The two threats that had been coming for Mama Ipoh—and even Viora's life—were gone. They were safe. They had survived.
Viora was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down her face. She sighed and whispered in a shaky voice,
"They're gone..."
Then, hurriedly, she turned back and placed her hand on Mama Ipoh's back.
"Mama Ipoh, are you okay?!"
Mama Ipoh, wiping blood from her face, gave a gentle smile.
"I'm good, sugar... Sorry your birthday got ruined. And sorry for being so weak... I couldn't protect you. I was so weak that they only spared us out of pity."
Viora shook her head fiercely and leaned closer to Mama Ipoh's face, shaking her head so violently that Mama Ipoh would have laughed if her throat didn't hurt.
"What are you talking about, Mama Ipoh? You're not weak—far from it! You're the strongest person I know. Like you told me a year ago... you are not weak."
Her face flushed slightly, and she added,
"And I'm proud to have you as my mother!"
Mama Ipoh looked into Viora's dark eyes, which were shining brightly despite the fear and exhaustion. Tears began to well up in Mama Ipoh's eyes as she smiled warmly.
Viora stumbled back slightly, her voice filled with worry.
"Mama Ipoh, why are you crying? Are you sure you're not hurt?"
Mama Ipoh wiped her tears, laughing softly. She reached out and patted Viora on the head.
"I'm not hurt, sugar. I'm just... proud to be your mother. And thank you... for protecting me."
Viora smiled as she helped Mama Ipoh get up and said with a gentle smile,
"At least I could protect you for once."
Mama Ipoh sighed, adjusted her black sunglasses, and said,
"Well, I'm tired. It's time to go home."
She held out her hand to Viora, a soft smile on her face.
"Want to hold hands?"
Viora reached out, placing her hand in Mama Ipoh's, and smiled brightly.
"Yes!"
Mama Ipoh touched the ground, and in an instant, both she and Viora transformed into sparks of light, disappearing into the night
***
Three months later, Viora woke up in bed. Multiple orbs of blue plasma floated or rested around her room. She still remembered her eleventh birthday vividly—it was the most terrifying moment of her life. She wished she could forget it entirely.
She got up carefully, watching her step to avoid disturbing the spirits scattered across the room. As she walked to the mirror, she slowly brushed her hair, her eyes fixed on her reflection. Since the incident, Mama Ipoh had stopped going on walks and spent more and more time resting in her room. Mama Ipoh kept insisting she was fine, but Viora knew otherwise.
As she brushed her hair, a sudden, loud crash came from downstairs. Her heart skipped a beat.
What was that sound?
She froze, staring at her reflection in the mirror before turning to the door. Opening it hesitantly, she stepped into the hallway and made her way downstairs, one step at a time. Halfway down, she felt it—an intense pain in her chest. She clutched at her heart, tears streaming down her face.
But the tears weren't from pain. They were from something deeper, something she couldn't explain. Then, as suddenly as it came, the feeling faded. She wiped her eyes and continued walking.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the living room, her heart dropped. There, lying motionless on the ground, was Mama Ipoh.
"Mama Ipoh!" Viora cried, rushing toward her. She knelt beside her and gently turned her over, shaking her.
"Mama Ipoh! Mama Ipoh! What happened?!"
Her voice trembled as her gaze fell on the horrifying sight: blood—a dangerous, growing pool—was streaming from Mama Ipoh's mouth and nose. Viora brought her hands to her mouth in fear, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I... I have to call an ambulance..."
Before she could move, a calm voice echoed behind her.
"It won't be necessary."
A thought flashed through her mind.
I know that voice.
Viora turned around, and her breath caught in her throat. Standing there was a small fox as white as snow. It wore a black kimono as a base layer, with a delicate pink vestment draped over it. Wooden geta clacked faintly against the floor as it shifted, the faint ember of a lit kiseru glowing in its right paw.
The fox exhaled a puff of smoke from its kiseru, sighing as it spoke.
"It won't be necessary. No doctor, no matter how skilled, nor the mightiest hospital can help her. She requires a different kind of healer... I'm talking about a shaman."
The fox walked gently toward Viora, placing a soft paw on her back. In a firm, determined voice, he said,
"Stand back, child. Give me space."
Viora stepped aside, her eyes wide with fear and confusion, as the fox knelt beside Mama Ipoh. Sitting in a seiza position, he let out a deep sigh, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"My poor child... I knew this day would come, but this soon?"
He reached into his kimono, searching for something, and finally pulled out a talisman shaped like a deer. Holding it delicately, he spoke in a calm and reverent tone,
"Once the great golden deer appears, healing of immense power shall follow. I call upon your aid... Shōkanjutsu of the Reikō rank—I summon the Deer of Gold."
A brilliant golden aura poured out of the talisman, swirling in the air before taking shape. Before Viora's astonished eyes, a majestic golden deer materialized, its radiant form exuding an aura of warmth and power. The deer lowered its antlers toward Mama Ipoh's face, releasing waves of golden light that enveloped her completely.
The fox watched the process intently, then sighed deeply, the ember of his kiseru flickering. He turned to Viora, his tone measured and somber.
"Child, do you know why Mama Ipoh is in such a sorry state?"
Viora hesitated, her mind racing to find the right words. After a few moments, she finally began to speak.
chapter forty-one end