Chapter 41 - Embarking on a new chapter
(Arthur Leywin)
The bustling city of Xyrus fell under the cloak of twilight as the radiant beams of the sun slowly waned, succumbing to the inevitable embrace of the night.
As the fading light of day relinquished its hold over the sky, the city's streets and alleyways were cast into a dim and murky realm, illuminated only by the flickering and dancing flames of the city's street lamps.
These small beacons of light were like faithful sentinels, standing guard over the city's inhabitants as they scurried about their daily business, navigating through the winding maze of Xyrus' streets with practiced ease.
Despite their meager size, these lamps possessed a power that belied their humble stature, illuminating the darkness and instilling a sense of security and comfort in the hearts of all who beheld them.
And so, as the last remnants of daylight faded into the ether, Xyrus was enveloped in a cocoon of light and shadow, a place where the magic and mystery of the night brewed in an alluring alchemy of wonder and worry.
The city exuded an air of tranquility, its streets winding like a river of polished stone through the heart of this metropolis.
Yet, beneath the surface of this placid exterior lay an undercurrent of unease, a tension that spoke to the looming specter of war that threatened to engulf the whole continent.
In the future, even as the forces of conflict would converge on the battlefield, this city, this floating oasis of hope and sanctuary, will remain resolute in its commitment to peace.
It will stand as a beacon of light in the darkness, a bastion of safety amid the chaos and carnage that would soon ravage both the continents.
For the citizens of this city, the coming storm would not bring with it the same fury and devastation that it would visit upon other lands.
Here, in this haven of security and solace, the people will come to realization that they can take refuge from the tempests of war and find shelter from the storms of strife.
"Righto, time to meet my parents," I muttered to meself, the soft susurrus of the breeze lending a gentle lilt to my words.
The crisp, cool air of the evening danced around me, tickling my cheeks with a playful caress.
With a sense of purpose, I set off down the path, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestones with a satisfying click-clack.
The rustle of leaves overhead accompanied me as I made my way towards the Helstea Manor, nestled amongst the verdant foliage of the city.
As I drew closer, my heart quickened marginally with anticipation, eager to see the familiar faces of my kin. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth wafted on the wind, suffusing me with a sense of nostalgia and belonging.
And so, with each step, I drew nearer to the haven of my childhood, a place where the memories of youth still lingered, and where the love and warmth of family awaited me.
However, this wasn't what I needed to focus right now.
For a fleeting moment, I entertained the notion of divulging my true nature as a reincarnate to my parents.
However, such a course of action would prove imprudent, for it had the potential to irrevocably alter the trajectory of events to come.
If Alice and Reynolds discovered that their beloved son was, in fact, a being of thirty years encased in the guise of their offspring's skin, they would doubtless hasten to offer their services in the looming war without a second thought.
Sooner or later they had to participate anyways, but in this way they would be fighting without a reason to live.
Betrayal.
The sting of betrayal can inflict deep wounds upon the psyche, sapping one's very will to labor and exist.
As one wrestles with this overpowering emotion, I could not help but reflect on the impact it would have on those who depended on me.
My stalwart parents, Alice and Reynolds, required a steadfast source of motivation to endure the trials that laid ahead, not only for their own sake but for the sake of Ellie as well.
Thus, it behooves me to keep this knowledge shrouded in secrecy... at least for now.
Arriving in front of the Helstea's mansion, I sighed and turned my back to it, sitting on the stairs that led up to the main doors of the house. There were so many things to do. It was getting tiring. I wanted a peaceful life but trouble always seem to find me. The interest taken by the King of Asuras in me was concerning.
"Is there something troubling you?" A mellifluous voice interjected, its soothing tones disrupting my ruminations.
As I turned to face the source of the dulcet voice, I beheld the comforting appearance of Alice, who had joined me on the stairs leading to the mansion's entrance.
Tenderly enfolding me in a maternal embrace, she cradled my head upon her shoulder, her gentle touch eliciting a sense of serene tranquility.
"Does it appear as though I am beset by worry?" I queried, savoring the comforting warmth of her embrace.
"Not look. But feel like it. I can't really tell what you think but I am your mother. I know what you feel," she confided, her fingers tracing a gentle path through my locks. Each tender caress she bestowed upon me invoked a sense of somnolent enchantment, my mind awash in a lulling tide of soothing sensations, making me drowsy, "Well, sometimes I do." She completed with a wry chuckle.
Despite having reconciled with the notion of Alice and Reynolds as my parents, my inexperience and unfamiliarity with relationships like child and parents still hindered me from fully embracing them as such.
It was this very unfamiliarity that sparked an unending cycle of dread in Alice, causing her to fear that I would once again slip from her grasp
"Thank you for being such a good mother." I said as she laughed out loud, slightly pulling my ear.
"Thanks for what? You are my son and I love you with all my heart."
But she won't love me once she knows who I am.
"Of course I will support you in every way possible." She ended her dialogue with a smile and a delicate peck on my cheek.
"Thanks." I replied meekly, looking down at my feet.
"Oho, what is my lovely wife and son doing here? Confiding in some secrets? Oh! Is Arthur finally in love? Or has he... no, don't tell me Arthur you've already..."
"Reynolds! Calm down." Alice said as Reynolds burst out in a hysteric laughter. Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, he looked at me, "Long time no see, son. What were you up to these days?"
I killed an enemy retainer, collapsed the council, gave a blue print of possible Alacryan invasion via dwarven tunnels to Arisu. Well of course, I wasn't going to tell him that.
"Just some minor dungeon dives which turned out to be cancelled." I replied as he placed his hand on my shoulder, "Good. Just keep growing. Your old man is going to catch up to you soon!"
As I heaved a protracted sigh, my parents' acute perceptiveness did not elude them. "Is there a pressing matter you wish to share with us, Arthur?" inquired Alice, her voice tinged with concern.
With a deep breath, I faced her and replied, "Indeed, there is."
"And what might that be?" she inquired, her maternal gaze fixed intently upon me.
Subsequently, I proceeded to relate the recent events that had transpired, including the failed assault on Xyrus, the advent of impending war, and the summons extended to me by the deities to undergo training within their lands.
The reaction?
It was quite within my expectations.
The reaction went from a phase of ridicule in which they thought I had gone insane to a phase of denial in which she cried her heart out and finally after a long while as Reynolds comforted her, she finally came to terms with it.
Reynolds escorted her inside as she lost consciousness from crying too much. Once he left her in the room, he came back and sat with me.
"Won't you introduce me to your friend? The one who is supposed to take you there?" Reynolds asked, looking at me.
As if on que, Windsom emerged from shadows, his eyes that carried image of multiple galaxies gazing down at Reynolds.
"Keep your aura in check." I said as the veil of pressure lifted up and Reynolds took in a deep breath. Windsom's presence alone was enough to knock many humans unconscious.
Reynolds stood up and bowed in front of Windsom, "I know I don't have the stature to demand anything, but please, take care of my son. He means the world to us." Reynolds requested, his voice quivering.
Windsom gave an amused smile, "Stand straight. You don't need to ask for that. If anything, you should pray for the enemies. He is more than capable to take care of himself." He said and motioned his head to me. As I walked close to him he gave me a small cloth.
"Consider this a gift from us. For your family." He said. Looking down I saw a bear cub, that had droopy eyes and marks making him look oddly intimidating.
Nodding my head in his direction I headed inside.
"Where are you going, Arthur?" Dad asked.
"Giving this to the most compatible person." I said and moved in. Walking up the stairs I opened the door and saw Ellie sleeping inside. Her state was chaotic and hair disheveled as she cuddled with a stuffed toy. Sitting down by the edge of the bed, I placed the sleeping bear cub beside her.
Cute.
If anything, I wanted to get strong for her. My little sister. Caressing her locks, I tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. Bending down, I placed a small kiss on her forehead and stood up, leaving the room and closing the door behind me.
Going back through the same route with which I had came here, I got outside.
Standing apart from each other, Reynolds and Windsom occupied distinct positions within the space. Upon noticing my approach, Reynolds advanced towards me and enfolded me in a tight embrace, the whites of his eyes betraying the presence of multiple red streaks.
"Take care, my son," he whispered with a palpable sense of urgency.
"I shall. You, too," I reciprocated, returning his embrace.
As Reynolds released me from his grasp, he proceeded to usher me towards Windsom. "Mind you, do not dawdle, else your old man may catch up," he jested with a smile, patting me on the back.
Standing next to Windsom, I prepared myself for the imminent teleportation by observing his extraction of an artifact. "Are you ready?" he inquired.
"Hmm," I affirmed.
Subsequently, a brilliant aureate light engulfed us, signifying the commencement of our translocation.
In the instant before I completely vanished, I turned to wave at Reynolds, mustering the slightest of smiles. The last image imprinted upon my mind was the look of bafflement etched onto his countenance as the scenery around us shifted completely.
(*****)
Author's Note
Howdy. Don't have anything to say so uh, hope you enjoy the chapter.
And I am out!
Sayonara.