Chapter 5

Amidst the echoes, a sharp cry reverberated, accompanied by a sensation of release. The impish figure that had crossed my path, a peculiar harbinger of both danger and guidance, emerged from the shadows. A loud shriek resonated through the air as the imp manifested, its form contorting and shifting in response to the lethal assault. What emerged in its place was the creature I had encountered before an imp, a messenger from the nether realms.

The girl with white hair turned her attention towards me, her gaze steady and unfaltering. Her voice, tinged with a mixture of warning and resolve, sliced through the chaotic aftermath. "These demons may lack physical strength, but their cunning knows no bounds. They lurk in the shadows, preying on the vulnerable, absorbing their essence to grow stronger. This particular demon likely perceived you as an easy target, but I have no patience for those who threaten the progeny of my mistress."

The weight of her words hung in the air, carrying with them a sense of authority that was impossible to ignore. Her eyes bore into mine, her intentions transparent in their unwavering focus. The imp, realising its impending doom, attempted to fade into the protective embrace of the shadows that danced upon the moonlit floor. However, fate had other plans.

In a swift and calculated motion, the girl with the resplendent white hair aimed her weapons with precision, her fingers deftly squeezing the triggers. The gunshots were a testament to her proficiency, each round finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The imp's head jerked back, a shrill cry escaping its lips before it crumbled into nothingness, dissipating into the very shadows it had hoped to wield as protection.

As the dust settled, the girl made her way towards me, her presence a stark juxtaposition to the chaos that had just unfolded. The same hands that had thrown me aside now reached out, her grip gentle as she lifted me from the debris-strewn ground. Her voice, carrying a soothing timbre, reached my ears as she spoke, offering a reassurance that felt like a lifeline.

"I was dispatched by your mother, entrusted with the task of safeguarding you. For three years, I've watched over you, lurking in the shadows, unseen yet vigilant. It was only when danger loomed that I chose to reveal myself. My name is Mavka."

The weight of her words hung in the air, their significance sinking in with each passing moment. The realisation that my mother hadn't forsaken me, that she had orchestrated this guardian presence, moved me to tears. My heart swelled with a mixture of relief and gratitude, emotions that cascaded down my cheeks in a torrent of emotion.

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A few minutes slipped by, marked by the heavy silence that followed my tearful outpouring onto Makva's chest. My heart, a tumultuous sea of emotions, had finally found a semblance of calm within its depths. With a resolute swallow, I gently withdrew my head from the comfort of Trish's tears. A sudden surge of shyness washed over me, an unexpected vulnerability that mingled with the tender threads of my newfound feelings.

Perhaps it was the sheer intensity of those emotions that had driven me to seek solace in the shoulder of the girl I had loved at first sight. Or maybe, it was the stubborn whisper of pride, cautioning me that such an act was folly. Regardless, I swallowed my self-consciousness and cleared my throat with a cough, finding my voice amidst the remnants of my vulnerability.

"Please forget that ever happened," I stammered, crimson blushes blooming across my cheeks like an enchanting dawn.

Mavka, her eyes dancing with mirth, regarded me with a mischievous smirk playing upon her lips. The laughter within her danced like a delicate symphony, and her words tumbled forth with a playful cadence. "I didn't know the young master would be quite so bashful. Although," she continued, barely containing her amusement, "I suppose the young master is still just a child."

A mixture of chagrin and amusement played within me, caught in the web of her teasing. Her laughter seemed to cascade like a melody, enchanting in its own right, and I was captivated by the allure that exuded from her. It was more than just physical beauty ,it was a radiance that transcended the mundane, leaving an indelible mark upon the senses.

Yet, I managed to muster a semblance of composure, not letting myself be swept away entirely by the tide of emotions her laughter had evoked. I retorted, my gaze flickering away momentarily, "I'm no child," my voice carrying a hint of playful defiance. Unseen within me, though, a tremor of uncertainty played its own tune, for this was uncharted territory. Engaging in conversation with a girl so captivating was a realm I had never ventured into before, and the tumult of emotions it invoked was both exhilarating and disconcerting.

Gathering my courage, I ventured further, inquiring about the whereabouts of my beloved mother and sister. My words were laced with a cautious optimism, a glimmer of hope intertwined with the fragile threads of uncertainty. "Where are my mother and sister? Can you guide me to them?"

Mavka's demeanor shifted, a veil of somberness casting shadows over her features. Her smile faltered, replaced by a pensive expression, and she sighed as if burdened by the weight of the words she was about to utter. "I don't possess all the answers, but I do know that your mother has been sealed in hell by the parliament of that realm."

My heart sank, a sinking feeling of frustration and despair gnawing at me. "Why? What could she have possibly done to warrant such a punishment?" I demanded, a surge of indignation and confusion coursing through me.

Mavka's gaze shifted, her reluctance evident. Yet, under my persistent questioning, she relented, revealing a truth that twisted like a knife within me. "Your parents, they broke the most forbidden taboos of both Heaven and hell. Their union gave birth to you and your sister ,a hybrid with powers hailing from both realms. The consequences of their actions were deemed severe, and the price they must pay for their transgressions is dire."