Rebirth in Aetheria: The Rise Of The Underdogs
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When I saw all the children, they cried in fear because of the circumstances, I justify why the children cry in fear because the current situation cannot be understood by children. Even though my body is still a child at the moment but my thoughts are on par with adults.

“Already do not cry, everything is safe.” I said as I led the children out.

When all came out there was one child approaching the boy who had been beaten by the slave traders, he held his body and tried to wake the boy up.

I approached the boy and tried to calm him down. “She's fine, she just fainted.”

The boy looked at me while crying. “How can he be like this?”

“What's your name Ariel?” I asked while holding his shoulder.

The boy nodded his head. “Yes my name is Ariel Arion Belmont.”

I smile. “This child was trying to fight adults to save you, it looks like you have a very good friend.”

Ariel held the child's hand, her tears dripping down her cheek hoping that the child could wake up. “Why did you do that Avalon? You shouldn't have to do that.” Ariel felt guilty about what happened.

However, as the grief peaked, Avalon's hand clasped Ariel's. His eyes opened, and he looked at Ariel. "Miss Ariel, thank goodness you survived. We should go home. Your father must be worried about your current condition."

"Thank God, thank goodness you survived" Ariel said in tears.

Avalon looked at me, she was trying to be alert with my presence. “Return is miss!” Said Avalon trying to protect Ariel and stand before me. “He's a dangerous person.”

I'm trying to straighten out the misunderstanding that's happening. “Sounds like you misunderstood.” I try not to escalate the problem.

Avalon looked at me sharply. “So I saw you beat those adults, and also you used Aether. Who are you and what is your goal?”

Suddenly Ariel tries to hold Avalon back. “Wait Avalon, he's not a bad guy, he saved us from those adults.” The other children agreed with Ariel.

Avalon, who was more concerned about Ariel than anything, immediately apologized for what he did to me. “I'm sorry, I just got carried away with emotions. And thank you for saving Miss Ariel.” Avalon lowered her head.

Actually what the boy had been through, the boy who was the same age as me but he was able to be calm and read the situation, and also why he called Ariel with the word miss. I am increasingly confused by the circumstances that occur trying not to think about complicated things.

After everything is safe I want to leave this forest and return to my family, because my family still does not know my current situation. I tried to find useful items that I could wear from the former slave traders, but not much useful I only got a dress, a coat, a bag, and also some food supplies.

Ariel and the other children approached me. “Anu... I don't know your name yet?” Ask Aurelia

I introduced myself and Aurelia. “My name is Arthur Venturis You can call me Arthur. And the Beast in my head is called Aurelia.”

“You keep lizards?” Asked the Elf boy who was standing next to Ariel.

I shook my head. “No, no. This is not a lizard but a child of a dragon.”

“Wah... How did you find that dragon boy?”

“The story is Long and will not be easily understood by small children.” I said with a small laugh.

“Not you a kid too?” Ask the boy angry.

We got to know each other and I started to know their names, Ariel and Avalon, who seemed to have known each other from childhood, then Siesta who was the Elf's son asked about Aurelia, and the last one was a dwaf named Kallen he didn't seem to talk much.

“Looks like I can't stay here, I have to go back to my family.” I walked away from them. “Happy to meet you guys see you.”

As I was about to walk away from them suddenly Siesta held my hand. I who felt restrained immediately turned my body facing Siesta.

“Wait! I don't know my way home.” Siesta said while grieving. “And also we are afraid that there are bad adults.”

I felt I could not bear to leave them alone, there was a sense of responsibility that pushed me to protect them. I sighed, "Alright, I'll take you home. But after that, I have to go back to find my mom."

They were happy with my decision and we walked together to leave this forest. Before leaving I told them to bring some items that can be used on the train, after we finished leaving.

We walked through the forest and the valley, talking and laughing. I feel warm in my heart, because after a long time I felt what it was to have friends and also because indeed in my previous life there was not a single person I could call with the word friend. Aurelia, who was in my head, enjoyed this moment with pleasure.

Suddenly, a mysterious mist shrouded around us. A rumbling sound echoed in the sky. Without warning, the children turned towards me with anxious faces.

"What's going on?" ariel was worried.

I shook my head. "I don't know. It feels weird." I'm trying to be vigilant.

Aurelia spoke in my mind, "Arthur, there is a strange energy around us. I sense there's Aether's power lurking."

"What should we do?" my question is in my heart.

"Stay calm, we must try to see the situation first" Aurelia replied.

We continue our journey with caution. As the sky grew cloudy, I took out the sword Excalibur which had changed to adjust my body. In the eyes of the children, the sword looked even more terrifying and sturdy.

Suddenly, a series of ferocious beasts emerged from behind the fog. They attacked quickly and fiercely. The children were afraid, but bravely, they retaliated against the animals with what they had.

The ferocious beasts were getting more ferocious and the numbers looked countless. My body felt heavy from trying to deal with the attacks from various directions. Ariel, Avalon, Siesta, and Kallen are trying to help, but they can't do anything either.

I felt the pressure getting bigger, the animals were getting closer to them. I need to act fast. "Avalon, take them away! I'll try to face it!"

Avalon nodded anxiously and led the children away from the fight. I stood up steadily, preparing myself to face the approaching beasts.

The first attack came quickly, I managed to dodge with great difficulty. However, the animals are getting more and more aggressive. I tried to use the fire element to fight back, but control over that power was still imperfect.

My body was scratched by their claws and bites. I feel pain, but I can't give up. I have to protect these kids, I can't let them get hurt.

With my breath, I tried to calm down and focus. "Aurelia, help me! Show me how to better control the Aether."

Aurelia took out her powers and gave me a hint. I tried to think more calmly and concentrate Aether's energy more precisely. Gradually, my attacks began to become more effective and purposeful.

Although I was still far from being an expert, I felt a little relieved to see that the attacks of those beasts were starting to resolve. However, they still have not given up. I have to keep fighting and protecting these kids until they're safe.

I kept fighting those beasts. Slowly, one by one, I managed to handle it. However, the Aether energy I felt was getting thinner, my body was tired and the scratches on the body were getting more pronounced.

"Aurelia, I don't know how long I can last. I felt exhausted" I said in my heart, trying to stay strong in front of the children.

Aurelia gave her support, "Arthur. Keep it a little more. I'm sure you can do it."

That's when the remaining wild animals came closer and closer to me. I try to think quickly to find a solution. Against them all with my remaining strength, it is impossible to succeed. I have to find another way.

"You must escape, quickly! Leave me here" I asked Ariel, Avalon, Siesta, and Kallen who looked anxious.

But they don't want to just leave me. Ariel flatly refused, "No! We're not leaving you, Arthur. We fight together."

A moment later, I realized an idea. "Aurelia, can you combine your Aether power with mine? We need to unleash a major attack to confront them."

Aurelia nodded and synchronized with my Aether energy. The strength of the two of us combined, I felt an extremely strong Aether energy, I stared at the animals with the focus of preparing to attack them and channeling the Aether to my sword, fire energy began to gather at the tip of the sword, so the, it formed a glittering circle that was filled with a fiery red flame. The light emanating from the sword dissipated the mist that enveloped us.

In an instant, I moved forward quickly, my sword etched a smoldering red line in the air. As soon as the sword touched the animals, there was an incredible explosion, spouting fiery tongues.

“Fire Slash.” I took out the slash technique that uncle taught me but I combined it with the fire element that Aurelia had already strengthened.

The attack managed to repel them for a moment, giving us time to escape. However, this attack also consumed a lot of energy.

"Not much time left, hurry up," Aurelia said worriedly.

I nodded and with the children, we ran as fast as we could towards a safer place. My body is getting weaker and I can barely walk. But I have to keep on surviving.

Luckily, we managed to reach a small river that separated the forest from a safer area. I stopped my steps and leaned against the tree. My breath went down and my legs were barely able to stand.

"Thank you, Arthur," said Ariel, holding her breath. "You saved us."

I smiled weakly, then turned my eyes. When I was unconscious, I remembered a traumatic event in my life, when I was always bullied by the brands in school.

“Oi bastard, quickly buy bread, otherwise you will punch me.” Say the shadow of that brand that appeared in my dream.

“Don't look at me, killer.” Said another shadow, revealing his fists.

As I was about to be hit, I came to my senses from my sleep, a feeling of tightness filling my breathing. I set my breath, realizing that I had not had nightmares for a long time after coming to this world. I looked around again, and surprised by the figure beside me, it turned out that Siesta was asleep there

The Avalon who saw me had woken up immediately approached me. “You okay Arthur? Ask Avalon.

“Ya I'm fine.” I smiled. “how long have I been asleep? And where are we at now?” I try to understand the current situation.

“You've been asleep for 6 hours, and we're still near the river where we managed to escape.” Avalon said it provided information about what happened.

Siesta woke up from his sleep, he who saw me woke up was immediately shocked. “Arthur since when did you wake up?” Ask Siesta with a worried tone.

I smile. “Let me wake up.”

Ariel suddenly came to me. “You know Arthur, since you from the beginning fainted Siesta cried because feeling guilty has asked you to drive us home.”

Siesta's face turned red and tried to shut Ariel's mouth. “Ah... Already I told you not to tell him.”

I laughed and smiled at Siesta. “Thank you yes, for worrying about me.”

“Better you rest first and recover your energy we will wait for you outside.” Avalon said as she walked with Ariel and Siesta leaving me.

Everyone came out of the tent, I saw Aurelia who was still asleep letting her rest, but in the fight earlier, I realized how many things I had to have and perfect. I don't really know myself and my potential. I'm still weak, I have to keep trying and learn in order to become stronger.

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