Its a world of blending with group chat ( Rewrite )

Goblin Village

Three days had passed since Ifrit attempted to take control of Shizu and was destroyed by Akira. Since then, Shizu had been in a coma, her body adapting to Ignis—the new spirit forged from Ifrit's remnants.

During these three days, Akira wandered aimlessly through the village while explaining what had happened to Yukihime and the others: how he had rushed back in time, 20,000 years into the past, and spent a full millennium there before returning to the present.

A thousand years is a long time—enough to change a person beyond recognition. But thanks to Athena, Akira faced no issues with this. She periodically helped him recall everything that had happened before his time leap, allowing him to remain fundamentally himself. Yet this didn't mean he hadn't matured. Over that millennium, he had witnessed enough to grow profoundly as a person.

The village pulsed with a heavy silence, as if even the wind had stilled in reverence for what was unfolding inside the small hut at its heart.

Three days had passed since Ifrit turned to ashes. Since then, Shizu had slept, submerged in a critical coma, her body adjusting to Ignis—the new spirit born from the remnants of the old flame.

Akira sat outside the hut on the wooden steps, silently watching the horizon. He wasn't the same as before. His gaze no longer carried coldness, but an ancient weariness—and a worry he refused to acknowledge.

Yukihime approached quietly and sat beside him under the weak sunlight. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, then whispered:

"It's strange seeing you so still... You, who's always so confident, leading everyone."

Akira smiled—a pale but warm smile—and answered without looking at her:

"Even I crave stillness and quiet... Especially when I can do nothing but wait, helpless, when all I want is to help her but can't."

The weakness in Akira's voice was unmistakable. For now, the burden rested on Shizu alone—she had to accept her new self, or she would die if she kept rejecting it.

{Individual Shizu is about to awaken.}

Hearing Athena's voice echo in his mind, Akira didn't hesitate. He stood and entered the hut, his worry unconcealed.

"What happened, Akira?" Yukihime asked, following him inside.

Akira remained silent, slowly walking deeper into the hut. Shizu lay on the bed, her face pale but peaceful, no trace of pain left.

He sat beside her, gently taking her hand, and murmured softly:

"I'm sorry... I couldn't stop this. But I won't let you go through it alone."

It was rare for Akira to grow emotional over someone he'd known for barely an hour. Yet Shizu held a special place in his heart. In his past life, he had pitied her fate—there had been an unattainable love between them. But now, none of that mattered. All he wanted was for her to be safe and alive. That was all that counted.

Moments passed before her fingers twitched slightly. A gentle warmth radiated from her skin, and a faint fiery glow flickered beneath her closed eyelids.

Then—suddenly—a burst of light swept through the room, followed by a soft explosion.

Akira didn't flinch. He didn't let go of her hand. Flames surged around her body, yet they didn't burn. The fire danced... not to harm, but as if celebrating.

Then... Shizu opened her eyes.

They were the same soft, gentle black eyes—but now, they carried a new shadow, an energy both soothing and terrifying. Yet when she looked at Akira, the warmth in them was unmistakable.

Though she had been in a coma these past few days, she had been aware of everything outside. She knew how he had worried for her, staying by her side most of the time.

She whispered weakly but clearly:

"Akira... You're... here."

He smiled—this time without hesitation—and clasped her hand between his, replying gently:

"Always."

Her breath shuddered for a moment, as if her body was still adjusting to the change. But Ignis wasn't like Ifrit... It wasn't a being that sought control, but a flame that chose to live with her, not consume her.

Shizu stared at her palm, where a small golden-crimson flame flickered to life, dancing softly before vanishing.

"This..." she murmured, then looked at Akira. "Is it... part of me now?"

Akira nodded slowly, his voice calm but firm:

"Yes. It chose you... and that's why you're still here."

The words weighed heavily on her heart, but they weren't painful. Instead, she felt a deep warmth within—as if, for the first time, she understood what it meant to be herself, not a tool in someone else's hands.

Yukihime spoke, her tone a mix of awe and relief:

"Your heat... It doesn't frighten me. It's nothing like Ifrit's."

Shizu glanced at Yukihime, then back at Akira.

"I heard you... all of you speaking. I was in a dark place, but your words reached me. I don't know how, but... they gave me strength."

Akira chuckled softly—a laugh carrying the weight of a thousand years—and said:

"You don't need to understand everything yet. It's enough that you're back."

With a quiet sigh, he straightened up after confirming Shizu was stable. Turning to Yukihime, he reassured her:

"She'll be fine now. The hardest part is over."

Before Yukihime could reply, footsteps approached from outside, followed by a Slime hopping in, trailed by three others.

"Shizu-san?! You're awake?!" Rimuru's voice was anxious but hopeful.

Akira gave a faint smile as he moved toward the door and opened it.

"Yes. She woke up moments ago."

Rimuru hurried inside, followed by Kaval, Elyun, and Gido, who lingered quietly at the entrance as usual.

"Shizu-san!" Elyun called out emotionally, rushing to sit beside the bed.

Shizu stared at them in surprise, her eyes slowly moving from face to face, before she smiled softly and said:

"You're... all here."

Rimuru, hopping onto the bed beside her, pulled out the mask she used to wear and placed it next to her, replying:

"Of course we are. We were so worried... But it looks like you're okay now."

Shizu let out a small, weak but genuine laugh:

"I feel like I'm breathing anew... This time, without that heavy burden."

Kaval grinned in his usual simple-minded way:

"That's obvious. You look brighter."

Yukihime stood silently beside Akira, watching the scene with a soft smile. She didn't know Shizu well, but the warmth in the air was irresistible.

Akira, turning his back to the group, said quietly:

"I'll leave you all with her. I don't think I'm needed here anymore."

"Akira." Shizu called gently.

He turned to her—his gaze not questioning, but waiting.

She smiled faintly:

"Thank you... for everything."

He nodded silently, then stepped out of the hut, leaving behind a lingering sense of peace.

Outside, the sun had begun to set, casting its warm light over the Goblin Village... as if blessing this new beginning.

...

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