And showing her back, the child presented the heart she had rescued to Kalia.
Thank you, Drea. Really thank you.
Kwee-kwee!
Drea wagged her white tail and leaped into the air, circling above Kalias head.
Meanwhile, Simon, who had embraced Sasha, teleported in front of Kalia and rushed to her.
Kalia! Damn it, Im sorry. I should have reacted first
Guilt and remorse contorted Simons pale face.
Kalia nodded as if to reassure him.
Drea, who had been flying in the sky, carried Sasha on her back and soared into the air. Simon approached Kalia and knelt in front of her, clasping his hands over hers, which were holding the heart.
Are you okay?
Yeah. Im safe. Its weak, but Its still beating, Simon.
-Thump, thud. Thump thud.-
The heart, stained with black blood, beat slowly in response.
Kalia bit her lower lip, enduring this moment that felt like tears would burst out at any moment.
As if enduring a harsh twenty years, the heart, mottled with crimson blood, faded in color, became tattered, and had a corner that was distorted.
Yet it continued to beat firmly.
Thank goodness. Im truly relieved.
Kalia held it tightly, unable to hold back her tears any longer, and quietly let them flow.
Simon cast a spell on what was nestled in Kalias hands.
The surface of the heart became clean, and the minor wounds healed.
With an inexperienced divine power, he dispelled the remaining magic within the heart, allowing Gaias heart to become slightly more intact.
Kalia smiled with moist eyes as she looked at Simon and took slow, deep breaths.
The Amuntias sword had been unusually silent for a while now.
The once raging black tension seemed to hold its breath, waiting quietly.
Kalia trembled her lips and called out to the one residing within Amuntia.
Gaia.
A radiant light shimmered, revealing Gaias form.
With a puzzled face, she looked at Kalia and the red heart held in Kalias hands.
This.
Kalia quietly extended the heart in her hand.
Gaia, who had been looking at her with complex eyes, slowly accepted it from Kalia.
And as she embraced it, which had gone through a harsh ordeal, the heart emitted a dazzling light and slowly permeated into her.
When the tattered heart fully permeated into Gaia, the light that surrounded Gaia trembled.
It was a light of fragments of souls, separated from each other but resonating.
Gaia closed her eyes for a while, as if accepting it.
A few more seconds passed like that.
Gaia, tightly wrapped up, slowly raised her eyelids.
In just a few seconds, the depth of maturity, unseen before, appeared in Gaias emerald eyes.
Stormy emotions were fully contained within those green irises.
Kalia
Gaias incomplete memories returned.
Just by looking at her teary eyes, Kalia could understand.
Gaia, who was looking at Kalia, spread her trembling arms.
Youve grown so much. That little clot of blood has grown this much. So beautifully, so magnificently
Without saying a word, Gaia approached Kalia, who was frozen, and gently embraced her first.
Im sorry And thank you, Kalia.
How should one describe this overwhelming emotion surging in their chests?
Kalia wanted to say something, to open her lips and utter words, but nothing came out.
Kalia, who had been as stiff as a rock, slowly raised her arms.
Then she awkwardly wrapped her arms around Gaia, who was hugging her.
Its good to see you.
Mother.
Upon hearing those words, as if swallowing them, Gaia brightened up with a radiant smile.