Dawn of the Elements - Book 4: Future Rewritten

Chapter Ten: A Mother's Love

Amethyst eyes blinked open, sunlight briefly blinding her. Adjusting, Melody surveyed her room. She lay in her bed; curtains drawn on three sides, except for the window. Three chairs sat beside her bed, occupied by her mother, Aunt Grenadine, and Aunt Gold.

"You're awake!" Lyna shouted, grasping Melody's left hand. "How are you feeling, dear?"

The teenage pyromancer sat up, a smile illuminating her face. "I feel strong," she said, the beam widening. "Stronger than ever before!" She looked at her hand, squeezing her mother's. "I was never a fighter. My powers were always for healing, for science. But to feel this strength, this combat power... it was exhilarating!"

"Think about it from our perspective, my dear," Gold said, her voice brimming with excitement. "You summoned Tao Ren by yourself. That feat always required both your father and me."

Lyna's smile was radiant, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Little Flame," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "you possess abilities beyond even your father and aunt combined. You've achieved things they only dreamed of." She gently placed Melody's hand on her pregnant belly. "You and your brother... you are both something truly special. And I couldn't be prouder."

Tears welled in Melody's eyes, escaping and tracing paths down her cheeks. "I grew up without you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I didn't have a mother to teach me to style my hair, to help me choose my clothes, to guide me through my studies, to reassure me. Aunt Grenadine was the closest I had, and even that was during the turmoil of war."

Aunt Grenadine, the Mistress of Spirit, placed a comforting hand on Melody's head. "It's clear I raised you well," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "Any mother would be proud of the remarkable young woman you've become, and the even more extraordinary woman you will continue to blossom into."

A voice, ethereal and warm, echoed from the corner of the room. "Her grandmother is, too."

Gold's tears flowed freely as Esmelda Drachma's spirit materialized in the corner, a radiant smile illuminating her translucent form. Melody, overcome with emotion, quickly attempted to compose herself, smoothing her hair and adjusting her clothes, a mixture of shyness and overwhelming joy washing over her. The weight of her past, the absence of her mother, now seemed insignificant compared to the overwhelming love and acceptance that surrounded her.

The presence of her grandmother, a spirit returned, was a testament to the strength and resilience she had inherited, a legacy of power and love that now flowed through her veins.

"You look wonderful, dearest Melody," Esmelda said, her smile radiating warmth. "It's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you. I wasn't able to in the future, you see." Gold's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in astonishment as her mother spoke. Esmelda turned her radiant gaze towards her daughter, then shifted her attention to Lyna.

"Your Majesty," the Spectral Mistress of Fire began, her voice carrying a reverence that resonated through the room. "Your daughter is extraordinary. I've watched over her throughout her life. She will bring you immeasurable pride." Lyna's smile, tinged with a mixture of joy and longing, met Melody's gaze.

"Mistress Esmelda, I can assure you," Lyna replied, her voice filled with heartfelt emotion. "Though I've only known her for a short time, my pride knows no bounds. I only wish I could have been there for her, to have shown her the kind of love that only a mother can truly give."

"Melody returned to give you that chance, Your Majesty," Esmelda said, her voice filled with conviction. "She's here to offer you the opportunity I never had. To be with your children throughout their lives, to witness their triumphs and share their sorrows... it's a feeling I can only wish I had experienced."

"Mother," Gold said, tears streaming down her face. "You have no idea how much we longed for you. We grew up without you, under the guidance of Master Benkei and Mistress Salim." The pyromancer wiped away her tears, her voice thick with emotion. "When Silver and I saw you, Father, and our teachers on his wedding day, the joy was overwhelming. When I finally embraced you, when Silver went missing, I experienced your love for the first time in my life. And I knew, then, that you were always watching over us. That form of love... it is eternal, and undying." The room fell silent, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air. The love, loss, and longing, all interwoven, creating a tapestry of shared history.

Melody watched the three women, her heart swelling with a mixture of emotions. Witnessing such powerful, accomplished women surrounding her, she knew that her struggles, her sacrifices, were ultimately worthwhile. They were a testament to the bonds of family, and the power of love.

"I've never said it," Melody said, tears beginning to stream down her face. "Since I arrived, I never told you... I love you." Lyna's eyes widened, her heart soaring as she looked at her eldest child. "Mom, I love you. Being able to see you, to know you... it's made all of this worth it."

The four older women's jaws dropped, their expressions a mix of shock and overwhelming joy. Melody had always been formal, addressing her parents as "Mother" and "Father." To hear her utter "Mom" was a moment that transcended all expectations.

"Your father and I love you too, Little Flame," Lyna said, tears welling in her eyes. "We love you now, and we will have the chance to love you all over again. Watching you grow, becoming the remarkable woman you are now..." Those words, imbued with such tenderness, brought forth a fresh wave of tears from the teen.

"I won't remember it," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "To me, the first sixteen years of my life will be a blur. I'll only remember the past I remember now, and what I've done here." Lyna gently pulled the girl into a comforting hug.

"We won't tell your father," she whispered, comforting the pyromancer. "Because you know he'll freak out. He always does when it comes to things like that." Gold chuckled softly, remembering the many times her brother had flown into a protective rage.

"I remember when Loran Silverlance snuck into the castle and attacked your mother, just to get to him," the cerulean pyromancer said, taking her niece's mechanical hand in her own. "He forced himself to stay awake for ninety-six hours straight, in order to find a way to stop him. That act nearly cost him his life."

"We're reckless," Melody said, wiping her eyes. "Our family always has been." A smile played on her lips. "I remember the stories that Aunt Grenadine told us as kids. I think my favourite has to be when Dad came back from the dead, and pretended to be Tao Ren, in order to face Uncle Caius."

Hearing his name, brought scowls to the women's faces. "Caius Drakon is a plague to this world," Lyna stated, her voice filled with loathing. "Your father won't admit it, but Caius is his greatest failure. No matter how many times he defeats the slippery bastard, he always comes back."

"Then we stop him here, and now," Melody said, her voice filled with a newfound resolve. "I won't let him destroy my family. Not after just getting to know them." The teen then saw her father standing in the doorway. "Hey, Father."

"Get geared up, Little Flame," the King of Fire said, pulling up the hood of a cloak. "We're going out." Melody looked confused.

"Where are we going?" the teen asked, confusion in her voice. Silver smiled at his teenaged daughter, as he tossed the girl a cloak.

"Somewhere special."