A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1000: Are You Joining Us

Archer studied the two men before asking, ”Do you have a payment terminal?”

The first debt collector nodded and retrieved a sleek machine from his briefcase. After entering the total amount owed, he handed the device to him. Archer tapped his phone against the terminal, fully settling the debts, including interest and a generous tip for the collectors. ”I added a tip for the two of you,” he revealed to them.

A receipt was printed, and the collector extended his hand with a warm smile. ”Thank you for taking care of that so promptly,” he said. ”We appreciate customers who handle things efficiently.”

He nodded as the men left in a car parked nearby. Once they were gone, he glanced around and saw a path to the back of the house. Archer walked around and arrived in a beautiful lush garden that ended at a golden beach. ”This reminds me of momʼs type of gardening.ʼ

As Archer stepped onto the pathway, his gaze fell upon a young woman sunbathing with headphones on. He came to a sudden stop, his eyes widening in recognition. ʼEllie,ʼ he thought, astonished.

She lay in a striking blue bikini that accentuated her slender, athletic figure and highlighted her long, shapely legs. Her chocolate-brown hair cascaded around her, and the bikini top perfectly showcased her perky physique.

Archer couldnʼt help but think, ʼWow, sheʼs absolutely stunning.”ʼ

Suddenly, Ellie sat up, her striking brown eyes widening in astonishment as they locked onto Archer. A smile spread across his face at her reaction, but she was already leaping towards him before he could say anything.

Ellie launched herself at him with energy, and Archer instinctively opened his arms. She wrapped her arms and legs around him in an exuberant hug, her voice bubbling with joy as she exclaimed, ”Baby brother! Youʼre finally home!”

She nestled her face into his neck, and Archerʼs smile grew even wider, touched by her warmth and affection. He stroked her silky hair as he always did when they were small children.

While Archer did that, Ellie spoke quietly, ”I know itʼs your soul thatʼs connected to us, but are you no longer my little brother?” ”We can pretend to be siblings, but the truth is Iʼm someone new,” he responded before holding her up by her tight behind.

Ellie yelped, causing her to look into his eyes as she got down. ”You shouldnʼt touch me like that, Arch. Itʼs weird.”

Archer held his hands in innocence before smiling, saying, ”Itʼs good to see you, big sister. Iʼve missed all of you.” ”Me too, baby brother,” she smiled. ”Would you like a sandwich or something?”

He shook his head while taking out a BBQ Bacon Burger, which shocked Ellie, who asked for one. Archer handed her one while the two sat down and watched the waves lapping against the sandy shores. ”How long have you been back?” Ellie questioned after swallowing a mouthful of the burger he gave her.

Archer chuckled at her actions before explaining, ”I got here yesterday, but If Iʼm honest, I was nervous when thinking about seeing you and Mom.”

She nodded in understanding while putting her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture, which made him smile. The two continued sitting there. Ellie wrapped a blanket around herself, and the breeze brushed against them.

Time flew by as they caught up with everything until a glass smashing caught their attention. Archer turned around only to his mother, Michelle, who was staring at him with wide blue eyes and shaking hands.

He smiled warmly at the sight of her and stood up, his charm effortlessly shining through as he said, ”Hello, Mom. Youʼre as beautiful as ever.”

As the words left his lips, a strange thought crept into his mind, catching him off guard. ʼWhy am I feeling this way? It was never like this before.ʼ

His gaze lingered on her, trying to make sense of the unexpected pull. Michelleʼs chocolate- brown hair cascaded softly to her shoulders, framing her striking blue eyes. Archer couldnʼt help but notice the fullness of her figure.

Her curves seemed impossible to ignore, drawing a surge of confusion and something deeper he didnʼt want to acknowledge. The mature womanʼs cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, but the woman beside her couldnʼt help but chuckle.

With a teasing tone and an American accent, she said with glowing light blue eyes, ”Shell, I didnʼt realize you were into such lewd play. But whoʼs this handsome gentleman flirting with little Ellie?”

Archer was about to speak, but his mother rushed toward him before wrapping him in a big hug. In a voice full of love, the older woman said, ”My baby has returned. I know Tiamat wasnʼt lying.”

He chuckled before returning the gesture and asking her about the dragon goddess. Before Michelle answered, she dragged everyone inside, and when she looked at her friend, she voiced, ”Are you joining us, Stacey?”

The blonde-haired woman nodded with a smile before the group entered the house, only for his motherʼs phone to go off. Michelle picked it up only to yelp as Stacey rushed over to her and questioned in a concerned tone, ”Is everything okay, Shell?”

Michelle handed her the phone, only to look at Archer with sparkling brown eyes. With a confused expression, she commented, ”Why would a stranger pay off your debts?”

He stepped forward and held out his hand, introducing himself with a charming smile, ”Iʼm Archer Wyldheart.”

Staceyʼs cheeks went red, but she managed to squeak out while taking his hand, ”Itʼs nice to meet you, handsome.”

Michelle shook her head with a smile and asked him, as her blue eyes sparkled with many emotions that he didnʼt miss, ”Would you like some tea, darling?”

Archer nodded warmly, and she hurried off to the kitchen. As Ellie began heading upstairs, he couldnʼt help but notice how her perky behind moved, a surge of unwanted thoughts creeping into his mind.

He quickly shook his head, forcing himself to focus on anything else. Taking a deep breath, Archer went to the living room and sat down, only to have Stacey settle beside him on the couch. ”So, who are you? Their cousin or long lost son?” she said with a grin.

When Archer heard this, he laughed before leaning in and whispering into her ear, ”A long lost son who is here to find older women like yourself to join my harem.”

After teasing the blonde Michelle soon returned. His mother gave him a cup of warm tea, which he remembered from his childhood. Following that, the three of them started talking about life.

Archer told Stacey everything that she didnʼt believe, but when he cast Mana Manipulation, he created a scene that showed snippets of his life, which shocked the older woman who looked at him with sad eyes.

He smiled at her reaction before drinking some tea while speaking, ”Well if I hadnʼt lived that kind of life, I would have never been here.”ʼ

Thatʼs when Michelle spoke in an emotional tone,” Stace, can you give us some time, please?

I want to talk to my boy alone.”

The blonde nodded in understanding before standing up but looking at Archer, ”Can I have your phone for a second, please?” ”Here,” he replied while giving her his phone.

Stacey entered her number before handing it back with a grin, ”Text me when you get some time, love. I would love to get to know you more.”

Archer agreed with a nod before she turned to Michelle and spoke in a teasing tone, ”Mother- in-law. Will you pamper me?”

Michille bristled as she glanced at him and warned, ”You cannot have my best friend, you lewd son! She is seeing someone.” ”ʼNo, Iʼm not!” Stacey declared while looking into his eyes. ”I just ended it with him and decided to chase after you, son.” ”Shut up, you tart! Youʼre not having my son,” Michelle shouted as she chased her out of the house.

The blonde turned to him before the door slammed shut, ”Text me!”

Archer chuckled as his mom sighed. She spun on him, causing her chest to jiggle, which caught his gaze. Michelle huffed, ”Stop looking at me like that boy! Iʼm your mother, and you wonʼt look at me with such passionate eyes!” she declared.

He stood up and approached his nervous mother, but she quickly backed off, and Archer pinned her against the front door. The two were face to face as he gave her a grin before leaning in and whispering, ”Donʼt deny the attraction, Michelle; weʼre not related, so you can let me pamper you for the night.”

His mother pushed him away before straightening out her jacket, ”None of this; we can discuss it at another time.” ”Okay,” Archer replied while sitting down and speaking, ”I paid off your debts when I saw the two men at your front door.”

Michelle beamed as she quickly thanked him, ”You didnʼt have to love but thank you for that, it helps out a lot.”

He waved her away before finishing his tea as rain started hitting the windows, causing him to relax on the soft sofa. [Drop some powerstones, comments, and gifts to help the novel grow; I appreciate all the support you can give]