3 Return
'I really have returned,' Arthur said inwardly as he gazed at a mirror.
His crimson eyes contained a hint of immaturity, although his wisdom was that of a man in his forties. Arthur was forty-two at the time of his death, which meant he'd climbed Heaven's Spire for twenty-four years.
He was currently eighteen.
Arthur stroked his chin, which was now bare of any facial hair. He didn't remember whether he shaved it or whether he never possessed a beard before entering the tower. It was something that had slipped from his memory long ago since its significance was extremely low.
Unlike his muscular build, he now had a slim, almost malnourished body. His ribs were visible, while his arms had the width of a cucumber.
His hair was dark and disheveled. They came down to his neck, and seemed to have been deprived of moisture for weeks. In fact, Arthur felt dirty as he gazed at himself through a mirror. How long had it been since he showered?
He didn't remember, as that of a memory of a distant past. But he needed to wash himself.
He quickly smelled himself before gagging in regret. Then, he stripped before entering the shower. However, as he turned the tap, water didn't emerge.
A puff of air emerged from the tap, and that was it. Did his family not have access to water? How could that be possible? Although it was Arthur's life, he was practically unbeknownst to his lifestyle twenty-four years ago.
'No wonder I used to work so much,' Arthur sighed, wondering how his family had survived in such harsh conditions. Well, so had he in the past, but he couldn't revert to a minimalistic lifestyle.
Twenty-four years were enough for him to find comfort in a luxurious lifestyle. After meeting his family after over two decades, he wished for them to enjoy the same luxury. Only then would he depart for Heaven's Spire.
Once he fulfilled his duty as a son, he would depart to fulfill his own duty.
Vengeance and power.
He was no longer interested in the wish that lay on the 100th floor. It was meaningless if he couldn't satisfy his family and his own heart. It would remain as the last of his priorities. What he wished for most was to snatch the smirk off the faces of the Demons and Angels.
'I will return,' said Arthur to himself. 'The Lord of Sins will kill all of you.'
It was a promise he made to himself. The future, present and past version of himself. He would kill them all.
But for now, he needed to set up a decent lifestyle for his family, as that was most important.
'I'll take a bath in the lake later,' he clicked his tongue. Although he smelled awful, it was the least of his concerns for now. Once he revealed his wish to climb the Heaven's Spire, Jeremy had scurried away.
His mother, Anna, had almost fainted, while Magnus's eyes had widened.
'It feels weird to address them as mother and father,' admitted Arthur with a bashful expression. It was pitiful that the King of the Tower had ended up in such a situation. He'd regressed… metaphorically and physically.
Putting his clothes back on, Arthur opened the door to the bathroom.
"Arthur, get here!" a feminine voice entered his ears. Although it sounded melodious, it was the call of a demon. A voracious demon that yearned for her son's love. A prideful demon that took care of the house.
His father worked, but he wasn't able to maintain a job for long.
His mother, on the other hand, was truly a devil.
"Yes, mother," he said in a stiff tone before hurrying to the living room. Their house was tiny, so a single voice could travel across the entirety of the home. For Arthur's mother, that was nice, since she could spy on her kids.
Although Arthur and Lily used to be exasperated in the past, they'd grown accustomed to their mother's stalking.
But the Arthur that had climbed Heaven's Spire was still uncomfortable with it. Still, it was warm… the sensation that arose in his chest every time his mother called him.
"Sit, Arthur," said Anna. Her expression contained traces of bloodlust and murderous intent. Arthur wasn't sure whether he could handle the pressure. Magnus was exhausted after arguing with her, while Lily hadn't even attempted.
Arthur's sister knew how stubborn Anna could be. She knew her tendencies.
Arthur ruffled Lily's hair before nervously sitting near the coffee table. He gulped. He didn't fear the Angels or Demons, but his mother… she was the meanest of the bunch. She was like the epitome of malevolence.
"Why do you wish to climb the tower?" asked Anna, leaning forward before resting her chin on her palm. "Why don't you consider receiving a job that pays better?"
"Dear…" said Magnus, but he stopped abruptly once he sensed Anna's death stare. "I agree with your mother, Arthur."
"Because the tower provides me with a goal," said Arthur solemnly. "Mother, you wished to know why I want to pursue climbing the tower. It's because I want to provide for this family. No offense dad, but you're getting old."
"When did you get such a sharp tongue?" Magnus asked, narrowing his eyes. Lily giggled, and even Anna let out a few chuckles.
"I wish to climb the tower, and when I return, we shall all live in prosperity," explained Arthur, refusing to diffuse the solemn atmosphere. The entire room turned silent, and gazes pierced Arthur's eyes.
"But… but…" Anna wanted to refute, but couldn't find the words to do so. She broke down. Her only son was proposing something so dangerous… so risky… she couldn't bear it. What if something happened to him?
Magnus wrapped her in an embrace, and so did Lily. Arthur approached her before embracing his entire family.
An unusual warmth arose in his cold, empty chest. He wanted to hold on and never let go.
This was his family.
