He's aware of the pain first. The gradual return to consciousness is rather like swimming upwards through what feels like treacle, and the pain returns first.

Other bits and pieces of awareness slowly begin to filter in. The scent of earth. Grass. A bare whisper of a breeze.

Light.

Only one thing is missing, and that is his sense of the Dark's presence.

He takes that as a good sign -- but he isn't about to try something as demanding as actually opening his eyes just yet.