New World - A New Beginning

JANE CADMIUM'S POV:

A knock on the door caught my attention. I made my way to the entrance of the house, opening the door hesitantly. Our family had gained an immense boost in popularity over the past few months, but it was by no means positive fame.

A Fei with long white hair stood on the other side of the door, his green eyes lighting up gently upon seeing me.

"Ms. Cadmium, it's a pleasure to meet you," said the Fei, bowing slightly. I said nothing, still unaware of the man's intentions. I doubted he was a direct enemy considering he was under intense supervision due to his race, but he was still legally allowed to live within Eloria as long as he was a citizen.

I noticed Imanian soldiers lurking around the roads, their eyes locked on the Fei.

"May I come in?" he asked politely, addressing the lack of privacy.

"S-sure," I said, clearing the passage and letting the man inside.

"My name is Yu Elrath. I'm the director of the Academy," started the Fei, turning to face me. "I wanted to speak to you about your son."

I nodded, averting my gaze. Jay Cadmium wasn't human. He was a dragon, a beast that had murdered countless civilians without hesitation. As his mother, I would always love him unconditionally, but his actions saddened me.

Was killing innocent people really necessary?

"Let's see, how old is your son right now?" asked Yu, smiling gently.

"Almost thirteen," I responded, joining the dignified Fei at the table as he nodded at my answer.

"He's a grown man now, is he?"

The Fei chuckled.

"I wanted to tell you what I thought about Jay. I feel like you might need something like that, right now," he finished. I looked up slightly surprised.

"You know him personally, director?"

"Haha. I met him a few years back when he was known as Darck," began Yu, his eyes glittering nostalgically. "He was going around, clearing A-rank domains alongside a partner that never left his side. They knew nothing about each other, but it was clear to me how strong their bond was."

I sat silently, unaware that Jay had met such an individual during his travels. The idea of him facing monsters alone had terrified me for the entirety of the time he had spent as an adventurer, but I was glad to learn he had someone to keep him company and watch over him.

"Katherine Hearth was her name. I saw them during the yearly festival of Orun, and she was leading him around the light-filled avenue with a bright smile across her face. She was a talented binder too, and I believe Jay trusted her with his life," recounted Yu, pausing momentarily.

"I then fought against Darck in a sparring match. His skills were unlike anything I had ever seen, and something tells me you also have no idea how he's able to do some of the things he can."

I chuckled.

"It's like he was born with incredible skills. Like he already knew them instinctively," I whispered, remembering Jay's bizarre yet precious childhood.

"Where is Katherine now?" I asked. I wanted to thank this girl for helping Jay endure the loneliness of adventuring. Even if he was someone who strived alone and didn't mind a lack of relationships, I wanted to believe this girl helped him grow as a person.

Yu shook his head softly.

"She died during a domain sadly," he said.

"..."

"But she helped him become a better person. I truly believe that. And now look at him: leading the Dragon forces against the Dominion without fear. I should indeed be against him considering I'm a Fei, but I have no family up in Nethnore. I've lived long enough to understand what I'll stand behind, and the eradication of an entire species isn't one."

"But he's done unforgivable things," I muttered, picturing Jay killing a crying Dwarven citizen.

"I'm sure Jay is facing the consequences of his actions as we speak, but don't you think those closest to him should support him, whether it be directly or from afar? When this is all over, he won't be the same boy you once knew, but he will remain your son indefinitely. I believe that connection is more important than deeds that he's committed."

"I will always love him, but how can I genuinely support him knowing what he's done? He slaughtered hundreds of civilians who had nothing to do with the war. He's surrounded by bloodshed and carnage, and I fear that his actions and his surroundings will kill my son and replace him with someone I won't recognize."

"That will be up to you to decide. Will you choose to see him as a different person, or see him as your son? Whether or not he remains the same person or changes depends completely on your perception of him. No matter what he does, says, or thinks, you are his mother, Jane. I'm sure Jay would like his mother to try and see him for who he is, not what he's done."

"!!"

The door creaked open as I began to lose my self-control. Yu stood up, nodding at me and taking his leave. He opened his mouth to excuse himself, but decided not to and walked out past the surprised Bruce.

"Jane?!" exclaimed Bruce, running to my side. His hands touched my face gently. I realized he was wiping away tears that seemed to flow endlessly. "Are you okay? What did that Fei do to you?"

"I've failed as a mother," I muttered weakly. "I lost faith in my own son."

Bruce pulled me into his arms, letting my tears streak down my face.

"He'll come back to us, Jane. I'm sure of it. One day, our Jay will walk through our door and call our names once again. When that time comes, I'll roughen him up for lying to us about his identity, okay?" joked Bruce. I laughed at the final comment, but Bruce's first words imprinted themselves in my mind.

One day, Jay would walk through those doors. When he did, I'd welcome him back as his mother. I'd say welcome back and I love you, never forgetting that Jay Cadmium was my son. His sins would forever define him, but so many other things about him did as well.

He was a gentle boy who treasured those around him, and amongst the many people who had shaped him into the man he was today, I couldn't help but close my eyes and picture the girl who had accompanied him during his travels.

Thank you so much for looking after my son, Katherine.