Quoted By:
<span class="mu-s">“I didn’t want you to build all this stuff to protect me. I needed my parents…”</span>
Your mother looked away with a shamed expression, unable to meet your eyes.
<span class="mu-s">“So, what? All this is your way of apologizing for missing a year of my life and making me think you were dead? Is that supposed to make me feel better?”</span> you asked, forcing her to meet your eyes by walking around the table.
<span class="mu-r">“Take it as you will. If you don't want Cradle's resources, you don't have to use them. I'll do my best to keep them out of your way whenever you're out in the field.”</span>
You frowned at her, unsatisfied with her answer. There was no way she was gonna make you feel bad about ditching you to take charge of a superhero daycare center.
You scoffed and shook your head, deciding to inspect the refrigerator behind her instead. It still had all those corny magnets that dad liked to buy from places that he’s visited.
<span class="mu-s">“Why's this place an exact replica of our house, anyway?”</span> you asked. The attention to detail was almost scary.
Your mom looked up at you, blinking in surprise.
<span class="mu-r">“Oh, well…I use this place to unwind and meditate. It reminds me of the time that we used to spend together before…”</span>
She trailed off, her wistful smile fading slightly as she remembered the event that forced you apart.
<span class="mu-s">“If Dad's ‘gone to ground’, then when did the two of you split? Before joining CRADLE, or after?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Technically, afterwards. We still keep in contact from time to time, but I don’t want the vampires discovering his exact location.”</span> she explained.
So he knew a bit about what was going on here, then. What the hell were your parents thinking?
<span class="mu-s">“Speaking of vampires,”</span> you continued, honing in on something she'd mentioned before. <span class="mu-s">“You said that they came after <span class="mu-i">me</span> specifically. Because they were terrified of me. Of ‘what I might become’. Those were your exact words.”</span>
Your mother stiffened, and you could tell that you had touched upon a topic that she was hoping you wouldn’t grill her on.
<span class="mu-s">“What did you mean when you said that?”</span>
Through your mother's eyes, you could see her doing mental calculations, weighing risks before she dared say another word. After a long, tense moment, she relented with a weary sigh.
<span class="mu-r">“...When you were a baby, still under the Kumiho's curse, I discovered something else. A prophecy that's been passed down for generations among the monster community. It told of a great warrior that shared the blood of monsters and humans. This warrior would one day have the power to kill and subjugate creatures thought to be too powerful for any mere mortal to challenge alone.”</span>
You stepped closer to the table, wondering where your mother was going with this.
<span class="mu-r">“There are a few titles that are used to describe this legendary warrior, but there is one word that comes up often whenever it is told.”</span> she said, looking you right in the eye. <span class="mu-r">“<span class="mu-s">Slayer</span>.”</span>
(Cont.)
