TBATE - What if Tessia was the legacy ? - The legacy of it all

Newfound resolve

-Here, here!" I excitedly shouted while pointing at the exact tree on which the teleportation mark. No waiting for Art to answer, I grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him toward the tree.

Running ahead, overcome by an indescribable wave of joy and enthusiasm that washed away all my fatigue, I leaped through the last few meters separating me from my home.

Jumping over one last branch and reaching the teleportation device I threw my hand at the mark while squeezing Arthur's arm in my other hand to make sure he would also be teleported.

As I did, I saw the faint marking on the tree start to shine, the light spreading from under my palm to the rest of the tree, engulfing it under a layer of bright green vine-like drawings.

Upon finishing to circle the tree, the light stabilized and opened the tree trunk, revealing a teleportation portal hidden within the tree.

Pressing forward without a second of hesitation, I entered the cavity before turning toward Arthur and shouting: "Come on, Art!" as I smiled all the happiness, I felt in this instant.

Stepping in the gate I felt my body being moved away in an all too familiar nauseating feeling which was quickly followed by a flash of light that blinded me for a few seconds.

Readjusting my eyes to the new light level, I was finally able to see my surroundings. I stepped a bit further on the long teleportation platform and gazed at the enormous street of Zestier.

The gigantic, thousands of years old trees, the hundreds of small huts and houses attached to the branches interconnected with a web of bridges, the thousands of people walking down the street joyfully chatting with one another, all of it under the serene and calm atmosphere of the Elshire forest.

"I was there, I was home." I told myself while holding in my tears as all the memories of the sanctuary flashed through my mind. The despair of being seemingly trapped underground, the anguish of knowing that we could get attacked at any moment, the hopelessness in front of our situation, the hatred, the grief, the sorrow, it was all but gone.

As I continued to look around, to take in every single detail of my surroundings, I heard a low grunt coming from Art as he tried to stand back up after falling down due to the weight of his bag.

Turning back toward him, I hurried my way to help him up before letting him enjoy the view. His face changing from confusion to awe as he was stunned by the scenery. Seeing him look so surprised with his eyes wide open and jaw dropped feels really strange for someone usually so composed and collected, it almost makes him look, cute.

Cute? Arthur? That masochist guy who spends all of his time covered in either blood or mud? I asked myself with a raised eyebrow as I flashed back to my innumerable numbers of training with him.

Raising my shoulders in dismissal I could only conclude that it was another reason to like him. ... but he's 4-year-old. I reminded myself as I started feeling a drop of sweat started flowing down my face as I realized how morally wrong this whole ordeal is.

My mind is the one of a 20 year old, he has the mind of 4 year old, and even if he clearly ahead of other kids his age on a mental level, he is still 4. I repeated myself as more and more sweat started pouring down my face.

Am I like those perverts' gramps keep scaring me about? Those who would kidnap kids to eat them?

I mean, I don't want to eat him. I told myself while quickly glancing at his soft, chubby, toddler's face causing two very distinct emotions to spur up in me.

First one of gluttony, as I wanted to throw myself at him, squeeze him in a hug and play with his cheeks. Then a second one of pure, unfiltered horror mixed with disgust at myself as I once more reminded that he was essentially a poor, innocent and defenseless child.