Her tears hadn't even dried. Just minutes ago, Vanesa was still holding Teddy's hand, unbelieving that her husband, who had lain unresponsive for a year... now had his eyes open.Her eyes widened as she realized Teddy was truly awake—not just a reflex. She cupped his face with both hands, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Teddy! Oh my God... you're awake... You're awake!"Vanesa quickly ran out of the room, shouting while calling someone, her voice a tangled mess of panic and joy. It didn't take long before the hospital room filled with people. Vanesa rushed back in, dragging along a small child wearing a blue dinosaur jacket.
"Kevin, hurry... it's Dad. Dad's awake!"The little boy hesitated at first. He looked at Teddy, lying weakly with IV tubes and a scar on his temple. But the moment his eyes met his father's... he knew. "Dad...?"
Teddy nodded slowly. His eyes were glassy. He couldn't speak yet, only a heavy breath escaped him—but it was enough for Kevin to run forward and hug his frail body tightly."I missed you, Dad... I missed you so much!"
That small embrace pierced Teddy's heart deeper than any sword ever could.Slowly, Teddy's hand rose, weak... but strong enough to touch his son's head."Kevin..." Teddy murmured, barely audible, but enough to make Vanesa cover her mouth and burst into happy tears again. Soon after, the door swung open again.
An older woman, eyes swollen from crying—Teddy's mother—rushed in, followed by his father, trying to look composed but his face already soaked in tears.Behind them, two men—Teddy's brothers—and a young woman with a face strikingly similar to Teddy—his younger sister—hurried inside.Everyone seemed overwhelmed, as if they had just been handed a miracle."Teddy... you're awake... Oh God... we thought we had lost you," his mother said, clutching his hand and kissing it over and over. "You stopped breathing, you know? Twice! Twice we thought you were gone..." his older brother said, voice thick with emotion.
"And now look at you, making everyone cry like babies," his sister added, smiling through her own tears. The room overflowed with hugs, laughter, tears, and unspeakable gratitude.Yet Teddy couldn't shake off a lingering feeling... something felt off.
While everyone was busy talking among themselves, Teddy gazed up at the ceiling, then closed his eyes briefly, whispering in his heart:"Axcel... are you there?" Silence. But after a moment, a gentle voice stirred inside his mind."I'm here, Teddy."
Teddy drew a shaky breath. "I feel like... something's not right, but I don't know what exactly!"Axcel answered softly, "Just enjoy this for now, my friend. This is the moment you've dreamed of for thousands of years, isn't it? Consider it your second chance."
Teddy opened his eyes again and looked at Vanesa, who was now fixing his blanket, smiling warmly. Kevin slept peacefully in her arms. "A second chance, huh..." Teddy gazed at his family, one by one.Yet deep down, buried in his core, there was a strange tremor—a residue from the old world, from a battlefield that had yet to fully end.
And he knew, sooner or later... his past would come knocking.But for now... He just wanted to savor his son's embrace, his wife's warm touch, and the sound of his family's laughter.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity... Teddy felt whole again.