Esclara was somewhat amused by her inner thoughts, but she remained indifferent on the surface.
"You're currently on the Western Continent of Grimvale, in the Starfall Wilderness. However, this place is isolated from the outside world."
"What?" She found it unbelievable. "So far! How did I appear on the Western Continent? I was on the Eastern Continent, Valeria. How?" She found it confusing.
Esclara, the Evergreen Tree Spirit, sighed, already having guessed the answers.
"It's all about fate and destiny. You won't understand."
"Fate and destiny?" Olivia found the terms incomprehensible, so she cast them out of her mind.
"Do you want to go back? I can send you back if you like," Esclara said, her tone full of curiosity. She wanted to understand what role Olivia had to play in this game of destiny and fate.
"Go back?" Olivia seemed excited hearing the news. "Can you really do that?"
"Yes," Esclara replied calmly. "If you truly want to go, that is. I am not forcing you." Her voice was serene, but there was an undertone of something deeper—perhaps a test of Olivia's resolve.
Afterward, Olivia seemed a little hesitant as she pursed her lips and looked at Igor with unknown emotions swelling inside.
"But what about Igor? Will he stay here always?" she asked curiously, slightly reluctant to leave him here without telling him.
Esclara raised her eyebrows as she read Olivia's inner turmoil and the thoughts coming to her mind.
She asked in surprise while looking at Olivia, "Don't tell me you have already fallen in love with my son?"
"L-Love? Who? Me? Of course not," she said, her toes curling in shyness. The blush on her cheeks betrayed her words.
Esclara stared at her intently, as if she knew the truth already. Her penetrating gaze made Olivia feel exposed, as if her deepest secrets were laid bare..
"Actually, a little... a little," Olivia sighed, confronting her feelings directly and admitting it. She also knew she could not deny it forever, nor could she lie to Igor's mother. So, she had no choice.
Igor's mother looked at Olivia, scrutinizing every detail of her body.
"Hmm... You have an Archangel bloodline? That's really interesting! Oh, you got it from that fruit as well. It looks like you're destined for my son. Okay, you will do!" she said, revealing a slight smile. It looked like she was satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.
Olivia's face flushed red at the compliment. She seemed extremely shy.
Then, thinking about Igor's prophecy, Igor's mother turned serious, her expression grave.
"But, Olivia, you might get entangled very badly with him, if you do this. Do you still want to do it? There is still a chance for you to go back. I will send you back, and both of you will forget each other in time."
Olivia shook her head. "Forget about Igor? Can I still do that? His presence has become engraved in my memory forever. These memories will never fade."
***
Early the next morning, Igor woke up feeling a stinging pain throughout his body. The pain wasn't physical; it came straight from his spirit.
He rubbed his eyes and tried to lift himself from the bed.
"My son, you're awake!" His mother's tree spirit was beside him, gently holding his hand. "Are you feeling fine, dear?"
Igor managed a weak smile. "I think so, just a little pain. But, I'm alright," he said, feeling comfort from her touch.
Then, Igor remembered the previous day's incident, and a mass of guilt settled inside him. He found it hard to breathe as he realized he had taken so many innocent lives. He had committed a grave sin.
He looked at his mother, guilt-ridden, but she smiled in return.
"Igor, you need to be stronger than this. Remember, this is just the beginning," she said, her tone turning serious.
Igor nodded, burying the negative emotions inside him.
"But, Mama, do you know what kind of power this is? Why do I have this kind of ability? Am I really..." He wanted to ask about his doubts regarding his identity but couldn't express them because of hesitation and reluctance to accept the truth.
However, Esclara already knew what was on his mind. She sighed with great sadness as she decided to reveal the truth at last.
"Yes, it's true I am not your real mother. But I love you more than anyone, my son," she said, gently hugging him in a tight embrace, letting him feel all the love she held for him as a mother.
"Mama! No, this can't be! You're my real mother," he said, hugging her in return. He knew it was probably true, but he couldn't accept it. His stubbornness remained firm.
"No, Mama. You are my mother and always will be. I will never leave you."
Esclara shook her head, releasing him from the embrace.
"No, my son. You have your real parents somewhere. You must find them; they must miss you so much. They're really pitiful. They had to leave you with me to ensure your safety while putting their lives on the line.
Although I don't know your origin clearly, they were really powerful. So, you must be from some kind of higher world."
"Higher world?" Igor asked, looking a little puzzled.
"Yes, Igor. There are indeed higher worlds than this one. But I don't know which one. Just know your last name, Calamity, is the key. But don't reveal your last name outside.
You need to find them for yourself. You need to grow stronger than anyone in this world."
"But, Mama, I don't want to leave you," he said, looking sad at the prospect of leaving his mother's soft embrace.
"Silly child!" His mother sighed, feeling a little content. However, what was to come would happen for sure, and she knew it.
"Igor, you must have already received some knowledge about your ability, right?"
Igor nodded, confirming her query.
"Your ability is really out of this world. So be careful! You could be considered an anomaly here. That's why you're not perfect for learning magic; otherwise, I would have taught you already.
Don't reveal your unique ability to others easily. Otherwise, they might try to harm you. Do you understand?" she said touching his shoulder, her eyes full of worry.
"I understand, Mama. I will do as you say!"