The Evil Goddess (End)

When I woke up, there was nothing left of the garden but ashes. The sight of Cleo was nowhere to be seen. The sunflower scent of her that I loved so much turned into the acrid scent of burnt flowers, forcing my heart to accept the bitter truth.

Cleo was truly gone.

Amidst the burned garden, a familiar voice pierced through the air, breaking the silence. It was Mother, her voice tinged with desperation and grief. She was followed by her loyal knights and Daddy. Everyone looked so devastated by the destruction left from my fight with Cleo.

"You... You must be Cleo," she uttered, her words trembling.

The whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. Of all the people here, how could Mother mistake me for Cleo? Or perhaps, she hoped that I was Cleo? Was that how much she loved Cleo more than me?

A wave of longing crashed over me. If I pretend to be Cleo now... Could I finally feel the love of Mother that I lost long ago?

"I-I'm...!" I stopped when I saw tears welling up in Mother's eyes. No, Mother knew it was me. She merely clung to the hope of a lie, a comforting illusion that could momentarily alleviate her pain.

I averted my eyes, grappling with my own conflicting emotions. While I longed to fill the void left by Cleo's absence and bring solace to Mother's grieving heart, I knew that pretending would hurt her more later.

"Mother... I'm Cellia," I answered.

Mother's eyes widened, and she sank to her knees, overcome with despair, "Again... I failed... I lost my family again," she whispered.

Daddy, desperate to bring some sense of reassurance, said, "N-Nyght, what are you saying? We still have Celli."

"Cleo, my sweet daughter... "Mother's voice trailed off, her hands trembling as she clasped her head in confusion. I knelt down beside her, gently placing a hand on her trembling shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort. But then, suddenly, Mother grasped my hand tightly.

"I know! Yes, we just have to think that the one who left is Cellia. Yes, that's right! Y-you are Cleo!" She declared, locking her empty gaze on mine, "You just need to become Cleo!"

"Nyght! Snap out of it!" Daddy shouted at Mama, "I know losing Cleo is hard. Cleo was special to all of us. But why can't you see, here is your daughter too, longing for your love and warmth? Why can't you be a good mother for Celli once!?"

Mother's tear-filled eyes locked with mine, "If only... If only..." she uttered and clutched her necklace tightly, "If only you're not her twin... I would never have to lose the two of them!"

... Her words cut deep into my heart. Yet, after being hurt so many times, I felt nothing. I was expecting sooner or later she would say that to me. But not like this... not in front of everyone here.

Gently, I released my hand from Mother's grasp, standing up with a heavy heart. "Why would you say that, Mama?" I asked monotonously.

Mama raised up, her hands trembling as she unfastened the necklace. Reluctantly, she revealed the contents hidden within its delicate lock. It was a picture of a stern woman with her young daughter. I immediately recognize the two of them. The stern woman was Ultima Eden, the woman that I hated with every ounce of my life. And the other... was Mother.

Letting out a weary sigh, Mother confessed, "My true name is... Alpha Eden. I was once the crown princess of Order Familia before I was cast out." She clutched the necklace tightly, her knuckles turning white as if struggling to preserve the fragile memories it held.

"My life was perfect. I was cherished by my mother, my people, and my husband, Abbie. But everything crumbled when I gave birth to twins."

... I clenched my fist, "You mean... the blood rite?"

Mother nodded," Correct. Abbie and I wanted to protect the two of you from that fate. What parents want to see their daughters kill each other, just to reach Divinity?" she answered and looked at me with anger,

"Yet despite that, you awakened your Divinity on your own! You make our sacrifice turned to nothing. If I knew from the start that you're afflicted by The Pale Moon, then I would never choose to be exiled! I would remain at my mother's side! I... I would be happy with Abbie and Cleo right now!"

I was shocked by the revelation that I took a step back. "Crown Princess of Order Familia... Alpha Eden?" I stammered, unable to fully comprehend the weight of her confession. "No... it can't be true. So, if you hadn't been exiled, Mother, you would have become the next Progenitor of Order Familia?"

The grim reality hit me with force. If Cleo and I were not twins, Mother would have ascended to become the Progenitor of the Order Familia. If I had never been born, as the Progenitor, she would never declared war upon the world.

In other words... If only I wasn't born, the war that took everything from us would never happen.

"...So that's why... you called me The Devil," I uttered as desperation crawled from my shadow. With empty chuckles and trembling hands, I picked up the shattered remnants of Artemisia, a symbol of our fragmented family.

"Mama... do you hate me too?" I asked Mother honestly.

Mother's lips shut tight. But, she also didn't deny it. It was so typical of her, hurling hurtful words like nothing, yet when faced with heartfelt questions, she chickened out. She said I was a coward, a weakling who couldn't stand against this cruel world. Yet, ironically, it was she who proved to be the true coward among us.

But, I wouldn't let her run this time. If she refused to answer again, then...

Fixing my gaze upon her, I delved deeper "Mother, do you regret having me?"

Yet, Mother averted her eyes, evading the question once more.

With a heavy sigh, I accepted the unspoken truth. "Then... I'll take that as a 'yes' to both questions."

I was a fool, expecting to be loved by a mother who never wished for me. I was naive, trying to think that clinging to my sister would give me happiness. I was stupid, trying to be kind to the world that hated me.

Weary to my soul, I gazed at the greyish sky. Ah... Now I understand what Cleo was saying. To live free without shackles, to be loved for what you truly are, what a truly blissful life it is. Yet from the very start, that kind of life wasn't meant for me.

"If everything bad in the world happened because of me. If I only caused you misery. If you don't want me anymore, then so be it. Let it be known that Cellia Kirana Noctis is dead," I declared.

With a resolute determination, I closed the shattered blade against my hair. Taking a deep breath, I cut my hair short, severing the physical ties to my past.

[Cowardice debuff cured. The ultimate resolve awakened Path of Throne. Ability Devouring Lament unlocked!]

[Devouring Lament: Release Dark Aura that deals Abyss DMG based on 685 + 70% STR per pulse. Each Pulse cost 10% HP, with a cooldown of 5 seconds. While in effect, the character gain ability to control blood but lose CON by 50%. Killing enemy increase STR stats by 10% for 1 minute and restores 10% HP. Can stack 5 times.]

[Accepting her destiny awakened Divinity to Lvl. 2. Increase all stats and DMG to Human by 60% for one minute. Cooldown 1 minute 30 s]

----------- [And so the Evil Goddess is born] -----------

 [And at her wake, the world shall know the beauty of destruction.]

[ Just like the first game you make]

----------- [As long as I'm alive, you will never complete your Utopia, Miharu] -----------