Legend Reborn

Chapter 30: Blessings

The three of us whirl around to see Lumatri standing with her hands on her hips and a big grin on her face. Sharp canines glint in her smile as it widens at our surprise. The goddess approaches us and gathers us up in a big hug.

"I'm so proud of all of you!" she beams. "You made it!"

"Veeeeee~!" Feli sighs happily. He embraces her with a big smile on his face.

"Gah!" Lovino exclaims. He squirms uncomfortably.

"You're so pretty Mama," Feli says in a soft voice.

The Wolf Mother pulls back suddenly and looks at the younger twin in surprise. "What...did you...?"

"You remind me of my mama," Feli explains.

Tears form in the goddess's bright yellow eyes and she embraces Feli tenderly. "Oh my poor child. I'm so sorry about your parents. I'm so, so sorry." She strokes the Wolf's hair gently. "I can't tell you how sorry I am. I didn't want for that to happen, but it was out of my control. I'm so sorry, little one."

Feli hugs her back, but soon begins to shake as large tears roll down his face. He sobs into the Wolf Mother's shoulder and clutches the silvery fur there. All the pain he's been holding in for years since his parents' death now come out with every tear and tremor of his body.

I turn to Lovino and see his fist clenched tightly at his side. He's biting his lip to keep the tears at bay, but I can see the pain swirling in his eyes. He still hasn't come to terms with the loss of his parents either. I slowly reach out a comforting hand to the Wolf.

"Lovino-"

"Don't touch me, dang it!" he snaps as he swats my hand away. I watch helplessly as he covers his eyes with an arm in an attempt to hide his tears.

The Wolf Mother carefully shifts Feli to her other shoulder and opens her arm to the Wolf's brother. Lovino hesitates, but after a moment, he joins his brother in the goddesses embrace. The two twins sob away all of the frustration and pain they've had to endure for most of their lives. Lumatri looks up at me with teary eyes.

"Thank you for bringing them here...my precious children..."

My throat closes with emotion, and I just nod in acknowledgement. For a moment, the Wolves appear like little children clutching their mother, and I can't help but wonder what kind of woman their mother was.

"You made it through the Reflection Chambers," the goddess murmurs. "It was not an easy task in the least. I designed it to test the bonds of a family to make sure my champions had the resolve they would need, and you all passed admirably."

"What did the mirrors have to do with it?" I ask curiously.

Lumatri smiles and continues to smooth the Wolves' hair comfortingly. "Each room reflected more of your strength as a family. The first room was to test how well you know each other. The second was to test how well you know yourself, and the third was to see how much you trust and accept each other. The rooms become more realistic and difficult to pass as the mirrors reflect more and more. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah," I answer softly. A question nags at the back of my mind, and I decide I want to know the answer. "What did my reflection mean, 'No one loves me'?"

The goddesses yellow eyes darken. "Those lookalikes you saw weren't just illusions. They are strange creatures that reside in mirrors and bodies of water that change forms to become the reflections we see. The ones in the Temple have sworn to serve me in exchange for immortality and the ability to exist outside of their mirrors for short periods of time. Some regret their oath more than others."