She picked up the canned food, which was still hot but cool enough to eat, and scooped it with a spoon, cooling it slightly by blowing on it. Anik ate quietly, helped by Sophia, without asking anything. After finishing the first one, he summoned another canned food to eat. Sophia remained silent throughout.
"Sophia, can you help me consume the essence in my right hand?" Anik requested, to which she readily agreed.
"It's to help you heal faster, right?" Sophia inquired.
Anik nodded after swallowing the essence. They conversed for a while, and Anik eventually fell asleep.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
IN THE MORNING
Everyone except Sophia and Ace burst into the room, shouting Anik's name upon seeing him awake and smiling cheekily at them.
"How are you guys? Haha," Anik greeted them.
"We see that you're fine now. But be more careful and strategic from now on. You shouldn't rely on your tricks for everything," Luna chided, her face stern. Holden nodded in agreement.
"Bro, how are you feeling right now?" Jonathan asked Anik.
"I'm fine," Anik reassured them with a calm expression. They then began discussing trivial matters, reminiscing about their training, camp situation, and General Liam.
"That's enough talking for now. Let him rest for now. Everyone, get out," Sophia instructed, and they complied, exiting quietly to avoid upsetting her.
"Anik, how long will it take to fully heal your body?" Sophia asked once everyone had left.
"It will take at least five days," Anik replied after consulting Aafai.
Sophia merely nodded. As she cleaned the tent, providing Anik with another essence, he grimaced, indicating discomfort. "Anik, does something cause you pain?" she asked, concerned.
"Haha, it's nothing. I'm fine," Anik responded with a smile, though a hint of pain lingered.
"Anik, do you need to relieve yourself?" Sophia asked professionally.
"No, no, no I just feel pain due to movement. You know," Anik admitted nervously.
*Sigh*"I am a doctor, Anik. I know," Sophia reassured him.
'My dignity!!!'Anik muttered to himself as he performed the necessary task with Sophia's assistance.
Six days later,near the California forest, Anik declared, "Finally, I can move freely without feeling any pain in my body." Sophia advised him against attempting any extreme movements, to which he acquiesced.
"Aafai, is there no way to take anyone with me?" Anik inquired.
[No, you can't. But you may discover some methods in upper-tier worlds.]
'I understand,' Anik told Aafai.
As evening fell, everyone gathered around the bonfire, engaging in light-hearted banter. Anik and Sophia sat close together, attracting teasing remarks from the others.
"Um, guys, I have something to tell you," Anik announced.
"To everyone??" they exclaimed.
"Yes, I am leaving this world," Anik revealed.
"What do you mean by that?" Luna queried.
"I am not from this world, and I will soon have to leave to find a way back to my real world," Anik explained patiently.
This revelation shocked everyone.
"Ah, I am so confused. Can you explain from the beginning?" Jonathan asked.
"Okay, fine. So when I first appeared in this world... thirty minutes... that's why I have to go," Anik confessed.
"So, you are leaving?" Sophia asked.
"Yes, I have to find my way back to my world," Anik confirmed solemnly.
"When will you go?" Sophia inquired.
"In a couple of days," Anik replied. Over the next few days, the atmosphere grew tense, but Holden reminded them to maintain a positive outlook.
On the day of departure, Anik emerged from his tent, ready to bid farewell. Despite their outward cheerfulness, the group was inwardly saddened by his impending departure.
"Anik, how are you feeling?"
"I'm doing fine. Just nervous about the future," Anik admitted.
"Don't worry; just keep moving forward until you reach your goals and never get distracted," Holden encouraged him.
"Bro, don't forget to bring some materials back for me, okay. For research purposes," Jonathan teased.
Anik chuckled and nodded. "Hope we meet again."
"Take care." Ace wished him.
"You too, buddy," Anik returned the sentiment.
"Anik, never let your guard down. Now, go find Sophia to say goodbye," Luna instructed.
"I understand. Thank you for everything," Anik expressed, and they smiled in acknowledgment.
Finding Sophia near a pond, Anik called out to her. "Sophia."
"Oh, Anik, it's you. Is it time?" Sophia asked, and he nodded.
She approached him and gave him a hug. Startled at first, Anik reciprocated.
"Thank you for taking care of me till now." Anik said to her with a smile.
"Anik, take good care of yourself and no recklessness," Sophia cautioned him.
"Sophia, I want to tell you something," Anik began.
"No, not now. It's not the time. Tell me what you want when you come back," Sophia suggested.
*Sighs*"Fine, now I have to come in time," Anik whispered.
"What are you saying?" Sophia inquired, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Nothing," Anik assured her.
They spoke for a bit longer. The weather turned windy and stormy.
"I think my time is up. Let's return to the team," Anik decided, and Sophia followed him.
"Take care!!!!" everyone called out to him.
"Thanks again for everything. And say bye to my father-in-law," Anik quipped, sprinting up the mountain and surprising everyone.
"Hahahaha!!!" They laughed, understanding his parting joke.
As Anik vanished into the distance, swallowed by the lightning, the group disbanded, returning to their duties. Only Sophia remained, her gaze fixed on the spot where Anik had disappeared.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
One year later, at General Liam's camp, Sophia and Luna took a stroll. "Sophia, let's go for a walk," Luna proposed.
"Okay, I was getting bored," Sophia replied.
"It has been a year, hasn't it? Since Anik left," Luna observed.
"Yes," Sophia confirmed.
"How long will he take to come back? Did he tell you something?" Luna began to inquire but was interrupted by the sudden appearance of dark clouds and a nearby lightning strike.
"Call the team," Sophia ordered, rushing toward the impact site.
Luna quickly alerted the team. Upon reaching the scene, Sophia seeing a man silhouette.After carefully looking the man was looking 25 years old standing amidst the chaos.
"Sophia, how are you doing?" The man greeted her.
"Took you long enough," Sophia replied, tears welling up as she recognises him and embraced him.
"Have you found your home?" Sophia asked, and
"I have something to tell you."Anik simply nodded and said to her.
"Heyyy Anikkkkk!!!!" The team called out, waving from a distance to respect their privacy. General Liam was present as well.
*Cough*cough*
Anik coughed a little to clear his voice and declaring,
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Sophia tearfully accepted, allowing Anik to slip the ring onto her finger. They shared a passionate kiss.
~~THE END~~