The Legend Of Artill

Year 1217 Gradannian Calendar, Spring

Artill had just awoken, but was abruptly being hugged by two warm bodies. He was still groggy from his rude awakening and did not catch what they had said, but definitely felt the passionate embraces given to him. The heavy cradling lasted for a very long time, every second seeming like a day.

The two people grabbed tighter and tighter, as if they would never let go. Artill was basically being squeezed to death and so he spoke for the first time in this new world. In a hoarse voice, he said,

"Uh… I can't breathe."

The two parents immediately released their grasps, but still remained very close to the boy. The boundaries of personal space were of no concern from the two. Their eyes were red, from crying, and their faces were very pale, most likely from their constant worrying.

Their bodies seemed tired and suggested that they had not rested for an exorbitant amount of time. Their backs were hunched from sitting and waiting. They seemed out of breath, either from the spontaneous hugging or from the extensive fatigue, but they both still had grins covering their faces.

Kirg and Enri had been taking care of Artill for nearly three months. Through the harsh stinging cold of winter, they had kept Artill's body safe. They had been feeding him, clothing him, and keeping him warm.

They had almost begun to doubt if Artill would ever wake up, although he was breathing and had a weak pulse, he did not move the slightest bit. However, now they emanated only happiness and relief, which radiated from the expressions on their faces, seeing that he was awake and alive.

Artill's vision had still not completely recovered, only blurs could be seen. He tried to move his body around, but unusually, he did not feel any muscle fatigue from his body. It felt like his body was loose as if he had an abundant store of energy within him. No resistance was felt when he tried to sit up straight. This startled the two a.d.u.l.ts profoundly, and in a nursing tone, they both said in unison.

"Artill, please don't try to move too much. You've just come back to us. Please just rest for now. Okay!?"

Artill was utterly shocked when they had said his name and slowly laid back down into the bed. His face acted out that he was perplexed when the two called him that. The two looked at each other, with fright in their eyes for a brief moment, but soon shook off their looks. Instead, they both focused their looks at the boy, whom they thought was Artill.

When Artill was still in a comatose state they examined him closely and rigorously, trying to certify his identify. They looked for any oddity that could define who the boy was, but they had found no such clue. They had only concluded that this boy's body exactly matched Artill. Unfortunately, Artill could not of voiced any complaint to the "search" for he was in a comatose state.

After laying down for a few moments and some intensive blinking his vision had been slowly restored and he saw them, his parents. Tears welled up in his eyes, uncontrollably. Emotions, that he did not consciously summon, were bursting out from his body. He began to place his arms around the two and squeezed tightly. The two parents were stunned by the Artill's current actions, but as soon as they saw the tears falling from the boy's face, they could not help but to give in.

A session of hugging and crying was held for an indeterminable time. After all the fervor had ended, they all stared at each other and hugged for another time. This time however, Artill had unintentionally whispered something.

"Mom… Dad… , I'm back."

Then the water works again proceeded, this time mostly by the two a.d.u.l.ts. The two parents also spoke to the boy.

"Don't worry Artill, we'll never let you go again. We promise."

Artill was again slightly shaken from being called by his name. Although this time, his inner feelings were more concealed from the two. He was very confused at himself. Why did this name have such an effect on him? He knew that he had merged with Artill and that the previous Artill was no more, but how did Artill still have such control over him? Why is he experiencing things how Artill would have felt?

As he had questioned his own actions, his parents pulled him up from the bed. They each supported one side of his body and tried to clothe him, with much resistance from Artill. In the end, Artill had won the small battle and clothed himself, very quickly, in fear of his parents adoring glances. He wore a short sleeve shirt made up of coarse fibers and pants of the same material over his u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r, but what stood out were leather boots that seemed to shine very well from polish.

The two, again, began to help Artill walk to the door, but surprisingly Artill did not need their help. He gently nudged their arms away and gently walked to the door himself. His stride made him seem like he was in healthy condition, contrary to his scrawny white body. Although he was skinny and thin, tremendous inner strength seemed to present within him.

As the three had walked together to the door, the parents marveled at each step Artill took. Artill put his hand to the handle of the door and gently turned the knob. Sunlight blinded his eyes for a second as he put his hand up to block it. He then took his first step outside of the cottage he had been slumbering in for months.

Artill saw the wooden structures of civilization around him and the people that inhabited them. He merely took a short stroll along the street, but he could already see the amazed expressions on the nearby villagers. Very quickly word traveled from person to person, throughout the village, and a surrounding group promptly formed, nearly the entire village was standing by the reunited family.

Dozens of men, women and children had looks of admiration, as they saw a family reunited. The villagers came to the trio to give a large communal congratulations, so that they could commemorate the moment.

It completely startled Artill, as the village was seemingly very accepting of him despite knowing about the incident. Artill soon gave into the passion in the heat of the moment and said.

"Thank you everyone. I'm back!"

However, the welcoming did not last long as an elderly woman appeared and politely demanded order. The rowdy crowd of villagers promptly calmed down and separated to form a straight path towards Artill. The elderly woman slowly walked towards him and then put her hand of his shoulder in very slow motions. She then spoke in a firm and commanding voice,

"Hello young man, my name is Jesona. I'm here to ask for you to explain yourself. Who are you?"

Artill looked around the crowd gathered around them, then he looked towards his parents and nodded his head. He turned back to Jesona and spoke in a loud and pride-filled voice,

"I am Artill, son of Kirg and Enri. The last thing I remember is laying in my bed slowly fading away, dying, but now I stand before you healthy and new. I did have a disease, an illness within me, but it is no longer there. I do not know the circ.u.mstances of my return, but hope that you all can accept me."

The previous Artill had succ.u.mb to his body's illness. His affliction had made his physical body frail and weak. His body's functions had gradually declined, until he had perished. The current Artill was just trying to make any excuse to avoid suspicion of impersonating Artill.

Jesona squinted her old grey eyes and stared discerningly at Artill, the crowd held their breath as the two stared each other in the eyes, but she did not blink and neither did Artill. This continued for a few more awkward moments before Kirg and Enri impeded the staring contest by announcing that a celebration of Artill's homecoming would be held at their home.

Kirg, Enri and the rest of the villagers merrily strolled along the road to the upcoming party, while dragging Artill along with them. The elderly woman stood there in the same spot, still staring at Artill, as if she was waiting for Artill to do something.

As Artill was being carried away, he saw the continuous and malicious glare of curiosity and joy from Jesona. It was as if she had seen right through him. It sent chills down Artill's spine and he walked faster to his home, almost sprinting, to get away from that woman. Jesona then mumbled something to herself and smiled from ear to ear.

"An opportunity has appeared. Now is the time."