Arthur Leywin POV
I was walking in darkness. I couldn't see anything, or anyone.
"Hello?" I said only to hear my voice echo, like I was in a large cave.
I continued to walk forward, seeing nothing but darkness in front of me. Looking down, I noticed the dirt floor looked scorched and cracked. Where am I? What is this place? How did I get here?
I continued to walk until I heard an explosion behind me. A bright orange fiery light illuminated the area, showing hundreds of gray boxy like buildings which were all burnt and damaged. On the ground laid thousands of people who were dead. They were all stabbed, mutilated, and covered in blood. I couldn't believe my eyes, as I looked upon the field of death in front of me. I turned around to the source of the light, and saw what looked like a giant gray castle was on fire.
In front of the castle were two figures. One was on his knees holding his stomach that was bleeding profusely. He looked tall, thin build, auburn medium length hair, and glowing purple eyes. He wore a simple tattered brown short sleeve shirt, and black pants. With the rips in the mans shirt, I could see he had three tattoos on his left arm, and four on his right arm, two tattoos on his chest, one above his heart, and the other on the right side of his abdomen. He had five tattoos that ran down the spine of his back, markings I've never seen before, except one.
The mark on his right forearm, is the same mark that appeared on my arm when I tried to use the purple energy. The man on the ground lifted his head, and looked at the figure in front of him with absolute hate. I couldn't make out the figure in front of him, only his silhouette. He looked to be a tall man with a thin build, but the most notable feature were his horns. Horns? The same as the man who came for Sylvia...
The standing figure spoke first, his voice cold and dark. "Last chance, give me what I want, and perhaps I will spare you."
The figure kneeling gave a scowl, and spit blood at the standing man. "Never. The power will never be yours."
The standing figure let out an immense pressure, and swung his arm decapitating the kneeling man. "So much power in your hands, yet you refused to use it. What a shame."
Suddenly my surroundings shifted. I was in an octagon looking room with obsidian walls, and seven purple crystals embedded into the walls. All of a sudden the crystals glowed, and one of the crystals shot out a ball of purple energy which fell to the floor. The purple energy began to rise, and take the shape of a purple man. The purple man had purple hair and purple eyes, they had the same markings I saw on the man earlier. This purple man looked at me up and down.
He nodded at me as he spoke, "The time draws near. You need to be ready."
"Ready for what? I don't understand." I said.
But before he could answer, my eyes shot open and I was laying in bed back at the Helstea residence. I was drenched in sweat, and my breathing was staggered. I looked to my right, and saw Tess lying down peacefully. Seeing her next to me caused me to smile and filled me with bliss, and helped me calm down.
I continued to look at her until I felt an immense chill run down my back. My eyes went wide and I shot up in bed startling Tess.
"Ahhhh! Art what's wrong!" Tess said sitting up. I sat there frozen in fear. "Art?"
"ARTHUR. LEYWIN."
My body flinched at the voice, I could feel Tess stiffen next to me. I've never felt fear like this before. Even when I saw that horned figure in Sylvia's cave, or when I faced off against the forest queen, this took the cake.
I slowly turned my head to the left, steeling myself for what will happen next. My eyes fall onto a figure with auburn hair, and brown eyes staring daggers at me with her arms crossed.... my mom. She radiated a dark aura that would make even the forest queen runaway. I just gulped, not knowing what to say.
"Arthur Leywin, you may not have been raised under this roof, but I am still your mother. As such, when I tell you to do something, or not to do something, I expect you to listen." She began as she slowly walked into the room from the doorway. "So imagine my surprise when I go to your room to wake you up, and you're not there." She came to a halt a few step away from the bed.
"W-well, I mean. You see. What happened was..." I began, but I couldn't think of anything to say.
Her eyes narrowed to me, then they flicked to Tess. I could feel Tess flinch.
'Grandma Leywin about to beat you senseless papa.' I hear Sylvie say through our bond.
'Shut up Sylv.' I replied back mentally, getting a snicker from Sylvie.
My moms eyes softened when they looked at Tess. "Tessia dear, I'm gonna take Arthur and have a chat with him. Why don't you get up and get ready for breakfast. Ellie and Rey should be joining you soon." Mom said with a warm smile.
"O-ok mother, t-thank you." Tess stuttered.
Mom then looked at me again, and her face went back to a scowl with her eyes shooting daggers at me. She gave a smile that didn't match her aura.
"Arthur, please come with me." Mom said, holding out her hand. I nodded as I got out of bed and picked up Sylvie who I placed on my head.
My mom then grabbed my wrist with unbelievable strength. She then turned to walk out, practically dragging me out of Tess's room and into mine. Once inside the room, she closes the door behind us.
"Arthur. Sit down. Now." Mom said in a commanding tone.
I didn't say anything, just did as she asked while looking at the ground, heart pounding. I've faced S class and a SS class mana beast, I have the beast will and the body of a dragon. Yet, there was no way I was going to come out of this unscathed.
"Arthur, look at me." Mom said. I slowly raised my head to look at mom. She continued to glare daggers at me. "Arthur, do you know why I'm angry?" She began.
"Because I didn't listen to you." I said with a shaky voice.
"That, and because you violated my trust. I specifically told you to stay in your own room. I know you a Tessia didn't do anything since you were both clothed, and you're way too young for that." Mom said.
"I'm sorry mom. I didn't think-" I began but was cut off by my mom.
"I know you didn't think. Arthur, I don't know how you were raised in the elven kingdom, but here, you follow my rules. I'm sure you and Tessia were used to sharing a bed growing up. But that needs to change." Mom said.
"But why? It's not like we're hurting anyone." I said.
She placed her hand to her face and sighed. "I'm gonna have to get your dad to have a talk with you." Mom said.
Suddenly traumatic memories surfaced as I remember the talk with Gramps and Father. "Is it about the birds and the bees?" I asked.
Moms face shot out from her hand, and she stared at me more intensely causing me to stiffen. "If you already know about it, then you know what can happen!!!" She yelled practically causing my hair to blow back. "You two are both growing up, and your bodies are going to go through changes. It only takes one time to get someone pregnant, and you and Tess are far two young for that." Mom said.
Mom stared at me for a few seconds as I sat there, before she let out a sigh. "Look, I can see how close you two are. I'm very happy for you two as well, and I support your relationship. But for now, you should sleep in your own beds until you're married, or at least when you can have better self control." Mom said.
I thought about what my mom said and then thought about when I saw Tess in a towel and my face went red. I remembered how seeing her like that made me feel. Maybe she was right.
"*sigh* Ok mom, you're right, I'm sorry. I won't violate your trust again, and I'll sleep in my own bed." I said.
'At least while I'm here.' I thought to myself.
'I heard that papa.' Sylvie said mentally as she snickered.
Mom continued to look at me, trying to see if there was any deception. After a few seconds she nodded and gave a smile. "Good, I'm going to trust you Arthur, please don't break my trust again." Mom said.
I nodded, "Yes Mom, and I'm sorry." I said.
Mom then gave me a hug, and told me to get ready for breakfast. Sylvie and I then washed up, which she wasn't a fan of. I got dressed in a simple gray shirt and black pants and walked to the kitchen. I got to the kitchen and saw everyone sitting down talking.
I walked over to the empty seat, and sat next to Tess who smiled at me and took my hand.
"You ok?" She asked with a slight blush.
I smiled and nodded at her. "Well I'm not dead, so that's good." I said.
I looked at the table and saw they had a small buffet lined up for us with eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, even cinnamon rolls.
"Wow." I said looking at the food.
"We wanted to make your first morning with us special." Vincent said as he gestured to the food.
"Go ahead and dig in kiddo, we will have our spar after breakfast." Dad said as he started to drink his juice.
"So Arthur, did you sleep well?" Vincent asked teasingly.
Dad just spit up his juice a little while laughing. Mom who was sitting next to him shot daggers at him, which made him quickly compose himself.
"Word travels fast." I said sheepishly looking down.
Everyone laughed a little, except Lilia and Ellie who didn't seem to know what was going on.
"What are you laughing about?" Ellie asked.
"Oh nothing sweetie, go ahead and eat." Mom said to her while dad looked at me with a grin.
Lilia followed my dads gaze, and saw mine and Tess's blushing faces. Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth laughing.
"Don't be getting ideas Lilia." Tabitha said.
"Mom!" Lila said embarrassed, as she looked down.
We continued to sit at the table eating our breakfast making small talk. Tess and I talked about the difference of culture we have seen so far between the human and elven race. After we were done eating, we sat at the table for a little while longer letting the food digest.
We waited for about half an hour before my dad spoke up.
"Whelp, I think we have waited long enough, let's go kiddo, show me what you can do." Dad said as he got up from the table gesturing for me to follow him out back.
Everyone got up from the table and we all followed my dad outside. Once outside, my dad and I walked out onto the grassy field while everyone else sat under the porch. Tess and my mom could be seen gossiping.
"Alright Arthur, I want you to show me what you can do. Don't hold back." Dad said as he got into a fight stance." I nodded happily at him.
Happy to actually be able to spar with my dad again. Something I never thought I would be able to do after I lost him.
My dad pulled out his gauntlets and dawned them, dulling them with mana. I pulled out regret from my ring, which got a gasp out of everyone but Tess.
"That's a nice sword you got their kiddo." Dad said with a nod of approval.
"Thanks! It was a gift from father." I said as I dulled it with mana.
"That reminds me, we are taking you shopping after this for a birthday present." Dad said.
"I don't need anything." I said happily.
"Well, we want to get you something since it's your first birthday with us since the incident." He said. I nodded at this and we got into our fighting stances.
Dad burst forward with fire mana from his feet and wrapped fire mana around his gauntlets. Using Thunderclap Impulse I quickly moved to the side out of his path. Dad seemed surprised at me speed, but quickly composed himself.
He lunged towards me again with the same technique. This time I used Thunderclap Impulse and dashed to him. I swung regret at dad in a sideways arc, as dad lifted his gauntlets above his head, and brought his arms down at me. Our weapons collided and I pushed him back. My dad was tall, buff and strong, but I still had the body of a dragon.
I conjured wind bullets in the air which I shot out toward my dad. He dashed out of the way enhancing his speed with fire magic. As me moved I stomped on the ground which erected a stone hurdle in front of dad, which caused him to trip and fall.
Using Thunderclap Impulse I dashed to my dad and wrapped my sword in ice magic. When I got close to him, he quickly got up and I swung my sword down as he raised his gauntlets wrapped in fire magic. Our weapons collided and the spells countered each other pushing both of us back.
I quickly stomped on the ground again with my left leg which shot a boulder up from the ground. Using my right leg wrapped in fire magic, I kicked it towards my dad send a flaming rock towards him.
As the rock went flying, I used Thunderclap Impulse to dash around dad to flank him. My dad jumped to the right moving out of the way of the rock, and stood up looking for me. He turned around and saw me standing right being him with my sword near his neck. He gave me a smug grin and raised his hands in defeat.
"I win." I said as I put Regret away in my ring.
My dad put his gauntlets away and quickly picked me up and swung me around.
"That's my boy!!" He yelled happily. I couldn't help but feel bliss at this, being with my dad again. "Come on, let's go inside!" Dad said after putting me down on the ground.
We all walked to the porch, and everyone clapped saying good job. Tess walked up to me and gave me a kiss and a hug.
"Good job Art!" Tess said hugging me.
"Thanks Tess." I said as I kissed her neck, which seemed to have sent a shiver down her spine. "You ok?" I asked.
Tess broke the hug and I could see she was blushing. "Y-ya, I'm f-fine." She said stuttering.
I looked up and saw my dad smirking with an approving nod, while my mom was watching us like a hawk.
We all made our way inside the estate where we sat down in the living room with Sylvie lying next to me.
"So when did you want to leave to go shopping?" I asked.
"In a few minutes, we are still waiting." Dad replied.
"For what?" I asked.
As if in que there was a loud knock on the front door. Dad and mom gave off bright smiles as they looked at me.
I hear the door open and one of the maids give a greeting. I wasn't able to see the door since the living room was to the left of the entry way. Suddenly I could hear a familiar male voice yell.
"Where is that little shithead!!" My eyes widened at this and I could see my dad and mom smirk at my realization.
I heard footsteps running towards us, and I got up off the couch and turned around. When I turned, I was suddenly engulfed in the chest of someone big breasted while she rocked me back and forth.
"Oh my goodness you're alive!!" I hear the familiar voice yell as she rocks me back and forth. As this was going on, I could feel the piercing gaze of Tess boring into me.
"Angela, you're suffocating him." I hear Durden say as he separates us allowing me to breath again.
I look up after being suffocated and saw the Twin Horns standing next to me. Though there was someone else with them. A tall muscular man with shiny dark blue hair, and dark blue eyes. He stood next to Jasmine, who leaned against him. I noticed the man also wore a necklace around his neck. I focused on the necklace and noticed it was a black five leaf clover.
"Well look who decided to crawl out of their grave." Adam said which earned him a smack to the back of the head by Helen.
Helen then approached me and gave me a warm hug. "We were so happy when your dad told us you were ok. I'm glad to see you Arthur." Helen said in a happy tone.
Durden patted me on the head. "It's good to see you Arthur." He said happily.
Jasmine walked up to me and gave me a hug, not saying anything.
"She's happy that you're ok." The man said as he stood behind her.
Jasmine nodded happily as she stood next to him again.
"Hello Arthur, we haven't met before. My name is Aaron Lenott, the newest member of the Twin Horns." Aaron said.
"And Jasmine's boyfriend." Adam said teasingly, earning him another smack from Helen. Aaron just smiled as he looked at Jasmine bringing her in a side hug. Jasmine just blushed, as she leaned her head against him.
Seeing the Twin Horns brought tears to my eyes.
"I thought you'd hate me after the cliff incident, since I was the reason we were there in the first place." I said.
They all looked at me surprised and confused.
"What kind of stupid ass would think that? It's not like you sent those bandits after us." Adam said raising a brow.
Helen gave me another hug. "We never blamed you even for a second Arthur. If anything, we blamed ourselves for not being able to protect you." Helen said.
Helen and I broke the hug, and we sat down. I introduced everyone to Tess which earned her the same hug I got from Angela. Luckily Durden was able to save her as well. We talked for a little bit and I told them what happened to me, which left them all speechless.
"Quadra-elemental, dragon body, dragon beast will, and dating the elven princess. And you're not even thirteen yet." Adam said sulking.
We all laughed at him, and made some more small talk before my mom spoke. "Ok, now that everyone is here, let's go ahead and go to the shopping district."
We all walked to the carriages and took our respective seats. I sat in the carriage with mom, dad, Ellie, Sylvie, and Tess. Tess leaned her head on my shoulder causing Mom and Dad to smile at us.
We rode the carriages until we got to the shopping district.
"Ok everyone, let's see what we can find, is there anything you're looking for Arthur?" Tabitha asked.
"I'm not sure yet, I haven't really thought about it." I said.
"Well there are plenty of shops here, which range from weapons to clothes, and potions." Tabitha said.
"Hmmm, I'm sure I can find something." I said as I followed everyone, while enjoying us all being together again. We walked through the shopping district for a couple of hours looking at a different variety of items. Sylvie didn't really appreciate the shopping experience as Ellie use her to play dress up.
After shopping around for awhile, I just decided to buy some clothes that I could keep at the Helstea estate. Mom also bought Tess some clothes as well. Tess tried to tell mom she didn't need to, but Mom wouldn't take no for an answer.
Once we were done shopping, we made our way back to the Helstea estate for dinner. The Twin Horns stayed with us for dinner, and I spoke with Aaron for a little bit. Aaron turned out to be a light yellow core augmenter who wielded a sword. He had fire and water attributes, with a lightning deviant. I could tell he was definitely strong, I wonder if he is blessed by mana or something.
However, the most notable thing about Aaron was how close he and Jasmine were. I could tell they loved each other by the way they looked at each other.
We all stayed at the estate talking and enjoying being together again. After a while, the Twin Horns left as it was getting late.
The rest of us stayed up a little longer until we started to get tired. Once it was time for bed, we all said goodnight to each other. I walked Tess to her room and kissed her goodnight. We agreed it was probably best to stay in our own beds, neither of us wanted to face my moms wrath again.
After I told her goodnight, I went to my room and washed up and laid down in bed. I smiled in bliss remembering the day I had, and how I got to spend time with everyone, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us.