The Awakening

A sound of a continuous wooshing and splashing stirred his consciousness to gradually awaken. Blinking his eyes open, he found himself beneath a sky adorned with twinkling stars. He attempted to grasp them by stretching his hand upward, but they remained beyond his reach. He layed in a strange yet comforting cushion bed of soft petals and stems. The air filled with a sweet scent as leaves rustled gently and insects hummed softly around him.

Using his arms to prop himself into a seated position, Austin surveyed his surroundings and realized he was lying in a field of flowers, their blooms hidden in the darkness of the night due to the lack of daylight. But still, their fragrance permeated the air, a sweet scent of spring. His gaze fell upon the figure of a girl in the distance, bathed in the silver light of the moon as she stared out towards the horizon beyond the sea.

He stood upright and started walking towards her as he welcomes the cool salty breeze that sometimes carries a spray of moisture. He can see the horizon in a blue hue, though he was uncertain if it's dusk or dawn. Deep within him, his instict urged him to wake up as soon as possible as he slowly remembered what happened back in reality.

"April?"

"Hello, Austin. It's been some time since your last visit," April greeted him with a cryptic smile.

"I need to wake up."

"How are you?" April asked, ignoring his urgency.

"No, seriously, I need to wake up! My friends need help!"

"You can't."

"What?"

"At least for now you can't. You're not strong enough to be of help. You saw how that woman slaughtered everyone in the chateau, right?

"..."

"Did you hear what she said about Fai?"

"..."

"They will need Fai for whatever their purpose is so he'll be safe in their hands for now."

"What about the others, Xander, Oriana, Malvasius, Udeit..."

"Xander and Oriana are safe, they were protected by someone."

"What do you mean?"

"Malvasius was safely teleported by Fai, and Udeit's power won't harm her, unless she will succumb to it. But that's not something you can be of help with."

Austin's mind flashed back to the brutal massacre at the chateau, his resolve wavering. but "I-I must try!" he said.

"Then become strong, Austin."

"How?"

"Do you want to protect the people you hold dear?"

"Yes?"

"Then become strong." April urged, a single tear tracing its path down her cheek.

"Are you crying, April?"

"Don't mind this, the wind just got something in my eye," she pretended.

"..."

"If you want to become strong, then remember – Remember who you are." She said with a reassuring smile.

"What do you mean?"

"This is not your first life Austin, and I am just a remnant of your greatest regret from your past life. A desire that was not fulfilled." The space around her started glitching as he blink his eyes rapidly to fix his vision. April's image changed.

***

"Wow! It's so beautiful Fritz! The view here is beautiful." April who looked a lot older claimed as she looked around the field filled with blossoming flowers. The sun that is setting from the abandoned Amusement Park provided a warm embrace to the view.

"But this view doesn't compare to you, April." Austin's mouth moved on its own as he whispered to himself.

'What's this?' Austin was confused at first but realization started to strike him slowly. 'This is – This is now my favorite spot,' he thought.

"This is now my favorate spot! Thank you for bringing me here," exclaimed April, her eyes sparkling with gratitude as she took in the breathtaking view.

Fritz chuckled, reminiscing, "I remember how annoyed I was when my dad dragged me here with my little step-brother." he paused. "He said that when the amusement park was still bustling with people, he met my mom here."

"She must have loved you so much when she was still alive."

"I never met her, she died giving birth to me." Austin replied nonchalantly.

"Well, I love you so..."

"I love you too, April." They stared at each other for a moment, forgetting the world around them.

"I've always loved exploring that abandoned park, but I never paid much attention to this area because I usually visit in the mornings. Who knew it would be so beautiful in the dusk," April said with a radiant smile.

"And I remember the exact moment I first laid eyes on you," Fritz said softly, his gaze filled with warmth. "You were crying, and I couldn't help but ask if you were okay," they recalled fondly.

April nodded, her expression softening. "That's true. I had just had a disagreement with my mother, and I needed a place to let it all out. The park became my sanctuary whenever I needed to escape and release my emotions."

"..." Fritz did not say anything but the way he held her hands spoke louder than any words.

"By the way, how did you find this place?" April asked, her eyes curious.

"I saw it yesterday while I visited in the afternoon. Thought it had a great view, so I wanted to show you," Fritz explained, his tone casual yet sincere.

"You were here yesterday? Why didn't you tell me? You could've messaged me or something," April said, a playful pout on her lips.

"I kinda wanted to surprise you, maybe catch you here again while crying and comfort you," Fritz admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

April smiled by his gesture.

"I'm glad you like it. Did you know, it's not just the sunset that's cool here? The sunrise is awesome too since you'll see it from the horizon," Fritz said, excitement evident in his voice.

"Really?" April exclaimed, turning to look at the horizon. Unbeknownst to her, Fritz knelt behind her, holding something in his hands. When she turned back, she was met with a surprise.

"Fritz?" she called, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Will you watch sunsets and sunrises with me forever?" Fritz asked, holding out a small box that contains a symbol of his love.

***

"Please - Please save my wife!" Fritz's desperate plea echoed through the corridors as he knelt before a woman covered in a white coat. His hands that are stained with blood trembled with fear as he clasped them. He had rushed his wife here after a tragic accident. He was unable to get the plate number that had hit her after escaping but he will do whatever it takes to find the person responsible for this, he promised that to himself and to his wife.

The doctor, with a solemn expression, met his tear-filled eyes. "I understand. I will do everything within my skills to save your wife. Though I cannot promise the same for the baby, I will strive to ensure her survival."

"B-baby?" Fritz stammered, his heart sinking at the unexpected news.

"Yes, your wife wanted to surprise you of her pregnancy. I'm deeply sorry that you had to hear it this way," the doctor replied softly before disappearing into the operating room, leaving the blank Fritz alone.

***

"Brother, did you really buy and fix up this place in memory of your late wife?" Aaron asked solemnly, his gaze fixed on the bustling amusement park from the entrance.

Silence hung heavy in the air as Fritz stood, his expression unreadable.

"It's been ten long years. You deserve some happiness too," Aaron continued, his voice tinged with concern.

"Don't presume to know what's best for me. If you're only here to lecture me about this, then perhaps you should just leave," Fritz snapped, his tone sharp with bitterness.

"Brother, I'm just worried about you..." Aaron began, his words trailing off as Fritz interrupted him.

"Worried? You're not even my real brother," Fritz retorted coldly, his words cutting like a knife.

"You're right. I apologize for overstepping," Aaron conceded, his voice tinged with regret.

"..."

"Please call me when you need me." With a heavy heart, Aaron turned to leave, leaving Fritz alone with his thoughts.

"I wish you could see this, April," Fritz murmured, tears welling in his eyes. "Why did you leave me all alone?" he whispered, his hands clenching into fists.

As Aaron walked away, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air. He entered his car that was parked across the street when, suddenly, the screeching sound of metal against metal filled the air as a truck careened into the entrance of the amusement park.

"Brother?" Aaron said as he left his car wide open, rushing towards the chaotic scene, his heart pounding with fear. He prayed that Fritz had already went inside the park but the heavens failed him. He found Fritz lying motionless on the ground.

"Brother! Stay with me! Help! Someone, call an ambulance!" Aaron cried out desperately, his voice trembling with panic.

Fritz watched Aaron with apologetic eyes, struggling to find his voice. "I-I'm sorry, brother," he managed to whisper, his strength failing him.

"No, no, no, stay with me," Aaron pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion as he tried to keep his brother conscious. His eyes started to swell but he is doing his best to stay composed and think clearly. "Brother!"

But as the darkness closed in, Aaron's voice faded into the distance, leaving only the echoes of his desperate pleas hanging in the air.

***

He blinked, and there she was, April, standing before him, her presence was the same yet different. Tears still streaked down her cheeks, the dawn casting a faint glow on the horizon behind her.

"April!" After he remembered everything, he felt the urge to scream his heart out. "Please, don't leave me again. Stay with me. I'll stay here forever if it means being with you. I can't bear to wake up again," Fritz pleaded as he rushed towards her, enveloping her in a desperate embrace.

But April gently pulled away, she turned away with a gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "You know this place isn't real, Fritz. You have said it yourself. You have to wake up, become stronger and save your friends," she urged, her voice filled with sorrow.

"No! You're real to me! I know you are," Fritz insisted.

"If you truly believe that, then promise me something," April implored, turning to face him. "Promise me that you'll live your life to the fullest, no matter what."

"I promise, but why are you crying?" Fritz asked as he reached for her hands, confusion clouding his feature.

"Don't let anything hold you back from becoming the person you need to be to protect those you love," April whispered, her words a bittersweet symphony.

"April..." Fritz murmured, holding her hands tightly.

"I'm just happy," April said, her smile a mix of joy and sorrow, a complex blend of emotions etched upon her face as tears continued to flow. "And remember, whenever you feel lost or weary, think of the promise you made to me in this place." With the sun finally flooding the horizon, she uttered her final words, "I love you, Fritz."

"No, wait! Don't leave me again! April?" Fritz cried out, reaching for her fading presence as the brilliant light consumed everything, leaving him alone in the blinding whiteness. "April!" he called out but no one answered.