Revelations and Confrontation... {Part 3}

notes at the end*

[MC POV]

...

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor as the day began to wane. In the fading light, Guerra, Shouri, and Uria stood before me, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and apprehension.

"Now... where shall we begin?~" I asked, my voice gentle yet filled with determination. I knew that there was much to be done to mend the rift that had formed between us, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to rebuild our relationship as mother and daughter.

...

My mind wandered as I pondered Muerte's case. A sense of concern tugged at the edges of my consciousness. Unlike her sisters, who believed wholeheartedly in my existence and devoted themselves to honoring me, Muerte remained steadfast in her denial, dismissing their beliefs as mere fantasies.

It troubled me to think that one of my own daughters could be so resistant to the idea of my existence, especially when her sisters' faith ran so deep. What had led her to this point of skepticism and disbelief? Had she experienced something that had shaken her faith, or was it simply a matter of stubbornness and defiance?

*Sigh~*

'Who am I kidding... I know for myself why she is like this. Rather, I am more surprised how her other sisters continued to believe that I would come back... A thousand years... I'm sure it may have been a long time for them...'

The weight of the centuries settled like a heavy cloak upon my thoughts, dragging me down into the depths of reflection. A thousand years—a vast expanse of time that stretched out before me like an endless desert, each grain of sand representing a memory, an experience, a moment lost to the annals of history.

As I pondered the passage of time, I couldn't shake the bitter taste that lingered on my maws—a bitter reminder of my own folly. What had possessed me to create sentient beings, to fashion them like puppets on a string, simply to carry out tasks I deemed too troublesome to handle myself?

While I, on the other hand, played in the astral domain, weaving the threads of fate with careless abandon, passing judgment on mortals as if I were a god. I had tampered with their fates, shaping their destinies with a flick of my wrist, oblivious to the consequences of my actions—or rather, I did not care...

I don't know when, but I had at some point fully accepted in body and mind that I was no longer human, though I still do try to retain some of my principles as my bottom line...

Yet, despite this transformation, I remained steadfast in my commitment to certain principles—principles that served as my moral compass in a world shrouded in uncertainty and chaos. I may have shed my human identity, but I refused to abandon the core values that had guided me throughout my existence.

'Also, in my defense,' I mused to myself, 'it's not like I abandoned them on purpose..., nor did I force or brainwash my brood to do my bidding...'

I nodded approvingly as I reflected on my actions. It was true—I had never coerced or manipulated my offspring into blindly following my commands. In fact, I had made it abundantly clear in my inheritance that they were free to choose their own paths in life, free to carve out their destinies without the shackles of my influence.

It was a small comfort, a feeble attempt to assuage the gnawing guilt that lingered in the recesses of my mind. But even as I tried to justify my actions, I couldn't shake the feeling of remorse that weighed heavily on my soul.

The truth was, I had failed them—I had failed to protect them, to guide them, to nurture them in the ways that a mother should. And now, as I stood on the precipice of redemption, I knew that I would do whatever it took to make amends, to right the wrongs of the past, and to ensure a better future for my brood.

With a heavy heart and a determined resolve, I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the challenges that lay ahead. The road to redemption would be long and arduous, fraught with obstacles and trials, but I was ready to face it head-on.

I may not have any idea how I should go about doing this as it's not like I have experienced being a mother in my previous world, but I should be able to manage... I hope...

...

"Hope, huh?" I muttered to myself, the words lingering as I mulled over their meaning.

Hope, faith, belief... They're like elusive wisps of smoke, swirling in the depths of my mind. Sometimes I wonder, what purpose do they serve? Are they merely constructs we've created to navigate the uncertainties of life, or do they hold a deeper truth, a hidden power that guides us through the darkness?

Hope... It's that flicker of light in the darkest of nights, a whisper that tells me to keep going when all seems lost. It's the spark of possibility, the belief that tomorrow could be better than today. Without hope, would creatures even have the strength to face the challenges that lie ahead?

Belief... It's the lens through which individuals view the world, shaping their perceptions, guiding their actions. But how much of it is based on truth, and how much on mere illusion? Do beliefs define someone, or are they defined by beliefs? And what happens when those beliefs are challenged, when the foundations upon which I've built my reality begin to crumble?

Finally..., Faith... It's a curious thing, this unwavering trust in something beyond oneself. Whether in a higher power, in destiny, or simply in the goodness of society... The concept of faith fascinates me. It's a force that has the power to mold reality, to bridge the gap between the seen and the unseen.

As I mulled over the concepts of hope, faith, and belief, a memory stirred within me—Veldanava's words echoing in the recesses of my mind. He once told me that I was a being of nothingness, invisible to mortals except for those who wielded immense power.

"A being of nothingness unseen by others... faith... a bridge between the seen and unseen..."

Reflecting on these words, a subtle shift occurred within me. The understanding of my existence had transformed over time, evolving from the shadowy figure of nothingness to a being shaped by the conviction and faith of those who sought solace in their beliefs. I had become more than just a concept whispered in the echoes of solitude; I had become a presence acknowledged by those who held steadfast in their faith.

I stood before Guerra, Shouri, and Uria, their unwavering faith and belief in my existence allowing them to see me, to perceive my presence in this world. It was a revelation that left me both perplexed and intrigued—how had I transitioned from a being of nothingness to one who could be seen and felt by those who believed in me?

'I have an inkling that it had something to do with my ultimate skill, but it doesn't matter anymore... All that matters to me is that I know how it happened and how I can deal with Muerte's situation,' I thought, putting an end to my meandering thoughts.

_____________

Ahh~ having thought acceleration sure is handy, though it may have felt like I've been taking forever in my head. It was but a mere moment in actuality.

...

Guerra, Shouri, and Uria exchanged nervous glances as they shifted uneasily in their places, their eyes betraying a mix of curiosity and apprehension. It was clear that whatever question weighing on their minds was one they had been hesitant to ask, but one that lingered in the air like a heavy fog.

"Mother," Guerra began tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper as she addressed me. "We... we were wondering... where have you been these past thousand years? Why did you disappear, only to appear now...?"

The question hung in the air, the silence that followed deafening in its intensity. The three of them watched me with bated breath, their eyes wide with anticipation as they awaited my response.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, to sift through my words. The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, a reminder of the mistakes and missteps that had led me to this moment.

"I..." I began, my voice faltering slightly as I struggled to find the right words. "I disappeared because... I lost myself. I lost sight of who I was, of what I stood for. I became consumed by my own power, by the temptation to play at being a god—to pass judgment, to tamper with the threads of fate..."

My words trailed off, the weight of my confession hanging heavy in the air. Guerra, Shouri, and Uria listened in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

I had felt no need to tell lies. They were my children, and I thought that they deserved the truth, no matter how ridiculous it must've sounded to them—to be abandoned because of perception and negligence...

Guerra, Shouri, and Uria remained silent, their expressions softening as they took in my words.

...

"We forgive you, Mother," Guerra said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "We understand that you have carried a heavy burden, that you have suffered in ways we can't even begin to imagine. But know that we have always believed in you, that we have always held hope in our hearts that you would return to us." Guerra said, her sisters nodding along with her words as they stared at me understandingly...

"..."

"Eh?- ... huh...?" I couldn't help but sound perplexed. I think they may have misunderstood my words. And here I thought of telling them honestly...

As I was about to repeat myself and correct them of their misunderstanding, Uria's voice sounded; excited, "All that matters is that you are here now!~" prompting a nod from Shouri.

I paused, taken aback by their responses. Guerra's words of forgiveness and understanding, followed by Shouri and Uria's enthusiastic agreement, left me feeling both relieved and unsettled.

As I gazed into their eyes, I noticed how they were filled with warmth and acceptance. It was a moment of realization that made me feel at peace, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had been dwelling too much on my past mistakes and regrets. At that moment, it dawned on me that the present moment was all that truly mattered. It was all about the choices I made moving forward... at least I hope so...

"..."

'Alright... that was sweet and all, but I'm not really built for such interactions and this lingering silence is getting awkward! My inner introvert is acting up, I feel drained now... I can't really tell them that though as it may come off as rude...'

As the warmth of their acceptance still lingered, I sought to shift the conversation, my mind grasping for a change of topic. Suddenly, a thought came to mind.

"Shall we head home?" I proposed, hoping to redirect our focus to a more practical matter.

...

____________

AN: Hi!~ I know I said I'd be back on Friday but I felt productive tonight so here's an extra something something to progress the drama a bit and hopefully it answered some of your questions.

I wrote this while having sinus stuff cos of allergies, so pardon the mistakes and just comment on them so I can edit it at a later time~