A crow watched from afar, attentive to the scene. Suddenly, Ace's tails began to wag frantically, and he exclaimed, "The heart! It's still beating!"

Draco reacted quickly, saying, "Put him in one of those enemy wagons. I'll go seek medical help in the city." He rushed towards the city in search of assistance while Hikari, King, and Ace carefully placed Hiro in the wagon.

Meanwhile, the crow flew towards the crater left by Hiro, where the stone that fell from Aquarius was glowing.

Unexpectedly, the crow looked back at Hiro, and someone saw the scene through the eyes of the bird, revealing themselves with a malicious laugh, "AHAHAHA, no less is expected from you, Hiro!"

The crow silently disappeared into the air, unnoticed in it´s mysterious departure.

Meanwhile, Draco returned in haste, accompanied by an experienced medic. As she approached Hiro and examined his condition, she pondered, "I'm a medic, but the most I can do is apply this herb to the wounds to try and help. However, it will all depend on his willpower."

Hikari, her voice choked with concern, pleaded, "Please, apply the herb... he's strong, and we need him with us."

The medic carefully followed the procedure, applying the herb precisely to Hiro's wounds. Everyone there held hopeful gazes, awaiting any sign of improvement. The silence was only broken by the gentle sound of the herb's application and the anxious beating of their hearts.

As the medic continued to apply the healing herbs to Hiro's wounds, the young warrior let out desperate screams. Each touch of the herb on the open wounds seemed to resonate in his soul, an intense pain mixing with physical agony. His body trembled with every cry, but he remained steadfast, fighting against the pain with all his might.

Hikari, King, and Ace grew even more anguished witnessing their friend's suffering. Their expressions reflected concern and helplessness, but they knew the only thing they could do was support him in his fight for survival.

The medic continued her task with patience and care, understanding the vital importance of her intervention. She had seen many wounded warriors throughout her career, but Hiro's determination was something remarkable and inspiring.

The hours passed slowly, and the night seemed endless. With every passing minute, the hope of seeing Hiro recover grew, but so did the fear that his wounds might be too deep.

Finally, when the last application of the herb was completed, a tense silence hung over the area. Everyone anxiously awaited any sign of improvement. The medic gently wiped the sweat from Hiro's forehead and said softly, "Now, the battle is in his hands. Healing will depend on his inner strength."

Hikari, with teary eyes, held Hiro's hand, silently conveying her support. King and Ace remained close, their gazes showing unwavering loyalty and friendship.

The night continued to fall, and the group remained vigilant, waiting and hoping for Hiro's awakening. As the stars shone brightly in the sky, an invisible force united them all, strengthening their connection and determination to face any challenge life had in store for them.

Inside Hiro's mind, he found himself in a garden that seemed strangely familiar. Confused, he wondered, "Where am I? Just a while ago, I was at the foot of the mountain... I remember defeating Aquarius, and suddenly, I'm here..."

Worried about the whereabouts of his companions, he called out anxiously, "Hikari! King! Ace! Where are you?" His voice echoed, seemingly lost in the vastness of the garden, but there was no response. The place felt silent and enigmatic, and Hiro felt a strange sensation.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from behind in the garden, and Hiro, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed, "It can't be.... DAD!" In a mix of emotions, Hiro ran towards that figure, and as he got closer, he began to notice that his own appearance was changing too. Hiro started to become younger and younger until he reached the age of eight again.

When Hiro finally reaches the figure, to his surprise and joy, it is his father, Takeshi. His eyes filled with tears as he embraced his father, and he said, "Dad, I missed you so much. Please, never disappear again... All this time, I felt so lonely and scared..."

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Takeshi returned the embrace in silence, then knelt down to be at the same height as Hiro, pointing to Hiro's heart. "I'll always be here!" assured the father and added, "Hiro, never let your emotions completely overpower you or you'll end up like..."

Confused by his father's last statement, Hiro asked, "Like what, Dad?"

Takeshi's body begins to transform into vapor, rising towards the sky, but before completely evaporating, he says serenely, "Hiro, I am proud to be your father... Never forget that." Takeshi's words echo in Hiro's mind, leaving him with a mix of sadness and pride to have such a special father.

Hiro, breathing heavily, tries to grasp the escaping vapor through his fingers while shouting, "DAD!" The moment is so intense that, in the blink of an eye, he wakes up, exalted, startling everyone around the cart. Hikari rushes to hug him, her eyes filled with tears, and says with a trembling voice, "Never do that again!... I was so worried."

Ace, moved, also jumps into Hiro's lap, licking his face affectionately while wagging his tails frantically, overflowing with happiness. King, with a emotional smile and some tears in his eyes, playfully teases with tenderness, "After all, for a peasant, you're tough!"

Draco is also happy to see that Hiro managed to wake up, and the medic says, "You were one of the strongest warriors I've ever treated; I'm surprised by your resilience... But now comes the hardest part." She looks at everyone in the cart and continues, "Only Hiro will stay here, the rest must go outside, make a fire, and fetch food. Meanwhile, I'll finish the treatment here."

Hikari, King, and Ace exchange worried glances but respect the medic's order. They leave the cart and start to light a nearby fire, looking for food to satisfy their hunger and calm their nerves after the battle.

The medic, with a serious and professional expression, asks Hiro, "Are you ready?" And he responds firmly, "I am..."

With care and precision, the medic begins the treatment of cauterizing Hiro's wounds, applying bandages to his injured body. Hiro screams in pain and desperation, causing everyone outside the cart to become even more worried. His screams echoed for miles, like an anguishing echo through the mountains.

The treatment seemed endless, each second dragging on with the intensity of pain. Sweat dripped down Hiro's face, his hands clenched tightly, and he bit his lips to suppress the screams. The medic, on the other hand, continued with serenity, focused on her work, knowing it was necessary for the warrior's recovery.

Finally, after an agonizing hour, the treatment came to an end. The medic finished applying the bandages and observed Hiro's suffering face. She then said with an encouraging tone, "The hardest part is over. Now it's time to rest and allow your body to recover."

Hiro, exhausted and with teary eyes, agreed, thanking the medic for her efforts in helping him. He knew that treatment was necessary to heal his wounds, but he also recognized the essential role his companions played in his journey.

As Hiro recovers, his friends outside the cart take care of him, ensuring he is comfortable and protected. The night falls, and the fire burns, providing warmth and light for the group.

After finishing the treatment, the medic joins them around the fire. Hikari, still worried, asks, "Will he be okay?.." The medic responds with a reassuring smile, "Yes, young one... He is strong, and the worst is over. Now the important thing is to let him rest tonight, at least. Take him some of that fish being cooked on the fire..."

Hikari quickly grabs three fish skewered on a stick, cooking over the dancing flames of the fire, and returns to the cart where Hiro is resting. Carefully, she offers one of the fish to Hiro, encouraging him to eat to regain his strength.

While Hiro eats, the others also enjoy the meal around the fire. The aroma of grilled fish fills the air, creating a sense of comfort and relief after all the distressing events. Ace and King seem calmer, knowing that Hiro is recovering.

Hiro smiles with a glint in his eyes as he asks Hikari, "Can you make a hole here in the roof? I'd like to see the starry sky while I rest," he asked enthusiastically.

Intrigued by the idea, Hikari asked, "Ah? Why do you want to do that, Hiro?"

Hiro responded with a serene expression, "I love looking at the stars. They always remind me that there's a vast universe out there, full of mysteries and adventures. Besides, it's like I can connect with my father."

Understanding the meaning behind Hiro's request, Hikari smiled and agreed to make the hole in the cart's roof. She used a dagger to create a small opening, allowing the bright night sky to be seen from inside the cart.

Hiro thanked Hikari for fulfilling his request, and she responded with a smile, "You don't need to thank me. It's good to see you happy."

In the midst of that silence, while they observed the starry sky, Hikari decided to break the quietude and asked Hiro gently, "Hiro... while you were unconscious, do you remember anything?" Hiro looked at the sky for a moment, recalling that emotional encounter with his father in the dream, and replied with a serene smile, "Yes, I remember. I saw my father... He said he was proud to be my father..."

Hikari smiled gently upon hearing Hiro's comforting words about his father. She laid softly on his bandaged chest and said, "I'm sure he is very proud of you, Hiro. You are a strong, brave, and kind warrior."

Hiro gently stroked Hikari's hair, appreciating her closeness and comfort. "Thank you for being here," he said with gratitude.

The two peacefully fell asleep inside the cart, continuing to admire the starry sky in silence. Meanwhile, the rest of the group remained outside, resting near the fire until the dawn of the next day. The night passed peacefully, under the shelter of the stars, they found a moment of rest.

What did Hiro's father mean by his words?