Purified Souls Ch.14 Acceptance....

Marisa thought, Last chapter, me and Estelle both fell underground, being split up. I don't know where she is, but I don't understand.... What's wrong with Estelle?

Mirror Estelle said, ''Don't lie. I know you were worried about Estelle, while she was unconscious.'' Marisa said shouting, ''I wasn't! I don't know....what you're talking about!''

Mirror Estelle said, ''I know your lying to her. Admit it. Deep in your heart, you're already connected to Estelle.''

Marisa thought, I was so conflicted in that moment. I didn't understand what was happening. I refused to look that Estelle in the eyes. I started tearing up.

I didn't know what to say to her. I didn't care about her feelings. Why would I care if she never woke up?

Mirror Estelle said with anger, ''Your no friend of mine.'' Marisa thought, When she said that, ....I felt something strange..in my heart. What did I just feel? . . . .I remembered. 'She's a friend of mine. You can stay with me. Come on Marisa.'

I remembered what Estelle said to me. How she's treated me all this time. Why did I cry for her that time? When I saw her waking up...., I just felt....like I wasn't empty..inside..for once....

Mirror Estelle asked, ''What's wrong? Huh?''

Marisa shouted with tears, ''Fine! ....I admit it! I cared for Estelle! I did....worry for her! During the 3 days, you were out.... I..thought.... (Sniff) I thought..you....would never wake up! I felt so strange! Not knowing if you were ever gonna..wake up....

....When I saw you....waking up, . . . .something in myself...just broke....''

Mirror Estelle asked, ''Hu..? Wha?''

Marisa shouted looking Mirror Estelle in the eyes, ''Estelle....is my friend! ....I didn't realize it, ....but she cares about me!''

Marisa thought, In that instance.... I realized something. Hmm.... Let's see.

A shrine maiden outfit with red pants, and a belt. Rose brown lace-up knee-high boots. Mint-green neck-length hair with a braid from her ear to around the back of her neck. That sickening smile, and a..ribbon..on the top of her..head?

Marisa said realizing, ''Wait.... Your not her! She always had those red bobbles on her braid, ..not a ribbon! Your..not Estelle!''

Mirror Estelle started gasping, ''Ahh!! Gah!''

Marisa thought, When I shouted that, she had a look like she was in absolute shock, than that mirror started slowly cracking. Right after it cracked, all I saw was pure black....

Marisa asked quietly, ''Where....am....I? What..did....I do?''

Strange soothing voice of a female, ''Don't worry. You will be fine. Child, you passed a trial of the heart.''

Marisa asked, ''Who..are..you? I can't..see anything....?''

Strangely soothing female said, ''You've been through a lot. Be patient and rest, demon child....''

Marisa asked fainting, ''Wha....? (Faints)''

Strangely soothing female said with a smile, ''She needs rest. Now, how's the other child doing?''

Estelle asked in shock, ''That voice.... In the mirror....''

Motherly voice said with a chuckle, ''It's been a while, my dear.''

Estelle thought, I couldn't believe it.... In that mirror appeared my mother. The mother which I loved so much.

She had shoulder-length Mint-green similar to mine. She had horns which I never saw before on her head. She still had that same caring expression.

She was still wearing that mint colored 2-layered dress which she always loved, with black lace-up knee-high boots like I wear as well.

She appeared in her full Yokai form, which I only saw in the dark that night she died with my father....

Estelle asked in shock, ''Mother? Why....are you..here?'' Yumemi said with a smile, ''I wanted to tell you something, but my spirit energy was never enough to reach you....''

Estelle asked, ''Tell....me..something?'' Yumemi said, ''First of all, did you know that my husband has been watching you since he died?''

Estelle asked in shock, ''What? . .You mean, father's actually watching over me?''

Yumemi said, ''He refused to leave your side even in death. (Sigh) But that's why I love him.... (Chuckle)'' Estelle said collecting her thought, ''If he is, I don't mind.... He's always been that way....''

Yumemi said, ''I also wish to apologize for never telling you of my true origins. I saw the other night when my abilities manifested in you and you almost stopped Rintarou.

(Sigh) It's terrible, but your body and spirit weren't ready for it yet.... That's why you fainted.'' Estelle said with a accepting smile, ''I don't blame you for not telling me the truth.... I am sure you had your motherly reasons.''

Yumemi had a small gasp.

Estelle said, ''You always knew what was best for me. I knew that....''

Yumemi said, ''Thanks.... I'm glad you understand. I must also tell you that, you must never blame yourself again for our deaths that night.

It was fate's choice. You couldn't have helped us at that time. You must learn to not go down the path of revenge.''

Estelle asked with frustration, ''But.... He took you from my life, and he doesn't even regret it.... How can I not get revenge? That man is pure evil!''

Yumemi said with conviction, ''I know.. But if you go down that road, you'll be left with emptiness and darkness.... Once you get revenge, you'll have nothing left. Don't let anger and grief overtake you! Your better than that!''

Estelle said with tears, ''But....!'' Yumemi said being adamant, ''Don't go down that road! Stop Rintarou's plans without revenge in your heart. Do it for the happiness of everybody involved.''

Estelle shouted with anger, ''How can I move forward without my revenge!?''

Yumemi said with clarity, ''Do..you..think..that will make your mother happy? Do..you think your father wants that either?''

Estelle shouted starting to cry, ''How can I move forward, knowing I'll never have you both in my life, watching over me?!?!''

Yumemi reached out of the mirror and hugged her.

Estelle thought, She hugged me with so much care and love. Even though she's a spirit, I could feel it....

Yumemi said with love, ''Calm down, my daughter. Relax. You know that new friend of yours?'' Estelle asked calming down, ''Marisa?''

Yumemi said going back to the mirror, ''You both need to care and protect each-other. Now that we are not around to care for you, you two need to rely on your friendship. She won't admit it, but I know that Marisa girl cares for you....''

Estelle asked, ''She does? I..can never read her....'' Yumemi said with a smile, ''From now on, whenever you feel like your losing your way, think of my words to you. Think 'What would your mother want?'

''I can't be here all the time to guide you. You can rely on the other villagers as well.''

Estelle said while smiling and crying, ''Al..right. I will stop thinking about revenge. (Sniff) Thank you mother....''

Yumemi said, ''To grow stronger, train to use the powers you inherited from me. You need to be strong in both body and mind. Think about what true strength really means.''

Estelle said while feeling better, ''Okay.... I will.'' Yumemi said, ''I loved my husband deeply, and I loved my daughter more then anything. I wish I could've got to know your new friend as well. But I don't have that chance.''

Estelle said smiling, ''I know. I will take care of Marisa.''

Yumemi said smiling, ''I have to go now. Remember, your father and mother love you and are always trying their best to watch over you. Take care....my lovely Estelle. Farewell....''

Estelle thought, My mother disappeared from the crystal. I took her words and accepted them. I feel so much better.... Farewell Mother....

Strangely soothing female said with a laugh, ''Great job, child of god. You passed your trial. Move forth now....''

Narrator Nicholas said, ''With that. My daughter and her friend were able to move forward now. They both woke up in a strange room next to each other. They both had tears as they were waking up.''

Estelle asked with surprise, ''Marisa?! . .Why are you crying?''

Marisa shouted with happiness, ''Estelle?!''

Estelle thought, In that moment, when Marisa saw me, she hugged me with tears.

Marisa shouted, ''I-I missed you! I....I didn't know what to do....without you!'' Estelle asked confused, ''Marisa? You..actually....hugged me? Were you....worried about..me?''

Marisa said while crying, ''I-was! I admit it!'' Estelle thought, Not knowing how to react. I hugged her back. I could feel her body trembling.

Estelle asked, ''Where are we?'' Marisa said with her tears stopping, ''I....don't know.... This room....has..a weird design....'' Estelle said looking around, ''This room seems to be a combination of manmade and a cave.''

Marisa asked, ''Wait. Do I hear water?'' Estelle thought, I started analyzing and listening closely. I noticed that south to the wall, their was a carved out way to outside.

When I went to the tunnel, I saw the outside light. I could also hear the water stream.

Estelle said with a deep breath, ''We're outside! Apparently, we must be still in the forest.'' Marisa was taking in her surroundings.

Marisa thought, Suddenly after I started thinking, Estelle looked at me with the purest smile I've ever seen from her. It wasn't fake or annoying.

Estelle said with her smile, ''Let's go home-Marisa!! (Laughs)''

Marisa said amazed, ''Okay.''

Estelle said to us, ''See you next time!''