Fury

Arthur Leywin POV

We talked for hours, and Sylvia patiently explained that my family was safe and doing okay. Her reassurance brought immense relief to my worried heart. In these uncertain times, I had come to realise that sleep was no longer a necessity for me. A few hours of rest every few days seemed to be sufficient to keep me going.

As the days trickled by, Sylvia continued her preparations for the portal. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, mingled with a tinge of regret in her tone one day. She explained that the spell required time to ensure complete safety. She didn't want me to end up in an unfamiliar destination or, worse, transported a couple of hundred metres above the ground due to even the slightest inconsistency. I understood the need for patience and eagerly awaited the moment when I would finally be reunited with my loved ones.

Sitting down, I nodded and focused on refining my core. I could feel Sylvia's gaze upon me, as if she held a deep understanding of me that surpassed even my own self-awareness. I questioned her a couple of times, trying to uncover the mysteries she seemed to hold, but she would simply reply with a cryptic remark about my interesting nature and fascinating body. Perplexed by her words, I eventually shrugged off my confusion, trusting that all would be revealed in due time.

Months passed, and during that time, Sylvia became not only my mentor but also someone I could truly be myself around. I learned invaluable skills from her, delving into the realm of wielding pure mana in ways I had never imagined, despite my seemingly endless knowledge of this world. Under her guidance, I mastered the art of sending forth powerful blasts of pure mana, a sight that never failed to amaze me.

In addition to her teachings, I had been working on a technique of my own—an ability to completely conceal my presence by harmonising with the surrounding atmosphere. When I shared my progress with Sylvia, she was genuinely surprised and suggested naming the technique "mirage walk." I nodded and smiled, grateful for her presence in my life and the deepening bond we had formed. With Sylvia, I found a true companion who accepted me for who I was, and together, we embarked on this extraordinary journey towards reuniting with my loved ones.

In these couple of months, I had not only made significant progress in my magical abilities but also experienced an astonishing transformation. The colour of my mana core had progressed to the peak of the light red stage, at speeds of which even Sylvia found terrifyingly remarkable. She had often marvelled at my rapid growth, acknowledging the immense potential within me.

However, amidst our shared journey, I had noticed subtle changes in Sylvia's condition. One fateful day, she collapsed, and it became painfully clear that she was fading away, her life force ebbing. In that moment of despair, she mustered her remaining strength to explain everything to me, urging me not to blame myself. Yet, despite her words, an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over me, and I couldn't help but hold myself responsible for her deteriorating state. It was then, for the first time in a long while, that I let my emotions surface, acting my age as tears streamed down my face—more than I care to admit.

After Sylvia's revelation and my subsequent acceptance of her decision, I began to settle down. It was a bittersweet peace that enveloped me, knowing that Sylvia had chosen her fate, and there was nothing more I could do to alter the course of events.

As I found solace in this acceptance, an incredible transformation unfolded before my eyes. The radiant golden runes enveloped Sylvia's body, cracking away the dark shell of her previous form. And in that moment, she emerged as a majestic dragon—a sight that left my jaw slack with awe and disbelief.

Still struggling to process the extraordinary turn of events, I managed to stammer, "You're a dragon."

Sylvia, or rather the dragon that embodied her essence, nodded with a regal air. "Indeed, art. But time is not on my side anymore."

She reached out to me, placing a stone in my hand, and plucked one of her magnificent feathers. "Conceal this stone and this feather," she instructed me, her voice laden with urgency. Confusion clouded my mind as everything was happening so fast. She explained that the stone emitted a distinct aura, one that would attract her enemies. By concealing it, I would ensure my safety and protect her legacy.

I nodded, determined to fulfil her final wishes. The weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders as I grappled with the reality that Sylvia's time was drawing to an end. Yet, with her guidance and the newfound power coursing through my veins, I was resolved to honour her sacrifice and face the challenges that lay ahead despite the pain it caused me.

I was abruptly pushed back by an unexpected force, and my breath caught in my throat as Sylvia's snout gently brushed against my chest, right where my mana core resided. Startled, I looked up to meet her piercing purple eyes, which now blazed even brighter than they had during her initial transformation. The golden markings that adorned her scales grew dimmer, gradually fading away until they disappeared entirely.

In that moment of confusion, before I could react, Sylvia's long, forked tongue pierced into my core, and a wispy golden smoke emanated from her mouth. The smoke crackled with sparks of purple, creating a mesmerising spectacle that held me spellbound. A sharp yelp escaped my lips as I blinked, trying to process the unexpected sensation. I gazed at Sylvia, unable to tear my eyes away, as she withdrew her head, leaving behind a trail of blood that stained my worn-down shirt. Astonishingly, upon running my hand over the affected area, I discovered no wound or injury, only the lingering warmth of the encounter.

However, as Sylvia's expression contorted with pain and weariness, it became evident that even a mighty dragon of her stature was not immune to the toll of her actions. She appeared weaker, her once shimmering purple irises now dulled to a dim yellow. The intricate and beautiful runes that had once flowed across her face and body had vanished, leaving behind a sense of loss and fading power.

Before I could gather my thoughts and inquire about what she had done, a colossal explosion shattered the air, violently interrupting our moment of revelation. The ground beneath us trembled as debris filled the sky, casting a shadow over the impending chaos that had abruptly engulfed our surroundings.

As the entity's words echoed through the chaos, Sylvia swiftly shielded me beneath one of her massive wings, providing a protective barrier from the raining debris and ensuring our concealment from the mysterious visitor. The sound of crashing objects and the gusts of wind outside seemed distant and muffled, as if we were cocooned in a realm of our own.

With a sense of urgency, Sylvia's voice reached my ears, soft yet resolute. She peered beneath her wing, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and concern. "I'll open the portal now," she whispered, her words carrying an air of solemnity. "I didn't have the time to make it go directly to your home, but it should take you to a place with humans nearby. Do not let him see you, and do not look back," she instructed, emphasising the importance of staying hidden.

Her next words struck me deeply, igniting a surge of both anticipation and uncertainty. "You're important, Art. You have a body that will allow you to become one of the strongest in the future. I believe in you." Her unwavering faith in my potential was both reassuring and overwhelming, urging me to embrace the journey that lay ahead.

Before I could fully process her words, Sylvia's tone shifted, revealing a vulnerability I had not witnessed before. "You asked me once, why I chose to save you. The truth was to satisfy my own greed. I wanted to keep you as my own child, even if only for a little while," she confessed, her voice tinged with remorse. "I intentionally prolonged the transportation spell because I wished to spend more time with you. But it seems I didn't even have the chance to finish it." A note of sadness laced her words, as if she regretted not being able to offer me more guidance and protection.

Tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of gratitude, sorrow, and confusion. Before I could respond, Sylvia made one last request, her voice filled with longing. "Can you be my grandson and call me grandmother, just this once?" Her plea held a bittersweet yearning, a desire to share a familial bond that transcended our current circumstances.

Overwhelmed by the weight of her request and the depth of our connection, I nodded through my tears, unable to find words to express the multitude of emotions swirling within me.

"N... Noo! I don't care about all of that!" I cried out, my voice laced with desperation and sorrow. "I'll say it as much as you want if you come with me! Grandma! Grandma! You can't! Not like this!"

Tears streamed down my face as I clung onto Sylvia's massive claw, desperately trying to pull her away from the impending fate. My heart pounded in my chest, begging for her to reconsider, to choose a different path, to stay by my side. The world remained frozen, the colours muted, as if waiting for our decision to unfold.

"I-I-I... Please, I'm begging you, just come with me," I stammered, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and pleading. "I-I don't know what you did, but everything is frozen right now; we can escape! Please, Grandmother, don't go. Not like this!" I pleaded, my grip on her claw tightening.

In that poignant moment, Sylvia's face transformed into a radiant smile, a sight that took my breath away. For an instant, I could swear I saw a glimpse of her humanity shining through. It was a smile filled with love, acceptance, and a profound sense of fulfilment.

Through tear-filled eyes, I could barely make out the words that escaped her lips before she gently pushed me toward the swirling portal. "Thank you, my child," she whispered, her voice carrying a mixture of tenderness and wisdom.

With a sudden surge of force, I was propelled into the portal, leaving behind the only family I had ever known. As I travelled through the void, my long pale blond hair danced in the wind, symbolising the weight of loss and the emptiness that consumed me. It felt as though every bond I had formed in my past life and this life had been rendered useless, a cruel curse I couldn't escape.

But within that emptiness, a transformation began to stir. The overwhelming sense of loss gradually shifted into a burning rage that coursed through my veins. I let my body be consumed by it, surrendering to the raw power that surged within me. Mana cycled in and out of my being, amplifying my fury. The mana beasts nearby sensed my overwhelming presence and cowered in fear, instinctively recognizing the danger I posed.

In a cathartic release, I let out a primal howl of pain, allowing the agony in my heart to reverberate through the surroundings. The air grew heavy, crackling with electricity and searing flames clashed against the encroaching water and ice. Magic clashed with itself, fueled by my unbridled rage, as I delved deeper into the maelstrom of emotions. Unbeknownst to me, the intensity of my unleashed mana purified my core, propelling it to the next stage of power, yet such a trivial matter held no importance in the depths of my fury.

But just as I was on the verge of losing myself completely, consumed by the chaotic storm within, I heard a voice that cut through the tempest. "Ahem! Testing, testing... Ah, good! Hello, Art. This is Sylvia." Her voice echoed in my mind, bringing a stop to the maelstrom raging within me.