Really friends?

"M-Mom?" Raven mumbled, her voice barely audible as she stared in disbelief at the woman standing before her.

"Y-Yes, Raven… It's me," the orange-haired woman replied with a slight, trembling nod, her expression a mixture of hope and fear.

"I-Is it… really you?" Raven's voice cracked, and her legs wobbled as though her mind was struggling to accept what her eyes were seeing.

The woman nodded again, her voice breaking with emotion. "It's really me, Raven… I'm here." She opened her arms wide, and in an instant, Raven stumbled forward, falling into her mother's embrace.

Thalia watched them, her gaze softening. Sensing the depth of the reunion, she turned to leave, giving them a moment alone.

Aether, too, observed the scene with a faint smile. He could see the stoic woman who'd kept her emotions locked away finally surrendering to them, allowing herself to feel.