—Everything was… too normal.
There he was. My father. Standing right in front of me with his usual serene expression, as if nothing had happened, as if the last seven years had never existed.
I couldn't process it. My body was paralyzed, my mind blank. What was happening? How was this possible?
—"Hey, are you feeling alright, Jiro?" —he asked me, with that firm and comforting voice I had missed so much.
I didn't respond. I just stared at him, incredulous, as if he were a mirage that could disappear at any moment.
Before I realized it, we were downstairs, in the dining room. Everyone was seated at the table. My mother, my grandfather... even my father. The scene was perfect, almost surreal.
My fingers touched the wooden table. Cold, solid, real. I slid my hand across its surface while my eyes took in every detail of the place: the steaming teapot, the sound of utensils, the sunlight pouring through the window.
This doesn't make sense.
I noticed the others looking at me with puzzled expressions. My mother, always observant, leaned toward my father and whispered in his ear:
—"Are you sure he didn't stay up all night?"
My father's face turned red, and nervously, he shook his head.
—"N-No, of course not," —he stammered, blushing.
I tried to focus on my food, but my eyes kept drifting back to him. I stared almost without blinking. I couldn't help it.
—"Jiro," —my mother said, visibly uncomfortable—, "why are you staring at your father like that? It's as if it were the first time you've seen him."
Because it is.
That thought crossed my mind, but I quickly suppressed it. I forced a smile and pretended to be normal.
—"Ah, nothing, I was just… distracted," —I lied, turning my gaze back to the plate.
My father broke the awkward silence:
—"Well, I think it's time to head to the martial arts academy to train, Jiro. Let's go."
—"Yeah… yeah, sure," —I replied in a voice louder than necessary, trying to sound enthusiastic.
We walked through the village, side by side. My father smiled carefreely while the people around us went about their daily lives. Everything was too perfect, too normal.
The shopkeepers greeted us, children ran through the streets, and the air carried that fresh breeze reminiscent of peaceful childhood days.
—"See, son?" —my father suddenly said, laughing as he patted me on the back—. "That's why I like spending time with you. Hahaha. On a beautiful day like this, don't you think it's peaceful?"
His laughter filled the air like a familiar echo.
—"Yeah… I guess so," —I responded with an awkward smile, even though I was completely lost inside.
None of this makes sense, but... what if...?
I tried to convince myself to enjoy the moment. Even if it was just a dream, even if it wasn't real...
But a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that something was profoundly wrong.
The air in the academy of magical martial arts carried a particular energy. As always, laughter, the clashing of wooden weapons, and bursts of magic filled the atmosphere. Everything seemed normal... but somehow different.
Ryoku, the most popular human boy at the academy, walked toward me with a carefree smile.
—Jiro!—he greeted with unusual enthusiasm, waving a hand. —What's up? I thought you weren't coming today!
I returned an awkward smile, trying to stay calm.
—Yeah, here I am.
Everything seemed... perfect. Familiar faces, routine moments. But there was something in the air, a persistent feeling that this wasn't supposed to be happening.
My father stood beside me, observing carefully. We headed to the training area, where we spent the rest of the day practicing.
Stretching movements, hand-to-hand combat techniques, magic exercises. It was incredibly real, yet impossible at the same time.
Time felt lost within that experience. My father corrected my stances, laughed whenever I made mistakes, and encouraged me to keep going. I had never had something like that in reality. Never.
When the sun began to set, we sat by a river that reflected the orange sky. Leaves crunched softly beneath our feet as the breeze gently brushed the landscape.
I watched the water flow peacefully.
—Dad...—I said, breaking the silence. —I had a great time with you today.
My father smiled, his warm laughter filling the air.
—So did I, Jiro. Hahaha. But I don't know why you acted so strange this morning. You stuck close to me more than usual, you know?
I smiled, but a pang hit my chest. A tear slid down my cheek before I could stop it.
—I don't know... maybe because part of me should have cherished moments like this more...
My father looked at me with concern, his voice softening.
—Hey, son... why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?
I shook my head, quickly wiping away the tear.
—No, Dad... it's nothing. It's just that... I had a dream.
—A dream?
—Yeah,—I laughed a little, though the sadness still weighed on my chest. —A strange dream where you weren't there.
My father raised an eyebrow.
—That's quite a dream. But you know that's not real, right? There's nothing to worry about.
I turned my gaze toward the sky. The clouds drifted slowly, as if part of an infinite painting.
—It felt real to me,—I said softly. —I always longed for this... everything that's here. A peaceful life, a normal world... and you nearby. Maybe that's still what I long for.
My voice faded as my smile disappeared. The weight of the truth hit me suddenly.
—This isn't real,—I whispered to myself. —All of this is fake...
Even so, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
—Even if it's like that, I made the most of this time with you as if it were real. Because you were what I missed the most in that dream, Dad.
My father watched me in silence for a few seconds before speaking in that firm voice that always conveyed confidence:
—But dreams come true too, son.
I looked at him, surprised.
—What?
—Yeah,—he said with a smile. —Dreams come true when you work hard to follow them. Tell me, Jiro... don't you want to be like the hero Raizen Tenkuma?
His question lingered in the air, echoing in my mind.
Raizen Tenkuma...
My father waited for my answer, but I could only stare at the river's reflection, caught between what was real and what wasn't.
We had spent the entire day walking together, seeing the world. The green fields stretched to the horizon, and the wind blew softly, bringing with it a peace that was almost indescribable. The birds flew in the clear sky, while the leaves whispered among themselves, as if sharing secrets that we could never understand.
Time seemed to stop as I spoke with my father. A time I had always wished for.
—That's right... Raizen Tenkuma —I said, breaking the silence with a nostalgic smile—.
The hero of the great divine spear he acquired after falling from the sky. Haha, I know... he was a mestizo man, just like me, who fought against the great army of demons and chaotic beings that wanted to destroy the world.
My father nodded, his gaze full of pride.
—Exactly, Jiro. Raizen didn't seek fame or money...
I looked at him, intrigued by the weight of his words.
—He just wanted to protect everyone because he felt it was his responsibility —he continued—. He never thought of himself before others. He was pure, with a great heart.
My father paused, as if recalling something important.
—He suppressed his own needs, his desires, and turned them into a bridge... for others to cross and continue existing.
His voice resonated with a wisdom that touched the deepest part of my being.
—He dreamed too, Jiro. In fact, we all dream. And there's nothing wrong with dreaming.
I looked at him intently, each word sinking in like a truth I had forgotten.
—We dream bad things and good things, but the power to dream reminds us that we're still standing. Dreams make us aware of who we are and why we exist in the world.
The wind blew harder, as if the universe wanted to underline his words.
—Dreams, Jiro, show us paths, warn us of the decisions we must make. They whisper truths we sometimes don't want to hear. That's why...
He looked directly into my eyes, with a firmness I would never forget.
—Never let anyone take your dreams away from you, son. Never allow them to take what defines you, what is truly yours.
Tears began to fill my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I cried fiercely, without shame or fear.
—I know, dad... —I whispered as I hugged him with all the strength I had—. I promise... I promise I'll find you, no matter what happens. It doesn't matter how many worlds I have to cross.
My voice cracked, but I kept speaking.
—I also promise to save our world, dad...
I felt his arms wrap around me with tenderness, holding me like when I was a child.
—Jiro, Jiro... —he said softly—. I know, son.
He pulled away just enough to look directly at me.
—That's why I love you, my son.
The words stayed etched in my soul.
In that moment, I understood something I had forgotten: it wasn't just the world I had to save... it was also my own heart, my own hope.
The garden of the Floridia palace was in full bloom. The cherry trees stood majestic, their petals dancing with the gentle breeze. The field flowers covered the ground like a multicolored blanket. Everything was perfect, like an ideal dream.
In front of us stood her, our mother. A beautiful Oni with fine, elegant horns, reddish like the flame of dawn. Her long, flowing spring dress fluttered in the wind, and her smile radiated a peace that I hadn't seen in her for a long time.
The mother we had lost due to that cruel curse.
Saria, full of emotion, ran toward her and hugged her tightly.
—I want this to last forever... —Saria said, enchanted, clinging to our most beautiful memory.
Our mother gently stroked her hair and softly replied:
—I do too, dear... but you know that this is just a false world, created in your mind.
Her words floated in the air, but they didn't affect me as much as might have been expected. I stayed calm, serene, watching her with a firm gaze.
—For being a false image of our most desired emotions... —I said calmly—. I don't think you should have told us that.
My mother smiled kindly, maintaining her composure.
—My dear Ardan... —she said with a soft voice—. Always so reckless, but so serene at the same time. Keeping your composure even in the most difficult moments.
She paused, her eyes shining with nostalgia.
—I think you inherited that character from your father.
Without changing my expression, I responded coldly:
—Yes, I also believe I inherited that man's character.
Before the conversation could get too serious, Saria puffed out her cheeks in an adorable pout.
—Hey, I'm still here! —she protested, making us all laugh lightly.
Our mother leaned toward her with a warm smile.
—I would never forget you, my little one.
Laughter and love filled the garden, making us forget for a moment the reality that awaited behind that illusory world. A world where our mother was broken by the curse.
After a while, we sat on the soft grass, enjoying the calm of the landscape. Time seemed nonexistent there.
My mother took a deep breath, her expression becoming a bit more serious.
—Now... —she said in a calm, yet firm voice—. I will tell you what is really happening to you.
The wind stopped blowing. An almost imperceptible tension settled in the air. Saria and I exchanged glances, knowing that what was coming could change everything.
The air in the garden grew dense, as if the very space was holding its breath in response to our mother's words. Her eyes, so full of calm, hid a painful truth that, despite the fact that we had already suspected it, still affected us deeply.
—In this false world, built in their minds, it is actually made from their greatest longings and desires.
—said Ardan and Saria's mother, her words floating like a gentle breeze that concealed the weight of the revelation. —Therefore, this world was created in their minds based on their dreams.
Her eyes rested on us, full of that sadness that had been a constant on her face since she appeared here, but there was something else as well: a deep pain, as if her own desires were trapped in an illusion she could not escape. Ardan, with his cold and calculating gaze, stepped forward, his tone impassive.
—To be a false image of my mother... I see you've just revealed this secret... tell me, why is that?
The air tensed with the precision of his words. Saria looked at him in surprise, her face furrowing in a mixture of confusion and anger. It wasn't the first time Ardan had shown that distant attitude, but today there was something in his gaze that even his sister found unsettling.
—Ardan! What's wrong with you? Why are you speaking to our mother like that? —Saria exclaimed, her voice breaking with concern and indignation. Despite her feelings toward our mother, Saria had never seen her brother so distant, so calculating, as if he were in a dimension separate from hers.
The mother, with serene gentleness, raised a hand, asking for calm. Her gesture was so delicate that even the wind seemed to stop in respect.
—Calm down, Saria... it's normal. And he's right. I'm not his real mother. —she said, without hesitation, allowing those words to settle in the air as if she had finally released the burden she had been hiding. The look she gave Ardan was filled with a silent understanding, as if he were the only one who could comprehend the complexity of the situation.
Saria, despite her mother's apparent acceptance, couldn't help but feel the growing tension in her chest.
—But still... he shouldn't... —Saria began, but her mother gently interrupted her.
—Even if I'm just a copy, a false image of his mother, the feelings are real. Even though this world, built from their dreams, is false... that doesn't change that their feelings are real. There's a reason all this exists here, even if it's just a copy...
—she explained, her voice full of sincere melancholy. Her words echoed what she had been trying to explain to them all this time: that, even though the reality was an illusion, the emotion that fed that illusion was not a lie.
Ardan, who had remained silent up until that moment, continued to look at their mother and Saria without changing his expression. His gaze remained cold, almost absent, as if he were contemplating a chessboard on which he had already calculated all the possible moves.
—Enough of that. Just tell us how to get out of here. —Ardan said, his voice like a cutting blade. There was no emotion, no resentment, no sadness. Only a practical urgency. His mind was focused on what mattered: finding the way out, facing whatever came, regardless of the cost.
The mother, hearing his tone, nodded with a serene expression, as if she already knew she couldn't change Ardan's determination. With a sigh, she let the breeze of the garden brush her face before responding.
The mother looked at her children, her gaze filled with sadness, but also with a deep understanding. With a sigh, she began to speak again.
—Well... you are inside a false world created by the shadow creatures known as Dream Eaters... or better known as Dobekis. —she said calmly, her words floating in the air as Ardan and Saria tried to comprehend.
Saria, unable to contain her surprise, immediately interrupted.
—So, according to what you're telling us... are we trapped in a world created by these creatures in our minds? —she asked, incredulity still marked in her voice.
The mother nodded slowly, without hesitation in the explanation that was to follow.
—Exactly. The Dobekis are small shadow spirits that feed on the vitality of their victims.
—While doing so, —she continued, —they submerge them in a deep sleep, making them dream of their greatest desires and longings, creating a false world inside their minds, built from those dreams.
—she explained, her tone grave and filled with wisdom. —This world you are in is only a projection of your desires, your hopes... but none of this is real.
Ardan, with a cold and calculating look, let out a heavy sigh. He was no stranger to the dark mysteries of this world, and the revelation that everything he had experienced up to that moment could be an illusion didn't surprise him as much as it did Saria.
However, he couldn't avoid feeling growing irritation. The situation they faced, though complex, demanded a practical response, and that was what he sought.
—Damn... so, what's the way to defeat these so-called Dobekis? —Ardan said, his words filled with urgency and a trace of frustration.
The mother didn't hesitate to respond, knowing that her children needed a clear solution.
—The only way to defeat them while in this false world is by destroying their Dream Core. —she said, her voice deep.
Saria, always eager to find a quick solution, looked at her mother with expectation.
—Dream Core? —she asked, confused but also hopeful, seeking to understand more.
The mother nodded again, as if that was the answer she had been hoping they would give.
—The Dream Core is the source the Dobekis use to maintain this false world, fed by their dreams and minds. If you destroy it, not only will you wake up... but you will also defeat the Dobeki. —she explained, her voice calm but with unshakable firmness.
Saria, upon hearing those words, felt a spark of optimism. The solution seemed so simple, so direct. Her face lit up with a confident smile.
—So that's it? Well, it'll be a piece of cake... —she said, certain that all they had to do was destroy that core and escape the nightmare.
However, the mother looked at her with renewed seriousness, as if she knew that things wouldn't be as easy as they seemed.
—It's not as easy as it looks. —she said, her tone now more grave, like a warning that the challenge they faced was far from simple.
Saria, though somewhat puzzled, furrowed her brows, sensing the warning in her mother's words. Ardan, on his part, remained silent, processing the new information. He knew that nothing in this world was simple, and while Saria's confidence was good, she needed to be cautious.
The mother, however, didn't seem concerned with her daughter's attitude. She had lived long enough to know that the truth was not always something easy to accept, but she had to prepare them for what was to come.
—The Dream Core is not only protected by the shadows of the Dobekis... it is also protected by the very desires and fears of those trapped in their dreams. Destroying it is not just a matter of strength, but also of will.
You will have to face your own deepest desires and fears to reach the core and destroy it. —she explained, making it clear that the path to victory wasn't just physical, but psychological as well.
Ardan, though more distant in his emotions, understood the challenge. He knew that he and Saria would have to face something much greater than just the dark creatures. They would have to fight against their own inner ghosts.
—So, who of us will be the first to face this... illusion? —Ardan said with determination, making it clear that he wouldn't stop at anything, not even the horrors they might find in their own hearts.
—Be prepared... —she warned them. —This will be a journey that will challenge everything you think you know about yourselves.
In front of the lake, the air was soft and serene, but I knew it was all a lie. The reflection of the blue sky on the crystal-clear water couldn't hide the truth: this world wasn't real. Yet, there he was... my father, looking at me with that smile I had always wished to see again.
—Although you're not my real father... —I said with a trembling voice, but full of determination—, it's clear that this dream world was formed with my greatest desires and longings.
He didn't say anything at first, just watched me silently as I tried to find the right words.
—And those desires... those longings —I continued, clenching my fists—, are to save my world and make it prosperous. And I want to do it with you by my side, dad.
His smile widened, warm and comforting.
—I know, son. —His voice was soft but firm—. But for now, if you really want to find my true self, you will have to leave this false dream world and wake up.
I felt something inside me break. Tears began to gather in my eyes, but I wouldn't allow myself to cry for long. I quickly wiped them away.
—Alright, dad... We'll see each other soon. —I promised with a smile, though my voice cracked a little—. I promise I will find you.
He began to fade away along with everything around us. The lake's waters, the sky, the mountains... everything was disintegrating into shadows. Still, his last words came through clearly and sharply.
—I love you so much, Jiro.
—I love you too, dad... —I murmured, though I knew he couldn't hear me anymore.
The entire world vanished, leaving only darkness. I stood there in the emptiness, feeling the cold take over the atmosphere. I looked up, and there it was: a glowing core that seemed to float in the middle of nothing, pulsing like the heart of a beast.
—So... this must be the Dream Core of the Dobeki —I said softly, though my own voice echoed like a hollow sound in the void.
Suddenly, shadows began to materialize in front of me. They swirled, forming grotesque shapes until a creature emerged from the center. It had a single eye that gleamed with malice and long, floating hair that moved as if it had a life of its own.
—So, that must be the Dobeki... —I murmured, rolling my shoulders and preparing for the fight—. Well, fine... let's fight.
Without hesitation, I charged toward the creature, feeling the adrenaline surge through my body. The Dobeki responded quickly, creating dark spikes that shot toward me like sharp spears.
—Let's go! —I shouted as I dodged the first spikes, determined to destroy that core and end this once and for all.