The night was quiet in the rural town of Narivare, and the stars twinkled above the rooftops of the modest houses, but Darvin's house was filled with tension and hope.
An old woman encouraged her daughter:
"Push a little further, my daughter, I can see his head."
On a bed lay a woman in her thirties whose dark brown hair was tied in a simple braid, with a few strands falling across her sweaty face.
Her hazel eyes were brimming with pain and caution, but they also held a deep sense of love and hope. Her lips were slightly red with exhaustion, but she didn't stop breathing deeply in an attempt to calm herself.
Her clothes were simple, covered with the usual apron for daily work, and stained with flour and sweat, reflecting a life of toil and fatigue. Before this moment, every breath and every movement was a mixture of pain, joy, and confusion, but her husband held her hand reassuringly, and there were her three daughters, their expressions filled with worry.
"Okay, just push once and it's over."
Moments after saying that, she was holding a small child in her arms, but he was completely still—no crying, no movement. The mother felt worried.
"Is he okay...?"
The old woman raised her hand and shone a gentle beam of light on the child's body. The soft, warm light fell over him, revealing any flaws or weaknesses. After a moment, a faint light emanated from his body, and the family breathed a sigh of relief.
But the mother wanted to be sure.
"So..."
"Don't worry, my daughter, he's in excellent health, but he seems to be the quiet type."
At that moment, the mother felt a relief that filled her heart.
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Kyle opened his eyes to look at an old woman.
'Who is this old woman?'
Her hair was white with silver streaks, and her eyes were a warm blue. Her features were slightly wrinkled, but her face reflected wisdom and serenity.
'Didn't I sleep in my bed last night? Why am I being carried like a child?'
The old woman raised her hand and emitted a beam that entered his body. He felt warmth and peace, and then light emanated from him.
'What's happening?'
"So..."
"Don't worry, my daughter, he's in excellent health, but he seems to be the quiet type."
'Are you talking about me? Don't tell me.'
Kyle had an idea of what was going on, but he didn't want to believe it.
Then the old woman stepped forward to hand it to someone else. Looking at the face of the person holding it, she saw a woman breathing heavily, her hazel eyes wide with concentration and caution. Her dark brown hair was damp with sweat, strands falling onto her forehead. Her lips were flushed with exertion, but she smiled slowly, tears of joy welling in her eyes. She took her son's small hand for the first time and whispered in a soft, tender voice,
"Welcome, my little one...Ryan."
It seems I was right. Now I have to live another life after the first one.
This woman seems to be my mother. She seems kind, but one shouldn't trust people easily, not even family members.
Kyle has suffered many betrayals in his life, even from relatives, so he doesn't trust anyone easily, not even his own family.
"My dear, hold our son. You're the one who wanted a son."
The hands holding Kyle changed, and he looked at the new face, presumably his father's. His hair was black, his build strong, and his hands rough. His face was broad, and his features calm. Looking into his eyes, Kyle felt safe.
'What is this feeling?'
His father suddenly began to cry.
'Why is everyone crying?'
His mother chuckled softly.
'Why are you crying now? You're the one who's hurting.'
'I'm just happy I have a son now.'
He pulled Kyle back into his mother's arms and began wiping away his tears.
The mother then looked at her three daughters.
"Won't you welcome your brother?"
"Okay, let's start with the oldest and go to the youngest."
"Liara , come forward and greet your little brother."
Liara stepped forward to look at her brother. Her hair was long and wavy, black, and her eyes were dark blue. Her features were strong and serene.
"Why is he so small? Were you always like this?"
'Huh...'
'Looks like I'm not going to get along with her.'
Her father smacked her head.
"You silly girl! All you care about is studying and learning about the elements!"
The mother shook her head sadly.
"Now, Mira."
Mira stepped forward and looked at her brother. Her hair was short and brown, and her eyes were green, but Kyle noticed she was thin and frail. Her expression conveyed both love and worry.
"Grow up healthy for my sake."
Kyle saw sadness in her eyes then, and also in his mother's.
'She looks unwell.'
After a moment of silence, it was the youngest of the three sisters' turn.
"Now, Celine."
Celine stepped forward to look at her little brother's face. Her hair was light brown, her eyes were honey-colored, her face was full of vitality and innocence, and her smile was radiant.
"Hello, little brother"
'Three sisters, but dealing with just one was difficult for me'
After this, the mother made a suggestion:
"Let's have a family hug."
The father, along with Mira and Celine, stepped forward to fulfill their mother's request, but Liara refused.
"Are we children? Why would we hug?"
The mother frowned, expressing her frustration, so the father decided to intervene.
"Liara Darvin, do you want me to ban you from the practice room?"
Lyara stepped forward after hearing her father's voice, and her mother smiled. The family then embraced. Kyle felt a warmth and tenderness he had never experienced before.
'That strange feeling again.'