The tantalizing prospect of obtaining greater power consumed her thoughts, yet she was restrained by the constraints of time. While she could facilitate the rapid multiplication of her creations, they still needed ample time to mature, understand their goddess, and develop the ability to worship her. This internal conflict threatened to drive her to the brink of madness.
Unlike her other siblings who eagerly await Nana's awakening, Mahu, on the other hand, hopes that Nana continues to slumber deeply and remains dormant for a longer time.
Turning her gaze back to the mirror, Mahu observed Maul, who had grown in stature and remained in his werewolf form since the birth of his children. Behind him trotted four small werewolves, following in their father's footsteps.
Close behind the group was the female wolf that had given birth to the werewolf offspring. Mahu harbored displeasure towards the wolf, as she had previously advised her son to distance himself from the creature or even eliminate it. However, for reasons unbeknownst to her, Maul had chosen not to heed her counsel.
Ever since Maul turned five years old, he had embarked on explorations of the northern continent. While he hadn't traversed the entire expanse, he had encountered numerous challenges and triumphs along the way. Maul had confronted and hunted various magical creatures that inhabited the northern continent.
However, there were instances where he had to flee from particularly formidable adversaries, and the scars adorning his body bore witness to his successful escapes. Now, Maul's journey revolved around finding a suitable location to establish a home, as Mahu no longer required him to be in constant peril. She had directed Maul to focus on raising his children and creating an environment conducive to their growth and multiplication.
------------------------
A year had passed since the barbecue with Red, and now Ikem had reached the age of three. During this time, the visits between Mahu and me became less frequent. It didn't come as a surprise since Ikem was one of the reasons why I met with her a lot. He was always eager to see her and request visits to her realm.
However, something had changed in Ikem's attitude after he learned about his real mother. It wasn't that he held any grudges against Mahu, but he seemed less enthusiastic about their interactions. I'm not sure if he even realized it himself, but he no longer referred to her as "mom."
Mahu was initially taken aback by this change, but when I explained the situation to her, she seemed to understand and didn't seem bothered by it. She continued to show a motherly attitude whenever they met.
But I couldn't help but notice that Mahu herself appeared somewhat different. There was a sense of urgency around her, as if she was in a hurry. I recognized/Sensed a new familiar energy that surrounded her, the same energy my older siblings had, it seems she's started to gain something from her creation. I almost assumed that her change was linked to this energy.
However, I couldn't ignore the fact that none of my other siblings had experienced such a transformation in character. Normally I would have waited for Mahu to disclose about her problems on her own but I decided to instead have a conversation with her.
The conversation didn't feel strange because I had grown familiar with Mahu's personality during our time together. As I arrived alone in Mahu's realm, I approached her ice castle and found her deeply absorbed in staring at the mirror in front of her.
I walked closer and stood near her seated figure, waiting for her to acknowledge my presence. It became evident that she hadn't even registered me as she remained fixated on the mirror.
I glanced at the mirror to see Maul, who now appeared as an adult. Three additional small figures had joined the small family group. It was clear that Maul had been busy, as I observed the construction of small houses by his side. It seemed he was preparing to establish a small society with his family.
Turning my attention back to Mahu, who seemed lost in her thoughts, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Startled by my touch, she jumped away from her seat, releasing a wave of cold divine energy in the process. I furrowed my brow as I swiftly sidestepped, avoiding the energy that swept past me, freezing the surrounding area into blocks of ice.
The intense cold radiating from the frozen surface caused the hairs on my godly form to stand on end. Realizing that the attack could have inflicted significant damage if it had hit me, I felt anger starting to rise up in me.
Looking at Mahu, frozen with shock, I felt a mixture of annoyance and concern. She seemed to grasp my dissatisfaction as she suddenly ran towards me, wrapping her arms around me in desperation.
Her impulsive action softened the anger that had been brewing within me. Gripping her shoulders firmly, I pulled her away from me, looking into her eyes with a serious expression. "What has happened to you, Mahu?" I questioned sternly.
She remained silent, only repeating the words, "I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry," as if trapped in her own remorseful thoughts. The urge to slap her to snap her out of it crossed my mind, but seeing her pitiful state, I instead drew her closer and sealed her lips with a kiss. It caused her to cease her repetitive apologies, and tears streamed down her face.
Sensing that she had calmed down, I broke the kiss and posed the question once again, "What has become of you, Mahu?"
She didn't respond immediately, taking her time to wipe away her tears before finally speaking, "Something is wrong with me, Ikenga," she confessed with a shaky voice.
"How so?" I inquired, hoping to understand her troubles.
She hesitated, initially poised to answer, but upon observing my expression, she concluded, "You won't understand."
"Try me," I insisted.
"Don't bother, Ikenga. You are different from me, so you won't understand," she replied, dismissing my offer.
"Mahu," I called out her name, seeking to break through her defenses.
"Yes," she responded, meeting my gaze.
Locking eyes with her, I pleaded, "Talk to me."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she stepped closer, cupping my chin with both hands as she kissed me. After a brief moment, she broke the kiss and rested her forehead against mine.
Her gaze shifted to the frozen surface behind me, and she apologized for her earlier attack. "Talk to me, Mahu," I urged once more.
She turned her attention back to me, remarking, "I never knew you could be this stubborn."
"I can be stubborn when needed, so go ahead and tell me what is happening to you," I asserted, reaffirming my willingness to listen.
"You know, I have always been a bit angry with how easy-going you are," she began after a moment of reflection.
"So?" I inquired, curious to understand her perspective.
Undeterred by my apparent indifference, she continued, "When our siblings spoke about their impressive achievements, I looked to you, hoping to see if you would feel the pressure or anxiety caused by the evident gap they had created."
"To my disappointment, you seemed unaffected by it all. I was observing you at that moment, expecting you to feel the same way I did. Even to this day, I can't comprehend why I felt so bothered by the fact that they were stronger than me."