers, the pillars of Swordhaven Keep. They almost never show themselves, so for them to appear now means something big is happening. Andrew, you can't keep holding this in. Let me help you."

As she raised her hand toward his back, Andrew jerked away, shouting, "Don't touch me! Relax, I'll be fine."

Sheena let out an exasperated laugh. "You call this fine? Your face is practically burning red! I don't care anymore. I'm helping you whether you like it or not. If I end up losing to Alfredo later, then so be it. That's fate."

Andrew's mind spun in chaos. The Blood Pith's power was more explosive than anything he had imagined. Yet even so, it should not have pushed him to this point.

He could not make sense of it, but one thought cut through the haze: no matter what happened, he absolutely could not let Sheena waste her energy on him.