Rise of the Soul Hero

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The light was shining brightly on his eyes and the smell of medicine and alcohol was in his nose. Andrei opened his eyes painfully and expected to see his comrades who had become his family, but instead of them he saw that he was in a hospital ward, and his old family was around him. His mum, his dad and his brother. They were smiling, leaning towards him, and Andrei didn't know what to say, his fingers clutched the white sheet tightly, and his lips trembled. In his thoughts he said to himself.

- Wasn't it all a dream, everything that had happened. -

He looked at his family once more and tears flowed from his eyes. His lips kept trembling and he didn't know what to say, but his parents hugged him slightly and his brother started to speak.

- Come on brother, it's okay we're there for you. And you're awake. -

His parents released Andrei from their embrace and he wiped the tears from his face and started to answer.

- I can't believe I'm alive. I had a dream that was so realistic. It was horrible at first, and then it was beautiful. It was real, like a dream. -

His mum gently stroked his head and began to speak.

- But it's only a dream my young hero, you've been holding on to your life. The doctors thought you wouldn't wake up, I'm so happy we're all together now. -

Then my father started talking.

- Yes, son, you gave us a fright. Don't leave us for so long, we're a family, and families don't leave each other. -

- And they don't betray each other. -

These words were in his head and he remembered everything that had happened to him, even now he could not believe that what he had experienced was just a dream. But he took a sitting position, after which he did not feel the expected pain. He examined himself and saw a clean and more or less healthy body. All the fingers on his left hand were there, there were no scars on his cheeks to touch. And there was no burn scar on his face either. Because of this, Andrei shook his head and said to himself.

- Strange, how realistic it was. -

But at the same second his fingers snapped several times in front of his face. It was his brother, he was still smiling, and seeing that Andrew had shifted his gaze to him, he began to speak.

- I guess you haven't quite recovered from what happened, and the dream must have been like a dream, you said so. You know, when we get home, let's play some of your games. I've been wanting to see what you're playing. I'll check out your library. -

Andrei nodded, and then with a little smile began to answer.

- Yeah, that's not a bad idea, by the way, am I being discharged already? -

His father began to answer this question.

- Yes, son, the doctors have restored your body and say that you can go home right now. So let's get ready, I'll take us for a ride. -

And then his mum spoke.

- And when we get there, I'll make your favourite soup, remember how you always ate it in a couple of sittings. -

Andrew smiled even wider, and then began to answer again.

- Yes, I'm so happy we're together again. You know, when we get back, I'll tell you about the dream I had. It was like a different world, oh, I'll tell you all about the adventure. -

His brother patted him on the shoulder and with the same smile began to answer.

- I'll listen to your dream, I hope there were pretty girls in it, it's not a different world without pretty girls. -

He helped Andrei up and he went forward without any difficulties, but stopped in front of the door and once again looked at the bed on which he was lying. For a split second it seemed to him that Lizzie was standing there. He immediately shook his head and spoke to himself in his thoughts.

- It was just a dream, a very realistic and more or less pleasant dream, wasn't it? It was definitely a dream, wasn't it? -

With these thoughts he walked out of the ward and started walking beside his family. They walked down the white corridor to the equally white doors. The tiles were just as white, and the ceiling was as if mirrored. But Andrei paid no attention to it until a familiar, pitiful voice sounded behind him.

- Brother Andrei, don't go. -

Andrei stopped instantly and turned round, hoping to see who had said it, but there was no one there. He sighed heavily and heard his mother's voice behind him.

- Come on son, we have to go home. -

Andrei nodded to the void, then continued walking like that to the door. Almost touching it he heard the voice of someone who was almost a brother to him in the dream.

- Andrei, please don't go, I promised that I would protect you, and you protect me. -

Then another one.

- Brother, wake up, Firo brought you a delicious apple. Please don't leave me, I don't want you to leave. -

He turned round again, but saw nothing but the dark door he hadn't noticed last time. He stared at it until his father touched his shoulder and began to speak.

- It's time son, we have to go. -

Andrei sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling, but saw only his reflection, his parents were not there. He immediately looked at them, and they were still smiling kind smiles, smiles that gave warmth to his body. But realising that something was wrong, Andrei decided to ask.

- Do I have to go, do I have a choice? -

His brother answered him.

- Well, it's your choice, little brother, you can stay, but you can come with us. -

Then Andrew looked at his parents and they nodded, then he looked at his reflection in the ceiling. It was the same as it had been before the battle with the dragon. A sleeveless leather jacket, a white shirt underneath, two swords on his belt. A burn scar near his eye, scars on his cheeks, longish grey hair that looked more like grey.

Seeing this Andrew smiled slightly again and looked at his family, then began to speak.

- I'm sorry, but I have to go. They need me, they are my family too, and that world has become my family too. -

His family hugged him back and then his mum started talking.

- I know son, you protected them and you never gave up. You still have a lot of goals and your friends are scared for you. They will be happy to have you by their side. -

Then the father spoke.

- I'm glad you're going for your goal son, you're a good friend and brother. Don't ever give up and don't be afraid, because as long as you're together you can do anything you want. -

Andrei's brother was the last to speak.

- Don't play roles, there's a girl waiting for you. She won't be happy to know you're not coming back, so don't disappoint her and them. Go, I'm sure you'll be a great hero there, little brother. -

Andrew let his tears flow and hugged them all, then he started talking.

- I'll be strong, thank you too. It's just my mind, but I'm sure the real you would say the same. Thank you. -

After that he ran to the dark door and opened it, from the passage a bright white light started to come out, blinding Andrew's eyes. But despite that he could hear the voices of those he cared about and see their silhouettes. He smiled even wider and went inside without any fear or doubt.

There he walked a little further forward and his eyes closed, but at the same second opened heavily in the wagon he knew like the back of his hand. He sat down heavily, even painfully, with his back against the wooden part, and then looked round. There was no one around, and for that reason he got out of the wagon and with the same pain started walking towards the fire that he had noticed when he got out.

Around the fire sat three sullen figures, three of what Andrew could undoubtedly call family. He smiled his widest smile and hiding the pain began to walk towards them. They in turn finally saw him and the first to approach Andrew was Naofumi. He hugged Andrei and began to speak.

- I told you not to scare me like that anymore, bro. Shit, I thought you wouldn't wake up. -

Then Andrei was hugged by Raftalia and Firo, they were crying but happy at the same time. They would have continued hugging him like that if his legs hadn't started to get weak again. But Naofumi held him up and began to speak.

- Well no, you won't fall down again, or you'll fall asleep again. I don't want that, let's feed you better, Andrew. -

Andrew just nodded and they brought him to the fire, then he sat down and took a plate from Raftalya's hands. Having quickly eaten his portion he asked a question.

- You removed the dragon's body, didn't you? And you are well. -

After this question Naofumi sighed slightly and began to answer.

- As usual you only think about us and work. Eh, we're fine, except for a little curse that Raftalia got because of me. But as soon as we get back to town, I'll buy her a special potion. And we're done with the dragon the next day. You slept for four days, by the way. Barely breathing, apologising to me for something. And I know you occasionally have panic attacks in your sleep. -

Then Raftalia started talking.

- I was very afraid for you, Brother Andrei, I'm sorry, but I told Mr Naofumi about your panic attacks. They've been recurring while you've been sleeping. -

But Andrei just stroked her head and started talking.

- I'm not angry, I'm happy to have a family like this. It's good to be together again, I'm so glad I didn't leave. Eh, I won't be much use to you for a while. -

But as soon as Andrei said that, Firo hugged him and started talking.

- That's not true, really brother Andrei, you will always be useful and strong, even if you become weak I will protect you. -

Andrei laughed a little at that and stroked her head and started to answer.

- I know that, I just mean that I will have to be in reserve for a while. By the way, can I have another portion, I'm hungry like an animal. -

Immediately after that, they all laughed and Naofumi poured him another bowl of soup.