“F-Father…?” Demetrius coughed again with blood before slowly turning his head and meeting Valerian’s cold expression.
“Let go,” Valerian said, with his tone as cold as the first break of spring.
“Val…” I halted him while I was panting heavily. I clung more to Demetrius, feeling like my vision was gradually blurry. “Stop…”
But Valerian did not listen to me. Instead, Demetrius shouted in pain when Valerian must have probably gripped his heart.
“I am not going to hesitate to kill you, Demetrius. Do not make me say it twice.”
I slowly heaved out a sigh. The way Demetrius clung to my organs was enough to make me feel the pain.
I could handle it somehow. But if he dared to remove his hand, I must do something to stop the bleeding in my stomach by stopping the time of it. Or I could just let it since I would get to heal anyway.
But, I felt a burning sensation inside me, and I believed that Demetrius risked his fist to bathe his hand with wolfsbane. It was a high-concentration one, which was why I had come to conclude that I needed an antidote which I had in my thigh holster.
I just needed to reach it…
When Valerian got impatient, Demetrius screamed in pain when he cut his arm before shoving him to the ground. My mouth threw up some blood before my body collapsed.
“Lilith…” Valerian caught me in his arms before his hand swiftly reached for the antidote I kept in my thigh holster.
He was quick, I thought.
It was surprising that he knew what he needed to do. Perhaps, was this one of the detailed events the other Dominixe had listed, which was why Valerian knew it in advance?
That must be…
“Forgive me for my tardiness, honeydew…” Valerian looked like he wanted to punch himself.
I shook my head and held his face. “No… Do not apologize… It is not your fault. I was being careless.”
Lies.
That was not the case. Valerian knew that I was trying to talk things out with Demetrius.
But he did not say anything and just kissed my forehead.
“You are always the hindrance to my plans, Father. That is why… I really hate you, too!”
My eyes widened when Demetrius lunged in our direction. “Valerian!” When I felt my strength restored to its maximum capacity, I changed our position, causing me to feel his fist penetrate my back past through my chest, making a hole in between it.
“DOMINIXE!”
I felt tangy, metallic liquid come out of my mouth, smiling at Valerian. “I saved you…” I muttered before I gasped when I felt something pull out inside me.
I heard Demetrius’s maniacal laugh that seemed like it became a loud trumpet of death echoing in my ears. Then I saw my chest bleeding profusely with an empty heart.
A literal empty heart…
Then my body collapsed, landing on the cold, hard ground while I felt a flash of the breeze passing through me.
“How dare you, Demetrius! How dare you kill her!”
Those were the words I heard. Actually, they were unclear at first while my vision was getting blurry.
At this moment, I did not know what was happening. I wished to turn back the time. But… I did not have an ounce of strength now.
“Valerian… Demetrius…” I muttered as tears started to wet my cheeks, gradually closing my eyes.
I was greeted by pitch-black darkness after that. I thought this was my last breath, and death was already here to welcome me.
Surrounded by darkness with nothing to feel or see, I pondered. I had lost hope. I felt useless that I couldn’t find another way to make Demetrius love me as his mother again.
His abomination was so immense that the fire couldn’t be subsided. Or worst, it was futile already since it had poisoned his mind that I was a significant threat.
No. His feelings were valid. I was also like this to Papa.
Our feelings were mutual that I hated my father, and Demetrius hated me.
Perhaps, now that I was gone… Would Demetrius be happy now, Mother?
I felt warmth enveloping me before a faint light overwhelmed me, making me realize that I was facing myself through water that seemed like a mirror since my reflection was imprinted profoundly.
Only to realize I was in the celestial realm, specifically in the mirror lake.
I looked into my hands. “Is this… what it means to be dying?” I muttered. “Am I dead, Mother?” I turned my head to see that She was already here.
| You are hovering between life and death, my dear.| She waved Her hand in front of the mirror lake, causing it to ripple.
My posture straightened when I saw Valerian punching Demetrius while tears stained his handsome face.
“How can you kill your own mother, Demetrius?! Why did you have to take her away from me?!” I stiffened when I heard Valerian’s broken voice.
“Oh my…” I couldn’t help covering my mouth in shock, not believing that I had to see this. “He is going to kill Demetrius…” I reached out to them, wanting to halt them, but all I felt was the cold liquid wrapped around my hand, soaking in the lake. Sighing, I stood up, turning to my mother. “I still have the chance to be alive. You said that I had a slim chance of survival, but that survival will let me live.”
Mother did not say anything. Her gaze focused on the images moving on the water’s surface. Her floating silver hair seemed like it was floating under the water.
“Mother, I can still use my abilities even though I am already in my spirit form, correct?”
My question had made Her turn at me. | Yes.|
My heart flipped out of my ribcage, thinking She wouldn’t answer me, but I was wrong. “Then, I can use it before-”
Mother halted me by summoning Her hand. | Watch them for a while.| Then She pointed to the rippling water that showed those two men.
“Mother tormented me! Can’t I do the same?!” It was Demetrius who had been catching his breath while Valerian was starting to choke him.
“That is not the Dominixe who tormented you, bastard!” Valerian said and tightened the grip on Demetrius’ neck. “Do not ever think I shall forgive you for doing this to her!”
I flinched when I heard those words from Valerian. I quickly turned my head at Mother. “Mother, if I get to conceive Demetrius in this timeline, Valerian might think that our son would do the same thing in this timeline. Their relationship may tarnish…” I inhaled and exhaled before uttering the words. “I am going to reverse the time before that event has happened.”
| Are you certain, Dameta?|
I blinked, thinking that Mother would disagree, but She did not. “Y-Yes…” I gulped. “Are you… not going to object, Mother?”
Mother’s smile was as bright as the sun rose to the east. | One thing I have learned is not to object to my daughter’s decision. I will only object if I think it will risk mankind’s realm.| She started caressing my hair. | Be certain that this time around… You can make things right. Alright, Dameta?|
Her words filled me with surging emotions I hadn’t felt before as I hugged and thanked Her. “I shall make things right, Mother. Fret not. I shall not allow this hatred between these two people I loved even if it will cause a sacrificial lamb…” I said meaningfully.
Mother, who knew what I was trying to mean, nodded. | Go…|
I cast my ability again. I returned to the time when I opened the portal and made Papa enter the celestial realm. I decided not to enter as the time there in the celestial realm differed from the mundane realm.
I would waste an idle time. That idle time could be utilized by doing the things I must do.
I stopped the time again by using an immense amount of energy. I was panting and collapsed on my knees first.
“Shit… How many times did I regress today? I lost count…” I clutched my chest, sighing in relief since I was still in proper pieces. However, I could still feel Demetrius’ hand inside me as if he was still grasping something again.
I rested first, taking advantage of the fact that this time wasn’t moving and my surroundings. When I felt like recovering after a few minutes, I rushed to where Valerian and Henry were. I released the time for them so they could move by touching them.
“Dominixe!”
He hugged me without hesitation and bestowed me a quick kiss. I smiled and kissed him back before telling them they could finish Britanny and Caroline while I was still stopping the time.
“You look pale…” Valerian said as he cupped my cheeks. “Tell me. Have you been using your abilities so many times?” He checked every inch of my face.
“Not really,” I lied.
I would not say that the last regress was draining me since it was a fight between Valerian and Demetrius. I did not have the heart to tell him Demetrius had killed me. It pained my heart that if I were pregnant with Demetrius, Valerian might feel detached from our future son.
That was why there was no need to say those things.
“We need to go and save Ingram from Demetrius. We will talk with our son and finish him once and for all.” I turned to Henry, who was checking the pulse of my two sisters. “Henry, can you manage everything here?”
Henry stood up from kneeling on one knee. “Indeed. I shall summon my elite knights to imprison your sisters as soon as possible.”
“Great.” That was a huge relief before turning at Valerian, who was staring at me while we were going to where Demetrius and Ingram were. “What?”
“Are you certain that you are alright, Lilith?” he asked when we started sprinting, not wasting any time now.
My pulse jumped at his question. “Hmm. Why? Do I look pale again?” I hope not.
“A little…” He looked like he wanted to add something. “Anyway, what is your plan, honeydew?”
I told him what we needed to do, and he agreed.
Valerian took care of Demetrius and stole the dagger away from him before making Demetrius kneel on the ground and using the chains to tie his hands behind him.
“I’m ready.” Valerian nodded to bestow his signal.
Nodding back, I released the freezing time. Demetrius and Ingram were surprised that we were there.
“Domi…? How…?” Ingram was lost in his words while exchanging glances between Valerian and me while my honeydew held Demetrius, who kept struggling.
“Unhand me, Father! Unhand me! This is unfair!”
I ignored Demetrius, who kept shouting here and there, and focused on my younger brother. “You should escape now. Henry’s elite soldiers will apprehend the people who remain alive here. Go and tag Lambert. I will explain everything later.”
Even though Ingram looked like he wanted to feed his curiosity, he nodded and hugged me. “Please take care, sister… and…” he paused and glanced at Demetrius. “I hope you settle things with… him.”
“We will.” I watched him leave before approaching Valerian, who had already tackled Demetrius and shoved him to the ground.
“My apologies, Demetrius. I have to do this,” Valerian said, having to see the struggle written on his face.
Before I regressed, that was not the emotion I saw. It was rage at that moment.
Good. I should keep it that way.
“Demetrius…” I said softly enough for him to turn his attention to me. “Enough now. Let’s talk, please…” I pleaded and caressed his face.
I hoped that you were not going to sneak attack on me. I could accept my death from you, Demetrius, but I was not going to allow Valerian would blame himself for this.
I wished I could say those words.
Valerian pulled him to sit on the ground before we surrounded Demetrius, who flinched when he saw we were here with him. We even released him from his chains.
“W-What…?” Demetrius asked nervously, exchanging glances between Valerian and me as soon as I held his hand while Valerian held the other. “W-What is happening?”
Demetrius almost jumped to his seat when I cupped his face. “Demetrius… I know that your hatred for me is immense, and my words might not be able to reach your heart, but I want to ask for your forgiveness that I have become such a terrible mother to you.”
I might not be the one who did those horrible things to him. But I was certain that he was looking for closure.
So, I was prepared to act on my other self’s behalf. I must do this so Demetrius could find peace.
“You do not need to accept me again and forgive me. It is alright. It is your right, my son.” My voice croaked.
“I am partly at fault as to why Dominixe has acted roughly on you, Demetrius,” Valerian said, sighing. His breathing was uneven, meeting our son’s gaze. “I have died in your timeline, causing your mother to treat you differently.”
Something urged me to say that it was not Valerian’s fault. It was my fault since I couldn’t find myself to fight against Papa.
And I said those words.
“I am a coward… I will not make excuses,” I said with full sincerity. “Demetrius… Please forgive us if we are not being able by your side. I failed-We failed to be your mother and father when I should have taken care of you.”
I gasped when I felt like I couldn’t move of my own accord. Instantly, I watched in a distance as if someone possessed my body.
Could that be… the other Dominixe’s spirit succumbed to my body?
“Lilith…”
I turned my head to see Valerian, who was already beside me. My eyes widened. “What…?” Why did he look like a spirit?
Was I, too?
“Are we not on our bodies?” I asked, shocked.
“It seems so…” he said, unsure, checking his hands that looked invisible when he tried to touch a rock.
“Then… who is controlling our…” I couldn’t continue my words when Demetrius wailed in tears.
“Mother… That is really you…”
I looked at Valerian. “Did he mean… The other Dominixe is possessing my body right now…” I concluded.
“I think that is the case with mine…”
That must be!
“Your father is here. He is with us,” my other self said and gestured her hand to other Valerian, who was possessing my honeydew’s body.
“Father…” Demetrius bit his lower lip when Valerian hugged him. “Is that really you? Not my father here in this timeline…?”
“Yes. That is me. We have come to get you, my son.”
Valerian, beside me, looked intently at his other self, who was in his body. I held to his hand, causing him to flinch a little. He smiled sadly when our eyes met before he squeezed my hand back.
“Demetrius, please forgive me. What I did was something unforgivable. It is why you tormented them, right?” My other me glanced at us, making Demetrius and the other Valerian look our way. “If you are angry, you can punish me once we return. They have done nothing wrong. The fault is on me, sweetheart.”
My heart felt like being clutched, hearing my voice saying those words. I started shedding tears when Demetrius cried more when my other self kissed his forehead.
“I just only want to be loved by you, Mother… That is my sole wish…” He hiccuped. “I do not wish to be compared that I did not look like Father.” His face showed regret as he glanced at Valerian’s other self. “I am sorry, Father. I cannot be like you…”
Other Valerian gasped, shaking his head. “Do not be sorry, Demetrius.” He hugged him when Demetrius wailed in tears. “Do not be sorry. I made your mother realize her mistakes…”
“Father… Mother…”
Valerian and I intertwined our hands, squeezing them a little from their reunion. Then he draped his arm over my shoulders before gently gathering me to shove me into his body. I hugged his side while we were silently enjoying this.
“Thank goodness. We are just in time. We reunited them.”
Valerian and I turned around when Rachelle and Claude arrived with a woman beside Rachelle. She was in her mid-40s, the way I looked at it.
“Um… Who is she, sister?”
Just before Rachelle could answer my question, Valerian gasped. “Goddess… Elixane? What are you doing here?”