I peeled my eyes open and was greeted by shimmering gold dust hanging in a purple hue sky, two moons-full moon and crescent moon-were waving at its stunning perfection. My body felt feverish at the sight of the surroundings, surrounded by delicate deep purple small shrubs gently dancing along with the breeze.
“Is this the… celestial realm?” I could feel my head pounding, almost at fault for the harsh impact of the fall, feeling like I jumped from the cliff. The distinctive scent of delicate, floral, and sweet lavender flowers caressed my whole being, raising me to the spectral of rainbows in my way. “Mother…?”
I stood up, having this instinct of bringing myself to the celestial palace, a sight to behold, embellished with different gems, glinting under the velvety rays of the sun rose to the east. Every step I took illuminated the flat stones in my pathway, fascinated at where I brought myself into.
“Mother, please help me!” My voice was loud, but neither was blazing like a fire nor wretched in a bottomless abyss. It was desperation to seek justice that was overwhelming me. “Mother, I beseech you to help me!”
The eagerness in my tone was the same pace I marched the pathway, feeling some presence. I could feel their stares piercing my direction, intensifying being vigilant. I looked up seeing the large door made of sparkling, sturdy glass.
| It has been a while, Dameta.|
I gasped when I felt a beguiling presence behind me with divine voice.
There, I saw Her again.
A humanlike figure was radiating an auspicious aura. Her silver wavy hair was stoutly sewn by a prominent seamstress, oscillating from the evening breeze. Her formidable stance screamed divinity, and her bewitching, altruistic face engulfed with an intimidating light, looking like a stellar remnant coruscating.
“Mother…” I was breathless, like breathing fresh air, feeling my chest tighten. “Is that you?”
Her smile was as gentle as the winter sun, opening Her arms. | Indeed. You have finally found your way-|
I embraced Her, not letting Her finish Her words. “Mother…” My lungs burned at the contact of our skin. “I have come here to know if Valerian is alright.” I tightened my hold as tears glistened in my eyes. “Help me to halt this dilemma I am facing right now. Your grandson-my son from another timeline-is going to usurp the throne and Papa agreed to soil our family name! I beseech you… Help me to return to that day before that happened…”
I wailed like a child who got lost in the sea of crowds, seeking comfort and attention. Right, I was literally lost in the woods, couldn’t find where I truly belonged.
“Mother, please…” I looked up at her, seeing Her calm composure. She was as motionless as the lake and as bright as the sunrise.
Her hand reached my cheek, imploring warmth and comfort. | Only you, as the Goddess of Time, can do this. This is your challenge, your mission to handle the hardships.|
“What…?” I looked at Her in disbelief. “So, you mean you will not help me at all?”
| It is not like I cannot help you, my dear. The solution to this problem is you-|
“Then, at least tell me that Valerian is still alive, Mother!” I held Her shoulders. “Please… At least tell me… I am going to kill myself if I happen to learn that Valerian is dead for real.” My heart, which was shattered already, was grained into dust, feeling my body about to be on the death bed. “Please… You know that I have suffered enough. You know what the other Dominixe did, interfering with another timeline. If Valerian is dead, then I shall do the same! But this time, I will kill the other self there and exchange myself to be with him. I would do anything to save him again and again! Please!”
My voice was meek, almost whispering, as the soft wind made my knees wobbly, and I fell to the ground.
I could understand the other Dominixe now. I wanted to be in the moment where I wanted to keep turning back the time until I reached a conclusion where I could finally save my Valerian.
| Dameta…|
“If you are going to tell that he is not alive anymore, then forget it! I am willing to sacrifice everything!” My heart which was as heavy as the rock, bestowed so much pain that I could even feel my ribs cracking any second now.
I thought that She would fall into silence, but She chuckled, enough for me to feel insulted as I looked up at Her.
“What is so funny?” I felt offended as I stood up. “Is this how you care about your daughters, huh, Mother? Is this how you show concern for your daughter grieving silently and wanting to save her mate?” I asked, grasping my skirt, wanting to rip it apart.
She tilted Her head as if scrutinizing me before Her eyes nestled behind me. | Perhaps, we can check him through the mirror lake.|
“Mirror, what?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
| Mirror lake, my dear.| She gestured Her hand.
I followed where She was going to take me, but I flinched when we were not already on the illuminated path, but we were in the middle of the lake glistening with reflections of the galaxy sky and the lavender field floating on top of it. I could even see my reflection registering, gleaming at the glass coated with a reflective metal.
| Wave your hand, Dameta.|
“Huh?” I was dumbfounded when I looked at my mother. When She nodded, I found myself waving my hand atop the water.
My heart skipped a beat when the water rippled, gradually revealing a sight for sore eyes, especially when I found Valerian sitting at the side of the bed while he was facing Henry, Claude, and Rachelle, having imperturbable fortitude as a mountain.
His chartreuse orbs, which I always adored, flamed in rage and vexation. How he was clenching his large hands, which always held me dearly and gently as if I was a delicate item that he needed to treasure and be kept carefully, were grasping the sheets with grimness, enough to tear it apart.
“I did not want to worry Dominixe anymore… Allow me to let her know about my whereabouts. She might think that I die again.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, hearing that defiant tone from my Valerian. “Val… You are alive…” My voice whispered those words, feeling my heart hammering inside my chest. “I thought that he was dead as Papa proclaimed…” I muttered before looking up at Mother, who was not saying anything.
She caressed my head, softening Her features with a sweet smile that could melt my heart. | He is…| She seemed like She wanted to add more, but She halted Herself, which led me to squint my eyes at Her.
“Not now, Valerian.” It was Rachelle, shaking her head, disagreeing about Valerian’s plan. “You are putting my sister in danger. For now, let us not announce that you have healed.” She stroked her chin, imploring more curiosity in her expression. “We must expect the worse since Demetrius had the advantage of knowing the future while we remained clueless.”
“Why can’t we ask Mother about this, Ray?” Claude asked, caressing her shoulders up and down. “I thought this is the time we should communicate with Her.”
“Indeed.” Henry heaved a sigh, keeping tapping his foot on the floor. “We will be at an advantage if we know what will happen next. We cannot lose Valerian like what happened a week ago. Dominixe is going to kill me for certain.”
“W-What did he mean by that?” I couldn’t help looking at Mother again. “Did Valerian almost die?” I parroted, feeling my hands sweating profusely.
“I am so sorry, but Mother wouldn’t let me know what happens next. She only told me to warn Dominixe about Demetrius, but I have no idea what would happen next. Actually, if Dominixe happens to manifest her abilities well, it shall be our advantage.”
My shoulders slumped hearing how Rachelle sounded disappointed. “Mother… Why cannot I manifest it properly?” I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at their images in the rippling water.
I knelt, feeling like a candle that had lost its fire.
“Ragriel is right. If only I could do it…” I looked into my hands, seeing crimson blood coated in them. “I could have avoided Valerian, who seemed like he faced another death again…” I did not know what happened to Valerian, but I had to let it go, succumbing to questioning why I felt useless and… powerless.
A soft, pleasant hand draped over my shoulder blade, feeling Her presence by having beside me. | You can. You are not useless and powerless, Dameta. You have been able to turn back time so many times, even without encantation. That also meant that you can develop your abilities well even without it.|
Her mellow voice was like a skylark that sang first thing in the morning. It was melodious that participated in the gentle breeze. I could almost listen to Her all day if She allowed me to.
Mother giggled softly. | You think so highly of me, Dameta.|
I gasped, feeling the blood rise to my face. “Y-You can read my mind?” I almost shrieked from embarrassment when Mother nodded.
She nodded. | Whatever you think, I can catch up with them, my beloved daughter.| I fluttered my eyelids when She tapped my nose.
I was astonished at what I had just learned at this moment. I couldn’t believe that She could read my mind. I was thinking ill of Her earlier. Would She be able to forgive me?
I blinked again when Mother tapped my nose again as She cackled. | Of course, Dameta. I know you only care about your mate’s welfare. It is only natural that you both care for each other.| Her expression softened. | I am glad you finally found a mate who can love you for who you are… It is a shame that Harchier is not treating you as well as your other half-siblings…| I could hear the bitterness in Her tone, judging that She somehow regretted that Papa became one of Her mates. | Anyhow, shall we get down to business?|
“Business?” I slightly tilted my head while my eyes fixated on her fair skin tone bathed with cow’s milk before settling at Her hand, offering in my direction. Dumbfounded, I accepted Her hand, helping me to stand up. “Mother…?”
Just by calling Her made me return to my days when I kept looking and calling for Her. But Papa said that Mother did not ever exist, exuding a resentful tone. He talked as if Mother was a taboo subject that I must not bring up any time or anywhere.
I jumped to my feet since I knew Mother had read my mind based on how She smiled melancholy for me before nipping my chin to make me look up at Her more.
| I know that you thought that I had abandoned you, Dameta. But I did not.| I clenched my hands, a sting in the corner of my eye was discharging. | I want you to know that I have been watching over you since I bestowed you to Harchier to fulfill your mission as one of the spirit goddesses. You are free to hate me, my sweetheart Dameta. I want to apologize if you think that I wouldn’t be able to show myself. I am not going to justify that. But I have longed for you… all of your sisters. I have longed for all of you.|
I bit my lower lip. “But all of what happened, you will stay by my side even if I make mistakes?”
| I shall condone you as long as it seems fit. However, if you are interrupting the balance of this world, you are also risking the existence of mankind and the spirit goddesses.| She lowered Her head to kiss me on my forehead. | Please remember that Mother loves you, Dameta. Remember that.| She used Her knuckles to wipe the tear from my eye.
It felt like I finally found the closure that I was looking for. But it was not enough. I wanted Her to make up for the lost times She was not with me.
| Fret not. I am going to do that.| I felt overwhelmed now that She was holding my hand. | For now, shall we focus on settling the things in the mundane realm?| She gently gripped my hands. | You know what you need to do, Dameta. Do it now before it is too late.|
Even though She was not instructing me on what I needed to do, I think I now knew what She meant. She was looking at me as if going to return to the day before the disaster would be much help but must be settled at once.
Nodding, I pulled up a big smile, knowing what to do.
“I, Dameta, am the seventh daughter of the Moon Goddess and the Goddess of Time, who shall return to the day before the day Demetrius betrayed us.”