//------------------------------//
// First of Many Awakenings 
// Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero 
// by That_Random_Pony 
//------------------------------//

"He's… up. Jaq… and… osh."

"Figan… im… Look. He's coming to."

Draco's eyes shot open and he gasped for breath. "Reku'un, easy," Jaqeluu warned, settling him against the bed.

Before Draco could say anything, he turned to the side and vomited into a conveniently placed sink. After hacking out whatever he could, Draco coughed hoarsely, dry heaving on occasion. He shakily laid back on the bed, bringing his head up to inspect his pained body.

"It'd be easier if you sat up," Agner chuckled, slowly helping him into a sittin position.

Draco clutched his head in pain, then massaged his aching jaw. "What… what happened?" He croaked, his voice shattered to a severity. 

"Jerosh started your first training session with him," Derekosh said, leaning against the threshold with his arms crossed. "Looks like you took it the hardest out of us all."

Draco glanced down at his bandaged leg and his wired chest. Several IV's were connected to his arms, and a large bandage wrap was covering his torso. He looked to the side and saw x-rays of his jaw. 

"It took the healers an hour to fix your broken jaw," Fermot chuckled softly. "Not to mention the collapse in your chest they had to decompress."

"And the internal bleeding," Agner added. 

"And a few fractured bones in your arms, and a few torn muscles," Jaqeluu said. "But you held out longer than all of us… except Derekosh, actually."

"And how long is that?" Draco asked, laying back against the cushions. 

"Your time or mine?" Derekosh chuckled.

"Both."

"You lasted about 4 minutes," Fermot said. "Derekosh lasted about 7."

"And the rest of you?" Draco laughed, regretting his decision when his chest felt shocks of anguish. 

"2 minutes," Agner admitted, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"3," Jaqeluu grinned. "And Fermot, what was your time again?"

Fermot sighed and shook his head with a laugh. "2 minutes and 33 seconds," he laughed. "I was bleeding from my head, I'll have you know."

Stifling a laugh, painfully, Draco looked up at an empty canister the size of a small pill bottle. "Was I given thermite while I slept?" He asked.

"Eight doses," Jaqeluu answered as he nodded. "You've been unconscious for two weeks."

Draco's eyes widened, and he exhaled slowly. "Was it really that bad?" He murmured.

"We had to give you the thermite during the healing process to help speed it up," Derekosh informed him. "And yes, it was bad."

"Considering the fact that you could've died if Jerosh didn't go so easy." 

Draco's jaw slackened. "He was going easy?" He softly questioned.

The brothers nodded. "He did the same with us," Jaqeluu assured him. "Trust me. If Jerosh had actually tried, I'm not so sure we'd be standing here."

"But I forced him to," Derekosh announced triumphantly. 

The brothers all laughed, including Draco. His laughter died down quicker than the rest, since there was one question he had. 

"Where is Jerosh?" 

The brothers stopped their banter and insults and turned to their brother. "He's keeping Figanti busy while Derekosh visits you," Jaqeluu explained. "He'll come see you later in the day, I'm sure."

"Perhaps we should let him rest," Fermot said. "Tomorrow I want to meditate with you. It should help relieve you of the pain… hopefully."

"Alright," Draco nodded. "Will uncle visit?"

"He probably will," Derekosh smiled. "After the beating, he'll be concerned on how you're recovering."

Draco nodded softly. "I'll see you soon, then," he smiled. 

"Resga (Ditto)" Agner chuckled. "Jre'av ev egosnaga (We'll be waiting)".

They filed out after placing their hand on Draco's shoulder, leaving him all to himself. He glanced to the left, looking over the various images of his shattered bones and beaten muscles. His armor was strapped on a mannequin, the tears and dents in his armor still visible. Beside that, a sort of counter had several belongings, like his Daedalak and dagger, lined up. 

Including an olive green medallion with cyan gem orbs dotting the outer rim. He could make out a few carvings, and inscriptions on the design. 

That isn't mine… so whose is it? Maybe one of the healers.

Speaking of medallions, he reached up to his neck and felt around for the amulet his mother gave him. He sighed with relief when he felt the smooth silver, and he held it up to eye level. Grunting softly, he moved his left arm out of the sling and clicked open the amulet. Inside… he had a picture of his mother and him… from when he was small. And of course… in front of that…

…him and Ember.

The same pictures as always.

I miss you guys… and I wish I could be there with you all.

His memories flooded back in when he stared at the picture of Ember, his thumb running over the picture gingerly.

We're gonna make it through this, Ember. Remember that.

He looked at his armor once more, then to his father's Daedalak.

I promised.