A voice emanated from the stone, carrying an otherworldly tone, "I did, but there is another piece of troubling news, ma. There is a powerful angel ahead of you, ma. Shinobu reported its presence to mum."
"Was she able to learn the angel's name?" My mom's voice trembled with a mix of fear and anger, her expression mirroring her emotions. It was a moment of tension, uncertainty hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
"She said it's..." Mavka paused briefly, then continued, "It's Gabriel, ma."
"Gabriel?" My mom's face contorted with anger, and the veins on her forehead pulsed visibly, revealing the intensity of her fury. The revelation of the name had triggered something deep within her, a dormant anger that had been smoldering.
"I knew it. I warned him not to trust Gabriel," my mom muttered, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and resentment. It was as if Gabriel's name held a weighty significance, a history of betrayal and broken trust.
"Ma, there's a horde of angels with him. You won't be able to fight them off, especially since you sealed your powers to remain hidden in the mortal realm," Mavka expressed her concern, her voice filled with genuine worry. She understood the gravity of the situation, the overwhelming odds they faced.
My mom's anger began to wane, replaced by a sense of resignation. She knew the limitations of her current state, and the presence of so many angels was a formidable challenge. "Don't worry; I won't go overboard, Mavka. You shouldn't be concerned. Besides, I have Shinobu with me. There's nothing to worry about." Her voice carried a glimmer of hope, a belief that they could navigate this perilous situation.
I watched my mom's face closely, noticing the storm of emotions within her. It was a rare glimpse into her vulnerability, a reminder that even the strongest among us had their moments of doubt and fear. I swallowed hard, my throat dry, and asked, "Mom, is something wrong?" Concern laced my voice, and I exchanged a worried glance with Dante. We were a family, and the uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on all of us.
"Don't worry, dear. Mom will protect both of you," she said, her hand gently rubbing both mine and Dante's heads, trying to offer us comfort in the midst of her turmoil. It was a gesture of reassurance, an unspoken promise that she would do everything in her power to keep us safe.
Mom then turned away from us, facing forward, and raised the peculiar stone in her hand. "Mavka, call Shinobu to come here. I need her strength." Her voice quivered, and her gestures betrayed the deep sadness within her. It was a moment of vulnerability, a glimpse into the weight of her responsibilities.
"Mavka, I'm going to leave Dante in your care," my mom said, her voice barely above a whisper. It was a decision that hung in the air, a painful choice she had to make to ensure Dante's safety.
"I understand, Ma," Mavka responded solemnly, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. She knew that this burden came with a heavy price, a responsibility she couldn't take lightly.
I struggled to comprehend what Mom meant when she said she was leaving Dante in Mavka's care. Panic welled up within me, and I clutched Dante tightly, unwilling to let him go. "Mom, what do you mean? Are you leaving Dante behind? I don't want to be separated from Dante," I pleaded, my voice shaking with fear. The thought of being separated from my twin brother was almost unbearable.
Mom looked at me with a faint smile, but I could see the sorrow and regret hidden behind it. "Trish, don't worry. I'm leaving Dante in our aunt's care. He'll be fine. We will come back to get him," she reassured me, her voice quavering with emotion. It was a promise she intended to keep, a pledge to reunite our family once the storm had passed.
Then she turned to Dante and said, "My son, Mommy loves you." Her words were filled with a mother's affection, a declaration of love that transcended the uncertainties of the moment.
"I know, Mom, and I love you too," Dante replied with unwavering faith in his voice. It was a testament to the bond between mother and son, a bond that could withstand the trials of separation.
Tears began to fall from my mom's eyes, and she asked Dante, "Dante, do you trust Mom?"
"Yes, I do, Mom," Dante answered with unwavering confidence. His trust in our mother was unshakable, a testament to the love and security she had provided us throughout our lives.
"Thank you, dear," Mom whispered, her voice choked with tears. She tried to wipe away her emotions quickly, not wanting us to see her cry. It was a moment of vulnerability, a reminder that even the strongest among us had our moments of fragility.
Then, she pointed toward the orphanage ahead of us. It was a simple building, yet it represented a temporary separation that tore at our hearts. "Dante, my son, can you go to the building over there and wait for Mom? I'll be back to get you, son," she said, her words heavy with both love and sorrow. It was a difficult parting, a moment of sacrifice born out of necessity.
Dante looked at both of us, his family, and smiled. As he started walking toward the orphanage, he reached a certain distance, paused, and turned back to give us a final smile and wave goodbye.
My heart ached, and I wished to stop him from leaving, to hold onto our togetherness. But deep down, I understood that Mom had made this choice to protect him, to ensure his safety amidst the looming threat of the angels.
I smiled back at Dante through my tears and waved in return, with Mom doing the same. It was a bittersweet farewell, a moment etched in our memories.
That day marked the last time I saw Dante, my beloved twin brother.
Author Note :
Hello, everyone. It's the author here. If you have any suggestions to help improve this chapter or anything you'd like to share, please leave a comment below. I will respond. Thank you all for reading my new book.