Shadow of the First Sin

"How is this possible? You should not be here, Val. Oh, look at how you've grown!" Seraphina rushed toward me, her hands exploring my cheeks and hair.

"Your beautiful eyes are just like your father's, reminiscent of amber skies, and your raven hair... I've been dreaming of this day ever since they took you from me..." Her words trailed off as she broke down, weeping uncontrollably while holding my hands.

I was at a loss for words, simply sitting there helplessly, unsure what to do next. The mere mention of her name sparked a glimmer of hope and formed a thread I clung to desperately. If I let go of that thread, a part of my humanity would die. I needed hope, even if it was a false one. Yet, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine all my yearnings would be fulfilled so easily. In this vast world, the first person fate brought into my path was the one I had been searching for. How beautiful this feeling is, to have someone precious kneel before me, shedding tears of joy simply because I exist. But all my happiness fades at the sight of her tears, her grip on my hand tight as if she fears I might vanish. I never want to see her like this again.

"Oh my! Who's cutting onions here!" Silas exclaimed, wiping tears from his face.

"Well, this calls for celebration! Now, where is my lute?"

As the bard awkwardly shuffled out of his seat in search of his lute, I found myself alone with my newfound mother. What does one say in a moment like this? Fortunately, she spoke first.

"Your presence here can only mean one thing..." she began, her hands clenching tightly.

"Those scoundrels banished you, despite promising they wouldn't. How dare they, mere avians daring to lay a finger on my baby..." Her lips quivered with anger as she stood up and started pacing, nervously biting her nails.

"Well, it was my fault, really. I wanted to get banished," I interrupted her, nervously laughing.

"Why? Have they mistreated you?"

"Hm, let's just say it wasn't the most pleasant stay. Look, if you don't want me here, I'll leave. I only did it because I wanted to meet you, I wanted to have a mother." As the words left my lips, Seraphina again fell to her knees, hugging me tightly.

"No, don't you ever say you'll leave me! You are the brightest light in my life, and when they tore you from my arms, that light dimmed. It was as if a piece of my soul was ripped away. I've spent the rest of my years in agony, incomplete, haunted by the years I didn't spend with you. Each day I imagined how old you would be now, how you'd look, and what kind of a man you would become. I hoped you would be able to forgive such a selfish person as I, and that you would be proud to call me your mother. But most importantly, I hoped you were happy..." Seraphina suddenly stopped, her arms tightening around my tiny torso.

I've never felt so small and warm before. For once, this tiny body of mine had its advantages. It gave me a chance to feel something I only dreamt of until now: a parent's love. I wished this moment could go on forever, and for the first time, I reached out my arms and tightly hugged her back, burying my face into her shoulders to hide the tears.

"I'm happy now, mother,"

"Hey, there you are!" Silas shouted, grabbing the lute, his merry voice breaking the tension in the room.

"How great is this! A long-lost son, roaming the unknown realms of existence, in search of his one and only mother he once lost! An epic journey finally reached its end! Fate brought the two together, in a far realm in the east, a shithole known as Emberfield! Now, that would make one great song!" Silas rejoiced, slowly strumming his lute as he spoke.

"So, he knows about you and me, what we are?" I asked.

"Yes, he knows. But, son; we are no longer what we were before, we are mortal now. We are free to do whatever we please! Of course, not everything; some rules must not be broken, but we are free to do most of the things we couldn't before! For example; you are free to choose any girlfriend you desire—be it human, elf, or even dwarven, though I hear they are tough to handle. Although, society may frown upon relationships with the beastfolk, hmm..." Seraphina mused, lost in contemplation.

"Uh, you do know I'm not a child? I had lived in Elyria for over half a century."

"Nonsense! It has only been twelve years since I had you; you cannot possibly be fifty years old. Unless? Oh no..." Seraphina seemed to be at a loss for words, finally realizing that my time in Elyria only equated to twelve years in the mortal realm.

"Well, it doesn't matter! You're still my little boy!" she brushed aside my real age and pinched my cheeks.

As the sun set, my first day in Eldoria came to an end. In just one day, I had been given more purpose than I had in a lifetime. Everything I ever wanted seemed to fall right into my lap, almost too easily, which made me anxious. I feared that just as it was given to me, it could be taken away. So I didn't close my eyes; throughout the entire night, I stared at the ceiling, praying for morning to come and everything to remain the same.

As the night slowly faded, the morning sun began to ascend, and the streets outside came to life again. The familiar voice rang through the walls of the home once more. A sudden relief washed over me, and the comforting voice of my mother lulled me to sleep.