The Snake Warriors

Chapter Seven

My mouth drops open slightly. That's definitely her. She looks slightly younger, but not that much. But... that's impossible! This image would have to be over a hundred years old! My mom is only... I don't know how old my mom is. I don't even know her birthday.

"I take it you recognize her," Zadimus says. He seems... I can't get a read on his motives or emotions or... anything. He was too empty in his words.

"But isn't that about- oh I don't know- one hundred and sixty-five years old!" Foxtail yells, waving his arms a little as well.

"Yes. I'm perplexed as to how this is possible as well. It's possible that the Ciara in that photo is just an ancestor who looks like your mother," Zadimus says.

"No, it's definitely my mother. She looks a bit younger, but not by much," I say. How old is she? Foxtail sighs.

"We better go find Lotus," Foxtail says, walking off in the direction she went earlier.

"No need," Zadimus says. Foxtail stops and turns his head to look at Zadimus. He points at the mouth of Rächer Cave. Me and Foxtail both look. There's Lotus. She's talking with someone else. Another Mallorian Werewolf perhaps? No, she's not wearing black. Her hair is silver, spikey, and pulled back in a ponytail. She's wearing regular combat gear, and it's mostly brown. She and Lotus appear to be arguing about something... and now she's storming away. Lotus stares after her blankly. She sighs and then notices us staring. She starts walking over to us through the sea of people. Most people just go around her. She's gotten enough respect that people get out of the way. And now she's here.

"Hey. What's going on?" Lotus sounds tired, but she has her hand on her hip.

"Do you know someone by the name of Ciara Vedaldi?" Zadimus asks.

"Yeah wh- wait, is she one of Sorcha's relatives?"

"Close. She's my mother," I say. Lotus studies me closely.

"Well, that would explain why you look like a younger and female version of Conaire. Those two di- nevermind that. But you would have to have been born over one hundred years ago, and then you probably would have had to have met me before today, and then there's the issue of how is Ciara still aliv- oh sweet universe," Lotus breaks off into laughter.

"What is it?" I ask. Lotus doesn't seem to hear me. She won't stop laughing. I look up at Foxtail and Zadimus. Foxtail shrugs and s face remains blank.

"I- I can't- can't even," Lotus manages before laughing even harder. She's starting to double over, and she's holding her stomach. Foxtail rolls his eyes.

"Okay Lotus, we get it. Something is funny. Care to fill the rest of us in on what it is?" He says, crossing his arms. Lotus apparently heard him and begins making an effort to control her laughter. What could possibly be so funny?

"I'm sorry- it's just..." Lotus starts giggling. "I never thought... she'd actually... be able to... do it," Lotus is now just breath heavily and snorting occasionally.

"Do what?" I ask.

"Complete her aging spell of course," Lotus says nonchalantly.

"Oh that makes sens- what?" Foxtail uncrosses his arms.

"Ciara is one of the best witches in all the worlds, but I figured even she couldn't change the way a person ages. Sorcha, how old are you?" Lotus looks at me.

"Nineteen. Why?"

"Figures. If I have my math even halfway right, you would have been conceived about twenty years before Conaire died. Ciara would not have been aware until another ten years, due to her aging spell most likely affecting all her bodily functions, not just how long she lived... that's actually kind of gross when you think about- nevermind. Point is, this all makes perfect sense, and let's not talk about it ever again because it is no longer hilarious and instead kind of nauseating," Lotus has a rather disturbed look on her face.