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The world returned in silence.
Rudo slowly opened his eyes. At first everything was blurry, his breathing calm… too calm. He blinked a couple of times until he recognized it.
His home.
He quickly sat up, looking around in confusion.
—…Huh?
Everything was in place. Nothing broken, nothing out of order.
So… was everything he went through just a dream?
He frowned, suspicious. Something felt… off.
Something was different.
His gaze slowly moved toward the exit.
And then—
He froze.
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—D… Dad…?
There he was—Regto—standing there like always. As if nothing had happened.
Rudo didn’t understand.
Regto was dead.
So why…?
Was this an illusion?
His body tensed slightly, but he didn’t feel any danger.
Only calm.
That same calm.
The one he only felt with him.
Regto let out a small chuckle.
—What’s wrong, Rudo?
He walked over and gently patted his head.
Rudo froze.
That gesture…
He had missed it so much.
He didn’t want to think.
Didn’t want to question it.
If this was a dream…
He didn’t want to wake up.
Without saying anything, he rushed forward and hugged him.
Regto was slightly surprised, but hugged him back. Firm. Warm. Just like always.
The silence filled with quiet sobs. Rudo didn’t pull away, only held on tighter until he slowly calmed down.
Regto crouched down to his level and gently wiped his tears.
Rudo looked at him.
He didn’t want this to end.
But he knew…
It wasn’t real.
And that hurt.
—…I…
His voice trembled.
—You died because of me… if I had gotten there sooner…
He couldn’t finish.
Regto sighed softly and placed his hands on his shoulders.
—Rudo… look at me.
Rudo hesitated, but obeyed.
—It wasn’t your fault.
His eyes widened.
—Yes it was! If I had been there…!
His voice broke.
Regto shook his head gently.
—Rudo… my child… it wasn’t your fault.
He patted his head again.
—I would never lie to you. I would never blame you.
His voice was firm.
—I’m proud of you.
Rudo trembled… but not from pain.
—So… forgive yourself. For me.
Rudo lowered his gaze.
If it was him… if his father said so…
Then…
—…Okay…
He hugged him again, calmer this time.
Regto smiled.
That was all he wanted.
—Tell me… what you’ve been doing. Your new experiences… your friends.
Rudo looked up, hesitated for a second… then nodded, a small spark of emotion in his eyes
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Rudo opened his eyes again.
This time for real.
He stayed still for a few seconds. There were faint traces of tears… but he wasn’t broken.
—…Ah…
He exhaled softly.
—(So it was a dream…)
But he didn’t feel empty.
For the first time…
He felt at peace.
He turned his head slightly and saw Enjin nearby.
Enjin smiled.
—Finally awake, kid. Looks like you had a good dream.
Rudo sat up a little.
—…Yeah.
He looked at his hands in silence.
And a small smile appeared.
—It was the best dream…
He didn’t say anything else.
But something had changed.
Maybe he wouldn’t admit it.
But deep down…
He knew that place…
Was no longer just where he fell.
It was his home.