Chereads / Rise of the Last Homunculus / Chapter 5 - A New Beginning

Chapter 5 - A New Beginning

With Dyreus in the timeless pocket, the land terraformed around him as the ages passed. 

Rivers had started to flow through the once-broken land as trees followed suit. 

They say time heals all, and the land was but a mere victim to it. With every new age, the land became more flourish than the last. The once great war had slowly dissolved into history, it's only knowledge left inside books and stories. 

The battle that once held only death, had turned into a great forest, as life bloomed all around, filling it with various kinds of magical beasts. 

Within the outskirts of the forest, countless runes written in a long-forgotten language started to appear as they rapidly swirled in the air. 

As the swirl started to calm down, it gradually descended from the air as the runes slowly vanished away. 

Softly landing on the ground, a baby could be seen as he slowly started to wiggle. Dyreus extended his arms and legs with a great stretch, then brought them back in to comfort his body. 

With one great inhale, Dyreus let out a crying sound, signifying his true birth. 

As the scream echoed through the forest, a small shuffling sound could be heard coming from the bushes nearby. 

When the shuffling ended, a shadow bore over Dyreus as he looked at her with curiosity. 

"What in tarnation! How can a baby be here?" The woman said, quickly picking up Dyreus. 

"Where did he come from?" She examined around, quickly covering him with her robe. 

With Dyreus in her arms, she saw a ripped piece of cloth that he had been lying on. Picking it up she saw the message and the name the child was given. 

"That's a good name, but it's quite the cryptic message if you ask me," the woman said smiling. 

She looked at Dyreus as he had his eyes half open and saw a glimpse of the bright golden eyes he had before going back to crying. 

Cradling him, she looked around, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. 

"I don't know any families with golden eyes, but that fact he was left on the outskirts of the forbidden forest, means they were either too scared to go further in to rid the baby, or they wanted to at least give him a chance of someone finding him."

The forbidden forest was a place where magical beasts roamed throughout, with some of the most dangerous ones living deep within. It was said precious treasures were located in the forest but very few dared to test their luck. 

Due to the nature of the forest, the royal family had sent soldiers to the outskirts, to scout and guard for if the beast ever decided to leave. 

Taking one last look around for any more clues she might see, she turned around and started to head out of the forest. 

"I'm sorry your parents abandoned you, but I have a place that would be perfect for you," she said to Dyreus. 

As she began to channel her mana, she formed a mana shield around Dyreus and channeled the rest into her legs. With a single step, she shot forward, bursting at a speed the eye couldn't see. She quickly exited the forest and arrived at the stronghold that watched over the forest. 

As the people on break were chatting to each other, they felt a wind blow by them, as she passed the stronghold and headed inland. 

"Where the hell is she going?" One of the guards asked. 

"Who knows, but it's not like she won't be back quickly!" The other guard said as he started laughing. 

As the woman followed the road, she quickly passed town after town, as the town folk thought it was weird for the wind to be blowing with the sun out and not a cloud in sight. 

Various mountains and landscapes encircled her as she continued down the road. After running for three days straight she finally arrived at her destination. 

Slowing down with each step, she ended in a walk towards the town gate. After arriving at the front gate, she looked up and saw the writing on the sign above saying, "Town of Kilerth."

"It's been a while," she thought to herself. 

The guards on post quickly noted her arrival and stepped aside into a halt position with their right fists connecting to their left shoulder. 

"We welcome the commander of the north!" They said as she stepped through the gates, smiling at the guards and thanking them for their hard work. 

As she continued to walk through town, passing various shops of different wares, she eventually reached the far right side of Kilerth. 

She stood in front of an old wooden church, its foundation seemed as if the smallest change in weather could take it down. She saw the old sign that hung above the wooden door, saying "A home for lost children."

"This place still looks the same," the woman nodded in approval. "Sometimes the best things never change."

As she walked up the steps, she could hear various children playing in the backyard. 

As she held Dyreus tightly, she knocked on the door. A person could be heard through the creaks of the wood as they got closer to the door. 

With the door opening, an elderly woman of medium size could be seen with her white hair tucked into a bun, and glasses resting on the middle of her nose. 

"Tess! Welcome home," The elderly woman said.

"Thank you May," Tess responded.

Walking through the front door, Tess set Dyreus into a nearby cradle, tucking the sheets around him and putting her robe back on. 

"So, you finally decided to have a child, only to leave the poor thing here...? What the hell is wrong with you? That's not how I raised you!" May said yelling at Tess. 

"He's not mine!" Tess responded, trying to calm the situation. "I found him while I was out scouting. The only thing he had was this message," Tess said as she handed May the note. 

"Dyreus huh? That's a good name." May said as she tucked the note away, planning to hand it back when he's older.

"Looks like times must be rough out there," May said. 

"Huh? Why do you say that," Tess responded. 

"This is the second child this week. It seems like my hands are going to be busy for a while." May said as she chuckled to the kitchen to grab some milk for Dyreus. 

"A second child?" Tess said with a curious face. 

"Yes, someone brought a young girl to me 3 days ago. She's only 1 year old, so it seems like Dyreus will be able to have a friend around his age." May said chuckling, as she picked up Dyreus to feed him. 

"Are you planning to stay for a while?" May asked Tess. 

"No, I need to get back, I left rather unexpectedly," she said, looking at Dyreus. 

"Well, there's no need to worry. I'll take good care of him!" May exhilarated as she pounded her chest. 

"I know you will," Tess said as she walked over to Dyreus, giving him a quick kiss on the head. 

"I'll come visit when you're older, okay?" Tess softly said.

Stepping back, Tess gave Dyreus one last look, before heading out. 

"Don't age too fast May!" Tess quickly said as she bolted out the door, heading back to the north. 

"That damn girl!" May angrily said as the building shook upon her leaving.

"Well Dyreus, let's go meet the rest of the family!" She said smiling as she headed toward the backyard. 

"To your new beginning!"