Light enveloped the room, making it impossible to see what was happening. Eventually, the light receded into the gem and colour returned to my mother. However, as soon as her time resumed, she started yelling orders. I quickly backed away so I didn't accidentally get hit by any rapid movements.
"Hurry there isn't much ti- huh?" My mother quickly realised the strangeness of the situation. Her attendants were all frozen in place, all the while the daughter she just threw through a portal was standing once more in front of her. If I was in her shoes I'd be doubting my own eyes as well.
"Hey, mum." I waved, not sure how I should be approaching this. It may have been a mere moment to her, but for me it had been years since we've last met. Where do I even start?
Without saying a word, my mother walked up to me and began pinching my cheeks.
"Are you real?" A part of me wanted to cry from sheer happiness, seeing that my mother was still alive, but I kept it in as this isn't the most ideal situation.
"Ow! Yes, I'm real!" I let her do her thing, noticing that she wasn't just pinching my cheeks for fun, but actually analysing my face.
"I can't believe it, how long has it been? And who is this lovely lady friend that you've brought with you? I guess I should ask what the hell happened first shouldn't I?" A million things were running through my mother's head that she could hardly contain.
"Firstly can you please let go of my face? Secondly, it's been almost 2 years. Thirdly, that's Elysia, and currently, we are in a time stasis barrier created by Freja." Laying things out in order, I instantly saw the disbelief in my mother's eyes.
"Woah, woah, slow down dear." She raised her hand to stop me from talking so that she could digest all the information I just told her.
"Before we go any further, is the situation dire?"
"I... I don't know. We are kind of in a hurry since my party is probably freaking out that we suddenly disappeared." It was hard to know if we were completely safe, but as of now, there weren't any immediate problems. If anything, it's a surprise that the gem broke my mother out of the stasis so easily.
"Hmm, I'm guessing you opened the box then?" My mother gave me a stern look as she probably didn't believe I was tier 10. By this world's standards, tier 10 is not achievable in only 2 years.
"I sure did, and just as promised I reached tier 10 before opening it." I was kind of conflicted about my mother's tone as I expected our reunion to be a bit more heartwarming.
"Phew, we are fine then." Suddenly, she pulled me in for a hug, smothering me in her chest. My mother and father both were taller than me by a head, so my head had nowhere else to go.
.net
Elysia squinted her eyes, feeling a bit on edge, but she knew it was just my mother so she had no reason to be jealous.
*
<DIning room>
Elysia and I sat across from my mother, who patiently waited to hear everything. Elysia, being her bold self, placed her hand on my thigh to provide some comfort.
"So..." I started to tell the story that began 2 years ago in hope of clearing Elysia's name as well as breaking to my mother that we are in a relationship.
*
"You have been dating for the last 2 years!!!!" After telling Elysia's story and how things came to be, my mother shot up from her chair while slamming the table.
"Yes, and nothing will change that." While explaining, it helped me resolve myself. At first, it felt like I was back to being a kid again, but no, I am an adult. I can't let my mother suddenly dictate my life, especially after I've already been completely independent for 2 whole years.
The honeymoon phase of getting my mother back had subsided thanks to the serious tone of the conversation.
"Shaman saved my life and I owe her my very being. Also, I have already eradicated my entire extended family for what they did to my parents." Elysia wrapped her arms around my neck, which only added fuel to the fire, but at this point maybe it was necessary.
My mother clenched her fist, clearly conflicted. Logically, Elysia shouldn't be treated like a terrorist. If anything, she has done a huge service and should be praised for getting rid of the family which plagued fox realm society. However, that did little to calm her motherly instincts.
"Urgh, we should release your father, he would know what to do." My mother slumped down into her chair, giving up her serious attitude.
"I wanted to be stern and make sure you contemplate your mistakes, but you grew up so perfect. How can I be mad?!"
Me and Elysia looked at each other, confused, as it sounded like this whole thing was just an act.
"Wait so you are not mad or suspicious?" I did initially find it odd how my mother was acting, since she was more of a laid-back type, but we were also trapped in a barrier, unable to leave, so I could understand her tension.
"Of course not. After you spoke up to defend her so confidently, how can I still object? You were exactly like me when I married your father. He was despised by your grandma, but I stood up for him and eventually won my parents over." Dropping some parent lore, it was kind of nice to know that we acted the same way. It served to reinforce that, no matter where I originally came from, I was indeed her child.
"Wow okay, well before I continue, we should probably free Dad shouldn't we?"
"Yes, he needs to hear this story as well." The mood was quickly changing to what I hoped it would be. I don't know why we didn't free him right away, but I also wasn't sure if the gem had limited uses.