10 An Unexpected Development

Liana contemplated on how she should call the person in front of her. On one hand, she was her mother yet they had not seen each other for years. Her face had gone blurry and vague until now. It didn't feel right to call her such. On the other hand, she was the Matriarch of the clan but to call her as such seemed too cold and distant.

"Come closer," Eva said.

Liana approached her cautiously.

"Stop," Eva said when there were several steps left between them. "There are many things that I wished to tell but time is not on our side." She raised her hands and showed Liana the mysterious golden marks covering them.

"This is…" Liana said.

"An infection. I was careless and underestimated the enemy. I had not considered such a creature can exist. Slowly it is encroaching my energy, trying to take control."

"Is there a cure?"

"Not one that we can find in such a short time. That is why I have to inform you that you have to take this seat faster than expected."

Liana's eyes rounded. "It can't be that bad. Mother, you have just taken this position a decade ago. You can't- What's going to happen to you?"

Ava smiled. "Fret not. Though this body will be gone, my remnant shall remain within the core. I can assist you whenever you need it. The Esteemed Elder shall also guide you so you will never go astray."

"But I still…" Liana's heart was like a stormy sea. This was too soon. She was too young. There should at least be several decades before she had to become the next Matriarch.

Ava sighed. "It is my error that has caused you such grief, I had hoped to bear this burden for a long time. Yet the world often does not agree with our plan. All of us have our own responsibility to shoulder." She raised her hand once more wanting to comfort Liana but pulled it back. "You should not be too close to me. We cannot afford you to also get infected. Rest well and we shall talk more tomorrow."

Liana returned to her room blankly. When Brianna, who was waiting for her, saw her listless expression she enveloped her in a firm hug. "You'll be alright."

Liana burrowed her head in her warm embrace. She had always known her duty as the heir. Yet she only wanted to hide after knowing what would happen. To be the Matriarch was to shoulder the memories and aspirations of her predecessors. The moment she took the seat her life would never be her own. Would she still be herself after the ceremony?

Brianna herded Liana back to her room. Liana pressed her face to her bed, weary and fatigued. She had a dreamless sleep until someone called for her.

"Liana!" Nea jumped on her bed and hug her. "You're alright."

"Uh?" Liana squinted her eyes, still at the edge of sleep.

"It took me a long time to make them let them in. I even said that I knew what happened to Davyn but they still made me wait! Did you see that beast? Davyn turned into that thing! He was in my mother's room rambling about some weird stuff and then suddenly there was a flash of light and the monster appeared."

"Davyn turned into a monster?" Liana sat up.

"Yeah, I'm not sure how that happened either."

"I'm not very clear either. Davyn just knocked me out to access the vault. Do you think we should visit White?"

Nea shook her head. "The security has tightened considerably. We won't be able to get there without being noticed."

Liana said, "Perhaps it is time to tell Brianna about it."

"Tell me what?" Brianna asked as she opened the door.

"Were you eavesdropping?" Nea glared.

"Someone needs to keep an eye on you, kid. So what's this thing you are talking about?"

Liana told Brianna about their meeting with White with Nea butting in once in a while.

"So it actually exists," Brianna said. "I've been there a few times and all of those artifacts were as silent as a grave."

"Can we go there or not?" Nea asked.

"Such thing should be handled by the Elders but since the situation is still rather hectic I can be the one supervising instead."