The Great Mother

Our carriage moved through the capital city streets and headed straight to the palace. A lone knight was sent in advance to notify them of our arrival so they would be ready. I must say, I was not relieved coming back here, I was a bit more comfortable out there.

We arrived at the palace entrance, and I could already see my family waiting at the door. Alaric and I got off the carriage and walked towards them.

Vivienne rushed to me and grasped my hand. “We heard what happened. Thankfully you look okay, Avenelle!”

“Uh, y-yes.”

My father suddenly walked up to me and put a hand on my cheek. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

I stared into his eyes, and I sensed he was acting a bit strange. It was almost like how Mother was when she… Hm.

“It was a bit scary. But we survived.”

Father nodded. “So, it was the paladins.” He turned towards Alaric. “We will need to investigate how they got through.”

“Yes, we should.” Alaric shrugged. “There were a lot of them, and they were strong too.”

Father nodded. “Hm. What’s important right now is that you two are safe. What about casualties?”

“A few.”

“I see.”

I tilted my head, looking at Saviel. For some reason, he was just standing there. I imagined he would have rushed to me. No wait, him being present was surprising already. I slowly walked towards Saviel with a smile.

“Saviel, I didn’t expect you’d be here.”

He stared at me with hesitation for a moment before nodding. “I found myself with some free time.”

“... Oh, I see.”

I was certain of it now, both Father and Saviel now knew about me. I resisted the urge to sigh and faced Mother, who was quietly standing there.

“Mother, I’m back.”

She slowly nodded. “Yes. You and Alaric should take a rest for the time being. I’m sure the trip has been quite exhausting.”

“Yes, Mother.”

I could get straight to working on my preparations again. Now all that was left in the unknown was Alaric. I had a feeling that the time was closing in. I had no time to spare.

***

It has been several days since I returned from doing the rituals, and I have been more focused on my work than before. And all these days, it felt like my family was trying to spend more time with me. Saviel has been present more than usual, always joining our dinner. They really were making it so obvious. But whatever, I had to think about myself.

As for the matter of the ambush, I had no idea of what was going on with that. It was not my place to work on that matter. There was also nothing new about why my ritual lasted longer than expected.

At any rate, I’ve been working overtime, and I believed I was close to being ready. At the moment, I was working on a small doll with blonde hair, kind of similar to the mini version of me. It was also almost done.

But then, suddenly, there were knocks on the door. I was not expecting anyone.

“Avenelle, please open the door.”

It was my mother. I put down the small doll and made my way to the door, opening it. “Mother?”

She seemed anxious, but was trying her best to look composed. But I noticed. “... The Great Mother wants to talk to you.”

Upon hearing that, it felt like my heart jumped out of my body for a moment.

W-Wait, is it today already? Seriously?

No, it couldn’t be. For an event as big as this, my sacrifice should be grand and ritualistic‌. There should be some sort of preparation or something.

Calm down…

“Right now?” I asked.

“Yes, let’s go.”

Mother started walking away, but I remained in place. She noticed and she turned towards me with a puzzled expression. “Avenelle?”

“Um, where are we meeting her?”

“To the throne room.”

Knowing that, I felt relieved. If it was in the throne room, then there was a chance this wouldn’t be it.

“Just to talk?”

“Yes, that’s what she said.”

“I see.” I stepped out of my room.

Even though I felt this was just indeed talking, I best be ready for anything. I’d use my other class if I had to. But truth be told, I would rather not face grandmother at all. She was the reason I was to be sacrificed, after all. She was basically my top enemy.

However, not like I had any other choice. We must follow her commands.

And thus, I followed my mother to the throne room. I subtly clenched my hands, trying to endure the fear and anxiety building up within me. I was so terrified that I felt like I was about to pass out. And getting close to the throne room was only making it worse.

This is a nightmare.

Eventually, I stood at the massive black doors of the throne room. They were already open. I took a deep breath as I entered.

The throne room was vast, with tall dark columns on the corners, long and wide red carpet leading up to the thrones. The ceiling was way high up, with windows on the roof that allowed sight to the sky and let the sun’s light inside. The black walls and floor were smooth and shiny. Everything was so grand and magnificent that I felt tiny just being in this place.

And in front of us were the thrones. There was a short set of stairs leading up to an elevated surface, where there were six beautiful thrones. The thrones of me, my siblings, and my parents. However, even above that was a long set of stairs ascending high. And above was another grand throne. The throne above all others.

And sitting on it was the Great Mother, my grandmother. She was beautiful and slender. She had long golden hair and beautiful golden eyes. Her skin was fair, draped in her grand black gown, and on her feet she wore the most luxurious heels. Black gemstones served as her earrings.

Despite being our grandmother, she appeared to be in her early thirties. Creepy.

The Great Mother was an immortal, so she would never age, and had lived for hundreds of years. She was the most revered, the most feared, and the most holy in the kingdom.

As I moved in to kneel on one knee, my breathing trembled ever so slightly. I lowered my head.

“Great Mother, you called for me.”

“Yes, my granddaughter.” Her voice echoed throughout the room like thunder.

I raised my head to look up at her. She rose from her throne, and she started floating, descending the staircase, eventually landing before me.

“It has been a while since we’ve seen each other, granddaughter.”

“Y-Yes, grandmother.”

She suddenly put her hand under my chin and had me look directly at her. She was looking deep into me.

Oh god…

My heart beat fast in fear.

“Hm, you’ve grown well. You’re starting to remind me of someone from long ago.”

“W-Who was it?”

“A family member.”

Well, if it was family, then it might not be too strange that we’d have descendants that might resemble an ancestor. But this situation was sucking the soul out of me!

“I-I see.”

“Are you nervous, granddaughter? It’s only me.”

I wryly chuckled. “Why did you call for me, Grandmother?”

“The Great Hand is in need of help.”

“Help?”

“Stand.”

I stood up and waited for her to continue as she looked up at the sky through the glass in the ceiling.

“Sometimes, the divine’s link, or their influence to this world falters. And as you know, the Great Hand’s power is essential in our lives.” She turned towards me. “When the divine disappears, our kingdom, everything, will come crumbling down.”

I really couldn’t understand how that worked, but I just nodded my head. “Why would the divine’s presence be faltering?”

“It is because of the actions of an individual a long time ago. Which did irreversible damage to the world and the divine.”

“... And what does this have to do with me?”

“Every now and then, a ritual must be performed before the Luminous Tree. And you, Avenelle, will lead that ritual.”

“Me? I don’t understand. Why me of all people?”

“Because you are special.”

“...”

“Only you will be able to do this.”

“I-Is that so? I understand… When will it be?”

“In three days, when the moon shines brightly in the night sky.”

“What do I do?”

“Nothing, just do what I say.”

Ah, crap. This is truly it.

“Will the entire family be there?”

“Of course.”

I glanced at Mother, who was just standing on the side. Her expressions told nothing.