TBATE | A Different Path

Chapter 1: Arthur and Tessia

Arthur

"You must.. run, my son." My father let out with short breathes of air.

"Once your mother is... done healing me. Take her, and run far. As fast as you can!"

In my past life before becoming king. I never was able to experience the feeling I'm currently going through. Having the dreadful feeling of losing family I have grown to cherish, even in my little time in this new world.

Closing my eyes tightly, and squeezing my father's hand, as tight as my infantile body could muster. I nodded towards my father with teary eyes and a newfound confidence in my father.

Once the green light dimmed from my mother's hands, my father soon stood up followed by a deep sigh; leaning against our carriage we were previously riding in, he muttered.

"Now go."

Springing to action with my small limbs, I grasped my mother's clothing. and started running. Beginning to augment myself to keep my three-year-old body stable, in my baby sounding voice I spoke with as much confidence towards my mother I could.

"Come on mom! Move faster!"

"Don't let that Emitter get away lads!" A man from our right roared, whom I assumed was their leader.

I wasn't too worried about anyone or thing of that matter reaching us this soon, my father and the Twin Horns were still in action. They were well enough to keep us protected and make a path for us to keep moving forward.

Studying my surroundings however, I tried sensing all the mages that Helen said there were.

"Was one already killed?" I muttered softly, not loud enough for anyone to hear.

Still running with my mother behind me, I can feel her weight continuously slowing me down. Turning around in slight annoyance that this grown woman couldn't run as long as a mere child could, I could but only see my mother. Sweating bullets, looking as white as snow due to her pale complexion.

Why is she... holding her stomach? Due to that slight distraction, and her noticing my questioning gaze. We ultimately tripped in this dire situation. Trying to get back up quick with my mother, she softly spoke.

"Let's not try to hurt your baby sibling too much. Okay Art?" with her lips forming a slight smile.

Baby? is that why she took so long to heal father and looking so.. weak?

"O-Okay mom." I replied.

"Come out and shoot down that woman Jonathan! Just leave that child alive!" Roared the leader again.

So, he wasn't dead!? Sensing around for a change in mana, I felt something being formed just over the ledge above us.

A few seconds later, a giant ball of water was flying in our direction. I was just going to ignore it since it is water, but seeing how condensed that ball is. Not to mention the speed it's moving. I can see how it would be considered a deadly attack toa visibly weakened woman, if I weren't augmented, I might have died to it.

With the surprise attack the Twin Horns nor my father had the speed or time to deflect or block the attack. So it was up to me.

Thinking back to my time on Earth, I tried thinking of a way I could utilize my knowledge of Ki with Mana. Coming to an idea, I put my plan in motion. letting go of my mother I balled up my right fist and still kept running, with her following behind me.

With as much thought as I possibly could. I imagined the earth below me to listen to my beckon call. Turning around just enough to see the ball of water behind us. I thrusted my arm up, using mana to finish my plan.