'Mother?', she knows not what the boys meant. She looked around the house trying to locate this mother but it is obvious that they were referring to her. She did not remember having children or having a husband.
She has had some young men trying to address her as mother back when she was simply resting in a church on Earth for unknown reasons but she had a feeling this time was different.
The two boys noticed her looking around and approached her with concern clearly written on her face. They both snuggled up into her arms and touched her forehead. They then one out and started touching her head looking for something.
Normally, she is not one for physical contact unless it was an acquaintance but she felt a strange form of familiarity with these boys. She did not shy away from it and let them do whatever they were doing.
"Are you okay? Did somebody hit you, mother?", asked the blond one while holding the edge of her clothes.
'Somebody hit her?', she did not feel any pain so she doubted that was the case.
The boy with brown hair looked around the room with the gesture of looking for traces of outside interference. She had seen the same looks used by Natasha and Fury. He was far from being as proficient as them but that was what gave it away to her.
Another door creaked open once more revealing a disheveled girl with black hair resembling rat's nest. She was younger than the two boys and looked as if she has just woke up due to the commotion.
"Julia!", the brown haired boy ran off to her.
"What happened here?", he asked with urgency in his tone.
Julia looked up at him and tilted her head. It was a cute gesture.
"Nothing happened?", she stated it as more of a question rather than a statement.
"Excuse me little ones, by 'mother' art thou referring to me? I apologize but I am afraid I failed to recognize anyone here? Rather, it would be more adequate to say I do not recognize anything. Who I am, where I am or anything else."
All three children stared at her with wide eyes and started frantically pointing at themselves.
"I'm Marco, your son, mother! And you are Maria! You don't remember us? We're all your children."
"Fabrizo! That's me, your son! Are you okay, mother?"
The girl just started crying with a muffled sound mumbling something she failed to understand.
But, they were her children? The reason she felt so close to these children must have been this. They were all still hovering around her moving around trying to reintroduce themselves to her. With questions of her well-being thrown around like water.
Look at them worrying about their mother. What good children....
She did not know if she truly was the mother or if she was just another soul occupying this body but her heart felt as if they could not stop beating. It was like this intense anticipation that people felt at a life or death decision.
It felt as if her heart that has been still for quite some time has started beating once again. She let out her hands as she touched the blond boy on his head. His name was Fabrizio, if she remembered right.
With her other hand, she reached out the crying girl and caress her head. Sadly, she did not have three arms. That was the closeness she had been feeling. She did not even hear their words anymore. She just sees them.
It was strange. After all, they were practically strangers a few minutes ago. And now, she was feeling full-blown affection for the children as if she had personally give them life. It was ingrained in her very soul that they were her children.
"Right, forgive this mother of yours. I do apologize for the confusion. For now, it is sufficient that I am thy mother and thou art all mine children.", the chattering stopped but she could tell they were still unnerved by her.
She looked into the soul to find out that this body was compatible with her or rather the soul was. Her soul had replaced the original soul. But the original soul left behind an unwavering will to protect her children.
Something not even she could go against, at least in this dream. This former woman had incredible will when it comes to children it seems. It was only a rumour but there was a saying that God of dreams possessed the most divine voice for he has been singing lullabies from mothers all over the world to children.
She did not know whether that rumour was true but the dreamworld resembled anything but sleep or a parent's love for their children. It was more akin to hell but the point stands that a parent's love for their children was divine.
This was her now. Maria, was her name it seems. She thought of Lady Maria due to the similarity in name but she found little in common other than the name.
She looked back into the soul and this Maria was insightful. She possess more insight than any other causing her to go mad with the visions of the far greater beings not meant for mortal minds, which in turns break her mind causing her intelligence to be lowered.
What a shame. She could have been a powerful woman yet her feeble mortal mind has limited her. It seems she was able to make a deal with the greater beings to leave behind her last will before finally being replaced.
She has killed this woman and replaced her. It was done willingly by the original Maria but the guilt still remains. There was nothing she could do for this is something that has already happened.
The children were there from different fathers. She did not mind if for it was not her that did the deed. Their fathers were basically unknown even to the original Maria. Of course, she would preferred to have children with one father. Maybe the Ashen One...
But, what was her trial? What is she supposed to do here? What is her purpose here? So far, the only thing she knew she had to do was take care of the children and nothing more. She should get ready to go outside pretty soon. She did not even know the time outside.
Just as her children were confused a long kick to the front door snap them right back. And there comes a person she has never seen before. It was clearly a man and he was wrapped in black cloth alongside a hat that resembles that of Lady Maria.
His clothes also resembled that of Lady Maria if she were to be a man. There was some differences but it seems he was a hunter that she has heard so much about. He was looking around the house before he saw her.
With a weapons strapped to his back, he walked right up to her as she gently pushed her children behind her. Even in the new body, her abilities remain the same. She did not summon any weapon yet for she did not know whether the hunter was hostile or not.
He stared at her without talking as if he could convey words with his eyes alone. She stared back in return. He pointed at his stomach. It seems this man does not or cannot talk. How strange. She tried to guess what he was trying to convey.
"Art thou hungry?", she asked softly.
He shook his head and continued pointing at where his stomach would be. He then paused for a moment before point at her stomach, then at the children and made a gesture that resembles a rope by stretching one hand from another.
Her stomach, children and a rope? What is he trying to say? She then recalled a memory that she nearly forgot. It was not long ago but with multiple events occurring with no breaks, she did not remember it. It was not even a significant thing for her.
"Umbilical cord?", she asked. She got it after killing the nanny and the baby.
He nodded and put up a thumbs up gesture.
.
.
.
.
.
This is Chapter 144.
She is now finally connecting with the Bloodborne world for real in person.
Tell me what you think about it.