Memories of Anamesa

Pain seared every fiber of my being as I regained consciousness. Memories flashed; claws raking across my chest, my body colliding with the tree, our victory.

I gasped as I struggled to breath. I had to get up. I pushed myself upright, my muscles protesting in pain with each movement. I blinked my eyes open, my vision blurry as I took in the dim surroundings. Lily. LILY. Where was she?

My mind couldn't keep up. Panic clawed my chest as I scanned the area frantically. Then, I saw her, sitting a short distance away, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Relief washed over me. She was okay.

Looking around, I realized I was in my parent's house.

Uh oh. I was going to be in so much trouble.

I sighed; at least I was alive. Looking down, I noticed my broken arm was snugly wrapped in a cast. Similarly, my chest was wrapped beneath a bundle of dirtied bandages. Despite the bandages, it hurt. Almost as much as dying. It hurt a lot. Pain radiated from the wounds the creature's claws had left.

Suddenly, I froze. My head whipped up. With a wince, I felt my neck crack. I could hear someone walking toward me. I breathed in; I wasn't ready for this. My mom was gonna whoop me. I prepared myself to visit Anamesa once again.

As if hearing my thoughts, my parents bustled into the room, their faces a mix of concern and relief. My mother, her eyes red from tears that had been shed, gently adjusted the pillows under my head. "How are you feeling, Alex? Are you in pain?"

I managed a weak smile, "I'm okay, Mom. Just sore."

My father, usually gruff and stern, offered a rare display of tenderness as he sat at my bedside. His calloused hand brushed against my forehead, and his voice carried a hint of emotion. "You gave us quite a scare, son. We thought you were going to die."

"I know, Dad," I replied, my gaze dropping to the quilt beneath me. Guilt gnawed at me – guilt for putting myself and Lily in danger, guilt for causing my parents' unnecessary worry. It was a sentiment I hadn't expected to feel, and it was a stark reminder of how much I had changed since my arrival in this world.

"Alex! You're awake," Lily gasped, rushing over to my side. "Don't move too much; you're still hurt." She grasped my shirt and began to loudly cry. Ouch, her grasp hurt. But, her warmth was nice; it was a reminder that we had survived - together. I patted her head gently with my free hand. I guess she actually cared. I bet it was because of the bed. She probably wanted her own bed.

...wait. Wouldn't that mean she would've preferred if I died?

My parents exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. There was a world of concern and pride in their eyes.

My mother's fingers brushed against my cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. "You've always been a fighter, Alex. It's in your nature to protect and persevere." Then, her eyes sharpened as she roughly pinched my cheek. Gahhh. "But, you're never going to do something this stupid again. I don't know what came over you!"

I pouted, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty swirling within me. How could I get out of this? "I just wanted to keep Lily safe. I couldn't let anything happen to her." As I continued patting her head, Lily's grip on my shirt tightened slightly as she continued sobbing.

Success. I almost chuckled, but stopped as the searing pain.

My father's rough hand followed suit, tightening around mine, his voice gruff yet softened. "And you did just that, son. You protected her. Good job."

As I lay there, enveloped in my parents' presence, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection. The person who had faced the creature, who had fought and protected, felt distant – like a character in a story that I had been thrust into. I had been a soldier, a protector, but it was a role that I had never experienced in my previous life. I was the old me, and yet, I was not. I had changed.

Perhaps sensing my confusion and shock from the experience, my mother's voice broke through my thoughts. "You know, Alex, you're braver then you think you are. And kinder than you think."

I turned to her, curiosity in my eyes. Where was this coming from? What was she talking about? I was a don. There was no way I was kind. Although I was brave... probably. "What do you mean, Mom?"

She sat at the edge of my bed, her gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the window. "Sometimes, we're faced with challenges that reveal strengths we never knew we had. You were always mature beyond your years, but you've been forced to grow up. To show your brave and resilient side. I am truly proud of you. I love you so much," she whispered to me.

A lump formed in my throat as I considered her words. Deep down I knew I was no longer my past self - that depressed adult on Earth. I was my mother's son. Lily's best friend. A child, a to-be adventurer. An inventor. An entrepreneur. A don. A kind don. Maybe I would reduce the quota to 90 feathers, even.

"But Mom," I began, my voice hesitant. "What if I'm changing too much? What if I'm becoming someone I don't recognize?"

Her gaze softened, and she reached out to cup my cheek. "Alex, change is a part of life. It's how we grow and evolve. You're still you, and the experiences you've had here are shaping you into a remarkable young man. Your heart, your values – they're still the same. Life is a journey and you have just begun to wander down its long path. Ahh, you're too young to have to deal with these things," she sadly sighed.

Tears welled in my eyes, a mix of emotions swirling within me – gratitude for my parents' understanding, uncertainty about my identity, and a fierce determination to make the most of this new life.

As my parents continued to comfort me, a resolve took hold of my heart. I might have been reborn into a child's body, but I was determined to live this life to its fullest.

While I hadn't shared the truth of my past with anyone, I was finally beginning to truly accept this new reality. It was a life filled with wonder and complexity, where the echoes of my previous self were woven into the fabric of my present. It was not going to be a paradise. But, I was excited.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the room, my parents stood to leave, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and relief. "Rest well, Alex," my father murmured, his voice carrying the weight of a father's love.

"We'll be right here if you need anything," my mother added, her voice soft and comforting as she guided Lily, who had fallen asleep, out.

As they left, the room was bathed in the gentle glow of the rising sun. Its orange hues were comforting; as they gently brushed my face, their warmth made the pain fade. I closed my eyes, allowing the warmth of their presence and the words they had shared to wash over me. I was ready to embrace this world, with its uncomfortable beds and creepy village. I would train, learn, and become the person I was destined to be in this world. To become my best self. To make up for what I had lacked in my last life.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I drifted into a peaceful sleep, a smile gracing my lips.