Eye socket aching. Softshell bullet wound just missing the intestines. A damaged antenna and wings. Anemo was lucky to still be in one piece. 

Lying in the hospital bed, glancing side to side with only the beeps of the heart monitor filling the silence, Anemo was static and expressionless, all their cognitive activity left at a standstill. They weren’t far off the edge of being a life-sized doll, the only thing being they still had control of their body and retained their will. 

Footsteps were approaching their room. The door slid open to behold a nurse, walking into the room to discuss Anemo’s health status. 

“Patient 62, Anemo Amadeus Ailincai.. we removed the bullet from your stomach and amputated your left cranial nerve and arm. Other than your missing arm and eye, you have no serious injuries and should be able to fully recover in about a year. You were found passed out in battlefield QA-E42, losing 35% of your blood quantity and overall being very vulnerable.” 

“Nurse…” Anemo spoke. “Where are my friends? Zayne Abadiano, Sorami Hirokana, Shiri Tavora..?” 

“Unfortunately, we don’t know,” the nurse answered. “But the hospital can try to call them. Do you know their phone numbers?” 

“I do, actually. Sorami’s is…” 

Anemo gave the visiting nurse the phone numbers of all three of the friends they mentioned, hoping for a reply from at least one of them saying they were on their way to the hospital or at the very least that they were okay. 

“Okay. We’ll try to call your friends, alright?” The nurse was about to leave Anemo’s room when they called out once more. 

“Wait, I have one more question… where am I?” 

“You’re in room 254 of Batrides Hospital of Melody Valley, Casparia. You were taken here by our EMTs and paramedics because all the other hospitals near the battlefield were full.” 

“Thank you.” They responded robotically, their eye devoid of any light. 

The nurse, whose name was unbeknownst to them, stepped outside room 254 and allowed Anemo’s heart monitor to continue the talking. After a decent number of minutes passed by, the injured, expressionless Anemo tried lifting up their upper body, but was met with pain from the large bullet tear adjacent to their rib, prompting them to lie back down and do nothing until the nurse returned.  

Around 25 minutes later, the door opened again. 

“Your friends didn’t pick up. They might be busy with something or there might not be any signal.. but we can try again later if you like.” 

“Okay. Thank you, nurse..” Anemo’s voice croaked. 

“Anytime,” the nurse smiled. “Also, your hair’s been graying at a very abnormal rate. Do you want to look at yourself in the mirror?” 

Upon hearing the words spoken to them, Anemo used one of their still intact arms to hold and caress their hair to be within sight. The piece of hair they held was completely white, as if they aged 80 years in just 16. 

“Yes, please..” the blank, one eyed canvas said. The nurse went across the room to retrieve a hand mirror for Anemo’s lifeless, almost black hole-like eye to look in. Upon laying their gaze on their reflection, their eye widened. They saw very little pigmentation remaining in their once dark brown hair, only residing within the vicinity of the hair roots. The bandage laid on their missing eye had blood leaking through it from the socket, and their overall face looked.. a little different, its creases and wrinkles being more revealing than they were before. This wasn’t the same Anemo that saw life as a fruitful and fulfilling experience. 

“The me before all this.. is gone. Gone.” Anemo thought to themself. “I’m not them anymore.. I’m not them.” 

They put the mirror down beside them and stared at the ceiling again, this time beginning to tremble. 

“Are you okay?” The nurse asked. 

“I’m.. gone..” Their voice shook. “Gone..” 

Their trembling gradually became worse and worse, their pupil shrinking more and more as they sank in their thoughts, prompting healthcare professionals and other medical staff to rush to their comfort. 

“They don’t exist anymore.. gone with the wind.. sucked in by the abyss..” Anemo continued to utter. “Ceased to exist.. I’m not me.. anymore..” 

“That’s wrong. You’re still you, Anemo.” A doctor called out with a soft tone, holding their hand. “No matter what happens to you, you’ll always be you, and nothing–nobody–can ever change that, because you’re the only one who has control over yourself. Now, take a couple of deep breaths.. we’re here for you.” 

Following the doctor’s instructions, they began to breathe deeply, taking the air in through their nose and out through their mouth. Their hand escaped the doctor’s grasp to pet the therapy dog they had brought with them. Its fur felt soothing for them to touch.. it really reminded them that there is help available from those who can reach them best. 

Tens of minutes had passed, and their trembling had stopped and the thoughts about how they used to be in life eased, thanks to the dog serving as a distraction and moderator of their state. 

“Do you feel better now?” A professional questioned them. They nodded in response, still petting the dog. “That’s good. We’re glad we could help.” 

After a few more minutes of stroking the golden fur of the therapy dog, Anemo spoke again. “I’m good now.. you guys can leave. Thank you for your help.” 

“We’re here whenever you need anything, Anemo. Just tell one of the hospital’s staff and we’ll be right there, okay?” 

Anemo nodded again. 

“Thank you so much for calling us over, Nurse Eveland.” The doctor near Anemo remarked. 

“So that’s her name.” Anemo thought to themself. 

“Not at all. And thank you all for coming on such short notice.” 

Eveland and the medical team continued to exchange words briefly before parting ways. She then turned to Anemo, expressionless again after the medical team’s interference. 

“Do you want me to stay here for a bit longer, Anemo?” She asked. 

“Mmm.. a little. Could you try calling my friends again later?” 

“Sure, no problem.” 

Eveland wandered around Anemo’s room for a few more minutes, Anemo turning their head towards the right side of their pillow. 

“My friends…” They thought to themself. “Please tell me they’re at least okay..” 

To be continued…