With a forehead kiss as a goodbye, he jumped back into his Time Period. Where he would be arriving just in time for supper. With the people of his time, where he would belong.
This was a day in his eyes, a day of being a Time Mage. And he wasn't gifted enough to improve anything, not that girl's fate, not Mavislin's future. Not his future. He can only bear witness to people's demise. He can't alter their fate.
They say being a Time Mage would be so exciting, powerful. Imagine, the ability to redo mistakes and see what adventures laid ahead. The various worlds, the many people to encounter. The many modern things to encounter. But it isn't. It's a curse. It's not all fun and games, Time Frame Hopping. He had hoped the future would be marvelous. Not hateful. This was his life. It is not whimsical, as most people would think.
Its like school; in the first place, it looks intriguing. Exciting even. After a while, it gets boring. Subsequently, it gets miserable. The stress would harass those who travel too often. It is the same thing for Time Mages. Their day represents a typical person's month or even years.
They hop through time, meeting new friends, savoring unfamiliar sights. But soon, they won't feel tense, they would start to feel sad. Heartbroken. Some lose their sanity after prolonged trips into Time. Rogue Time Mages would develop a warped sense of justice and start to lose control.
"Then why do you continue?"
The words flashed across his mind as he pondered about future events. Affirmative, why couldn't he stop? Just, stop traveling, stop hurting himself. Sounds like a grand plan. But then again, it would mean he would have to give up his Time Element.
If a Time Mage stops using Time Frame Hopping for too long, the years that he went through before would start to catch up to him. Since the Time Mage hops through Time, he would retain the age he has been from, despite going into 600 years future.
If he abruptly stops for a long time, the 600 years would ram him like a truck. When Time Mages move about in Time, they halt their aging process. If they are at the Time Period they were birthed from; they would start to age once more.
And giving up his Time Element will harbor no good for Raiyen either. The cost of not having the Time Element would be Raiyen not ever existing at all. When a Time Mage loses their Time Element, they would be eradicated from Time itself.
All the things that the Time Mage has implemented, the friends made, the moments shared... All would be eliminated. Though serious, this won't tip the balance of Time and History. But the events that the Time Mage altered or partook would be very much affected.
There was a reason why Time Mages are also known as Children Of Time. They are born out of Time. Made out of Time. Shift that away, and there will be nothing left of the being. And that was why the Time Boy had no choice. This was the life he experienced. And he had to prove to be superior.
Witnessing the day's events unfold, that was when he knew, he had to continue. Picturing this, most people would completely give up. Raiyen was not behaving like that. He wants to push on. He wants to see Mavislin raised the ranks to achieve that level of intimidation that he had witnessed today.
And for that to happen, he needs to be stronger. He had to safeguard her. Not fair if his partner rose up in position and he was omitted, right? His High Queen Mavislin, she won't forsake her little Time Boy, right?
As he arrived home to his Time Stream, he went up to Mavislin's room. She looked stunned, tilting her head. He ran up to her, hugging her. He was overjoyed to see his Mavis again, the one he knew. The one he cared for. The one he desires.
After a certain Time Mage plunged himself into the Valkyrie's chest, Mavislin looked at Raiyen lovingly. She ran her slender fingers through his jet black fringe. His brown eyes looked at Mavislin for another second before proceeding to hug her even tighter.
"Okay, okay. Easy with the hugs. Any more and I would require a new set of bones," laughed Mavislin.
Raiyen continued cuddling his precious Valkyrie like a bolster. Mavislin sighed as she examined the boy for any injuries.
"I'm not going anywhere, Time Boy. Had a nightmare?" she asks, patting on the Time Boy's head.
Raiyen felt something wet fell from his eyes and onto the bed below them.
"Yea. I don't like nightmares," replied Raiyen, looking down.