The Beginning after the end : Perfect Duo

CHAPTER 6

REYNOLDS POV
We were guarding outside, Adam, Durden, Jasmine, me and the kids.
A weeks or so has passed since the beginning of the trip, My boy Art has been teaching the twin horns some movement techniques, while his brother was lucky enough to be free from such destiny, Tom was just purifying his core and training physically.
I am really proud of my boys, and I believe they could be the strongest mages Dicathen has ever known, they're really talented and intelligent, more than me at least.
And I'm already going to have a third child, would it be a girl or a boy though, I would really like to have a girl this time.
"Father! Why are you so lost? Do you want to tell us something?" Tom asked.
"Nothing Tom, I was just wondering what's for dinner tonight" I said.
"I was thinking about it too" Tom and Art said together.
"like father like son, they say" Adam said.
And at that exact moment, a few arrows were shut towards our cart, Angela and Durden were quick to interfere and use their defensive spells, and the twin horns were quick to get in formation.
We were surrounded by the bandits, at least 20 of them, I watched as Helen took her bow out, Jasmine took her
daggers out.
I really missed the feeling on being on the battlefield, but now I have something on the line, I have a family.
"Art, Tom stay by your mother you have to protect her, I depend on you" I shouted.
“Got it” they both said.
I went for the boss of these bandits first he was the bigger threat for us.
Jasmine kept going from one to another with incredible precision, Helen shooting everything that gets into her vision field, Adam going all out with his spear.
"It's over, you're outnumbered, just surrender and give us the goods, I promise we won't harm them" The boss said.
"we might be outnumbered, but you're outmatched" I said before attacking him with my augmented fists.
I was never a man of swords or bows, a man has to fight with his bare hands.
I punched with my right hand, he was able to avoid my punch and responded with a kick to the knee, I jumped and hit him on his undefended head.
He yelled at pain, and I gained my distance again, then we exchanged plenty of blows, but my attacks seemed like getting less effective, he's understanding my pattern, I have to finish this quickly.
Unfortunately, this was the same idea he had in mind, I gave him an opening for a slight minute, and this was all he needed, he gave a powerful blow, and I was pushed back, I landed inside if the cart.
"Rey!" My wife shouted.
"Don't worry honey, I'm injured, but it's not life-threatening " I said.
"No I have to heal you" My wife said.
"Art, Tom once your mother heals me, they're going to try to take her away, take your mother and head back from where we came from, you have to protect her, and the baby inside of her, I wanted to tell you when we reach Xyrus " I said.
Alice healed me, then they were running back, Tom, Art and her.
"Shit they have a healer, kill her" The boss said.
"Your fight is with me, big guy" I said. I jumped towards him.
But something was of with my jump, I went faster than what I expected, my body felt light.
And I gave the boss a hit that sent him away by a few yards.
Gravity magic, I thought
"Tom, I told you to go with your mother" I shouted.
"She's with Arthur, I came here to help you" Tom said.
"Stay back and help from there, I don't want to lose you here" I shouted.
I kept exchanging blows with the boss, and now with Tom's gravity manipulation, and his far range attacks, It was hard for the boss to keep up.
And he was beaten up, not just him, the whole gang was over.
But I couldn't hear the victory yells or anything like, the place become quiet all of a sudden.
Then, Alice's screaming voice could be heard.
"Aaaaaarrrrrtttt!"
I arrived to my crying wife.
"What happened Alice?" I asked.
But no answer could be heard.
"Helen, Adam, Angela, any of you!  what happened" I asked again. Shouting this time.
"It's Art, he fell from here, he sacrificed himself to save Alice" Jasmine said.
"No, this, this can't be true, this is some sort of cruel joke right ?" I said.
Silence was the answer I received.
I hugged my crying Alice, no word could make her feel better, so I just kept hugging her, I have to be the strong man, that she'll rely on, for this, I can't cry, I can't cry now at least.
" It was my fault!  it was my fault! IT WAS MY FAULT!" Tom shouted.
I just took him in a hug too, I was there pretending to be strong, pretending to be unfazed, just to make sure that they're still sane, just to remind that they're not alone.
That's what I thought, but it was me who needed this, it was me who needed their support, it was me who needed that hug.
I am the reason my boy died, if i was just stronger, just a little stronger, my son would be alive right now, I would like to exchange my life for his, and then I broke down, I couldn't hold it anymore, I started crying, with a loud voice that shook them all. He's my son, my responsibility, my duty, and I was unable to protect him.
After a long time, we were able to finally continue our way, we're finally here to Xyrus and the only person I could depend on here is my friend Vincent,
I must first find his house and then everything will be alright.