Wake up

I open my eyes and I’m staring at a familiar celling. I sit up on the bed and take a look around. I’m in my room. The same old room I woke up pretty much every day of my life.

Or should I say, every day of this life.

I look out the window and see the cloudy sky.

A familiar electronic chime starts to ring. At my headstand the alarm on my phone rings. I picked it up and turn it off. My second alarm rings in about 1 hour.

That would give me barely enough time to finish my breakfast in a hurry and run to school so I could get to class before the first period starts.

It would also mean I wouldn’t see my family before they leave for the day.

I immediately get up and quickly get dressed. As I head downstairs, I see them. My mom is finishing to set up the table and my dad is already sitting down just waiting for the food.

I have to hold back my tears. I take a deep breath and act as if it was just another day.

“Oh, my look who’s up early!” My mom says in a surprised tone.

“Good morning, Akihiko! My dad says, “It is indeed quite rare to see you get up so early, do you have anything at school today?”

“Not really. I just, well, felt like eating breakfast together with you all today.”

“Why? Did you get in trouble? Or do you need something? It has to be one of the two.” My mom says.

“C’mon dear be nice. It has been a while since we had the whole family sitting down to eat!” My dad says.

“I guess you’re right. Sit down then. I’ll serve you”

I sit on the table and hear steps coming from the stairs.

“Good morning mom, good morning dad.” My younger brother gets down the stairs. “What? Aki-Nii why are you already up?”

“Good morning to you too. Am I not allowed to wake up early in this house?”

“Is just rare to see you out of your room without having to run because you’re always late.”

“Now now, no fighting. Let’s just enjoy this nice family time together!” My dad stops the imminent sibling fight.

The four of us sit down and enjoy our breakfast. The food tastes just as I remember. It brings backs nostalgic memories with every bite, and not having to eat in a hurry makes it taste even better. After we are done eating, we finish preparing our bags and go to the front door, the three of us ready to leave and my mother there to see us off.

“You don’t have any club activities our class duty, why you going to school so early Aki-Nii?”

“I just feel like taking a little detour before going to school.”

“You sure are feeling a lot of things this morning.” My brother seems to know something is wrong.

“I for one am glad to have breakfast and leave the house together with my two sons. Well then, I’m off to work!” my dad says.

“See you guys later.” My brother says.

“Wait!” I say.

They both look at me a little confused.

“I-I, well, umm.” I’m 17 and getting embarrassed about something so stupid.

“Spit it out I’m going to be late.”

“I-I love you guys…”

“Where did that come from?!” My brother blushes a little and takes off running.

My dad gives me a gentle smile and pats my head.

“I love you too, son.” He leaves soon after.

“What’s this about Akihiko? You’re scaring me.” My mom says.

“It’s nothing mom. I just felt like saying it”. I’m blushing really hard right now. “I just realized I didn’t say it enough.”

“Do you have fever or something?” She puts her hand on my forehead.

“I’m fine geez. I’m going now ok?”

“Alright. Take care!”

As I hear that I stop midway through. Turning back and giving my mother one final hug.

“I’m heading out…” I say. Knowing I won’t be returning.

I take off before she can see me crying.

The way to the pre-school seems shorter than before, maybe because I have already made this way before.

Sonala mentioned I had I final choice to make. I know that biker is going to run the red light, I could save the kid and not die in process, and simply continue my life here.

But then I wouldn’t end up in that other world. I wouldn’t be there to stop Tanaka and Umbravar from cursing the sky and everyone would just suffer the rest of their lives as mindless beats.

There is no choice for me. This is what I must do.

I get to the entrance of the pre-school and just wait and let things play out like before.

I see the kid getting left behind and hear the biker getting closer.

(Goodbye.)

I run towards the road, wrapping the boy around my arms and close my eyes.

Everything goes white.

I open my eyes again and I’m lying beneath a tree on top of a hill. The sun feels nice

“Aki wake up!” Lafanda calls me. “We’re leaving!”

I sit up and watch all my friends waiting for me.

Gora, Lumiera, Ruina, Juni, Lafanda and Mimi.

They are all in their original monster forms.

A month has passed since the battle on the northern edge of the continent. After getting hit by the biker again I woke up on the beach cave, right after my final conversation with Sonala.

As I got out, every single one of the slumberwalkers had passed away.

And not only the guild members, but every single citizen in the continent had turned into their monster forms. It caused a lot of panic at the start to say the least, but after reuniting with everyone I explained everything that had happened.

No more blessings or protections, but also no more cursed night and darkness. The world was free of the influence of Gods, and we could now choose how to live our lives with no fear.

It was a bit awkward at first, but with the help of Lady Farasha and the resting guild members we are all going to every town explaining the events that happened and looking for ways to accommodate every citizen with their new forms.

“The next town is not very far. After we pack up the camping equipment we shouldn’t take very long to arrive.” Ruina says.

“Camping out under the skies is so beautiful right, Mimi?” Lafanda talks to Mimi who flicks her tongue in response.

“Can you help out a little Lafanda?” Juni calls her.

“If I had thumbs it would be a lot easier you know?” She says.

“I can certainly relate to that.” Lumiere says while trying to roll a sleeping bag with his paws.”

“Akihiko! Gora! Get over here! We need more thumbs!” Ruina screams.

Gora is right beside me helping me get up. As we go down the hill, I lose my balance, but she catches me.

“Sorry Gora, I’m still not used to these longer arms and legs.”

“Is okay Akihiko. All that means is that I get to hold on to you for a while longer.”

She gives me a smile as we head towards the group holding hands.

THE END.