TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 12

Arthur

Two hours have already passed since I started merging the eggs. I was aware Tess and Regis were talking about something outside the cave but the aether art required my complete focus so I didn't know what they were talking about. The process was more mentally taxing than even the council meetings Virion forced me to sit through. One thing that almost made me lose focus was the decay mana that left the younger Sylvie's egg and dissipated, meaning I won't have to worry about Agrona controlling or spying through her.

As I was close to finishing the art, I felt urgency coming from Regis but I can't afford to pay any attention to it right now, and I trust he will be able to at least buy me the last few minutes I need while keeping Tess safe, if she hadn't already ran back to the palace.

Soon I felt the atmospheric aether coalesce around the eggs and a bright light emerged from them.

With the light subsiding I could make out the silhouette of a girl that looked to be around eight years old. She had wheat blonde hair that resembled more feathers than actual hair and horns that jutted out the side of her head and went down to her jaw framing her face.

Sylvie floated down and opened her eyes that now looked more like topaz than the yellow they were before. As our eyes met we both started tearing up and I brought her into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry Sylvie, I'm so sorry." Even though I was apologizing, all I could feel was happiness from having the bond I raised like my daughter back.

"It's okay Arthur, it's not your fault. It was my decision to sacrifice myself because I know you would do the same for me. And I would do it again in a heartbeat." She said in between sobs.

As we stayed there in each other's embrace I finally felt the Asuran presence outside the cave and Regis talked to me through our connection.

"Looks like we'll have to wait to have our reunion." Said Sylvie, disappointment evident in her voice.

"Unfortunately that's the case."

After a minute or two of waiting we could see Regis approaching with a woman following behind. Once she was close enough she stopped and her eyes widened as she analyzed us.

"I thought Sylvia was only expecting one daughter. To think she had twins, Kezess might actually smile for once." The Asura said, her expression full of surprise and excitement that quickly turned into curiosity. "But where is the lesser child Windsom mentioned?" She asked more to herself than anyone else.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am an only child." Said Sylvie with a neutral tone.

"I see, then the little lady next to you is the child."

Regis burst out laughing at the statement and I shot him a glare.

"I'm not a lady, and my name is Arthut Leywin miss...?"

"Oh my, where are my manners. I'm Seele Indrath, a pleasure to meet you two." She said with a small bow.

"The pleasure is mine Seele, I'm Sylvie Indrath."

"Now that introductions are over, why don't we chat for a bit? I'm quite curious about you two."

I looked over to Sylvie and she nodded, so I conjured three chairs for us to sit on and contacted Tess through the ring.

"Are you okay Tess?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm still at the entrance, should I come in?"

"It's better if you go back to the palace and stay with gramps. I'll send Regis to keep you updated on things here. Seele doesn't look dangerous so we should be fine."