Chapter 3: Meeting with Mom

The prison corridor echoed with the clamor of guards, their tense expressions revealing the weight of the situation. The oracle, a figure of authority in their family, had met an untimely demise during her short confinement. The consequences were severe for the guards, as even a natural death brought the looming threat of execution.

As the guards carefully lifted the oracle's lifeless body, Xaide found himself in a complex emotional web. The promise of his awakening awaited, yet the death of an innocent hung heavy on his conscience. The Oracle's demise was a direct result of the circumstances set in motion by his actions, and for the first time, Xaide grappled with the profound sorrow that accompanied taking a life.

Seeking refuge in the familiarity of martial arts, Xaide immersed himself in a disciplined world where each movement carried the weight of conflicting emotions. The graceful dance of his punches and kicks mirrored the ebb and flow of his inner turmoil. The solitude of his training became a haven, a temporary escape from the consequences that unfolded outside the prison walls.

After hours of intense practice, a peculiar shift occurred within Xaide. His body moved with a level of precision and fluidity that transcended the ordinary. In a near-trance state, he tapped into a reservoir of untapped potential, a manifestation of the awakening that had eluded him for so long.

Prison life, despite its harsh realities, had moments of camaraderie that Xaide cherished. Laughter and jokes were shared among fellow inmates, and as the three-day confinement came to an end, Xaide emerged with a sense of liberation. "What a splendid day to revel in freedom," he declared, determined to leave the shadows of the prison behind.

However, returning home revealed an unexpected intrusion. The door slightly ajar hinted at an unwelcome visitor. Xaide, cautiously entering, was met by an enigmatic woman in a striking red and white dress. She claimed to be his mother, but her presence hinted at a complexity that went beyond familial ties.

The conversation between Xaide and his mother unfolded with the weight of unresolved conflicts. Xaide argued against the corruption within the family, his desire to break free from the shackles of oppression evident. His mother, however, remained resolute, urging him to abandon his excuses.

As the tension escalated, Xaide's resolve solidified. "I swear I will sit in the family council one day, Mom," he declared, refusing to be defeated by the oppressive circumstances. His mother, with sad eyes and a single word, bid him farewell. The door closed, leaving Xaide alone in a room filled with the echoes of unspoken regrets.

The events of the past days had woven a tapestry of conflicting emotions, and as Xaide stood in the silence of his home, he grappled with the consequences of his actions, the weight of the oracle's death, and the unresolved conflicts within his family. The journey ahead, veiled in uncertainty, beckoned him to confront the shadows of his past and discover the path that would lead him to his awakening.