2 Chapter 2: Mother and Father
In the early days of Jorael's existence as an infant in an enigmatic world, he found mobility to be incredibly challenging.
"Movement should not be this complex!" internally cried Jorael.
"I can't even manage to control the simplest gestures!
I'm incapable of handling my own bodily functions!
Sleeping and eating seem to be the extent of my abilities...
Speaking of eating... Miranda would understand... right?"
Jorael was putting all his effort into gaining control over his tiny limbs, managing at best to clutch his mother's soft hand in his own miniature grip.
"My precious little demon... we're linked by our touch!" his mother exclaimed, her face glowing with a tender smile.
"Demon... Indeed...
I hadn't noticed the peculiarities when I was first reborn, but my new mother has a pair of glistening black horns atop her head, wings of the same dark hue spreading from her back, and a slender tail, its tip pointed, originating just above her rear.
Her features are somewhat off-kilter, unmistakably non-human...
At night, when the quiet darkness wraps the surroundings, her mystic purple eyes, glowing in the dark, strike an uncanny chill through me. Like a predator focused on its prey.
However, when she draws near to care for me, her smile is soothing. It's the same maternal smile that Miranda used to wear...
Miranda... Elijah... "
"There, there Jorael, don't you cry. Mama's here," soothed his new mother.
"Appreciate your comforting touch, Mother…
I've come to know her as Joanna, while my new Father is named Roland. He seems to be just a regular human.
Presently, he's out on a hunt.
This leads me to infer that we inhabit some remote corner of this world since hunting appears to be a necessity.
Technologically speaking, they seem to be at par with the medieval era.
This certainly isn't Earth... "
"Joanna, I've returned! We'll dine on Warg tonight!" Roland announced with a hearty chuckle as he strode into the house.
"Warg? ..." pondered Jorael.
"Why does he have to hunt down such magical beasts? Wouldn't regular animals do?" Joanna voiced her concern.
"Haha! Well, dear, as a former adventurer, I must maintain my strength, you see... haha!" Roland responded jovially, his laughter ringing through the house.
"Be serious, Roland! You're a father now; you can't just risk yourself by hunting magical beasts!" Joanna reprimanded her husband.
"Yeah... you're a father now... be careful..." Jorael contemplated, a touch of sorrow creeping in his thoughts.
"See, our little one is crying! It's all your fault!" Roland exclaimed, shifting the blame.
...
As more weeks went by, Jorael was finally able to glimpse the outside world, cradled in his father's arms.
Their humble abode was nestled in the woods, situated beside a small river, supplying fresh water. It wasn't much, but it was home. Nearby, a garden thrived with flourishing vegetables.
"Do you see our home, Jorael? And our garden?
...
Look, Joanna! He's taking it all in! He understands me!" Roland declared, proudly showing Jorael their surroundings.
"We're located in the Dark Forest, but don't worry. It's the most peaceful part where magical beasts won't bother us... But if they do, Dad's here to protect us! Haha!" Roland explained with enthusiasm.
"The Dark Forest, huh?" Jorael mused.
"Honey, take care of our baby, I'm going for a short flight..." Joanna announced, stepping out of the house.
With a swift motion, she spread her magnificent wings, taking flight over the towering trees that surrounded their home.
"Look at your Mom, Jorael. Isn't she graceful, flying just like a small bird?" Roland admired aloud.
"You know... Your mother is a Succubus Demon, she has strong wings that enable her to fly… ah... isn't flying amazing? What do you think, son?...
That reminds me, you don't have any demonic traits like horns and such. But you have your mother's stunning purple eyes, so who knows…
As Joanna mentioned, you might be the first child born from a union between a Succubus and a Human, you're unique, my boy!"
"Wait, what did Father just say?!?!" Jorael panicked internally.
"Don't worry, my boy! Mom will be back once she's done checking the area from above!" Roland comforted Jorael, noticing his distressed expression.
"Right… I must look worried… I should put on a smile…" Jorael strategized internally, and then smiled at his father.
"That's my boy! I knew you understood me!" Roland exclaimed, ecstatic.
"Obviously, he understands you, he takes after his mother…" Joanna quipped as she landed back from her survey flight.
"Hmph…" Roland grunted, asking Joanna about any trouble, to which she reported none.
All three of them then retreated to the comforts of their home.
…
Months rolled by tranquilly, with Jorael growing and developing.
"As I continue to grow, my training pays off. My mobility improves every day, and I've even started to speak... it's baby language, but it's a significant step considering it only took a few months.
My parents must be exhausted hearing me practicing my speech, but I'm giving it my all! I need to communicate like an adult!" Jorael expressed himself in loud gibberish.
"Here he goes again…" Roland sighed, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Why are you so negative?
Our son started talking at just 4 months old!
Isn't he adorable!" Joanna gushed, beaming at their son.
"I do realize he's exceptional, don't mistake me!
It's just that listening to that all day can be a bit too much…" Roland explained, letting out a tired sigh.
"I apologize Father, but I must continue!" Jorael emphasized, even louder.
"Yeah… I know you're doing it on purpose, my boy…" Roland finally conceded, surrendering to his son's resolve.
…
Two months later, the baby had made remarkable progress. He could sit, crawl, and even utter basic words like 'no', 'mom', 'dad'. These milestones filled Jorael with a sense of accomplishment.
"At last, I've gained some mobility!" Jorael expressed, his words still incomprehensible to adults.
"Ha-ha! Look at our strong boy! He definitely takes after his father!" Roland beamed, chasing his son around the house.
"Thank the Goddess Atremis he got his brain from me, not his father…" Joanna laughed, thanking her deity.
"Well, then let's thank the Goddess Kalipso for making him strong like his father…" Roland replied, showing his gratitude to his deity.
"Deities… I've noticed that Mother has an idol of her goddess on her bedside table, while Father has an idol of his goddess on his side.
I'm not sure why they each worship different goddesses. Could it be a gender or race thing?...
They each pay homage to their deities before retiring to bed each night, their sincere faith evident.
Still, it seems they have no place to offer collective worship, like a church or temple…" Jorael pondered.
It was fascinating for Jorael to observe their daily routines and rituals, slowly piecing together the threads of their lives and the world around him.
"Am I meant to make a choice?...
What considerate parents I have..." Jorael rambled internally.
"Dinner's ready, sweetheart!" Joanna called out, as she busied herself with her son's meal.
"Finally, my diet includes something other than Mother's milk. Father's incessant hunting means a steady supply of Magic Beast meat, coupled with fruits and vegetables from our garden.
My teeth are coming through, and boy, they hurt!" Jorael monologued internally while savoring his dinner.
…
At the age of 10 months, Jorael had acquired the skills of walking and speaking. His rapid development astonished his parents, who could now communicate with their son.
"Is this where our home is, Father?" queried Jorael, his tiny finger gesturing towards a point on the map.
"Indeed, son. Our home is to the southwest of the Dark Forest's center, close to the Demon Kingdom's border," Roland clarified, intrigued by the incessant inquiries of his son.
He then elaborated on the continent's geographical layout to satisfy Jorael's curiosity:
The Dark Forest, home to a myriad of Magic Beasts, took center stage on the Continent, with their dwelling extending into a small region inhabited by Jorael and his parents.
To the West, amidst hills, plateaus, and deserts, resided the Demon Kingdom, comprising 71 demon clans coexisting within various cities and towns.
Towards the East, past fertile plains and flowing rivers, stood the Human Empire, flourishing behind The Wall that offered protection from threats.
Further North, within the Steel Mountains, laid the Dwarven Federation and its seven city-states, housing dwarfs renowned for their craftsmanship and love for drinks.
To the South, an island embodied the Elven Realm, a haven where Elves led their immortal lives amidst valleys, forests, and mountains.
Enraptured, Jorael absorbed his father's teachings, thrilled by the constant stream of novel information about this world.
"Elves and Dwarfs?" the boy asked.
"Yes, my boy, the Continent is vast. Perhaps someday we'll traverse through it…" His father's response marked the end of the lesson.
…
As Jorael turned one,
"Happy Birthday, Jorael!" His parents, Joanna and Roland, sang out in unison.
Celebrating his first birthday, the little one alternated between tears and smiles of pure joy, devouring the scrumptious cake his mother baked.
"What would you like for your birthday present?" Joanna inquired.
"Read," came the child's concise reply.
"Excuse me?!" His father spluttered, momentarily choking on his slice of cake.
"I want to learn to read," Jorael reaffirmed.
His parents exchanged a look before simultaneously shouting, "Yes!"
"Being literate will accelerate my learning process. The few books on the shelves may hold key insights into their culture and world," Jorael pondered, as he indulged in his cake.
Post the meal, Joanna surprised Jorael, "Reading will be your gift, as per your wish, but allow me to present my gift…"
Lifting Jorael into her arms, she stepped outside, bidding Roland farewell, "We're about to explore the world!"
Unfurling her wings, Joanna lifted off, flying above their home. Emerging from the shadows of the forest, Jorael experienced the world unfolding before his eyes for the first time.
A vast expanse of trees stretched out to the horizon. In the far West, he could faintly discern a desert, while to the North-East, the forest's center was shrouded in a massive fog bank.
"Why can't we visit the Demon Kingdom, Mother?" Jorael inquired innocently during their flight.
"We're no longer welcome there, sweetie, and it's best if we stay away…" Joanna replied, holding him closer.
"And what about the fog?" Jorael asked, persisting with his questions.
"That's a place no one should ever venture into," Joanna responded, her eyes reflecting melancholy.
Looking up, Jorael discovered sights obscured by the canopy of trees enveloping their house:
A crimson star casting its radiant beams, warming the world.
An azure sky punctuated by fluffy white clouds.
A gargantuan blue sphere suspended in the heavens.
"W-what's that, Mom?" Jorael gasped in awe.
"Oh, that… that's our moon. Beautiful, isn't it?" His mother asked, as her son gawked at the sight, speechless.
"Mom, this is the greatest gift you could have given me!" Jorael finally expressed.
"And you, sweetie, are the greatest gift I could have ever wished for!" Joanna replied, her smile reflecting sheer joy.
Reuniting with Roland on the ground, Joanna and Jorael were in fits of laughter, infectious enough to spread to Roland.
"Did you enjoy your adventure, my boy? Brace yourself… tomorrow's lesson is about reading!"
