Moments earlier, right after Alvin quickened his pace and threw himself into the embrace of his parents, the young High Elf's world seemed to stop spinning. The warm touch he had longed for so deeply now enveloped his senses in reality.
Alvin sobbed like a little child who had just found his way home. He buried his face between Atlasion and Sylvina, letting the sturdy and gentle arms of his parents hold his body tightly.
"How have you been, Alvin?" Sylvina greeted with her melodious and soothing voice, initiating the conversation between them. The hand of the extraordinarily beautiful High Elf woman rubbed her trembling son's back.
Hearing the voice that had always graced his dreams, Alvin's tears flowed even harder.
"I... I am doing well, Mother." Alvin answered haltingly amidst his sobs. He let himself sink into his parents' embrace for a few moments longer, absorbing every second of a warmth that could not be bought with anything in this world.
Once his emotions had somewhat subsided, the golden-yellow-haired High Elf youth slowly released his embrace. He took a half-step back, then looked up to gaze at his parents' faces.
Alvin stared at the visages of Atlasion and Sylvina for quite a while. Their faces looked so peaceful, radiating the light of eternity without the slightest trace of pain or regret, unlike the last time they had parted on the brink of death.
Alvin's gaze then focused on his father.
"Father... thank you..." Alvin said, his voice laden with profound respect, yet simultaneously shrouded in sorrow. "Thank you for giving me a new life. If it weren't for your sacrifice in using that random teleportation magic that day, I would never have survived... and I would never have met the destiny that awaited me in the Azvel Continent. On this occasion, I truly wanted to say this directly to you."
Atlasion looked at his son with indescribable pride. The golden-yellow-haired High Elf man offered a serene smile.
"It is the absolute duty of a father to protect his child, Alvin... even if it means risking my own life." Atlasion replied in a very gentle and authoritative tone. There was not a speck of regret in his eyes. There was only relief at seeing his son standing tall before him.
That sincere answer from his father's lips only made Alvin's chest tighten further with emotion. His respect for his protector overflowed even more. Tears flowed once again, wetting his flawless, smooth cheeks.
Alvin then shifted his gaze to his mother.
"Mother... thank you so much for bringing me into this world and raising me with such love." Alvin said softly, his lips trembling as he could no longer hold back the flow of his tears. "Even though the time we spent together in that world wasn't very long, believe me... I am incredibly happy and proud to have been born as your child."
Sylvina gave her son a very sweet smile. The woman raised her hand, stroking the strands of Alvin's hair with the deep affection of a mother. Her thumb gently wiped away the tears trailing down her son's cheeks.
"You have truly grown into a very tough and resilient young man, haven't you?" Sylvina said, her eyes sparkling with pride as she witnessed the aura of maturity now radiating from Alvin. "Tell me, is this resilience because of Kazien's presence... the young man who has become your husband?"
Alvin nodded slowly, confirming his mother's words with a sincere, subtle smile.
"It's not just Kazien, Mother." Alvin answered, his eyes radiating gratitude. "Kazien's family... they also love me dearly and accept me just like their own flesh and blood. Over there, I never feel alone. I feel so incredibly blessed with my life right now. Thank you so much, for bringing me into this world."
Hearing that confession, both Atlasion and Sylvina let out a long sigh laden with peace.
For parents, having to leave their child all alone in the world is a tremendous fear. However, knowing that their son had found a new family and true love to protect him became the most perfect remedy for their wounds.
The two of them were immensely relieved that Alvin had found his absolute happiness after they were gone.
"Could you tell us about it, Alvin?" Atlasion asked suddenly, his eyes hinting at a great curiosity. "How did your journey unfold after I used that random teleportation magic on you? How did you manage to meet that young man named Kazien?"
Seeing the enthusiasm in his father's eyes, Alvin nodded eagerly. He wiped away the remaining tears and began to tell his story.
The tale flowed like a crystal-clear waterfall. Alvin told them everything. He began from the moment he was thrown into the forest, severely injured and unconscious, up to the moment he woke up to realize that a silvery-white-haired human youth was healing his wounds.
With a slight blush on his cheeks, Alvin recounted how Kazien, instantly captivated by his looks, did not hesitate to propose to him right then and there in the middle of the forest. However, the proposal came with a specific condition: he had to take on a male form, not a female one.
Hearing such an unexpected and unique proposal condition, Atlasion and Sylvina couldn't hold back their laughter. The crisp laughter of the two High Elves echoed softly across the heavenly garden.
"Goodness, that young man is quite bold..." Sylvina chuckled, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Then, if you had shifted into a female form at that time, what do you suppose would have happened?" Sylvina asked teasingly.
"He definitely would have rejected me right away, Mother!" Alvin replied quickly with a slightly grumbling yet amused tone. "Kazien himself honestly said that if I chose a female form, he would ruthlessly take back his proposal and cancel it on the spot!"
Atlasion laughed again upon hearing Kazien's honesty, which sounded highly eccentric to his ears.
"So... it was because of that condition that you ultimately chose to permanently take on a male form, just so you could be with your savior?" Sylvina guessed, flashing a teasing smile.
Alvin couldn't hide the deep blush on his face, but he nodded firmly, confirming his mother's words.
His story did not stop there. Alvin continued his tale with fiery eyes. He talked about how his life transformed from being a fugitive prince into a free adventurer. He recounted the various missions they undertook, the monsters they defeated together, all the way to the day they were officially engaged in public in the Capital, even though Kazien was unconscious at the time because his soul had been pulled into the divine realm.
All the tales of his life's journey, both the bitter and the sweet, he continued to share endlessly with his parents.
Listening to this epic story, Atlasion and Sylvina were left in absolute awe. They realized how their son's life had been forged by various extraordinary events.
Thanks to the presence of that young man named Kazien, my Alvin can live resiliently and cast away all the sorrows of his past. Sylvina thought, a swelling sense of relief washing over her. She glanced at Kazien, who was standing in the distance, from the corner of her eye. That young man truly protects and loves my son with such sincerity. It doesn't surprise me in the least that my son could fall in love with him so deeply.
The exact same feeling of relief and gratitude was shared by Atlasion. Behind his smile as he listened to his son's passionate storytelling, the man was contemplating something much grander.
Thank goodness... thank goodness the random teleportation magic I used that day brought you to Kazien. Atlasion said in his heart. But... the more I think about it, the probability is far too small to just be called a coincidence. I am absolutely certain that everything had been arranged by Goddess Nirfelia's threads of destiny from the very beginning. If it hadn't been for the secret intervention of the Supreme One, my son would never have landed in a safe place and found his happiness after our deaths.
Alvin's long story finally culminated at one point. He talked about the peak of his happiness: his wedding day with Kazien, which unfortunately had to be cut short abruptly because the souls of the four of them were pulled back into the divine realm to undergo training to save the world.
"Even though our honeymoon was postponed, that wedding was the happiest day of my life." Alvin concluded with a very sweet smile.
Hearing the conclusion of the story, Atlasion and Sylvina exchanged glances, then looked at their son with immense warmth.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Alvin." Atlasion and Sylvina said in unison, their voices blending to create a beautiful harmony.
Smiles laden with happiness and pride over their son's sacred bond were painted clearly across the faces of the two High Elves. Their duty as parents had truly been fulfilled.
"Thank you... thank you, Father, Mother."
Alvin stepped forward once again. He spread his arms and tightly hugged his father and mother one more time. This embrace felt different. There were no longer tears of despair, but rather a farewell hug filled with sincerity, channeling all the love and longing that had settled at the bottom of his heart all this time.
"Father, Mother..." Alvin whispered amidst their warm embrace, his voice sounding very calm and peaceful. "Even though we will never be able to meet again after I step out of this place and return to my world... please know that I am so, so happy because today I was able to see your faces, hug you, and hear your voices again for the very last time. I love you both... forever."
Hearing such mature words of farewell from their son, Atlasion and Sylvina smiled affectionately. They tightened their hold, embracing their only son with all their souls, channeling all their remaining love and warmth to Alvin before the true separation occurred between them.