Chapter 9: Echoes of Destiny

  [Scene: Juan's room]

  Juan woke up slowly. His eyes barely opened when he noticed that he was in his room. The pain in his body was indescribable; every muscle, every joint, every fiber of his being burned as if it had been crushed by a mountain.

  Juan (in a low voice):

  "Was it... a dream...?"

  He joined with difficulty. His breathing was heavy, and every movement cost him as if he were carrying a thousand kilos on his back. That's when he noticed something in his desk: a note.

  The ink was not common... it shone like the cosmos, flashing with small fragments of moving stars.

  The note said:

  "Rest... you deserve it."

  Juan held her between his fingers, almost trembling. I didn't know what to feel... pride? Stred? Relief? His mind was entangled in emotions he couldn't control.

  Juan (in a low voice, to himself):

  "I did it...

  But I couldn't stay still. I needed to move. He needed to... tell his mother.

  ?

  [Scene: Hallway of the house]

  Despite the pain, Juan managed to get out of bed. His legs trembled as if they were made of glass about to break, but he advanced... limping silently.

  He reached his mother's room, leaned on the door frame and saw her asleep.

  Juan (with a barely audible voice):

  "I did it, mom...

  Juan tried to return to his room, but his forces abandoned him. His body collapsed, falling to the ground.

  ?

  [Scene: The next morning]

  Yessy opened the door to her room and found Juan asleep on the floor, covered only by a sheet that he had accidentally dragged.

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  Yessy (alarmed):

  "Juan!"

  Juan opened his eyes slowly.

  Juan (sore but with a smile):

  "Don't worry... I was so comfortable that I fell asleep here to try something new."

  Yessy (with her arms around her waist, between worried and funny):

  "Something new?" Sleeping on the floor like a dog?

  Juan (laughing):

  "Maybe... it feels something... different."

  The tension in the atmosphere dissolved into a small shared laugh. Although his mother did not understand what had happened, Juan saw that at least he was happy to see him well.

  ?

  [Scene: The forest]

  The morning progressed, and Juan decided to go for a walk. His body still hurt, but the Mother had given him a potion that accelerated his recovery, although he would have to return soon to rest.

  The fresh air of the forest helped him clear his mind. His thoughts were still entangled in what he had lived.

  John (for himself):

  "Why do I feel that... something has changed in me?"

  Suddenly, a sound tore the wind. Something... or someone... was moving too fast between the trees.

  Juan (looking around):

  "What...?"

  A whistle cut the air, followed by a current of wind that almost knocked it down.

  Juan (smiling slightly):

  —It can't be...

  The wind calmed down, and Juan stood in the middle of the forest, in silence.

  Juan (speaking to nothing):

  "Really... they came for me, damn it."

  A sharp laugh was heard from a distance.

  ??? (With a mocking voice):

  "How could we not come... if you just did the biggest nonsense I've ever seen?"

  A figure emerged from among the trees... a blond boy, with a wide and confident smile. His messy hair shone with an intense golden tone, and he wore a special suit, similar to a lightning reflected in fabric.

  ???:

  "I missed you, friend."

  Juan (smiling):

  —Relaming...

  Lightning (with a joking tone):

  "Did you think you were going to get rid of me so easily?"

  ?

  [Scene: The forest — More figures approach]

  A different voice, with a more gloomy tone, was heard from a distance.

  ??? (With disdain):

  "Everything you do... gives me more pleasure and more disgust at the same time.

  From among the shadows emerged a small figure, barely 1.40 meters. She was a young woman with a Victorian dress, snow-white skin, blood-red eyes and two sharp fangs that shone in her macabre smile.

  Juan (with a slight laugh):

  "Charlotte..."

  Charlotte (with a mocking bow):

  —Charlotte Val d'Aubert, for you.

  Juan shook his head, half smiling.

  Another figure emerged from among the trees. A young woman with feline features, with pointed ears and a long tail that moved gracefully behind her. His expression was serious, but in his eyes shone an affection difficult to hide.

  Elizabeth (crossing her arms):

  "Really... you never change."

  Juan (smiling more relaxed):

  "I don't have to do it."

  Juan looked around.

  Juan (looking at everyone):

  "And where is he...?"

  Before I finished the sentence, a metallic sound rumbled.

  CLANG

  A sword was stuck in the ground in front of him. And then... a figure knelt down.

  ??? (With deep voice):

  "My lord...

  The figure rose slowly, revealing a dark armor with golden details. The knight's face remained hidden under a helmet that only showed his eyes: cold, loyal and unwavering.

  ??? (Staring at John):

  "I always knew you were... my king." Now more than ever, the unique and incomparable.

  Juan, with a mixture of relief and pride, smiled weakly.

  Juan (with a tired but firm voice):

  "You... you're never really going to change."

  The camera slowly moved away, showing the five gathered under the open sky.

  The Mother (voice-over):

  "And so... the real journey began."