HONOR AMONG THIEVES: THE LEGEND OF AKIRA

PT. 18 HOMECOMING

Akira stood in front of the creator after making her decision. Suddenly a blinding light appeared. Akira put up her hand and shut her eyes as she shielded herself from it's brightness. A moment later it stopped and Akira opened her eyes. As her vision slowly came back into focus Akira noticed that she was looking up at a ceiling.

AKIRA
Am I back?

Akira slowly sat up. Her whole body felt stiff and ached.

AKIRA
(thinking to herself) Damn. Everything hurts. Well I guess practically dying would do that to a person.

Akira looked around, having no clue where she was. She was sitting in a bed in a small unfamiliar room.

AKIRA
(Thinking to herself) Now where am I?

Akira stretched out, trying to relieve some of the achyiness in her body. As she moved around a bit, she saw some long red strands of hair fall in front of her face. She took some of the hair between her fingers as she looked at it confused.

AKIRA
What the hell?

Akira was still trying to get her barings, when the door to the room opened. Akira looked and saw Nokia standing in the doorway. As soon as Nokia saw Akira sitting there, she ran over to Akira and hugged her tight.

AKIRA
Hey easy.

Nokia cried as she held Akira.

NOKIA
You're awake. You're finally awake. I was so scared that you were never coming back.

Now Akira was even more confused than before. I felt like she was only talking to the Creater for a few minutes. But clearly that wasn't the case. After a bit Nokia finally let go of Akira and sat on the bed next to her  as she dried her eyes. She just sat there and smiled at Akira.

NOKIA
I can't believe you're really back.

AKIRA
Finally back? Hey just out of curiosity, how long exactly was I out for?

NOKIA
Akira, it's been 7 years since you shut that portal.

AKIRA
7 years! How is that possible?

NOKIA
What do you mean?

AKIRA
You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

NOKIA
After everything that's happened since we met, I'd believe anything.

Akira told her about what she experienced after she shutdown the portal.

NOKIA
That's incredible. I don't even know what to say.

AKIRA
(Joking) You, at a loss for words? Something's not right. Maybe I'm not actually back after all.

NOKIA
Very funny. But did you really give up an entirely in paradise with all your loved one's to come back here? Why would you do that? Why didn't you stay?

AKIRA
Simple. As happy as I was to see them, I'll see them again someday. But there was someone very important that wasn't there. And I couldn't stand the thought of not seeing that person again for who knows how long.

NOKIA
Who?

AKIRA
(Smiling) You, of course. Who else.

NOKIA
Akira... You really came back because of me?

AKIRA
(Joking) Well I figured you'd probably be miserable without me around to bug and drive crazy all the time.

Akira chuckled a little.

AKIRA
But seriously. The thought of being there and not being able to see you again for who knows how long. Well, it wouldn't really be paradise for me without you with me.

NOKIA
Are you purposely trying to make me cry again?

AKIRA
(Joking) Is it working?

NOKIA
(Joking) You're terrible. You know that?

AKIRA
(Joking) I do try.

After a bit, not having regained her strength yet, Akira fell asleep. A number of weeks later,  Akira's recovery was coming along great. After being bed ridden for so long, it took some time for Akira to get back to full strength. But she figured that would be the case. So with Nokia's help, Akira continued on her road to recovery. One day there was a knock at the door. Akira was sitting in the other room,  when she heard Nokia answer and talk to someone.

NOKIA
Did you find the place okay?

?
Yeah. Why are you staying way out here anyway?

NOKIA
Well I figured it would be better if we were somewhere quiet and out of the way while she recovered. How's everything going?

?
Good. Family's doing well. And words starting to really catch on.

NOKIA
That's great news. I can't thank you enough for doing this.

?
Hey I wanted to do it just as much as you did. Besides you had your hands full here. Which reminds me. How is she?

NOKIA
Good. You wanna come in? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you.

?
Sure.

Akira looked at the doorway as they came in.

AKIRA
Falco.

Akira stood up and hugged her friend.

FALCO
I'm so glad to see you're back on your feet again. You gave us one hell of a scare you know.

AKIRA
It's so good to see you.

Akira and Falco sat and chatted for a while as they caught up.

FALCO
You know the whole time you were out, Nokia never left your side. She refused to give up hope that you would wake up some day.

AKIRA
Nokia...

Akira looked through the doorway to where Nokia was getting everyone a drink, and smiled. The fact that anyone could be so selflessly devoted to her, warmed her heart so much. Though in all honesty that news didn't really surprise her. Nokia had always seemed to go above and beyond for her. And in that moment even though she already loved her, Akira realized that the home and the family she had wanted all her life, was here With Nokia. Akira had at long last found exactly where she belonged. She truly was home.

TO BE CONTINUED...