TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 2

"It seems something happened to you in your sleep little one, are you feeling better now?"

I couldn't believe what I just heard, what I was seeing, who I was seeing. Sylvia was in front of me on her throne, her face filled with worry. Tears started to flow freely as the emotions I suppressed and buried to survive in Alacrya came roaring back to the surface. All I could do was cry like a small child as Sylvia comforted me.

After what felt like hours I managed to compose myself. The first thing I did was check my core, it was still there with its three layers, but there was something more, I could feel my mana core deep inside, enveloped by the aether core. That was something I didn't expect, but being able to use mana again will make things easier later on. Next I called Regis through our bond.

"Hey Regis, still there?"

"Still inside you princess but I need some time to recover, that staff decided to use most of my aether instead of yours." He answered, somewhat mad but mostly tired.

"So child, care to explain what happened to you?" Sylvia asked in a curious tone.

"A lot happened grandma, a lot. But before I tell you, let me ask something. Do you believe time travel is possible?"

Sylvia Indrath

"Do you believe time travel is possible?" Arthur asked, his tone and expression leaving me no room to think he was joking. Just what exactly has this boy gone through?

"I would like to say no, but by the way you're speaking it seems like you experienced it yourself."

"I did. I found a staff made by the Djinn that sent me back in time."

"Fascinating, to think their mastery over aether went that far. Now tell me Arthur, tell me about the future you came from. I may not be able to do much for you, but I can at least offer words of advice."

I sat there as Arthur told me about the life he had. How I gave him my will and entrusted my daughter to him. He told me how he met and saved the elf princess, escorting her home and eventually living and training with her for three years. He told me about the moment my daughter's egg hatched and he named her Sylvie. He seemed very happy remembering these moments. He told me how he reunited with his family in Xyrus and spent a few months with them before becoming an adventurer. Once he started talking about his last dungeon dive, I noticed some anger in his voice and soon I learned why. To think someone had the courage to antagonize my grandson, if only I had enough strength to go teach that Wykes brat some manners.

"It's okay grandma, that's not even the worst thing he did and I made sure Lucas got what he deserved later on." His expression was neutral but I could tell he still held a strong rage towards the boy.

After saying that he talked about how he got along with a boy named Elijah and that he offered to help him get enrolled into Xyrus Academy. He talked about the months before attending school, how he spent time with his family and new friend, how he traded blueprints of what he called a steam engine for two phoenix wyrm pendants for his mother and sister. He then went on to talk about his time in the academy, his reunion with the elf princess, becoming a part of the disciplinary committee, beating a professor and later taking on his job. He talked about how he saved Tessia again during one of the classes and that after he woke up the girl kissed him when they were alone in the room. My grandson was very red when he said that.

"How bold of her. So, how did you react?"

"We didn't talk for a few days after that and when we did she confessed her feelings, but I was still struggling with being Grey at the time and ended up hurting her. We made up a few days later and I asked her to wait for me until I felt ready." There was a tinge of regret in his last words. I wonder how long he made Tessia wait. I was about to ask but figured it would come up at some point so I motioned for him to continue.