After regaining his lost ability, Vin became more animated. He even skipped rehabilitation to scale the hospital's staircase. He wasn't quite ready to complete the span; he maxed on the twelfth floor, then took the elevator up to the 31st floor for training.

He was late, and Mars had already begun taking empty swings, so he casually joined. Miyo had become fond of the boy and flew onto his shoulder in greeting. "Birdy!' the child exclaimed, unaware of their name.

He pivoted to seek its owner, and their eyes met Vin's abdomen. "You-" he said, mouth agape in marvel. "You're out of your wheelchair!"

"Yea," responded Vin, lifting his right leg off the ground in demonstration.

"I can do it too," Mars muttered, masked with a determined watch. He resumed his stance, then continued to strike the sky with his branch. Vin found it strange that he hadn't picked up a weightier stick yet. Moreover, the child had become thinner and paler with each day.

"Hey," began Vin. Since they'd hardly spoken, the boy looked with undivided interest. Vin pointed to his summon, who rested on the youth, then presented themselves. "That's Miyo. I'm Vin."

He awaited a negative retort, but the youth grinned and returned late introductions. "Since you're better, let's play knights!"

"Knights?" inquired Vin.

"Yea! The other kids wouldn't let me play because I get tired easily, but you're nice," returned the Mars, glowing. He didn't actually explain what the game was, but Vin agreed to play anyway.

The boy raised Miyo onto the guard rail, kneeled down, and began sincerely reciting a passage. "I, Mars, vow to serve as your loyal knight and defeat evil."

Upon completion, he peeked at Vin, signifying he should do the same. Thus, Miyo had accepted two sworn knights. Next, Mars announced their righteous objective to defend the King from the vile tree monsters of the Medical Center kingdom. He chuckled and galloped away; Vin found it silly but followed in high spirits. Then, together, the two loyal knights whacked the holy sap out of an unsuspecting tree using its own branches.

Evil was defeated. And the retainers were awarded by their dazzling King with not one, but two flaming head pats.

"Thank you, your highness," giggled Mars, holding his right palm over his heart. Despite his forced breaths and flushed complexion, he appeared to be overjoyed.

"Good work. Sir Mars," articulated Vin, compelling a smile for the boy. The youth took a cordial bow, then weakly sheathed the pretend sword. "You as well, Sir Vin. Let's... Celebrate our..." he mumbled, and something was amiss. Vin knew it.

Mars unexpectedly moaned, shut his eyes, and began tipping toward the ground. Sinking.

Miyo was faster, and they dashed and caught the labored boy before he collapsed. Vin's joy was obliterated, and he exclaimed before sliding to the youth's side. He held the boy while Miyo dashed to find help. Nurses arrived soon after, and Mars was carried away, leaving Vin alone with concern and questions.

<>

Sunday Therapy. The single worst thing about Vin's hospital stay. Because of his friend's sudden tumble, he was in no mood to talk about his sentiments, so he ducked off.

The next day Vin skipped more appointments and waited in the same spot. A sinking feeling in his gut depleted his motivation, urging him to simply sit and linger.

Some hours passed, and the boy still hadn't shown up. Regardless, Vin didn't leave. He skipped class and curled into a ball on the yard's green grass.

After some time, the sun began to expire, and he unknowingly wafted off... Vin dreamt for the first time in weeks. While under, he confirmed that it was all gone, the world he'd built, the family he loved, all of it. Instead, he dreamt of a new grassy wonderland occupied by malevolent powers. In that fantasy, he, Miyo, and Mars were all warriors in shining armor, and together, they defied evil.

Despite the premise, he found it to be a good dream. They bonded, and just as they approached the final boss, that world, too, began to crumble.

"What, are you dead? Wake up already," commanded a voice, hopefully, Mars.

Vin pried his eyes open.

"Finally," barked the teen, who Vin identified as Mars's older brother. He scowled and puffed, but the red eyes he wore conflicted with his disposition.

Vin scanned the night-encompassed yard for his young companion but was kicked and redirected. "He's not here," the boy informed.

"Where is he?" Vin had asked, climbing to his feet. Standing, he was a few inches taller than the snappy individual who appeared conflicted.

"Listen," began the youth. "You really rub me the wrong way, but Mars likes you for some reason."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I'm only telling you this because he talks about you so much, but my brother doesn't have much time left."

Vin felt the legs he'd trained start to liquefy. The brisk night chilled the sweat that exuded from his back and made his heavy breaths sharp. "Huh?" he muttered, leaving the door to his mouth open in bewilderment.

The boy's fierce demeanor fractured, and he began to slump. "Y-yea... Doctors said he'll be gone by morning."

"I tried telling that idiot to stop playing outside and rest! But NO, he just had t-" The brother caught himself, grunted, then uprooted the earth with his shoe.

"Seems like lately, I've just pissed him off. But it's only because I'm his family, ya know!?"

"Whatever... I just thought it'd be fair to let you know." He sniffled angrily and shifted toward the ward, but Vin grabbed his shoulder and flung him back around. "Take me," he pleaded.

The desperate hand was slapped away, and the boy continued off. Vin followed silently, inside the building, down the hall, and up the elevator.

Along the way, the brother divulged what led to their hospitalization. He narrated that he and Mars were home alone when a gas leak sprung. Neither noticed anything except an odor and soon, the house was filled with contaminated gases. They both suffered carbon monoxide poisoning and were treated, but the damage had been done. Mars, being much younger, began to have organ failures which led to a chapter of various difficulties.

Ultimately, doctors concluded his ailment was irreversible, and it was only a matter of time.

The hospital became a different setting at night. Few patients roamed; it became colder and deathly quiet... It felt haunted.

Once outside the room, Vin wasted no time entering. Alone because the brother waited outside, and oddly no one else had been in the chamber.

It was dim inside, but the drawn-back curtain spared them from the darkness. Beautiful, snowy moonlight showed just over the bed Mars lay in.

Vin floated toward the bedside, his body felt weightless, and he chewed on his bottom lip. A chair awaited him near the mattress, but he stood. He was sick of sitting and thought Mars might find inspiration in his success and overcome his own circumstance.

He gazed down at the idle, pale, lit boy. Perhaps too intently because the child slowly parted their eyelids to a squint. Mars peeked at Vin, yawned, then squeezed their eyes closed and smiled. In a soft, low tone, he apologized, "sorry I missed training, Sir Vin."

"Even knights. Deserve a day off," Vin muttered. Mars nodded, then toiled to sit upright in his bed. It was impossible to interfere with his endeavor; Mars, too, was a man fighting a battle, so Vin respected his spirit and did not help.

Miyo flew on the child's lap and enthusiastically flapped their fiery wings in encouragement.

The boy soughed and struggled but confidently ascended and leaned against the bed's headboard. They caught their breath, then managed a thumbs up.

"Ummm," sounded Mars. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," returned Vin, shifting his weight to his right leg so the other could rest.

Mars pulled the covers up to his waist, then resumed. "What do you want to do once you get strong? Once you leave here?"

"I'll show. My parents. Then they'll come home," answered Vin.

"That's it?" chuckled Mars. "I thought you were, like, an undercover agent or something. And you were injured while arresting a mob boss."

"That stuff only. Happens in movies," smiled Vin.

"Well, I've already told everyone you were a government spy, so that's the story," laughed the boy.

Vin agreed to uphold the white lie. Then, upon the child's request, he sent Miyo to gather their training branches. His wish was to make up for lost time, so they conversed while taking slow swings. Vin revealed the story of his comatose years, which fascinated the youth.

Mars took a breather, then inclined forward in awe. "Will I get to live in a dream world too?" He asked. "I want to be a warrior and attend an academy for knights. The King will choose me as a royal guard candidate, and I'll defeat my opponents!"

A chuckle escaped Vin, and he rustled the boy's hair. "You can do. Whatever you want."

He'd worked himself up, so Mars laid back and drew his bed sheets higher. He appeared genuinely happy, resting under the cultivated moonlight with his sword by his side.

The air quieted for a minute. Miyo coddled the boy, unusually emotional. Mars's eyes were shut, with no signs of reopening, but he whispered.

"Vin...." the boy breathed.

"Yea, Mars?" he replied.

"I wanna train with you longer." The child's request was immediately considered, and Vin raised his branch. However, Mars could not lift his sword. His body had lost majority of its mobility.

Vin and Miyo inched closer and assisted him. Grabbing his left and right hand and anchoring his arms up. As they held onto his limbs, they felt no resistance; there was no strength left for the child. Still, they operated his arms for him, taking swipes at the vacant area.

It was difficult since Vin's own body was quivering. He hoped the boy couldn't tell how pitiful he was and how challenging it was to hold back tears.

Mars's lingering smile illustrated plenty. He was pleased. Content with their final training session.

Far too soon, his time had come. Time to depart for his own dreamland, where he'd embark on an eternal journey. Just before his exit, he exhaled, "Thanks."

Sobs and wails began just outside the door that had been cracked open. Mars's wet-faced parents and brother entered and pushed for the bed.

Vin took a step away to deal with his own grief. He believed it was unfair that he could overcome his challenge with hard work, but Mars could not. The child worked just as hard, yet-

Anyhow... The mother and father collected themselves long enough to bow in front of Vin. They apologized for making him be the one to see their child off, but they believed it was for the best.

"Thanks for treating our son like a normal kid," they said. Vin had noticed when they retrieved Mars, but they were highly protective. To the point that Mars had to sneak around them to play on his own. It just went to show their love for their kin.

The older brother wiped his face, then offered Mars's training branch to Vin. "Take it," he said. "We have pictures. But you don't have anything to remember him by..."

"R-right. Thanks," stuttered Vin. He took hold of the item, then quickly took his leave, allowing the family time to grieve.

He and Miyo returned to the courtyard and discharged their own sorrow. Screaming aloud, and silently at the watchful moon.