She looked at him calmly, which made her face appear even more beautiful.
She said in a soft voice:
"The situation is very bad."
Then suddenly, she furrowed her brows, puffed her cheeks, and exhaled in a cute, comical way that increased her allure:
"But why are you asking your mother about the situation after all this? Since you disappeared, I've been searching for you... Was it so hard for you to tell me you returned from your ordeal? Don't you know how much this mother cares for you?"
Her expression suddenly changed, and profound sadness washed over her face. Tears streamed down silently as she continued in a choked voice:
"Why do you do this to me... Try just once to reassure me about your well-being. I love you, my son... but you never care. You always isolate yourself, and whenever I see you, you don't treat me like a mother; you ask about political matters. Can't you be happy to see me, just once? Even if it's an act... just treat me as your mother, Sami..."
Then she broke into silent, deep sobs.
On the other side, Sami's face was painted black, blood seemed trapped in it, as if he was writing his feelings with the utmost pain.
His hands trembled, his lips moved slightly before he quietly closed his eyes.
Damn me... I hate this situation. I hate myself. Why do I have to do this? And why did I have to do anything? I just want to go back. It's not like I hate her, but... doing the opposite would make me worse. In the end, I don't deserve her love... nor anyone's love. I'm the worst... damn it. I can cry later. Hold back your tears, me... It's fine. This is better for her, and for me too. I've endured the past two years, don't give up now... like every time, take a deep breath...
Sami took a strong breath, then let it out all at once.
He opened his eyes, wiping away any trace of emotion.
His agitation faded, and he appeared like a cold stone statue, as if he wasn't even present in this place to begin with.
Then the little girl approached her mother and said in a worried voice:
"Mommy... why are you crying? Brother loves you... please, don't cry..."
And she too began to cry.
It was a heart-wrenching scene; an incredibly beautiful and gentle woman crying bitterly, and a little girl crying with her.
Anyone seeing this would imagine Sami was a heartless monster.
The mother embraced her child to her chest and composed herself a little.
She wiped her tears with an elegant gesture, then looked at Sami while holding the little girl:
"I'll tell you what's happening, as you wish."
Sami nodded in silence.
Her face transformed from sadness to stern seriousness:
"The main prison of the Clan has been breached. This hasn't been officially announced yet, but that's what happened. The Sword Demon clan was behind the attack, but they weren't trying to smuggle out their leader as we expected... they were trying to kill him. The guards captured one of them, and after interrogation, he confessed to that.
But, in the end, that changes nothing. They breached the world's largest prison, and it seems the Central Clan is currently negotiating with them. Their clan leader denies the matter, saying they were just extremists from his clan, but he can't completely deny their connection to him.
And the truth? Everyone already hates the Sword Demon clan anyway. It seems the Central Clan will exploit the incident to wipe them from existence.
But the clans on the other continents won't stay silent... they'll pressure us with the argument that a prison of this size was breached. And in the end... we will bear everything. Our clan will be the scapegoat. We were hit, and we'll be blamed because we were hit... Damn this wretched world system."
Sami was listening silently, reading between the lines, analyzing what was happening deep within him.
His mother continued, lifting the child from her lap and sitting her beside her:
"Worse than all that... the Sword Demon wasn't killed. No one found his body. It seems he disappeared.
Just the thought of a criminal like him being at large... could cause global unrest.
Right now, the Clan Leader is in a meeting with the Central Clan to try and contain the situation.
And by the way... the Colosseum has been temporarily suspended.
As for the new Bound, they will either continue their training in special facilities or on their own."
Then suddenly, her features shifted into a bright smile, and she said with gleaming hazel eyes:
"So? What do you think? You'll come home, won't you?"
Sami looked to the side, raised an eyebrow slightly, then said quietly:
"I don't really know..."
She replied forcefully:
"What are you saying, my son? Of course you'll come back with your mother and sister! What are you talking about?"
But he didn't reply.
He kept staring into the void, immersed in his thoughts.
For the first time, he realized that simple goal he once dreamed of... was very far away.
He had been a frog at the bottom of the well.
He had never thought about the outside world.
He lived inside his shell... but now he realized the extent of his ignorance.
There were powerful clans, strict systems, terrifying armies, and unbelievable warriors.
He was just a tiny drop in this vast ocean.
And whether he liked it or not, this world would swallow him if he wasn't prepared.
Now, he didn't just want power to get answers... he wanted it to stay standing.
Understanding was no longer enough... he had to survive.
But he knew... both power and knowledge were elusive.
He was pulled back to reality by a soft voice tugging his shirt.
His little sister was looking at him worriedly.
He placed his hand on her head and said:
"It's okay... I was just thinking."
Then he looked at his mother, who seemed ready to stand up.
He said calmly:
"Alright... it seems I really will be going home..."
His mother smiled brightly, like a sun suddenly appearing in a sorrowful night.
Her smile illuminated her face, increasing her beauty, and filled the room with warmth.
Outside the door, Aasia and Little Eagle were waiting in silence.
Aasia said, looking at him:
"To think Sami's mother was someone like this?"
Little Eagle replied, sighing:
"I knew brother was special, but I never expected this."
Aasia smiled and said:
"For your mother to be the daughter of the former Clan Leader, the most beautiful woman on the continent, famous... who doesn't know the Dance of the Winds, the Jewel of the Gloomy Winds clan? But... why did Sami seem like he didn't like her?"
Little Eagle replied quietly:
"Even great people have family problems... and who doesn't?"
Aasia looked at him in surprise:
"I feel like you're speaking with wisdom beyond your years... as if I'm the younger one here!"
Little Eagle laughed gently, and suddenly the door opened.
The beautiful woman stepped out, smiling and happy, and said to them:
"Hello, Sami's friends... Sorry to make you wait outside! I'll make it up to you later!"
She left with her radiant grace, followed by the little girl.
Aasia noticed Little Eagle's gaze towards Sami's sister.
She bent down and asked him in a teasing tone:
"Why are you staring at Sami's sister like that? Huh?"
His face turned red, and he stammered:
"It's nothing... I was just... thinking how lucky she is to have Sami as her big brother."
Then they went back inside the room.
Sami was still sitting on the bed, with his usual calm, gloomy face.
He looked at them and said:
"Well... it seems things have gotten better. We've got a vacation!"
To be continued...
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