Transmigration Into The Beginning After The End

Chapter 18 - COMPANY

LUKE HODGES

After the death of the slave traders, an hour had gone by. I've been pretty much trying to wipe the blood off my clothes—that I had received from Elder Mordain—and my face without being able to puke out the fruits I had during my stay with Sylvia. 

Sylvia…huh?

No. Luke, Sylvia wouldn't be happy with my current thoughts. 

The best thing I could do was to see things differently and through, and perhaps in the future I could fix things for the better and not for worse.

With that in mind, I couldn't help but to smile at Arthur who had already been interacting with the female elf who is set to be his lover in the future. 

Must be nice…to have a person who loves you in that way…

My thoughts stopped and noticed Art's gaze that threw daggers at me, saying that he knew what I was thinking. 

I dismissed the remaining thoughts and approached both main characters with pouches of water. 

"Here, you two must be exhausted from earlier so hydrate yourselves before we think what to do next." I said in a mature tone. 

"Are you sure these pouches are not poisoned?" Arthur asked, eyeing the mouth of the pouch like some witch giving Snow White the apple full of poison. 

The elf girl saw his actions and copied him, cute. But that is what the main girl cast does when she has fallen for the main character. I would at least want to be her friend, but for that to happen I must earn her trust in a certain way. 

With that, I grabbed the elf's pouch of water and waterfalled some water before showing the two. "As you can see I have yet to be poisoned—" 

The words coming from my mouth came to a halt, as a sharp pain occurred from my stomach and into my sternum. 

"Lu! Are you alright!?" 

My body began to move like a snake whose head had been cut off. 

"Luke! Dammit I knew you shouldn't have drunk that water!"

"Ta Dah!" 

Instantly, I had gotten up and spread my arms like someone who was trying to give someone a surprise for their birthday, but this was…different. 

Arthur, who is usually composed, had a concerned and terrified look on his face, I could even see tears building up around his azure eyes. 

I almost felt bad for him and especially the elf kid, who was already crying more than before. 

"M-my bad, I just wanted to liven up the mood, as you can see the elven girl wasn't even trusting me and—" A punch from Art landed on my face, he had not reinforced his fist with mana but it still hurt like hell. 

"D-don't you dare do something like that ever again!" Arthur let out, anger in his voice along with a hint of worry. "I already lost someone important to me! I don't want another person who I care about to leave me alone in this world again!" 

I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't. He was right, Art, who had lost his "grandma" was still hanged on that sensation of guilt for letting Sylvia still work on the spell that brought her closer to death and sadness seeing how she, who was someone who showed Arthur some kindness, left out of nowhere. 

Having those feelings, I now know how he felt. Sylvia too was someone who gave me attention along with kindness, as time went on, I as well grew to realize how important she was to me. 

"I-I'm sorry Art…I didn't know you felt that way." I said, not being able to look him in the eyes. The feeling of guilt and shame was not the best feeling, but I had to admit that it was going to take some time for me to fully understand and appreciate these feelings and emotions. 

Arthur without thinking or having lingering thoughts said, "Promise me you won't do that again." His face turned not to me but to the deeper side of the forest where the Kingdom of the elf's was. 

With the side of my check still being drawn to the sting of the punch I had received, I was able to come to a conclusion. One that I was sure not to back out even though I knew it wouldn't last long. 

But Arthur was now my friend, and I had told myself to never disappoint the first friend I ever had when I was on Earth, and I plan to continue that one-sided vow. 

I tried to pull myself together and make a proper apology, but my body was too heavy for me to support. There was something wrong with my body, ever since or before the day that Sylvia teleported us here. 

What could it be to have a reaction like this? 

I felt a hand on my right try to pull me up despite being lighter than I was. The small elf child was trying to help me when I had caused her to cry, even though I was trying to make her trust me.

Not backing down, Tessia Eralith tried her best to bring me to my own feet using her own strength, or at least she thought. In the next couple of seconds, another child came to help, despite being mad at me for my little "prank", Arthur was still a caring child. 

"I may have overreacted a little." The blue eyed child said, scratching his cheek with his finger. "But that still doesn't change the fact that you must not do something like that again." 

I let out a small chuckle at his words. I may have read about Arthur Leywin before and perhaps indulged in my mind that I understood him as Arthur Leywin and King Grey, but that was all just random illusions a reader has when reading their favorite novel or book. In truth, I never really understood him as he is now, past, or future. 

I would want to know him as Luke Hodges instead of the reader Cain Lambard.

As I got on my own feet, I turned to face the elven girl and with a weak but genuine smile I said, "Those people that tried to kidnap you won't chase after you anymore." 

"That being said, do you think you can make it to your home by yourself?"

Instantly, her eyes retracted in fear as a panicked expression spread throughout the rest of her face. As tears welled up and both of her hands clenched tightly over Arthur's shirt, even an infant would be able to tell what her answer was through her actions. 

"Look, We need to get home too. Aren't elves generally safe in this forest?" Art let out a sigh, trying to pry open her fingers from his shirt. 

Tessia violently shook her head, much like a dog trying to dry itself, and rebutted, "Beast only scared of adults…Parents warned me that children will get eaten by hounds or tree golems." 

We took a couple of minutes before answering the little elf. Of course I knew Art's thoughts on the matter but it would be better to reassure that his decision is based on the original novel's path.

Trying to install the attention on me for a moment, I ignited the mana in my palm, wishing and hoping that it would work. Flickering sparks which meant fire, continued to let out the sounds of small explosions. I was worried that the forest hounds would rattle in fear or be noisy to let go but it was put in false hope seeing as they didn't even care and instead rammed through the bones with flesh still on them. 

"How about we take her back home, and since we did that, a favor could be made, meaning we can find a way home." I boldly said, there may be a chance that Tessia doesn't remember this later in the future, but she must understand that she is going to be the main cause of Arthur losing Sylvie later in the war. All because she didn't want to stay in the hideout. 

"..." 

"You could be right, but are we really risking it all just for a favor? And what happens if there isn't a favor to get back?" Art rebutted, holding his chin with his fingers, thinking of possible risks if there isn't a favor in our way. 

You're wrong Arthur Leywin. Tessia is a princess to the elves and her parents are the current monarchs of the Kingdom Of Elenoir. More than that is the way you become the disciple of the previous King of Elenoir, Virion Eralith. 

The auburn haired boy opened his mouth, maybe something else he had in mind but I spoke over him. "Well if that is the case we could just ask for a carriage or a map that leads us to Xyrus city, but until then, this girl needs to go home." I said, turning my gaze to the elven girl whose silver hair went with the motion of the wind cruising by. 

With a defeated sigh and a convinced look, Art said, "Let's head out now." 

***

It had been a couple of days since our departure to our destination, when it was only me and then Art. Now we have another child on our trip. A different type of company should I say. 

After some time that we traveled together, Tessia revealed her name to us—though I had already known her name even before I had met her—along with her moniker.

If I had to say, I felt somewhat like Elder Rinia and how she would see the futures and keep them to herself knowing these things. Yet, like her, I must keep things I know to myself before I alter the fate of this world. 

Then one night before we reached the point. 

After putting up the tent, Art and I stayed outside for some time admiring the sky with curiosity and thoughtful enthusiasm. 

"Sleep in the tent, I'll keep guard next to you outside." 

Tessia's eyes reflected her thoughts for a second, as they fixated upon Arthur with full resolve.

"I don't mind sh-sharing the tent, if you're okay with it." She tried to sound nonchalant but her voice betrayed her. 

Arthur responded, "It's okay. I'm not sleepy right now anyway." 

Tessia sulked, dropping her ears a little. "Okay…"

Arthur, making sure the elf stayed inside the tent, leaned on a log that was close to the tent and began meditating. Was he gathering mana? Or was he inspecting the "will" Sylvia left him with before our split decision?

Well I don't blame him, I too would do that if I didn't know what "wills" were in the first place. I doubt I will ever get one of those. I sadly can't think of an Asira leaving me with their own Beast Will. 

Not only that, but I feel like it would be a waste on me after knowing that I can't get my elemental powers to work. 

I seem to have some problems with deviants but other than that, it feels complicated more than anything. Anyhow I still don't think there would be an individual that would grant me their beast will either…

"A-Arthur?" Tessia's head poked out of the tent. 

Arthur opened his eyes instantly, "Is there something wrong?" 

Oh, this part… It had been so long since I had read this part and to be honest each time I re-read the novel, skipping this part along with his journey to Elenoir was always something I would do. But this time I will see it to the end. 

"W-well! You see… beasts will more likely appear if they notice you because they will see that you are a child. Therefore, I propose that for our safety, it would be better for you to c-come inside the tent." Using the tent's opening flaps, Tessia covered her face while she spoke, peeking with only one eye. 

"Pft~ Tessia, are you scared to sleep by yourself in the tent?" Art chuckled. 

The elven princess rebutted, insisting on leaning on the tent which was nearly tumbling down, "A-absolutely not! I was just suggesting, for both of our safety, what the best choice would be!"

I could only help but to laugh silently at both of these future love birds. Of course, I stood back from their exchange of words for the sake of the original story.

So in case they thought I was listening to their conversation, I pretended to be meditating on my mana core, but at the same time I wasn't. I truly needed to find a way to unlock my elemental abilities one way or another before I enrolled into Xyrus Academy. 

Before I could even process their newly discovered relationship, they had already started to sleep inside the tent. 

Unable to say anything, a satisfactory answer that will perchance be answered in the future would be worth noting. I thought, being unable to sleep with how my soul and mind brimmed with excitement and joy at the thought that I could be someone here in Dicathen. 

Maybe a pillar of strength? Oh, maybe a Lance! Well that for sure is the definition of pushing the limits on what reality is. Though, something for sure is or could be set on stone. And that is my ascension to the white core stage when the first stages of the war comes.

I stopped meditating for about two minutes, and sat there only staring at the sky filled with bright light stars. These dreams of hopes of mine do really bring the younger me back into my own mind. 

Like an old acquaintance of mine used to say, "A child without dreams isn't a child anymore but rather a child who has nightmares about being one when he or she has already crossed the line into adulthood." 

I wonder how you are doing… old friend? 

Having that sentimental moment of nostalgia, brought me to my senses as to what my goals are now or should be. 

The main priority was my regaining my elemental energy, then was my family here in Dicathen. Luke's family, not Cain's. 

Perhaps putting up the old mask of Luke Hodges will make Mia and James not question me about my current situation but it will buy me some time. 

Some time later when it is right to tell them that I may or may not be their long lost son. 

"Luke?" Said a tired voice behind me. 

"Oh you are up?" I said not looking at the source of the voice but I already knew who it was. Instead, I was having a war in my mind about who in the hell did I not notice when it was day time already!

"Yeah. You stayed up, I take it?" 

"Well, you and Tessia looked like a cute pair of Guinea pigs sleeping together so I didn't want to interrupt. Rather, are we going out?" 

The flustered little girl looked at me with her eyes wide open. "Y-You saw?" 

I whistled, "I don't know what you are talking about." Before I got up, I injected the mana I had in my core into my body in hopes it would relieve my fatigue from sleep deprivation only for a couple of days, or until we had reached Elenoir. 

In any other way, my fatigue began to grow more and it became heavier with every step I took. Playing it off as I continued to be the clown out of the three, at least a couple of laughs here and there I got but there was a limit to how much I could endure this fatigue. 

Simultaneously, I wasn't the only one with body problems. Holding his stomach—and sometimes his sternum—Arthur was going through the pain of his beast will. 

Since he didn't know how to use it or even know what it was, his only option was to go with it until Virion Eralith, Tessia's grandfather, noticed.

With the same luck as in the original novel, no beast or creature approached us with killing intent. 

"Can you tell how far we are from Elenoir now, Tessia?" Art asked on a particular clear morning on the fifth day of our journey. 

Her pointy and elongated ears twitched as she surveyed her surroundings. She saw a particular tree and ran towards it without much care for the mana beasts around us—if there were any in the first place—and examined the carved symbols. 

A few seconds went by in silence. And at that moment I knew that we were already here on Elenoir. 

Confirming my suspicions, Tessia became excited and said, "That tree is the one I used to come with my Grandfather sometimes! I remember carving my name into the trunk of the tree when he wasn't looking. We're not too far anymore! I think that if we quicken our pace a little bit, we'll be able to make it by tonight!" 

"Sounds good." 

Filling behind the elven princess, my thoughts began to crumble down like a collapsing building, fogging everything that I had been working on in my mind and forcing me to get back to square one. 

Fatigue? Maybe even something else. I initially thought. 

It wasn't good that I was already feeling the aftermath of my first heavy and serious fatigue but it wasn't something I could control instantly. 

These past nights, my eyes were still open when I had desired sleep or some other kind of rest. 

Insomnia? 

Again, I don't even know if kids my age could even get this disorder. And if there was a percentage of kids who actually got this disorder, I truly hope they get past this point. 

Before I knew it Arthur had already passed me, and fortunately he didn't notice my slow pace. "Arthur? You said your family and the people close to you called you Art. I even feel that Luke calls you Art. I feel that through this journey, I have gotten close enough to call you that as well." 

"Hmm? Sure, I don't mind," Arthur said, returning a smile to her. 

"You don't mind? Tch, you could at least sound a little more enthusiastic…" she stuck eyed tongue out at him. 

"Hehe, and you may also have the honor to call me Tess," she giggled, curtsying back at Art before turning around hopping off the log. 

Continuing our walk, only with necessary rests for our fragile bodies and to replenish our stomachs with fruits that Arthur and I took before the incident happened with Sylvia. At first, either Arthur or I, perhaps even both of us, had a strong desire not to eat these fruits because of the connection it has with Sylvia. However, I reminded him that she would've been happy with us eating the fruits instead of worshiping them and having them as decoration. 

After some time, listening back to that particular day and conversation still had me thinking if what I said was disrespectful or offensive towards Sylvia. 

I hope not. 

But if it is, I hope she forgives me…

After our last quick rest on the soft path of moss, we continued towards our last stretch. Tessia, Arthur, and I, have gotten closer on this journey; the once shy and reserved elf girl shows smiles as bright as day without any doubt or hesitation. Sometimes she would tease us both for being one year younger than her and that we should call her older sister, of course Art didn't let this slide and countered her by teasing her about when she would bawl her eyes out in the beginning of our journey. "WAAA~ MOMMY, I'M SCARED!" She would turn red at this while I would laugh until my stomach hurt. 

In conclusion, both Arthur and I would get slaps from her on our arms while she crossed hers saying, "HMPH! You meanies!" While pouting. 

When dusk arrived, both of the none elven kids would lose some sense of direction the deeper we got. If we had to be separated from Tessia, I doubt we'd ever find each other without losing a day or two of searching. 

Being in front of us since the upcoming tree moment, Tessia turned towards both of us, having the mixture of happiness and hesitation before saying in a low tone voice, "We're here." 

Huh…?

I had forgotten what happened here. Where's the entrance to the Kingdom? I thought, feeling hopelessly tired and concerned that my limit was nearing its end. 

But my thoughts were brushed away when the thick fog that surrounded us was sucked in from a tree and came to vision a giant wooden door that seemed to pop up from the ground without any apparent cause of magic. 

Tessia grabbed our hands and pulled us towards the door. When she opened it, a wave of similarity washed over me reminding me of the portal Sylvia had made. The experience didn't feel any better than the second time but I at least knew what to expect from it. As all three of us softly and carefully landed on our feet, I saw in the corner of my eye, Arthur scrambling through the bag he had for the stone Sylvia had given him. Yet seeing him desperate and then being relieved after confirming to still having the stone, the only thing I did was watch the beautiful scenery that displayed in front of me.