Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

In the morning, our dear foursome was still in the city. They had planned to prepare a little more before the wave began, but Naofumi and Andrew were sure that they could prepare even better. For that reason, they decided to stop by Earhart's as usual.

On the way to the shop, Andrei watched Naofumi and Raftalia. Since last night, Raftalia had not given Naofumi any answer, but was waiting for him to apologise to her. Naofumi realised this, but could not find the right words.

It was easier for him to apologise to Andrei, but to Raftalia, to her, it was as if he had lost his voice. Last night, when she and Andrei had arrived, he had wanted to apologise to her first, but seeing her transformation, he could only praise her, praise her as much as he could. Inside his heart, it was as if fireworks, fireworks of emotions began to play. There was excitement, happiness, embarrassment, and many other unexpected emotions. These same emotions, for the moment, seemed to be stuck in his throat and did not want to be voiced through Naofumi's lips.

Andrew, on the other hand, watched the silent march of his two companions, while realising how they were both feeling right now. He wanted to help them in this difficult situation, but he didn't know how to start any dialogue about their little fight yesterday. It was for this reason that he simply remained silent, and holding Firo by her small hand.

Deciding not to be distracted from his thoughts for long, Andrei glanced at Firo, and saw that she was smiling, and in a pretty good mood at that. This pleased Andrei, he felt better and thoughts of how to help Naofumi and Raftalia disappeared from his mind. In place of those thoughts, he was reminded of yesterday's meeting with Lizi.

It was with these thoughts in mind that he reached the shop. Ahead of everyone was Naofumi, as usual. He opened the door, while letting Raftalia in the front. Raftalia, seeing this, first wanted to say something, but stopped at the same second, and then, quickly went inside the room. Following her, Firo walked in, and Andrew and Naofumi looked at each other. From those two gazes, there was an unbidden question, a question that Naofumi knew. He wiped his eyelids slightly and sighed heavily, then began to speak.

- I remember what I said yesterday, but the words are stuck in my throat. I don't know what to do, and now you're pressing me with your gaze. -

Naofumi lowered his head and waited for a reply.

Andrew in turn, seeing the state his friend was in, decided to cheer him up. It was for this reason that he lightly touched Naofumi's shoulder and with kindness in his voice, began to speak.

- Don't worry, everything will be fine. You just have to pull yourself together. Don't forget, she expects you to apologise, but at the same time, it's just as hard for her as it is for you - Having said that, Andrew looked up picking up the words, and was able to continue speaking after a few seconds. - Just don't be a wimp, we both know you're a leader and you can apologise. -

He smiled and patted Naofumi lightly on the shoulder. Naofumi himself was able to relax a bit after his friend's words. In return, he also wanted to thank him, but at that moment, they both heard Erhart's voice.

- Hey, guys! What are you standing there for? It's drifting in, come on in. -

At the same second, both Naofumi and Andrew were startled by the unexpected. They quickly entered the room, closing the door behind them.

After that, Naofumi walked up to Erhart along with Andrei. The latter immediately smiled and began speaking again with his usual kindness in his voice.

- It's good to see you after yesterday, I hope you were able to settle all your differences. - He looked at Raftalia, and then at Naofumi, before continuing to speak. - Well, let's put that aside for later. For now, you probably want to buy something, learn or improve if you can.

Naofumi acquiesced with a nod, then looked around the sides of this room and began to speak.

- We'd better check our things, and I think Andrei would like to sharpen his blades. But before that, we should check everything, like I said. -

Erhart nodded and looked at Andrei. He, in turn, immediately took his swords out of their sheaths and put them on the table. After looking at his blades, Andrei scratched his head slightly, and then he too began to speak with a small smile.

- Be careful with them, they are like an extension of my hands. I can fight with my signs, but without swords, it will not be so easy, and they are very dear to me. -

He smiled again, swaying nervously as he did so. Erhart held back a small laugh and began to answer Andrei.

- Don't worry, I remember how you forged them with your weak hands back then. Now you are stronger, stronger, and that is very good. And these swords, they are the border of your past and present. -

From these words, Andrew thought for a while, but after a few seconds, he began to respond to Erhart's statement.

- Quite philosophical. But if you think about it, it is. These swords, I put my soul into them, you might say. The anger I had, the hatred I harboured, and still do, for some people. I probably wanted to be stronger for revenge, but now I need them to protect my loved ones. -

After saying all these words, Andrew looked at everyone, and then, with the same smile, scratched his head. Erhart nodded, then took one of the blades and examined it carefully.

He put the blade away for a while, then took the second one. He examined it as carefully as the first one, then returned them to Andrei and began to speak.

- The swords are fine, but they could use some sharpening. I still wonder how you managed to make swords like that the first time. Maybe you used to work in a blacksmith's shop. -

After a little thought, Andrei began to answer, remembering how he forged swords and what he was thinking about at the time.

- Well, I partially remember something like that, like working with loved ones. But now, I remember everything relatively partially. It's kind of on the surface, but at the same time, it goes away from me into the depths. -

Having said all this, Andrei felt shame in his soul. He realised, as always, that he had to lie, but it was quite necessary now, and he did not know what he would do in the future, when everyone found out who he really was.

For the moment, he gathered his thoughts and made his usual appearance, then he started to speak, walking away from his previous words.

- Erhart, I'm going to go sharpen my swords, if you don't mind if I use your tools as usual. -

Erhart smiled slightly and began to answer the question he had been asked.

- You know I never mind. So go ahead, but don't break anything, or you'll never find a replacement for it. Everything's gone up in price these days. -

He put his swords back in their sheaths, then turned towards Naofumi and began to speak quietly so that only he could hear.

- As you can see, I'm going to go sharpen my swords now. I'll take Firo with me, and you, try to apologise to Raftalia. Now's a pretty good chance, so don't waste it. -

Naofumi nodded in agreement and slowly began to approach Raftalia. Andrew in turn, walked over to Firo and holding out his hand to her, began to speak.

- Firo, come with me. I need help, you can't refuse. -

Firo heard this and immediately began to smile with all her teeth and then spoke with the same joy.

- Firo will be happy to help brother Andrew, Firo will be very helpful. -

She took Andrei's outstretched hand, and then they walked together to the room where all the necessary tools were.

Once there, they came to a special rotating stone for sharpening blades. Andrei immediately handed Firo one of the swords. She took it and despite her small stature, she held the sword quite calmly. Seeing this, Andrei smiled, but decided to get down to business as quickly as possible.

He put the sword to this stone, and began to hold it with his hands. To make the stone spin, Andrew stepped on a special step, and then, the most important thing was to hold the blade and not to tilt it in the wrong direction. With sharpening, however, there was nothing difficult and he finished quite quickly. He put the blade back in its sheath and then turned to Firo and took the second sword from her.

He was about to start on the second sword, but at that moment, Firo began to speak.

- Brother Andrew, why haven't Sister Raftalia and Naofumi fought yet? Yesterday Naofumi promised to apologise, but he still hasn't done it, so I think that's why Sister Raftalia isn't happy. -

At the same second, sadness appeared on Firo's face. Because of this, Andrew quickly walked up to her, then gently stroked her hair and began to speak.

- Don't worry Firo, Naofumi wants to apologise, it's just hard for him. And I know that Raftalia is just as uncomfortable, but at the same time, I also know that they will make up. Everything will be fine, so don't worry and don't be sad. -

He stroked her hair once more and went back to the sharpening stone. Firo smiled again and walked over to the stone and began to speak.

- Can I try to hold the sword? -

When she said that, she smiled even wider, making her eyes like a cat from Shrek. Seeing this, Andrei could barely contain a laugh and holding out the sword to her, began to speak.

- Okay, but be careful. The sword will have to be held very tightly, so you'll have to put in some effort.

Firo with joy in her eyes, immediately put the sword to the stone, and Andrew, stood with his foot on a special step, while watching that Firo did not hurt herself. But fortunately for both of them, everything was in perfect order. She held the sword tightly, though she was straining her arms quite a bit, but the joy never left her.

This went on for a while, and when they were done, Firo gave the sword to Andrew, after which, the latter began to speak with a smile on his face.

- Well done Firo, it worked out very well. Without any flaws, will you help next time? -

Firo nodded her head very quickly in response to the question he asked her.

- Of course, Firo would be happy to help Brother Andrew. This work, I liked very much, but my hands were a little heavy. The stone was spinning so fast, I thought I couldn't hold the sword. -

Andrei heard this and chuckled a little and put his arm around Firo, then he started to speak.

- You're still good, Firo, and I'll be glad if you'll really help me with this job. Now, let's go back. -

Firo nodded and they walked towards the exit of this room.

Andrew and Firo walked to the other room, and Naofumi, began to leisurely approach Raftalia. The words of apology were twirling on his tongue, but he was still having a hard time. But as he approached Raftalia, he began to speak.

- Raftalia, I need to talk to you. Only we'd better do it in the backyard. -

Raftalia wanted to say something, but stopped at the same second, and then just nodded and walked towards the exit. Naofumi, in turn, turned towards Erhart and began to speak to him.

- Erhart, if Andrei and Firo finish early, tell them we're in the backyard. -

Erhart just nodded and Naofumi quickly walked over to Raftalia and they walked outside together, then they walked to the backyard and looked at each other in complete silence. They both wanted to start talking first, but Naofumi pulled himself together and started saying what he should have said yesterday.

- Raftalia, please forgive me for what I said yesterday. I behaved rather piggishly, and I offended you. I swear it won't happen again, I won't hurt you, I swear with all my heart. -

Having said all this, he took her hands gently, looking into her eyes. Raftalia, on the other hand, was overjoyed to hear Naofumi say this, and a blush appeared on her cheeks. She lowered her head, and began to speak softly.

- I forgive you Naofumi-san, and I believe it will never happen again. -

Naofumi let go of her hands, but in the same second, he put his arm around her and kissed her gently on the cheek. Raftalia didn't expect it, and because of that she couldn't even say anything, her whole face was red with embarrassment, and the only thing she could do was to gently lean her face against his shoulder.

Naofumi immediately, gently stroked her hair and began to speak softly.

- I will never harm the one I love. I will protect you to the end, no matter what. -

Raftalia, after these words, looked into his eyes again, but instead of saying anything, she kissed him on the lips. It was a very ordinary, inexperienced touch of the lips, but the passion and love of the kiss was transmitted to them both.

A few seconds passed, and Raftalia, overcoming her embarrassment, began to speak.

- Mr Naofumi, I too swear that I will be by your side, always and to the end. No matter what happens. -

After that, they embraced each other and enjoyed the silence that had formed around them. They could have stood like that for an eternity, but they let go of each other, and then Naofumi began to speak.

- We should get back, Andrei and Firo might finish sharpening their blades at any moment. It'll be a little awkward explaining to them what happened here. -

Raftalia nodded in agreement, and they headed back to the entrance of Erhart's shop together.