Layla then dived down into the ocean, in a futile attempt to bring the ship back up but it was no use. It was just a memory... A flashback of the past. Her heart sank as she pulled away from the boat, seeing the drowned faces of the kids who couldn't make it out in time.
"Damn it!" she shouted, as tears welled up in her eyes when she saw two limp students that tied their wrists together.
She couldn't take the sight anymore and resurfaced, only to realize that most of the adults were missing from the sinking boat.
"They were just school kids... Humans back then already didn't live very long and theirs were cut even shorter..."
"I don't understand, Vastra... So why did they die? Why didn't they leave?" asked the Dragoon as she watched the boat sinking.
"The higher-ups commanded the kids to stay in the sinking while help was already there. The captain and most of the crew then ran off without saving the kids, leaving most to die. Those who were defiant and went out were the ones rescued..."
"Then... Did you do this? That's why you're being cursed?"
"No... I was cursed because I refused to let their souls wander endlessly in my watery domain... I wanted them to go to heaven, where their souls would find peace. But the Major Gods did not permit it, saying that they've died in my territory..."
"Furthermore, one of my followers started a rebellion because they thought I was the cause of this horrible tragedy... Thus, the Major God of Creation turned me into the monster that I am."
"Please believe me when I said that I only wanted what was right for those poor children... They should've been saved on that fateful spring day..." pleaded Arakaali, once more as she started to weep.
The Dragoon said nothing as she was transported back to the empty white plain. The poor girl was so conflicted in her heart that she didn't know her faith in the Gods was as strong as before.
As the Mother of Webs stood before her, Layla realized her feet were moving on her own as she threw herself onto Arakaali for an embrace.
"It wasn't your fault... I believe you, Vastra... I am sorry for hurting you but I had no choice because of your sins later on. But you were right for saving those kids' souls and you didn't deserve to be a monster."
"You aren't a monster... You are a good Mother," assured Layla as she tightened the hug.
Vastra cried out as she returned the hug, forgetting how long it had been since she last embraced someone. How long has it been since someone said such nice things about her? As she slowly opened her eyes, Arakaali saw some blurry faces in the near distance.
The Dragoon noticed the change and stopped the embrace to glance at what Vastra was looking at.
A golden light seemed to appear from the far end of the nothingness, giving off a warm feeling of tranquility. The woman blinked and slowly went forward as she saw the mirages of the students onboard the ship that had drowned.
They were waving at her, beckoning the female to come over to their side, but Vastra halted.
"No... I've done many horrible things when I got transformed... I don't deserve you... I don't deserve the warmth of your hugs..." wept the poor Mother.
Layla saw how upset the poor lady was and wanted to comfort the lady. However, a young human girl rushed out from the mirage to hug Vastra.
"We know... We never blamed you... You allowed us to be free in the meadows of Heaven. We will never hate you because it was you who saved us. It was the monster that killed them. Please don't cry..." soothed the human.
Vastra wiped off her tears and grasped the girl's hand, standing up to follow her and the rest into the light. The Dragoon could not help but smile as the Mother finally could rest in peace. But she got confused when Vastra turned around once more.
"Still having doubts?" questioned Layla.
"No... I'd like you to have this... It will help with your battle against the next Mother. And I have to warn you; they are far worse than me. Your kindness and mercy know no bounds but it won't work on them."
"Words can't reach all of your foes once they've fully descended into madness," warned Arakaali as she handed the Dragoon a purple ring.
The item looked like it had been woven with flickering purple silk and fit perfectly on the Dragoon's index finger. It glowed the brightest for an instant before dulling to look like a normal ring.
"My blessing for you."