Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

After the Erhart's shop was finished, our dear foursome decided to go to a tavern and have something to eat, as time allowed them to do so. When they got inside, they took a seat in the corner, and ordered a very ordinary and affordable lunch.

Andrew was glad that everything was going very well, and looking at Naofumi and Raftalia, he realised that they had managed to reconcile. This realisation made him even happier, and it was for this reason that he decided to make a toast. Standing up to his full height, he took the glass and raised it to the top, and then began to speak with a twinkle in his eyes, and an undisguised joy in his voice and heart.

- I'd like to propose a toast to the four of us. We've been in a lot of trouble, been on the edge, to say the least. But every time, we've come back and kept fighting. And no matter what disagreements we may have, we're still a team. You might even say family. -

Andrew took a sip of the tart ale and sat back down at the table with a kind smile. Naofumi, hearing this toast, decided to support the moment as well. He also stood up to his full height while holding the glass in his left hand.

- For that matter, I'd like to support this toast. In doing so, I want to add, I guess, gratitude and joy in the same breath. I raise this glass in your honour, Andrei. You are a wonderful friend who has never cheated me. You're strong and brave, even though you can be childishly kind. But that's what makes you who you are. In my opinion, if I hadn't met any of you, I couldn't have become the hero I am now. -

He took a sip, then sat back down and sipped his ale with a smile. But it didn't end there. Raftalia stood up from her seat, she raised her glass up with a little embarrassment, then after a little thought she began to speak.

- I've never made a toast before, but I'll try to make it as good as yours. And I'd like to propose this toast to you, Brother Andrew, Mr Naofumi, Mr Firo. Each of you has brought a lot of good things into my life. Without you, I'd still be that scared little girl who couldn't fight back. I'm grateful to you, and I hope we'll never part in strife. -

She sat back down at the table, and with the same embarrassment, took a sip of ale. She looked at Naofumi lightly, and in that second, an even bigger blush appeared on her face. Naofumi noticed this, and without anyone else noticing, gently touched her hand. Only, Andrei still noticed it.

He decided not to announce his hunch that Naofumi and Raftalia might have not just reconciled, but might have confessed their relationship to each other. Instead, he smiled a kind, easy smile, but in the same second, a painful prickling stabbed at his heart.

He was ashamed, ashamed that he still hadn't told the truth, and was pretending he had amnesia. It was beginning to weigh on him, and he didn't know how to tell him everything. Especially after Naofumi's words about never lying to him, or holding anything back. So he probably would have held back his pain, but luckily for him, Firo lifted her mug to the top and began to speak.

- Firo wants to speak too. Firo doesn't know how to toast, but I want to say I love you all. -

After saying that, she started smiling a wide smile. In that second, Andrei's heart started to return to normal. A small laugh came out of his mouth, just like Naofumi and Raftalia, after that, he stroked Firo's head and began to speak.

- Thank you Firo, we know you love us all for that, and we love you, you're a little ray of fun for us. Without you, we wouldn't be so happy. -

He put his arm round her and it made him feel twice as good. Then, they wanted to start eating, except they heard a clap of hands next to them. They turned in that direction and saw two people they didn't expect to see.

It was Ren and Itsuki. They came closer to them, and Itsuki began to speak, with some kindness in his voice.

- That's a nice toast, I can see you two really care about each other. You seem to have become very strong, both physically and mentally. Good to see you, by the way. -

After that, Ren started talking.

- It's good to see you too, especially you Andrei. I haven't seen you since the first wave, but you're fine. The scars don't hurt? -

In Ren's last words, there was a sense of concern and that he really wanted to know if everything was all right. Andrei immediately felt it, and with a kind smile began to answer the question.

- Yes, everything is fine. The scar on the left side of my face doesn't bother me a bit, some people even say that I'm handsome. And how are you, and what are you doing here? -

Andrei pointed to the seats next to him, but before he did, he looked at Naofumi. He sighed heavily, but with a nod he agreed to let Ren and Itsuki sit at the same table. The two in turn sat down next to Andre and when asked a question, Itsuki began to answer.

- We're doing well too. Ren has recently defeated a dragon, I've been doing a lot of things, I've overthrown a not very good ruler. And here we are, resting, the wave is coming, but that's not the last reason. Not long ago, someone in my name took the reward for the work I and my team did. And they cancelled Ren's reward for that dragon. -

At the same second, he started looking at Naofumi. He noticed it immediately, he let out a heavy sigh, and then began to speak.

- So, you're implying that I'm to blame for your little problems? -

Itsuki shrugged his shoulders, then after some thought, he began to answer.

- Well, it's just suspicious that where you appeared, we were working before you. And it was after that that our rewards disappeared. -

Naofumi snorted with an unsatisfied look in response, and then began to answer Itsuki's suspicions.

- Do you want me to tell you what you screwed up? I'll tell you anyway, though. Your problem, Itsuki, is that you're trying to be a noble jerk who doesn't reveal who he really is. And by the way, you shouldn't have taken out that ruler. He was a bastard, but under him, the people lived. Now, they're surviving. They live on the streets, they can barely find food. -

At the same moment, Itsuki's gaze faded slightly. He lowered his head, but almost immediately looked at Naofumi, who continued talking.

- As for you, Ren. That dragon you killed has become a double threat. Not only has it become infected, but it's also undead. -

That's what got Wren up and talking.

- What are you talking about, like contagion, what the hell is undead?! What the hell happened in there? -

Andrei began to answer that question. At the same time trying to be softer in the conversation.

- The thing is, because you didn't destroy the body, it started to rot. There was really some kind of contagion, you could say a plague. And when we started to remove the body, it came back to life, undead in a word. It was hard, but we got through it. That's probably why your award was cancelled. -

Andrei patted Ren's shoulder lightly, then tried to cheer him up with some kind words. Only, Naofumi decided to go on with the two heroes who suspected him of their problems.

- It was hard, that's putting it mildly. Too soft. -

Andrei tried to stop his mate at the same second and spoke with a kind of pleading in his voice.

- Naofumi, don't. They've already realised they were wrong, and it probably won't happen again. -

But Naofumi decided not to stop. He looked at Andrew and continued talking, with a kind of anger that was directed at Itsuki and Ren.

- Stop? No Andrei, let them know what happened next. You want to know what happened, and what happened was that Firo almost died. Luckily, she's not so easy to kill. And Andrei, there he was, on the verge of death! He didn't wake up for days, we thought we couldn't help him. But he was stronger. Lucky for you. But the scars on his body will be an everlasting reminder of your carelessness and stupidity. -

At the same second, Ren, with fear and guilt in his eyes, began to look directly into Andrei's eyes, his fingers trembling, his face pale, and he wanted to say something. Andrew, in turn, began to speak, while trying to calm Ren down.

- Take a deep breath, and then exhale. As you can see, I'm perfectly fine, that fight really took its toll on me. But now, I'm even stronger than before. In addition, scars, they adorn warriors, they mean that a man has been in many fights and can surely stand up for himself. In addition, each of us knows what we're doing when we follow our heroes. Even your companions know what can happen, so let's have a drink and forget the situation. -

Everyone nodded silently, and after a few minutes, another glass of ale was brought to them. Everyone started to calm down and everything was fine. The anger, resentment and fear were gone, replaced by relaxation and even fun with silent agreement. But after a while, Ren patted Andrei on the shoulder, then, with a slightly guilty smile, began to speak.

- Andrei, I'm sorry. But can I ask you something? -

After a bit of thinking, Andrei started to answer the question, taking a sip of ale.

- Sure, but if you need money, I can't give you much. I splurged a while ago, for some presents for someone. -

Ren and Itsuki looked at him with some surprise, but at the same second, Ren started to answer his question.

- No, we have enough money. It's just that, remember how you beat me in a duel back then, well, I want to test my strength, to see how much stronger I've become. You wouldn't mind giving me a friendly test, so to speak. -

Andrei began to smile broadly as he gave his answer.

- I'd love to. A good fight, especially a friendly one, will not hurt anyone, and me, warming up will not hurt. So let's get up and go to the backyard. Let's see who's stronger. -

Ren nodded, and everyone, including the companions of the two heroes went to the backyard, where Andrew stood opposite Ren, and then began to talk.

- Let's make it fair, I'll fight with one sword. Two swords is a bit unfair in a friendly fight. Agreed? -

Ren nodded in response, and then began to speak.

- I don't mind, and you don't have to be afraid. There won't be any shenanigans this time. I don't want it to be like last time. None of mine would do such a mean thing. -

After that, they bowed to each other and went in different directions. Andrei immediately drew his odise from his sword and gave it to Raftalia, then drew his other sword and prepared for battle. Ren, too, was ready, and just a second later, their blades, began to collide with each other.

Andrew and Ren moved as if in a dance, but no one could see how fast they were striking each other, they stopped only to prepare for the next quick dance of blades.

This went on for a while, until they started using their abilities. Ren used the powers of his blade, and Andrew used the powers of his soul and signs. The fire rushed forward, the shield protected Andrew from Ren's abilities, and neither one was giving in to the other. Eventually, they came to a stop crossing blades. They were both out of breath, but the energy was still coursing through them.

Ren looked straight into Andrei's eyes, and began to speak.

- You have indeed become stronger and faster, it's a good thing I didn't get lazy. I can give you a decent fight, except that it will be decided soon. There's only one winner, you or me. Please give it your best shot. -

Andrew, in response to this, seemed to glow and responded.

- Oh, you read my mind. I'm asking you to give it your best! -

At that very second, they bounced away from each other. Andrew instantly transformed his power and rage straight from his soul, transferring them directly into his hands and blades. Ren's sword, changed its appearance slightly, after which, they made a sword strike against sword.

From this, there was a loud deafening clap and a flash that made those who were watching it almost fall over. Andrew and Ren in turn, resting their swords on each other, were not going to give up.

The ground beneath their feet began to crack. Blisters began to form on their palms. But in spite of this, they made another blow, then another and another. From the last one, cracks began to appear on the walls of the tavern. And the spectators who were watching the fight hid behind whatever they could, while continuing to watch this fight, which would end with no known outcome.

In the end. They threw one last punch each. In the same second, Ren fell backwards onto the ground, which was covered in cracks. Andrew, in turn, continued to stand not much longer. He fell backwards as well, next to Ren. They both had wide, happy smiles. They looked at each other, and Ren, began to speak.

- Damn, that was epic, I can't even move. Hopefully next time, I can win, but this time, you win again. You're a master swordsman, Andrew. -

Saying that, he started laughing, while covering his eyes, keeping a wide smile on his face. Andrew, in turn, also began to laugh, and began to speak.

- I didn't expect you to be so quick. It was great, hell, no, it was fantastic, I hope our next friendly duel will be the same. -

When he said that, he closed his eyes too. That was until they were helped up. Andrew felt the pain in his body, and how his palms were blistered. But, he was very joyful. Because of this, he walked on wobbly legs to Ren and extended his hand to him. He shook it immediately, and then began to speak.

- I'm glad we're not enemies, and that we could be friends. Please take care of yourself and don't get killed. This world needs people like you. Otherwise, it will collapse without defence. -

Andrei immediately put his arm around Ren, and then he began to respond.

- And you take care of yourself. Just be careful, and this world needs you. -