1.
You were the only light in my life that had not a single ray of brightness.
2.
Mother.
Born on the street, the child grew up amidst criminals. Even that was meant for being raised and sold. But due to her ash-gray eyes and hair, symbols of a witch, she was driven away as being ominous.
In the alleys of the underworld, where bloated corpses floated by, she pondered for a long time. She thought that perhaps it would be better to die now than live like this forever.
However, she failed even at that.
– Since I’ll throw this life away anyway, might as well use it a bit longer.
Right before death, she was abducted by an assassination organization and her miserable life continued. Training akin to abuse and neglect were her lot.
Whether it was misfortune or fortune, she had a talent for killing. After years of training, she succeeded in annihilating the organization.
-Damn girl… Live well. As it will be hard, like it was for everyone.
The leader spoke the truth. Since all she had learned was death, she became a mercenary; and because she trusted no one, she was always alone and therefore often found herself near death.
Until she met that person.
– What are you looking at?
– There’s something I should say, but…
To someone from the same vagabond background, but much weaker than herself.
After several coincidences, they took on missions together and became closer. His rank remained E+, and hers eventually reached S-, yet they continued their relationship, which eventually turned into a romantic partnership.
And around that time…
-I’m pregnant.
-…What?
-I said I’m pregnant.
She was with child.
The two, who had lived through hardships, deliberated for a long while.
-Do you think we’ll be okay as parents?
-…Yeah.
But as they say, people are drawn to what resembles them and dream of what they cannot grasp.
-I think I love you a lot. I’ll take responsibility, so let’s have the child.
He dreamt,
-…You?
-What? Don’t dismiss me because I’m E-rank.
-Not that…
She was drawn to what resembled her.
Thus, Selena was born.
-So beautiful. Too beautiful.
Not cursed with her own color, but with hair of pale gold, a mix of her husband’s and her own.
-Ahh…
When she held the baby’s white arm like moonlight, she felt warmth accompanied by a shiver.
Not knowing what happiness was, she learned with time.
-Selena!
-Father’s weak, come to the strong mother.
-Mama!
It was happiness.
The happiness he had dreamed of, the happiness that had drawn her, was here.
-I want to be a mercenary like mom!
-Ah, what about dad?
-A mercenary like mom!
-…Haha.
It had found them.
But as all stories go, happiness doesn’t last for long.
-…An assassination contract?
-Yes! The advance is different! With this, we can settle down and live!
-Leave it to me. I’ll take care of you, so stay home and look after Selena.
-Thank you, but I’ve already accepted it. It’s safe, so don’t worry, I’ll give you a good birthday present this time.
He never returned after accepting an assassination contract from an unknown group.
And a few days later, Selena’s illness began, accompanying the news of his death.
To pay for the massive medical expenses, Mother accepted suspicious contracts.
-…Mom, can we not do this?
Selena woke up after a few days, trying to dissuade her with a worried gaze, but people are often drawn to what resembles them.
-It’s fine. Just rest a lot.
Making the same choice as her husband, Mother disappeared into the <Pale Gray Wasteland>.
Human trafficking involving children.
Even she, who had been born on the street and roamed the underworld, found it hard to accept.
But,
-I, think I love you a lot.
-I’ll be a mercenary like mom!
The once tasted happiness was addictively tempting her, and she thought only of retrieving that happiness, as she withered in a pale gray light.
-…Smile. That’s the only way to survive.
Dreamily reminiscing about the faint light she once held in her hand.
Then, she met you.
-…Mom?
You extended your grimy, thin hands, calling her mom.
Whereas, under normal circumstances, she would have silently carried you off, she eventually spoke.
-I’m not your parent, but… if you wish, I can become one.
Why did she do that?
-Mom!!
-…Luna.
You were not Selena,
-I’m here, mom is the best in the world.
-…I
-Ugh, are you about to say you’re not my mom again? No way, you are my mom!
I wasn’t your parent.
-Mom likes moonlight, right!? Do you want to touch my hair!? It’s about the same color!
-…
-Oh! You’re touching it! Here! Here!
…Rustle.
Because of your foolish loyalty to me, I held onto the light again.
That’s why.
Selena and Luna.
I thought for so long about whose side I should choose between the two of you, but
-Run Luna!!!
When the situation actually came upon me, I ended up saving you, who were in immediate danger.
-Mom!!
-Good girl, my daughter.
Hardly managing to transfer my heart and engaging with the one responsible for the <Eclipse> auction, but the result of the hours-long duel was a惨defeat.
With her jaw shattered, Mother asked about Selena’s survival, but
-Didn’t I say I like melodramas? Of course, she’s dead. No, she’s dead. About a year after you arrived here.
-…!!
-Ah, your expression is good. I’ve saved it well for the auction every time.
It was as expected; there was no hope for me.
But only for a while.
It’s fortunate. I didn’t make a stupid choice at the end.
Mother smiled.
I had sort of expected it.
The touches of those called <Eclipse> were like rotten hemp ropes I gripped tightly, but I couldn’t let go.
Anyway, it’s really fortunate.
-Pr, Proxy sir!! That guy again!!
-Fuu… Let’s go back.
Choosing to leave the dead daughter and avoid killing the living daughter.
-Hey, mom!!
-…Let go. Lactea.
Mother looked at Luna, who returned with Black Wolf, and smiled faintly.
3.
Surely, that was how her life had ended.
“…Why do you leave me behind again?”
Mother couldn’t fully understand the second chance she had been granted in life.
‘…This isn’t my ability.’
Then, is it Luna’s?
-Crush Thrust.
-Divine Assembly.
Somehow, when I regained consciousness, Luna was in a dangerous situation, and just as I had done in life, I slightly increased my strength, but…
[To those who have not been saved.]
[What did you hope for? What did you dream of?]
My consciousness blurred as if I was swallowed up by something, and when I came back to my senses, I was thrown around, resulting in the current situation.
But one thing was certain:
[Time flows as always.]
The time granted to me wouldn’t last much longer.
Therefore, Mother adjusted her mask and tried to distance herself from Luna.
‘Frankly, I don’t want this either.’
Ideally, I wanted to pull Luna into my arms and whisper love during the granted time.
I wanted to feel the warmth, and caress her hair that resembled moonlight.
And,
-I love you, mom.
I wanted to say the words I couldn’t back then on the day I died.
‘But I am dead.’
I didn’t want to give heartbreak to that lovely child twice.
“I repeat, I’m not your mom; I’m just a recreated memory.”
Being something twisted like Mother’s memory and disappearing might be better.
“I’m an imposter. Someone who never loved you, just a fragment of Mother’s thoughts.”
It’s clear that would be better for her and for me who thought about her.
“I…”
Why do you,
“You’re a terrible mom.”
Face to face, even knowing this moment would make me sad, you didn’t fear.
“Missed you. So much.”
Embrace me.
“…I…”
Gulp.
Before Mother could articulate her words, her mouth closed again.
Tightly.
A faint warmth came from the small hands that burrowed under the robes.
“It’s okay. It’s okay, mom.”
A familiar smile, though awkward as she tried to suppress her tears.
“It’s okay because… everything’s okay, so please don’t push me away, okay?”
Her trembling mouth corner for fear I might push her away again.
[To those who have not been saved.]
[What did you hope for? What did you dream of?]
Mother realized then.
What I wished for throughout my life, rolling around in this hellish world,
Even losing the fleeting happiness I once held and giving up everything, I dreamed,
“….Luna.”
That you, my beloved, would not cry.
In a moment!
Before Luna began to cry, Mother pulled her into her embrace.
I lied to myself out of fear that you would get hurt.
While fearing that the person to get hurt is actually me.
Facing each other, fearing to let go of this happiness, fearing the regret that would follow the impending death.
Instead of comforting my child, I was being comforted by my child.
“Sorry, I’m a foolish mother.”
“…Mom.”
Luna began to sob.
“It’s okay. It’s okay, Luna.”
Finally facing the messy tear-streaked face I had forced into a smile.
“Sorry mom. Sorry because of me… Sorry you got hurt protecting me, sorry you had to leave alone.”
Guilt.
The memory of dying without showing my pain, wearing a robe and a mask so as not to show her.
But Luna,
“That day, I didn’t feel any pain at all, neither loneliness.”
Rather, I was happy.
“For being able to save you, the most precious thing in the world, with this worthless life.”
Gloveless, Mother moved her rough fingers to wipe away Luna’s tears.
“Luna, you were the only light in my life which had none.”
Just as that person and Selena saved me, you came like moonlight.
“You are my most precious treasure.”
So, Luna,
“Don’t be sad because of me anymore.”
Words I had stored up for so long came out in a jumble.
Though meant to stop her crying, they made Luna cry even more desperately.
“Mom, mom…”
She cried, devoid of her usually composed facade.
“Let’s live again, alright? I’ll find a way somehow. So, can’t you wait a little longer, please?”
Like an ordinary child clinging to her parent, Luna tightly embraced Mother and wept miserably.
Of course, Mother wanted the same, but,
[Time flows as always.]
Since coincidences piling up to create miracles happen only briefly in a lifetime,
“….Luna.”
Mother instead hugged her tightly.
At that moment, her eyes met with Black Wolf’s.
Not the eyes of the Black Wolf she faced on the day she died but eyes filled with light.
“I leave my daughter in your care.”
“…Rest assured.”
With that response as the last, the form of Mother which had manifested began to dissolve.
