chapter 8 "mother"

A beautiful lady sat in the balcony.

She's reading a book while the breeze and the bird's singing were making the feels at the place became more lovely.

Her long silver hair was gently moved by the wind. She had a lean body and 169cm. A noble lady, perfectly suit her image.

"mother, what're you reading?"

A little boy came to her side.

"this is a book called "free will". A poetry collection by Nana" she smiled

"poetry? would it help me to become stronger?"

"hmmmm, it'll make you stronger in literature"

"no need. I want to become a stronger fighter mother!"

instant rejection was coming from the little boy.

"huum, but mother want you interested with this kind of thing"

"if that's what you want, I'll try it mother"

"mmmm, you're starting to sound like your father!"

She pinched the little boy cheek.

"mmmother it's hurt"

"promise me! you will do what you want to do!"

"undwerstood mmmother"

"good -smile-"

She let her son's cheek go.

"what's so good with that book mother?"

"well, it will open your mind, you can see this world from another perspective"

"hmmm, that's a good thing, maybe?"

"that's why you don't have any friend.."

"I have someone that's always by my side mother"

"Nanika doesn't count!! of course she will always be at your side"

"it's so complicated"

"gghhh, I'm worried with my son's future"

"don't worry mother, I'll never let you sad or worried about me"

She stared her son.

A little boy with cute face, but not a cute personality. She remembered something then laughed.

"ahahaha, so this must be what I was before i met him"

"what's wrong mother?"

The little boy showed a confused expression on his face.

"no, nothing. I've just remembered something funny"

She wiped her tears caused by laughing.

"ok, come here. Let mother show you why this book is interesting"

The little boy sat on his mother lap, while his mother started to read some poetry in the book.

"ok listen here my son"

The little boy listened carefully.

"it comes and goes

with one purpose

it's a small burden

nobody want to listen"

She stopped reading and asked him.

"now, what do you think the author trying to say here?"

"hm, sounds like an advice or suggestion mother"

"hoo, interesting. What's your reason?'

"well, advice purpose is to solve or make something better, yet people rarely want to hear it"

"....that's really an interesting perspective, but also a sad one. -sigh- I can't believe a 7 years old kid would be so realistic"

"am I wrong mother?"

"no, no. There's no right or wrong condition in literature my son. That's what make it interesting"

"I see. Then how do you interpret this poetry mother?"

"let's see, I will go with love" she smiled

"hm, I don't understand. Why mother?"

"the first two verse, i feel that love is exactly like that. it comes and goes. At some point, you love someone, and at another, you don't love them anymore"

"i see"

"then, it only one purpose. To give lesson, to make people actually want to care to other things than themselves"

"then it become a burden for some people..because loving someone means you need to sacrifice something. It could be your time, your ego, your money, even your life"

"do you sacrifice something mother?"

"...i wish....but i'm the one who get love from someone"

"it is.. father?"

"yes, and of course you too my sweet son, hehe"

She pat the little boy's head.

"hm, i'm not sacrificing anything mother. I receive many things instead"

"so glad my son doesn't take anything in his life for granted"

"yes, you told me to always grateful for what we have"

"umm, that's my son"

"so how about the last verse?"

"ah, i almost forgot. The last verse show that because of that burden, some people choose to iqnore their feeling for someone, or something. They don't want to sacrifice for love"

"i agree. I don't see any merit by sacrificing yourself for love"

"hmmm, then you don't wanna give your time when i need your help?"

"if it's mother, i'll do anything"

"ahaha, see? then you want to sacrifice yourself for love"

"strange. I know it's not giving me any merit, yet i don't mind to do it"

"that's what i'm talking about my son. You can't see this world only from logical side"

"it's complicated"

"no, it's not....hmmm"

She stared her son with her sharp eyes and her silver pupils. She smiled and says..

"would be beautiful if some day you can understand about other people's feeling Arva"

-ngggiiiiinggggggggggggggggg-

-zep-

Arva opened his eyes.

He's seeing unfamiliar room and lying on unfamiliar bed.

He woke up and saw his surrounding.

He could feel some uncomfortable feeling like he wanted to meet someone, miss them, and some nostalgic feels.

"mama!! Halym is awake!! come here!!"

Lin's voice filled the room.

"hm, so i'm in miss Ara's house"

Arva started to grasp his situation.

"Halym? how do you feel?"

Ara entered the room.

"miss Ara... hm, forgive me. Turn out i gave you some trouble"

Arva's bowing his head.

"ah, it's nothing really.. just think i'm repaying what you do to Lin"

"hm, but you already did that by giving me that tannas"

"-pfft- that wouldn't be enough to repay you Halym"

"i see. Thank you miss Ara"

"you're welcome"

"you're not answering my question. How're you feeling?"

"hm, no problem. Now i feel all my energy in my body is back"

"-fiuuh- good then"

-growl- a voice came from Arva's stomach

"well, want to eat something Halym?"

"hm, i've just had my lunch. Why am i hungry?"

"of course you are. Now is 6:30 PM. You're sleeping for more than 5 hours. No wonder you're hungry right?"

"5 hours...hm, that's longer than i thougt it would be"

Arva woke from the bed and tried to adjust himself. Then he prepared to leave.

"Halym! you need to rest a bit longer" Ara worried

"i'm okay miss Ara. Besides, i need to go home now. Hm,mother still need my help"

"just...i got it. At least bring some tanna sandwich with you Halym. You can eat it on your way home"

"understood. Thank you for your kindness miss Ara"

"ok, wait. I'll bring it in a moment"

Ara went to the kitchen.

Arva walked to the living room while waiting.

Lin played with his en-light and swung it. He made a posture like a swordman or something like that.

"hm, his stance is not stable enough"

Arva observed Lin.

"hyaah! by mother of origin's name!! i'll defeat you!"

Lin fought with his imaginary enemy.

"hm, fighting the real opponent will be more efficient. Why didn't he do that?"

Arva was already sparring with A rank fighter as his tutor when he was 6 y.o. Thus why he didn't understand why Lin fought with his imaginary opponent instead of the real one.

"here Halym, take this"

Ara's voice snapped him back.

"hm, thank you"

Arva took the tanna sandwich.

Suddenly Lin put his en-light and to the front door. He came out and yelled.

"papa is home!! papa!"

"Lin....just leave me alone, i'm tired"

Ara ran towards Lin's direction and tried to bring her son back to the inside.

"come Lin, papa is tired. Don't disturb him okay?"

"but mama! i want to play with papa!!"

"later, okay? come on Lin let your papa rest"

"but papa never play with me anymore!!"

"dear...can you play with him for a minute.."

Ara looked to her husband.

"Ara... don't start this again.."

"i must..before you're forgetting yourself as a father"

"SERIOUSLY?! why do you think I become a fighter and work for Bhoren?!"

Banri turned around and faced Ara.

"yes, I don't know why you do all of that. I'm only asking you to be a good father for Lin.. it's mean you always be there when he needs you"

"hoo..then who's gonna paying for our daily need? your tanna stall? really?"

"it's more than enough. Rather than use your time to get more en, you can use it for fulfilling your role as a father"

"-sigh- do we really have to do this?"

Banri raised his hand and ready to slap Ara at any moment now.

"it comes and goes, with one purpose"

Banri heard familiar voice. He turned around and couldn't believe with what he saw.

"THE HELL? you're that brat...."

He approached Arva and showed his intimidating aura.

"it's a small burden, nobody want to listen"

"heh, what're you mumbling about kid?"

"sir Banri, do you love miss Ara?"

Arva looked into Banri's eyes.

"buahaha, are you become crazy because I hit you that hard kid?!"

Banri laughed so hard.

"hm, I'm okay. Your hit impact is already absorbed by my energy shield. Could you answer my question sir Banri?"

"energy shield? without ACE?... you're trying to mock fighter again huh?"

"no I'm not. Could you answer my ques....."

"shut up kid!! what the hell is your problem?"

"hm, I just want to know.."

"and why do you care about that huh?! don't tell me.... you take interested with my wife? I know you're become crazy!!"

Banri took few steps back.

"if your question means that I have interested with miss Ara in sexual term then, I'm not sir. Hm, tho I never understand that kind of feeling"

Arva tilted his head.

"then stop asking that question... and explain to me, why are you here kid..."

Banri grabbed Arva's shirt and looked down on him.

"do I need give you another "warning" like this morning? huh?"

"hm, there's no need for that, and let me talk to sir Bhoren. Could you answer my question sir Banri?"

Banri didn't understand what he saw from this kid's eyes in front of him.

His threatening didn't work, neither his intimidating aura. this kid simply didn't care about all of that.

Banri let Arva go, his mood for angry or fighting just..... disappeared into nowhere.

He turned to his wife and his son.

"Lin, you can play with him from now on"

Banri was pointing to Arva.

"but..i want to play with papa.."

"hey... I promise. When this project is over, I'll play with you everyday"

"really!! ok papa!! I'll play with Halym until your work is over!!"

A grinning smile could be seen from Lin's face.

"good. I want to sleep now -fiuuh-"

Banri went into his house.

Arva stood there.

His question didn't get answer at all, and somehow he became Lin's partner play now.

"hm, that can wait. Now I must go home"

Ara approached him, and she apologized for her husband attitude.

"I'm really sorry Halym.. and thank you. You saved me and Lin back there"

"no worries miss Ara. That's not your fault, and I will do something with this Bhoren. Hm, may I come here tommorow?"

"su..sure. In fact, it will help me too"

"hm, got it. Then, I will take my leave now"

"take care Halym"

"bye bye Halym!!! let's we play tomorrow!!"

Lin waved his hand.

"hm, see you tommorow"

Arva walked and left their house.

He opened the tanna sandwich and ate it. A soft and spicy sensation was filling his mouth.

"hm, this is delicious. This is really helping my hungry condition"

It took 10 minutes for him to get home. Light could be seen from his house and the shop.

The front door was opened, so Arva decided to come in right away.

He was seeing his mother sit in the living room.

Tyan looked into his direction, but her expression was kinda calm. Not a single worry on her face.

Arva approached her, and greeted his mother.

"I'm back mother. I'm sorry for coming home this late" Arva bowed

"... it's okay my..son. Please sit. I want to talk about something with you"

"hm, sure mother"

Arva sat in front of Tyan.

Tyan was silent for a few minutes. She was staring at Arva, and doing some little movements with her fingers.

"hm, mother wha.."

"listen.."

Arva stopped and tried to listen his mother.

"I thought this is because I'm sick and still have some effects from it.. or it's because my feeling as a mother..."

Arva was still silent and listened to his mother.

"this maybe sounds weird...but"

"... "

"are you really my son...?"

"... I'm your son.. technically"

Arva instantly replied.

"...what do you mean by that"

"hm, this is your son's body. without a doubt"

Arva nodded.

"I don't get it"

"hm, I think I need to explain it from the beginning"

Arva was starting to tell what's happened.

From the crashed, how he carried Halym to the clinic. What he had to do to help him from his almost dying condition.

The switching body event, how they were tried to adapt.

Arva told it with precise and in sequence. No detail was missing.

Tyan listened to it and tried to make it sense for her mind.

Almost ten minutes passed to deliver all the story from Arva's perspective.

"..... that's what's actually happen..mothe....miss Tyan"

Arva got up from his chair and did a bow gesture.

"forgive me for lying to you"

Arva's expression didn't show anything different in particular.

-fuuh-

Tyan took a deep breath. She's closed her eyes and held her hands in praying position.

She's opened her eyes, and looked at Arva.

"so.. who are you? I mean.. the real you"

"I'm Arva. Arva Sahasrara from Sahasrara family"

"sahas.....mother of origin..."

Tyan's expression changed.

"hm, is there any problem miss Tyan?"

"Ar..va? that was what you said? your name?"

"yes miss Tyan"

"ok Arva. First.. you can sit down, please"

"hm, understood"

Arva sat again.

"so that's explain why an unknown man came to me when i got heart attack yesterday.... that's your real body? with my son in the inside?"

"yes, it is"

"i see... at least he's okay. That's what's really matter"

"hm, he's okay"

Tyan let out a small sigh and leaned on the chair.

She's looking at her son, her son's body.

She still couldn't believe such a thing like "body swap" actually really happened, but she also couldn't deny her mother's instinct.

"can i ask something miss Tyan?"

"sure my so... i mean Ar..va? sure"

"hm, how do you know that i'm not your son? did i failed to do something while i'm here?"

"-pfft- no, it's the opposite"

"hm, i don't understand"

"you're doing too good. Not even mumbling, not even once! my son wouldn't survive a day without it"

"i see. Hm, those small details can make a mother realized something's wrong? strange"

"when Halym, my son, do his mumbling, i take that as a communication. At least i know what he wants, why he is angry, so i know what i've must to do"

"you're right. it can be seen that way. Hm, just like poetry"

"poetry? what do you mean?"

"it's nothing. Hm, i only remembered something from my childhood"

"i see.."

"i promise to find the solution for this matter, so in the meantime, i need to stay here and give you the inconvenience miss Tyan"

"please, no need to be so formal...you save my son, and you're in my son's body now. Of course i'll let you stay here. Besides..."

Tyan looked at her son. She's feeling a familiar yet also uneasy.

She's thinking for a while when she finally smiled and opened her mouth.

"i don't mind if i have another son"

Arva was just silent and looked at Tyan.

At the very least, he understood that Tyan didn't angry or panic with the current condition.

That's all what he could hope for.

"did you remember when you took me back home from the clinic? although i said that to my son, my real son, but your answer back then was really made me glad. Now i know it's you who said that, i want to say it again. Thank you"

"no need miss Tyan, i'm still thinking that any son would do that for their mother"

"is that so? then i'm really glad -smile-"

"hm, so....can i still call you.. mother? or.."

"like i said, i don't mind to have another son"

"hm, understood mother"

Arva's expression didn't change, but somehow his face kinda showed a happy one.

After spent his time in Halym's house, having mother again was actually a nice thing for him.

"well, that's settled it then. Wait here"

Tyan stood up and headed towards the kitchen.

Arva waited there and tried to control his energy flow. His stamina was not really good, but the energy flow? it's totally on another matter.

Especially in his left leg.

He had never seen more than seven energy sources in human body, yet Halym had it.

The one in his left leg was a different energy source with the other within his body.

It's like bringing someone body's part within your body, and you still could move it.

"Arva?"

Arva opened his eyes. He's seeing Tyan brought a wet towel and she's trying to reach his left leg.

(no....mom.....don't need.....rest...)

"what's wrong my son?"

Tyan still felt a little awkward to call Arva like that

"hm, i heard Halym's voice again"

"my son's voice? so you can talk to him?"

"i can't mother. This is more like random voice rather than Halym's voice"

"ah, i see.."

Tyan kept compressing Arvas's left leg.

"shouldn't you take a rest mother? no need to do this"

"i'll take a rest after this. hmm, you sound just like my son. Don't you feel better when your left leg is compressed after walking a far distance? is this really pointless?"

"hm, it feels cold and nice mother. Tho the spark pain is still there"

"-smile- at least it has some effect!"

"so, what the voice said?"

She continued her words.

"it tell you to stop. This body doesn't need it"

"i see...."

"..and you should take a rest instead of doing this"

Tyan stopped her hands for a moment.

She showed a sad expression, but also with smile. After that, she continued to compress Arva's left leg.

"that Halym....to think i didn't realize that he worried about me. -sigh- i'm really an incompetent mother"

"there! you can take a bath and rest my son. We need to open our shop tomorrow"

"thank you mother" Arva stood

Tyan approached him and patted his head.

Arva's eyes was wide open, he didn't see that coming. For a short moment, he could feel a lot of nostalgic feeling.

A warm, gentle, and kind feeling that he got when he was a child was filling his mind.

"no need to thank you. Right?"

Tyan took the wet towel and headed to her room for rest. Meanwhile, Arva went to the bathroom for taking a bath.

There's no bathtub at Halym's house so Arva could finish his bath faster. He only needed to do the shower.

He went to the second floor, to his room, and changed his clothes.

He sat on his bed, and took a deep breath for one minute.

"my son! i forgot to tell you. The dinner is ready, you can eat it. I've already had it first"

"hm, understood mother"

When he wanted to go down stair, Arva remembered something important.

"hm, i need to call Abhin. He needs to know that i'm already known as Arva"

He opened his SAI and it's showing 7:45 PM.

Arva thought that this was the right time, because they were supposed having a free time now at the party.

-diiin-

He's waiting Abhin to pick up his call.

After two minutes, Abhin's face was shown in the interface.

"hei Arva! what's wrong? is it about Bhoren?"

"i've got some information about him, but no Abhin. This is about me"

"i see. You? what's happen?"

"hm, Halym's mother, miss Tyan, already know that i'm not her son"

"...."

"hm, Halym's mother.."

"yes Arva!! I've heard it!"

"ok"

"i've just... how? did you do something suspicious?"

"no, it's the opposite"

"what do you mean?"

"I do everything without mumbling about something, and that's not so Halym for his mother"

".... that's.....make sense...."

"hm, I really forgot about that small detail"

"I'm pretty sure you miss many small details Arva.. I mean, we even don't know how Halym does his daily life"

"hm, you're right" Arva nodded

"I can't judge it from your expression. So, how is Halym's mother reaction?"

"she can accept it, and even take me as her another son"

"really??! that's a good thing for sure...but her reaction...I mean...she supposed to show some..you know, shock reaction?.. and I'm pretty sure you're not even trying to lie Arva"

"hm, I answered her instantly"

"gosh...."

"but Abhin.."

"what?"

"I think you can't deceive a mother. Not about her own son.. hm, that's what I believe"

"wow Arva.... that's really something good for you to say. Tho I never remembered whom my parents are" Abhin showed a surprise expression.

"I don't know.. it's only two days since I'm here, but so many strange things are happened here"

"well, as long as you feel good about that"

"I'm not sure. But I've started to understand what my mother said about human life.. I guess"

"you're changing Arva.. that I can tell you"

"hm, maybe you're right"

"-fuuh- so, that's it? any other thing that I need to know?"

"hm, nothing at the moment"

"well.. I'll ended this then. Halym is approached by miss Khana just now, I hope there's no trouble"

"hm, got it"

Arva ended his call.

He put his SAI on the table and headed down stair for dinner.

When in the kitchen, he saw a pot of chicken soup with a golden broth and many pieces of scallion are floating in the pot.

A combination from white chicken meat that was thin sliced with a turmeric's fragrance that was coming from the broth make a delightful sensation in his nose.

Arva took a bowl of hot rice and enjoyed his dinner. After finished, he checked his mother's condition before he went to sleep.

"mother, how're you feeling?"

"ah, it's okay. I'm already got enough of rest for today. Thank you.. my son" Tyan smiled

"hm, good then"

"..."

"i'll go to sleep mother. Good night"

"good night my son...wait"

"yes mother?"

"did you know what the first mistake that you did when you are in my son's body Arva?"

"hm, i don't know"

"Halym always call me mom. not mother"

"i see...such a basic mistake"

"i thought you were just tired back there, but you keep calling me mother"

Tyan laughed a little.

"but that's good, so i know you're my another son"

"hm, make sense"

"go sleep then, we both need to wake up early"

"understood mother"

Arva went to his room and lay on his bed.

It's the second day, and he already got so many things happened.

His eyes felt heavy and he started to feel sleepy.

He decided to close his eyes and get a good rest for today.

-----++-----

"young master, our transportation is ready"

Nanika reported to Halym.

"ah, got it. Wait a minute"

Halym approached Abhin who still leaned back and tried to think about their problems.

Well, it's 90% Abhin's fault after all.

"sir Abhin. i'll go home now"

"hmmm, okay. Take care Halym.. when are you gonna sparring with miss Khana?"

"tomorrow, but she will give me the time later"

"geez, like one or two problem is not enough for us... i'll try to find the way"

"thank you sir Abhin"

"yeah, just.. try to trigger Arva's memory. You will super need that when you fight number three of S rank fighter"

"-glup- i will"

Halym took his leave and headed towards the front lobby.

The driver already stand by there and waited.

Halym already felt so tired, and he wanna go home as soon as he could.

Just when he wanted to get into his EBW...

"Arva! leaving so soon..."

Halym turned around and replied to the voice.

"Mr. Parthon, i'll leave first. Thank you for your hospitality" Halym bowed

"hahaha, glad if you liked it. I mean, this is the first time i had you as my guest! i can brag to the other family!!"

He laughed.

"you're too kind"

"heermm, i heard you will have a sparring with my daughter tomorrow?"

"yes, that's...right"

"that would be really a perfect timing! we can see how far the different between number one and number three!"

"aha..ha"

Halym wanted to run away from that place.

"you really made this party worth it Arva!! i'm grateful!"

"i'm glad if you feel that way Mr. Pharton"

"hahaha, take care Arva! see you tomorrow"

This time, Halym really took his leave and got into his EBW.

The driver turned on the engine and started to take Halym back to Sahasrara's mansion.

His mind was going through a lot of things on his way back to the mansion.

"young master"

"hmm... what is it Nanika?"

"do you need any spesific preparation for the sparring tomorrow? i'll prepare it"

"hmm, nothing at the moment....i guess"

"understood. You only need to call me when you need something young master"

"yes, i got it"

"how supposed i know what i need to prepare?!! i even can't active sir Arva's gear!!! mother of origin...." Halym's mumbling showed at the end of the day.

They arrived at the mansion.

Halym decided to end this day by taking a bath and slept at his room.

"-fuuuh- let me have a good news by the time i open my eyes tomorrow.. mother of origin"

Halym closed his eyes and put his mind to rest.

-----++-----

FATE's main arena.

It's a dome with a big round roof that could be opened or closed.

An ouroboros, a snake which ate its own tail, symbol could be seen garnishing the roof.

This was where the FATE tournament was being held. Fighters from F to S rank fight for their honor.

So many people, from upper and lower city, came every year to witness the birth of the strongest fighter in the history.

This place also became an important place to determine the status of seven great family.

Stronger and higher their representative's rank and power, the higher their family status would be.

That's how important the FATE tournament was.

A big ring surrounded by a semi-transparent wall with a white floor was in the center of the room.

The audience's row was separated by a thick steel wall and placed higher than the ring itself.

A small platform could be seen on middle top of the ring.

That's where the judges and spectators observed the match that occurred.

"Ladies and gentlemen!!!!!! tonight, we will witness a spectacular "first stair" match in this arena!!!"

(*first stair = friendly match that was held before the official tournament)

-hwaaaaaaah-

A loud noise from the people in the arena responded to the spectator's voice.

"now, i will introduce you to our fighter tonight. In the south corner! a beautiful young fighter! with her gear, infinite aurora, she will show us a beautiful match!!! without a doubt! from Vishuddha family!! whispering sky!! Khana Vishuddha!!"

-hwooooh-

People in the room were very excited when they heard the fighter's name.

Khana appeared from the south entrance.

She's wearing a simple dress with sky blue colour.

In her right hand, she was holding a rapier sword with almost transparent blue blade.

The guard of the rapier was round and had Vishuddha's symbol on it.

The crossbar (quillions) and the knuckle guard were having several colour like aurora, and the handle was having an elegant sky blue colour.

That's infinite aurora, Khana's gear.

Khana entered the arena and looked to her opposite direction.

That's when the spectator introduced her opponent tonight.

"and in the north corner!!!!! the strongest fighter in the FATE tournament!! nobody in this room doesn't know him!! with his gear, crimson eater, he will show us a perfect match!! from Sahasrara family!! child of origin!! Arva Sahasrara!!

-hwaaaaaaah-

The people's response was even merrier than Khana introduction.

"ARVA!! ARVA!! ARVA!!"

The hype atmosphere filled the arena.

Halym came from the north corner.

He's wearing a black shirt and a purple formal jacket with lotus symbol on it.

His crimson eater was equipped on both of his arms. He entered the arena, and faced his opponent, Khana.

"both of the fighter already enter the arena!!! tonight we will see an amazing match performed by first and third rank of S rank in conquering division!!! ARE YOU READY!!!"

"YEEAAAHHHHH"

All of the people responded with the same answer.

"so preparation time begins!!!"

The entrances from both corner were closed.

All the light in the room focused on the ring at the center of the room...

Khana tied her long hair, so it won't become a hindrance in her battle tonight.

Meanwhile, Halym took a deep breath and repeated same words to ensure his mind.

"i'll be okay...i'll be okay..."

Khana just stared Halym and seemed focus to Halym's gesture.

She needed to focus because this match would show to the audience either she was worthed or not to become number three of S rank fighter.

"preparation time is up!!! both fighters!! are you ready?!"

Khana and Halym nodded, the spectator continued his word.

"WHISPERING SKY VS CHILD OF ORIGIN..."

"-fuuuuh- here it is....."

Halym took a deep breath.

"READY....."

"okay...let's do this.."

"FIGHT!!!!!"

-hwoooooooh-

The people's voice became the signal, as the match between the first and the third S rank fighter was begin.

-----( chapter 8 "mother")-----