I could hear the woman's footsteps approaching as she knocked on the door, by then I was sure. It was my Mom.
Her powerful holy aura was unmistakable and unique to her, something I would always recognize no matter how long we were separated.
I looked out the window, counting the seconds as she entered the room. The door creaked open, but all I could hear was my head screaming. What would she say? What should I say?
Jay Cadmium had died three years ago in a fiery blaze, that was what she believed, yet here I was, perfectly alive. Would she ask me why I didn't come back? Would she tell me how much I had hurt her by staying away? Would she distance herself to avoid getting hurt?
"H-hello," she started, faltering momentarily as she looked for words, "I wanted to come to thank you for saving my daughter, but I'm not really sure my words can express -"
I sensed her aura explode in shock, her entire existence becoming a mess as she questioned the identity of the boy right in front of her. I turned around, looking at the woman that I had grown to love as my own mother.
"Hey, Mom. It's been a while," I said, not knowing what else to say.
She just stood there, her eyes shaking violently in utter shock. I looked down, not knowing what to do.
"J-" she began, not being able to continue. How could that boy be alive, that name still be relevant? A name was something that defined a person, shaped your being, pronouncing that name meant accepting that individual's existence. There was no way she could do that.
"Jay...?" she whispered, putting her hands over her mouth.
"!!"
Does she accept it? She's willing to believe the impossible miracle that her firstborn son had survived alone as a toddler and made it back home three whole years later?
"Hey-"
I was suddenly tackled by a fully grown woman, Jane clutching me as she started wailing uncontrollably.
"Oh my god, my baby! You're alive! You're alive!" she cried, digging her face into my small chest. Small tears welled up in my eyes as I closed my eyes, hugging my mom back.
"I'm back, Mom."
I just clutched my mom as she bawled, saying how much she loved me and how she was sorry. Why was she apologizing? I had never once blamed her, and never would.
I'm pretty sure Jane let go because she had run dry of tears, her lack of self-control admirable. I had never once cried in my life, even at my own death, but something about seeing my mother again had sparked an emotion within me that I never knew I had.
By now the entire household had gathered at the sight of Jane randomly holding a strange boy, and I could tell everyone was dumbfounded.
"Jane, you know Darck?" asked Alan, his mouth dropped.
"Darck?" she asked, looking at me. I merely shrugged, making Jane laugh a bit. Seemed like she was in better spirits, or maybe she was in an unusual euphoric state due to shock?
"I don't think I've properly introduced myself, Alan. My name is Jay Cadmium," I said formally, bowing ever so slightly before meeting eyes with Alice, who was standing next to Rose. The little girl in the pink dress advanced slowly at the name, her ears not believing it.
"Alice, honey. This is your big brother," whispered Jane, gently stroking the girl's dark brown hair.
I could tell Alice was a little shy now that she knew I was family. It was definitely easier for her when she didn't know my identity. I just smiled at her attempts at communication, which were inevitably futile.
"How's Dad?" I asked Jane, the question taking her by surprise.
"He's the same old Bruce, but I think you should go see him," she responded, her answer being an extremely understandable response.
"I will."
BRUCE CADMIUM'S POV:
Concentrate on the bind around you, will your energy into it, and ignite it!
A decently sized fiery explosion ignited at my designated target, and I grinned with pride. I was definitely starting to get the hang of my second element! I had just recently reawakened, where an individual is suddenly able to sense a second element, and now had to learn the basics of fire. Even if I was an earth binder, fire was an extremely versatile element, and knowing how to control it could only benefit me.
"Double bind now, huh?" said a voice behind me. I turned around at the compliment, brimming with pride.
"Haha, yep! Both earth and -"
The words vanished from my mind as I looked at the boy who lay ahead of me. A seven-year-old with black and golden clothes stood there, a sword slouched over his shoulder and a second sheath behind his waist.
His long brown hair looked exactly like Jane's, those unforgettable eyes roaring with power.
"Jay..." I croaked, not believing what I was seeing or even saying.
"Hey, Dad," he answered simply, but it was all we needed. There was no need for words as we both ran into each other's arms, tears running down my face as I cried with overwhelming joy.
"Jay! You're alive! My son!" I shouted, muffled, my head against my little boy's body. After crying for long minutes, I finally found the willpower to let go of my firstborn, his new adventurer-like look fitting him beautifully.
"Look at you, already an adventurer like your Dad!" I exclaimed, the young boy chuckling at the remark. I led him inside the prestigious house that our good friend Alan had generously offered us after we had saved his life, the house itself resembling more a small villa, fitted with an outdoor yard and everything.
There were so many things I wanted to know, so many questions I had to ask, but the first thing I wanted to hear was whatever my son chose to share first. Jane, Alice, and I all sat around the living room as Jay described his adventure, saying that he had found an indigenous tribe in the middle of the woods and had decided to stay with them until he could find the way back.
There were parts that didn't fit together within the chronology of Jay's story, but I didn't mind. If there were things he wanted to hide, I would respect his choice. The fact that my son was alive, physically speaking to me was already a reward I could never have asked for.
It was nothing less than a miracle.