New Life

I slowly open my eyes. I'm in a dimly lit room.

Did it work? Am I back to my body?

A familiar face appears in my field of vision.

Tokita: "B-Burier?!"

I look around. I'm lying on the same metal bed as before. The same greenish walls, the same morgue. I sit up.

Tokita: "Why am I still here? Did the spell fail?"

Burier: "Young master, I'm so happy you came back. I knew you wouldn't die that easily."

Tokita: "'Young master'? But I'm not Sun."

Burier: "What are you talking about? You died five days ago. If you didn't come back to life within a week of your death, I would have to bury you."

Tokita: "Huh?"

I stare at her, confused. I finally realize it's a little cold in here. I look down at my body.

Tokita: "W-Why am I naked?!"

Burier: "You were a corpse just a few minutes ago, young master."

Tokita: "What happened to the spell?"

Burier: "Spell?"

She tilted her head in confusion.

Tokita: "Oi, don't kid with me. Did it work or not? Did Sun come back at some point?"

Burier: "Well, yes, you're right here."

Tokita: "I'm not Sun!"

Burier: "Young master, are you having identity problems? I can help you with that anytime."

Tokita: "Give me something to wear!"

Burier: "I apologize, young master, but your clothes are in your room. I can provide you with my robe if you wish."

I scoff and run out of the morgue.

Burier: "Young master? Where are you going? It's cold out there!"

As I run, I notice something strange. My legs are a bit weak, but not rotten.

I didn't have time to think about it before, but did someone heal me after the fight? Nebula? I have to see her anyway!

I enter her room, which is also Sun's. I quickly open the wardrobe and grab my clothes. I put them on as quickly as I can, so as not to greet Nebula with a terrifying vision. I close the door and look in the mirror. My face is slightly malnourished, but not rotten.

I bring my hand to my face, trying to understand who I am. My hair is orange, unlike the gray of my previous life. My eyes are bright yellow. My body is... more muscular than the other, which isn't a high standard.

Nebula: "Brother...?"

I turn and see Nebula rubbing her eyes, half asleep. The door opens again and Burier enters.

Burier: "Young master, you shouldn't strain your body so early."

Tokita: "Nebula, tell me you remember what happened."

Nebula: "Sun, you're alive!"

She jumps out of the bed and hugs me tightly.

Nebula: "I knew I could count on you! You said you'd come back alive and you broke your promise. But you're back to life now! Better late than never!"

Tokita: "Come back alive? From where? The autopsy room?"

Nebula: "The battle against Mitsurugi! You lost, but we managed to find and heal your body! Your soul took a little longer than we expected, but you're finally back!"

Tokita: "Wait, Nebula, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but..."

They're happy I'm alive. Well, they think I'm Sun, so that's not entirely true...

I look at Burier. She smiles warmly at me.

If I say the truth, Burier will kill me again. I have to play this game for now.

Nebula: "Sun? Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Sun: "Ah, don't worry about it. I smell a little bad, do you mind if I take a shower?"

Nebula: "Sure! Take your time. We'll be waiting."

Burier: "Do you need my help, young master? I slowed down your body's decomposition process to give your soul more time to return, but it's still not optimal. If I had frozen it, it might reject it."

I smile and move my arm, hearing some cracking sounds.

Sun: "I can still move better than I did with my old body. I mean... it's not as bad as it sounds."

Burier: "Understood. Then I'll take your clothes to the bathroom and keep an eye on the door so no one interrupts."

What a luxury... I could get used to it.

I go to the bathroom and look in the mirror, focusing on my own image. Everything seems so real, not like a dream.

I've so many dreams, none of them felt this real.

I wash my face. As expected, I'm still here. I punch myself in the face several times.

Still here...

I turn on the shower. The water runs down my hair.

Why am I still here? I should be dead. Is there something holding me back in this world? Not that I don't like it, but it's too good to be true...

After the shower, I return to my room.

Nebula: "Brother! How are you feeling? Do you need help with anything?"

Sun: "I'm okay, I just need some sleep. How about we sleep for now? I'll talk to mom and dad when I wake up."

Nebula: "Sounds great! But if I wake up first, can I tell them the news?"

Sun: "Sure, sister."

She's exactly how I imagined her... Oh God, this feels like heaven.

We sleep. I wake up to rays of sunlight shining through the window. They illuminate two people standing in front of my bed.

One of them is a man. Albert, Sun's father. Or should I say, my dad. He's a distinguished gentleman, wearing a black suit and white gloves, with his hands behind his back. His hair and beard are gray.

The other is my mom... I don't remember giving her a name. She has short, colored hair and, despite her age, looks young. She's a typical tomboy. Why? Because I've always loved tomboys.

They smile at me, tears welling up on their faces. I smile at them. Without either of us saying a word, we can feel immense joy from the depths of our hearts. I jump out of bed and hug them.

I step back to look into their eyes. They extend their hands toward me. I take them, and we walk to the dining hall. It's a huge room with a very tall ceiling. Several monsters and mystical creatures sit at the table, smiling at me. We sit down.

Nebula: "Welcome back, brother! We all have been waiting for you."

I forgot this castle had all kinds of species... They're all loyal to our family. A big family, huh?

Albert: "Son, you don't have to worry about Mitsurugi. Please stay home with us."

Sun: "Mitsurugi?"

Mom: "The half-dragon you fought five days ago."

Sun: "Sorry, my memory is a little fuzzy. I don't remember fighting anyone recently."

...except Burier, of course.

Burier: "Your soul, mind, and body are not yet synchronized, young master."

...but I really can't remember any character named Mitsurugi. Well, I know I didn't create every living being in this world individually, but I would remember a relevant one.

Mom: "We won't force you to change your mind, but please consider your own safety. If you fight her again, you might die for real."

Sun: "I understand, mom. I was thinking about exploring the world later."

Nebula: "Are you sure, brother? In that case, I'll go with you. You'll need a healer, right?"

She's so innocent that I forgot how strong she really is. She can use almost any kind of magic.

Sun: "Sure! But first, how about we train a little in the courtyard? After lunch, of course."

A blue dragon stands and bows. I don't even know how he manages to stay seated, but I think he's found a way after all these years living here. He's one of the only creatures here I've named. If I remember correctly, his name is D. I just couldn't wait to find a more appropriate name, okay?

D: "If I may, young master, I would like to participate in your training session."

Sun: "I see no reason to refuse, D! I love your fighting style."

Burier: "I apologize, young master, but I don't feel well in the sun. However, I can help you if you will."

Sun: "Don't worry, Burier, we can train at night. Well, anyone can join or watch from a distance, since it will be a little destructive."

Albert: "Then we'll watch from our room. Be careful not to destroy too much, repairing the entire island is a bit difficult."