A Mothers Love

Chapter 3: A Mother's Love

Sakuchi walked beside his mother in silence, his hands stuffed into his pockets. The weight of his victory at the Awakened Society's exam should have filled him with pride. He had proven himself. He had surpassed the sneers of the nobles and the doubts of the commoners alike.

And yet, the further they walked, the heavier his chest felt.

The dirt road home stretched before them, lined with familiar buildings and faces, yet everything seemed different now. As if he was seeing it all for the last time.

His mother, Riku, had barely spoken since they left the registry office.

She walked with her arms folded, her gaze downcast. Sakuchi knew that look. It was the same one she had when she had nothing left to say but too much to feel.

"Hey," he muttered. "You alright?"

She gave a hollow chuckle. "I should be asking you that."

Sakuchi frowned but didn't push.

They continued through the streets, passing market stalls and the occasional noblewoman who shot them a disapproving glance. Sakuchi ignored them, but he noticed how his mother hesitated under their scrutiny.

It reminded him of how she had always been—hiding, making herself smaller in the presence of those above her.

But today, she didn't just look ashamed.

She looked lost.

They left the main road, stepping onto a path he hadn't walked in years.

His mother led him through the outskirts of town, toward an overgrown graveyard. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and the tombstones were weathered by time.

Sakuchi slowed as he realized where they were going.

His father's grave.

It was neglected, the name almost illegible from years of unkept weeds and dirt.

His mother fell to her knees, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the tombstone. For a long time, she just stared.

Then, like a dam breaking, the tears came.

Sakuchi had never seen his mother cry like this.

Her sobs were raw, violent. She clutched at the dirt as if trying to pull her husband back from the dead.

"I never came," she choked out. "I never—I never came—"

She had abandoned this place. Just as she had abandoned her grief.

Sakuchi swallowed.

He wasn't sure what to do.

She had never held him when he cried as a child. She had never comforted him when he was alone. And yet, despite everything—despite the pain she had inflicted upon him—he knelt beside her.

He hesitated before resting a hand on her back.

She flinched, but then—slowly—she collapsed into him.

For the first time, she let herself break in his arms.

And for the first time, he let himself hold her.

They returned home as the sky darkened, the weight of the day pressing down on them.

His mother sat at the table, staring at nothing. Her hands shook slightly, her fingers pressing into her temples.

"Mom, it's okay," he said softly trying his hardest to support her, but his words felt inadequate against the depth of her grief.

Time blurred as they remained there, bound by love and loss. When Riku finally calmed, she looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy. And in a moment that felt surreal, she kissed him on the mouth, a soft, lingering gesture that froze Sakuchi's breath. Confusion twisted within him, but a part of him felt drawn to her, to the warmth and familiarity.

Before he could process the chaos in his mind, they were locked in each other's embrace, instincts taking over. It was as if an invisible force pulled them closer, something neither of them fully understood. The lines between mother and son blurred, reality fading into a haze of emotion and warmth.

"I-can't" Sakuchi began, his heart racing, battling against an unexplainable urge that surged through him. But then, it became overwhelming. He leaned in, kissing her neck, feeling the softness of her skin beneath his lips. Instincts screamed for him to stop, but all rational thought evaporated in that moment. It was a primal connection, an aura resonating that neither of them could fight.

As they pulled away, realization washed over them like ice water. They both gasped, eyes wide, shame crashing down upon them like a wave. The guilt gnawed at Sakuchi as he thought of his father—of what he would think, what he would say. But there was something else, an unexplainable force connecting them, awakening something in Riku that had been dormant.

It happened in an instant—a moment of confusion, passion, and a wild rush of emotions. Sakuchi, in the whirlwind of it all, accidentally pulled down Riku's shirt, and suddenly all sense of reality slipped away, lost to the tides of instinct and desire.

When he woke the next morning, the sun poured through the curtains, and he felt a wave of disgust wash over him as he realized where he was. Riku lay beside him, peaceful and serene, an image of tranquility that only served to amplify his inner turmoil. Just as he turned to leave, he heard her murmur his name in her sleep, "Don't leave me again, Saku…"

a sharp knock suddenly echoed through the small house.

Sakuchi opened the door, greeted by a cheerful, golden-eyed boy with messy brown hair.

"You must be Sakuchi!" the boy beamed. "I'm June! Your guide to the Awakened Society!"

Sakuchi stared at him.

Too energetic. Too loud.

"…Right," he muttered.

June clapped his hands together. "Grab your bags! Big day ahead!"

Sakuchi sighed, rubbing his face. "Give me a minute."

He turned back inside, walking toward his mother's room. She was already awake, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I'm leaving," he said simply.

She stood slowly. For a moment, she just looked at him. Then, before he could react, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

Sakuchi stiffened.

"…Be safe," she whispered.

His throat tightened, but he forced a smirk. "No choice, right?"

She laughed softly, but her eyes were wet.

Sakuchi hesitated. Then, before he could talk himself out of it, he hugged her back.

He turned toward the door.

But before he could leave, his mother suddenly grabbed his wrist.

He turned.

She hesitated—then, before he could stop her, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Sakuchi froze.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then she stepped back, her face red.

"S-Sorry," she muttered, backing away.

Sakuchi didn't say anything. He just turned and walked out the door, leaving the house—and her—behind.

They walked for hours, June talking the entire time.

"So, nobles, right? They act like they own the place, but technically the commoners outnumber them in the Society. Oh, and the dorms? Way smaller than you'd think. Also, did you know—"

Sakuchi sighed, barely listening.

He had too much on his mind.

His mother. The grave. The kiss.

Everything felt wrong.

He shook the thoughts away. He needed to focus.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the Awakened Society.

The campus was much smaller than he had expected.

A large, towering building sat in the center, surrounded by several smaller structures. The dormitories were plain, and the entire place had a sense of quiet discipline.

June grinned. "Not bad, huh?"

Sakuchi remained unimpressed.

They walked toward the entrance, passing groups of students. Some eyed him curiously, others with mild disdain.

June elbowed him. "Ignore the stares. It's just because you're new."

Sakuchi rolled his eyes.

They stepped inside the main building, where a woman in formal robes greeted them. "New recruit?"

June nodded. "This is Sakuchi. He just passed the exam."

The woman gave Sakuchi a long, appraising look. "You'll be assigned a dorm shortly. Until then, follow me."

Sakuchi followed, feeling the weight of his new reality settle over him.

This was it.

A new chapter.

A new life.

He should have felt excited. But as he walked deeper into the halls of the Awakened Society, he realized something.

For the first time in years…

He missed home.

And he wasn't sure why.

Sakuchi sat on the edge of his bed in the dormitory, staring at the ceiling.

He had barely slept.

The weight of the past few days pressed against his chest—the exam, his mother, the journey here. Now, as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the small window, reality settled in.

This was his new home.

The Awakened Society.

He exhaled and stood, stretching his arms. Time to see what this place had in store for him.

Sakuchi followed the rest of the first-year recruits to the main building, where an instructor stood waiting.

The instructor was a tall, broad-shouldered man with short gray hair and a scar across his left cheek. His piercing gaze swept over them like a hawk eyeing prey.

"My name is Instructor Kael," he announced. "For those of you who think passing the entry exam makes you strong, allow me to correct that illusion. Strength is earned here. Power is forged."

His voice was sharp, demanding attention.

"Before you can begin proper training, you will undergo the Awakening Trial. This trial determines your current power level and where you stand among your peers. Your performance will decide your class placement."

Murmurs rippled through the students.

Sakuchi sighed. More tests?

Kael motioned toward the arena behind him. "Step inside one by one. You will be tested on three things—Aura capacity, control, and combat ability."

June elbowed Sakuchi, grinning. "Guess it's time to show off."

Sakuchi just rolled his eyes.

When it was finally his turn, Sakuchi stepped into the testing chamber.

A massive stone monolith stood at the center, glowing with strange symbols. Kael gestured toward it.

"Place your hand on the monolith and channel your Aura."

Sakuchi did as instructed.

The moment his palm made contact, heat surged from his core, flowing into the stone. His crimson flames flickered to life, engulfing his arm.

The monolith flared with bright red light.

Kael's eyes narrowed. "Fire-type Aura, high density, strong natural output… impressive. Next, control test."

Sakuchi was handed a small wooden sphere. "Channel your flames into this without burning it."

He clenched his fist, forcing his fire to form around the ball. His Aura roared to life, eager to consume—but he grit his teeth and focused. Slowly, the fire shrank until only a small ember hovered around the wood.

Kael gave a satisfied nod. "Good control. Now, for the final test—combat."

Sakuchi was led to an open sparring ring, where another student stepped forward.

A tall boy with short blond hair and sharp green eyes.

"Your opponent will be Raynard," Kael said. "The match ends when one of you yields."

Raynard smirked. "Try not to embarrass yourself, newbie."

Sakuchi cracked his knuckles. "Same to you."

Kael signaled the start.

Raynard dashed forward, wind whipping around him. Wind-type Aura. Fast.

Sakuchi barely had time to react before a gust of compressed air struck him in the chest, forcing him back.

But instead of stumbling, he spun with the impact and launched a counterattack.

His flames roared to life, spiraling around his fists as he lunged forward. Raynard tried to dodge, but Sakuchi feinted, shifting his stance at the last second. His fist connected with Raynard's shoulder, sending him skidding back.

The blond boy gritted his teeth. "Not bad."

He dashed forward again, wind gathering around his legs, increasing his speed.

Sakuchi clenched his fists, focusing his flames—not to overpower, but to enhance his movements.

He stepped to the side, narrowly dodging Raynard's strike, and delivered a sharp kick to his opponent's ribs.

Raynard staggered, coughing. He started to raise his hands again, but Kael raised a hand.

"Enough."

Raynard scowled but nodded, stepping back.

Sakuchi exhaled. His body hummed with energy, but he kept his flames from raging out of control.

Kael nodded approvingly. "You pass."

After the trial, the students gathered in a dimly lit lecture hall.

An older man stood at the front, adjusting his glasses. His long robes and aged face gave him the appearance of a Middle Aged Sorcerer.

"I am Professor Alden," he said. "You are all here to become stronger, but strength without knowledge is meaningless. Today, we will discuss the enemy that threatens our world—the Wraiths."

The room fell silent.

Sakuchi leaned forward.

Alden continued. "Wraiths are not mere monsters. They are living manifestations of corrupted Aura. When a person dies with intense hatred, regret, or suffering, their Aura does not fade. Instead, it twists, warps, and seeks a new form."

He gestured to the wall behind him, where an old painting depicted a grotesque shadowy figure with glowing red eyes.

"These creatures exist in many forms. Some are mindless husks, driven only by hunger. Others—" his gaze darkened, "—retain their intelligence. The strongest of them are called Nightlords. They can strategize, manipulate, and even speak."

A shiver ran down Sakuchi's spine.

Alden's voice grew grave. "A Wraith cannot be killed by normal means. Their existence is tied to their lingering Aura. The only way to truly destroy them is to purify their corrupted energy—or to consume it."

Whispers filled the room.

June frowned. "Consume it? You mean, like… absorb their power?"

Alden nodded. "Yes. But few are capable of it. Those who attempt it often risk corruption themselves."

Sakuchi sat back, deep in thought.

Wraiths weren't just mindless threats.

They were the remnants of people—twisted echoes of suffering and rage.

And the only way to destroy them… was to take their power for yourself.

After class, Sakuchi walked through the halls, his mind still processing everything.

This world was larger—and darker—than he had realized.

The Awakened Society wasn't just a place to train.

It was preparing them for war.

He clenched his fists, his flames flickering in response.

If Wraiths were born from suffering… then he would make sure he never became one.

No matter what.