Transmigration Into The Beginning After The End

CHAPTER 32 - HIS NAME

MIA HODGES

"Betty! Where are you?" 

Seriously, where is this young lady? 

It has been around three years since we arrived in Xyrus City. It took us months to relive our lives after we lost Luke back on Asher. Many days and nights did we spend looking for him until hope was no longer the string holding us in the small town. If it wasn't for Alice and Reynolds, we would've probably stayed in Asher with the sentimentality of losing our only child at the time. 

We tried to hire multiple adventurers who arrived at the city for their quests but it turned futile when all the news we got was empty handed. I ended up in nurse coverage as my husband saw me not healing mentally and physically. At that moment, maybe a day or two, we were informed that I was expecting another child. 

Maybe it was because of this child's coming that James and I decided to seek a better future for her. But I still can't forget about Luke, I wonder, day and night, every moment, if he is still alive. Is he eating well, is he dressing well, how is he spending his birthdays like, who is he being surrounded by? 

These many questions roam my mind in hopes of trying to find a solution or at least ease but it is impossible. Losing your child and having to put up with it, is not something I can do. 

He was and still is my pride.

When his birthdays arrive, I would go outside with a cake I would bake beforehand and sing a birthday song in honor for him…

There are times where I would dream of Luke running around the Beast Glades scared for his life, calling for me and his father. Only thinking that…I can't stop getting depressed over it.

"My son is back!"

Huh?

I turned the corner towards the entrance of Vincent's house, where the commotion was. My eyes landed on Alice and Reynolds who were on the floor, letting out sobs. "Alice! Reynolds! Are you two okay?!" I hurried to their side thinking something had happened to them. But it was the opposite, as I got closer, I made out a face that was familiar and not. Though he was being covered by Reynold's arm and his body held by Alice, it was enough to make out who it was. 

On the side, crying, was Beatrice. Her blue eyes turned to me and he sprinted towards me. The small snow white hands held my attire firm. "What is wrong honey?" I asked her, cleaning her tears and snob with a napkin that the maid had given me. 

"A-awnt A-Awice stawed… cying…" 

In between her sobbing, Betty's wording was still a little off. Normally she would explain everything she could when someone would ask her. 

"...wen da t-tuo boys w-wer in d-da entrawnce…" My white haired daughter continued, trying to wipe her tears streaming down her face. 

Two boys? 

"Honey, what do you mean two boys, there is only one." 

Her tiny finger pointed towards the entrance which was completely empty and no one was there. 

***

Eventually they got to settle down. Though I was like a monster disturbing her wholesome moment, having them sit on a cold floor for hours wasn't something I was going to let them do. So instead we moved to the couch. 

Alice's boy sat in the middle, while Alice sat next to him and Reynolds brought a chair in front of his kid. 

Moments later, my husband joined us. 

My husband and I gave Arthur our regards and hello's. We even told him how he had grown from the last time we saw each other, but most importantly that we were glad he was safe and back with his family. 

"Are you okay now? Did you at least eat three meals a day? You slept while dressing warmly everyday right? Oh my baby. Look how big you are now." Alice had tears escape her while she observed her son. 

Arthur's father turned his gaze from the small little baby mana beast to the boy, repeating how big he had gotten. 

A small feeling deep down in my heart told me that Luke, my son, would be around the same height as him…

"Brother?" The little girl tilted her head. 

She cupped her hands over her mother's ear and whispered something I couldn't hear from my distance between us. 

"Haha yes, that big brother. The one I always told stories about. He's the one." 

Ellie's eyes started with a sparkling look when she saw Arthur. Of course who sibling wouldn't stare like that after hearing stories that were like hero stories. 

"Hai Brother~!" she beamed, waving both of her little hands. 

"Hello Eleanor. It's nice to meet you… sister." The boy whose traits came from Reynolds, laughed as he patted her head. 

And speaking of Reynolds, he was the next to ask a question. "Arthur, we were devastated after that incident, and we barely believed it when you communicated to us through our heads. Tell me, how'd you survive the fall?" 

Arthur took a moment before answering their question and his life in the forest. It took a while for him to explain from the moment we lost him and till now. He explained that when he fell, he subconsciously wrapped his body with a mana layer and was lucky enough to hit a bunch of branches. 

"When I woke up, there was the sound of crackling fire just a few steps from me. I was alarmed, thinking it was one of the slave traders I had taken down the cliff with me but it was another kid–" 

Before finishing his sentence, Arthur stood up fast. His eyes widened with fear and anxiety as he scanned the room for something or someone. 

Upon seeing this Alice asked, "What is wrong dear?" 

In which the boy responded with, "There was a boy with me, when we first met. Have you seen him?"

Another boy? I remembered what Betty had said earlier when Alice was in her wholesome moment with Arthur and Reynolds. She was so sure that there was another boy aside from Arthur, maybe she knew something.

"Betty, come here sweetie." I gently called for her. 

In moments, my daughter came without giving it a second thought. "You said something about there being another boy with Arthur earlier. Do you know what he looked like?" 

She nodded. "He had black hair and red eyes, like mom." 

wait … what?

"Now that you mention it, there was a boy with that description when I came running to the estate." Reynolds added, scratching his cheek. 

"Yeah that is him, where is he?" A panic tone hinted at Arthur's voice. "Dammit, I have to find him." 

The auburn haired boy sprinted towards the doors that led to the main hall. But before he could open the door, the maid from earlier had opened the door with tea on her silver tray. Both of them crashed into each other causing a loud commotion to be heard. 

We rushed to the scene, hoping that no one was hurt or injured. Luckily, it was wasn't no one was hurt. 

Alice, still worried, used her healing magic, covering the maid and Arthur. 

Then, who was going to ask the question? 

James, who was hesitant at first upon hearing the appearance of the second boy, opened his mouth but nothing came out and instead closed it while he gritted his teeth. I was another, the bare feeling of having hope that it may be my son wasn't something I was going to continue to rely on. At least that's what I wanted to think. I was eager to know about this boy, my mind told me that it could be Luke. My heart's beat fastened as I began to imagine what appeared to be a false imagination created by my mind. 

 Meeting my son, who had been away from us since he was two, in the estate just how Arthur had arrived. Healthy and happy. His red eyes that came from me, dwelled with joy and excitement upon learning that he has a little sister. Then as years go by, having him enrolled to the most prestigious Xyrus Academy as he scores higher than anyone in his class. Later having him show us his girlfriend he met during his class days. Years after, revealing to us the engagement rings set by him and given to the same girl he introduced us to. Showing us a glimpse of our first grandchildren…

Please…

"Arthur, son, why are you so worked up about the boy?" Reynolds said, pulling his son up and into his own two feet. 

His azure eyes had a hint of awe and cautiousness towards what to say. "H-he saved my life, when I fell off the cliff, he was the one who used a wind spell to cushion my fall."

"Wait a minute, Arthur. I thought you said that you subconsciously wrapped your body with mana and luckily landed on some branches on the side of the cliff?" The mother questioned his words used earlier. But her questioning wasn't an angry one but a confused and gentle type. "Tell us the truth Arthur. What really happened."

He said everything he could say. 

From the moment he met the red eyed boy to how they saved the elf princess and later to how he was badly injured by the next time they saw each other. From what Arthur said, the boy had been injured from a dungeon raid he did with his mentors. 

"And now he is able to barely stand. I know he is trying to be strong but he isn't healing normally, he is not healing at all. Not only that but he is looking for his family while being injured, and I promised him I was going to help him look for them." 

Tightly holding his hands together, was Arthur finally able to finish the 'true' story. Most of us had concerned looks and unhappy facial expressions. On the other hand, only I and James had hopeful and apprehensive looks as we heard the story. 

"W-What is the boy's name?" 

"Luke. Luke Hodges."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

HEY THERE READERS, IT IS ME, GENTLE LORD.

I am sorry that this second chapter is short and of course it is frustrating to some readers that expected a longer chapter. I apologize for it. Again, I am trying very hard to write this chapters and making sure there isn't a mistake on my part, like saying a name wrong or getting the wrong power level, ect. 

Still I know some won't forgive me for it and it's okay. You may even rate this novel as a one star and criticize it all you want. But I will still make the chapters until the next Epilogue for the next volume. 

Keep in mind, there will be changes into the story in the upcoming chapters so don't say I didn't warn you. And it is the time where my imaginations comes into play. That is all.

Sincerely; Gentle Lord.