Death Sentence

Just then the door opened.

Stepping inside was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, her grace and poise evident with each step she took. She had flowing, lustrous silver hair that cascaded down her back, and her eyes sparkled with warmth and kindness.

In her arms, she cradled a little girl who giggled and squirmed with delight. The child had rosy cheeks, a button nose, and a mop of curly hair that framed her cherubic face. Her eyes were wide with curiosity as she looked around the room, taking in her surroundings.

The woman smiled warmly at the room's occupants, and the child's eyes lit up as she spotted familiar faces. It was clear that she was well-loved and adored by the woman who held her. The little girl reached out with tiny hands, reaching for the objects that caught her attention.

<system appraisal>

[

Name - ??

Age - ??

Level - ??

Strength (STR) - ??

Agility (AGI) - ??

Dexterity (DEX) - ??

Intelligence (INT) - ??

Mana - ??

Element - ??

Artifact - ??

]

<wha->

[

Name - Luna Everlight

Age - 1

Level - 1

Strength (STR) - 0.8

Agility (AGI) - 0.3

Dexterity (DEX) - 0.5

Intelligence (INT) - 0.5

Mana - 1

Element - Light

Artifact - ??

]

<Ever...light? Why do I feel like I recognize this name? And what's with those question marks? is it because maybe the level difference?>

" Angeline, did you call me? Are you and the baby okay?" the woman expressed her concern to Angeline about her health and the well-being of her baby.

"Elysia, I feel weak," Angeline said." I don't think I will be able to hold on much longer... Please protect Auric from him."

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the small, dimly lit room. Angeline sat on the edge of her bed, cradling Auric in her arms. Her heart ached with a mixture of love and sadness as she looked down at his tiny face, framed by tufts of soft, dark hair.

Angeline knew that she didn't have much time. Her body had weakened, and she could feel her strength slipping away with each passing moment. She had made peace with her fate, but the thought of leaving Auric behind broke her heart. It was all because of a curse...

"Hey there, my sweet boy," Angeline whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mommy loves you so much." She brushed her fingers gently across Auric's cheek, memorizing the feel of his velvety skin. Her eyes filled with tears as she continued, "But Mommy won't be able to stay with you for much longer. I'm so sorry that I have to leave you alone."

Auric looked up at his mother with innocent, curious eyes, reaching out a tiny hand to touch her face. Angeline smiled through her tears, savoring the precious moment. She knew that she had to be strong for Auric, even in her final moments.

"Please be strong, my darling," Angeline said softly, her voice choked with emotion. "Mommy will always watch over you, even from above. Don't ever ever think that you are alone... I will always be with you. Be strong and live."

She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Auric's forehead, breathing in the sweet scent of her baby's skin. Angeline then turned to Elysia, her trusted friend and confidante, who was holding her own child in her arms.

"Elysia," Angeline said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I trust you to take care of Auric."

Elysia nodded solemnly, her own eyes filled with tears. She had been Angeline's closest friend for years, and she had promised to look after Auric in case anything happened to Angeline.

"I will take care of him as if he were my own," Elysia promised, her voice trembling with emotion.

Elysia gently handed Luna, her own child, to a maid who was standing nearby. She knew that she had to prioritize Auric in that moment, and she trusted the maid to take care of Luna as she focused on comforting him.

With great effort, Angeline handed Auric over to Elysia, watching as her friend cradled him gently. Auric seemed to sense that something was amiss, and he started to fuss, reaching out for his mother.

Angeline's heart clenched with pain as she saw her baby cry. She wanted to hold him forever, to comfort him and protect him from the pain of losing his mother. But she knew that she had to let go.

Tears streamed down Angeline's cheeks as she reached out to touch Auric's tiny hand, holding it tightly. "Be strong, my precious boy," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Mommy loves you so much."

Her strength waning, Angeline's eyes fluttered, and she slowly slipped into unconsciousness. Elysia, with tears streaming down her face as well, held Auric close, trying to soothe him as he continued to cry, clinging to his mother's fingers.

< OI!! System !! What the fuck is happening ! Why is mother unconscious? Just what the hell is going on!? Oi! Fucking say something! Damn it!! >. Mark continued crying.

Elysia tried her best to console Auric, rocking him back and forth while tears streamed down her own cheeks. She knew that Angeline had loved Auric deeply and that her passing would leave a void in his life. Elysia whispered soothing words to Auric, telling him that his mother loved him very much and that she would always watch over him from above.

[ Boy I need you to calm down. I will explain everything later. Just calm down and sleep for now.]

After some time passed, Auric's cries slowly subsided, and he eventually fell asleep in Elysia's hands.

Elysia carefully laid Auric down in a crib, making sure he was comfortable and safe. She wiped away her tears, feeling a mix of sadness for Angeline's passing and determination to take care of Auric as his new guardian.

***

Mark, now as Auric woke up and found himself in a crib. He felt a deep sense of loss and emptiness, and tears streamed down his face. The reality of his mother's passing had hit him hard, and he struggled with the tumultuous emotions swirling inside him. Even though he did not spend enough time to strengthen their mother and son bond, he still felt sad. She was his mother and she gave birth to him and gave him a new life nonetheless.

A maid, who had been watching over him, rushed to his side and tried to soothe him. He calmed down.

< Hey system.>

[ Yes? ]

Auric's voice trembled as he asked, < Where is mother? >

[ She passed away, boy. ]

Tears welled up in Auric's eyes, and he struggled to control his emotions. < Why ? >

[ It was because of a curse, ] the system replied.

< A curse? >

[ When I gained consciousness, I scanned everything around you and found something unusual. Your mother had a strange energy on her left shoulder. I examined it in detail and discovered that it was a life-draining curse that couldn't be easily lifted. It could only be suppressed, and she used the pendant she gave you to do so. Since the curse also passed on to you, her child, she made the ultimate sacrifice to save you. She transferred her remaining mana, her life energy, to the pendant in an attempt to prevent you from being weakened, but unfortunately, it didn't work as expected. ] the system explained.

Auric's heart clenched with sorrow as he listened to the system's words.

[ Originally, I would only be able to materialize before you when you had accumulated 100 points in mana, ] the system continued, [ but because she gave you her remaining mana, I can materialize before you now. However, the pendant is only a temporary solution to suppress the curse. ]

Auric's mind raced with questions and emotions. He felt a sense of guilt for not being able to save his mother and a burning determination to lift the curse that had befallen her.

[ You have to fulfill her last wish, Auric, ] the system urged gently. [ Be strong and survive. This world is cruel to the weak... very much so. ]

Auric took a deep breath, steeling himself. He would honor his mother's sacrifice and do whatever it took to overcome the curse that had taken her away from him.

< Alright, > Auric finally spoke, his voice filled with resolve.

< But first, I have so many questions! > He exclaimed, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

[ Yes, I understand. Ask away. ] The system responded patiently.

< Where am I? Did I really die? How did I get reborn? Who are you? Why was the curse placed on mother? Who did that? And I heard her telling that woman with silver hair to protect me from 'him'... Who is he? >

[ Well, first, you are in the world of Arcanum... the novel 'Portal of Destiny' that you read about in your previous life... ] The system began to explain.

[ And you are born into the Everlight family. ] The system's words hung in the air, leaving the Auric stunned.

< Wait... Everlight family..? As in Luna and Avalon Everlight!? > Auric's voice trembled with disbelief.

[ Yes, you are Luna Everlight's younger half-brother and Avalon Everlight's second child. ] The system confirmed.

< WHAT !!?? > The Auric's shock turned to anger. < Did I reincarnate into the child of that Avalon who was dead even before the plot began? FUCK!! I AM ALREADY SENTENCED TO DEATH!!! >