Chapter 137: Chatting With Mama

POV Eliza

I looked at Mama and wondered how to begin. I was so emotionally overwhelmed that I could hardly remember the story I had prepared beforehand. So I just shifted restlessly in my chair.

“Oh, sweetie, I'm so happy right now. You can't even imagine.” <Mimi>

Mama hugged me again and stroked my face, my head, and the rest of my body.

“I'm happy too. The last four years have been difficult for me. I didn't know where you were. I didn't know the hideout, so I had no way of following you. I didn't hear anything from you either.” <Eliza>

“We looked for you, but couldn't find any trace of you. I was so sad and afraid that they had captured or even killed you.” <Mimi>

“Oh, Mama.” <Eliza>

I sighed loudly and sank briefly into thought as the memories came back.

“Everything okay, sweetie? You're so pensive.” <Mimi>

“Yes, don't worry. I'm fine, really.” <Eliza>

I smiled at Mama and stroked her cheek.

“I just don't know where to start. So much has happened, and you won't believe most of it.” <Eliza>

“Take it slow, sweetie. Take the time you need.” <Mimi>

“It all hinges on a special skill I've acquired. Mama, I beg you to keep what I'm about to show you a secret. I can't teach it to anyone else anyway.” <Eliza>

“You're making me curious, sweetie. I hope it's nothing bad.” <Mimi>

“No, it's not bad. But it will surprise you and maybe even upset you. Wait, I'll show you.” <Eliza>

I let go of Mama and pulled the hood back over my head. I wasn't sure how others would perceive me when I changed form, so I played it safe and shielded my body. Then I transformed into the human Eliza. Since I was half a head shorter in this form, I sank down.

“Little one, what's wrong with you? Are you in pain? You're curling up.” <Mimi>

Before I answered, I looked over at the window. I hadn't noticed it before, but I had heard something and now I noticed an aura coming from that direction. I got up and went to the window.

“I'm a little cold. I'll just close the window for a moment.” <Eliza>

When I reached the window, I looked out briefly. I saw Aslan disappear around the next corner. So he had been eavesdropping on us, good to know. I had to keep my eyes and ears open, because he might have been one of the Empire's spies. But it was also possible that he was working for Will, so I didn't want to accuse him unjustly. I decided not to tell Mama about it so as not to upset her. I closed the window and went back inside.

“No, Mama, I'm not in pain. It's normal for me to get smaller when I use the skill. This form is significantly smaller than my regular self.” <Eliza>

“I see it, but I don't understand it. Why are you smaller?” <Mimi>

“I'll show you. Please don't be scared when you see me now.” <Eliza>

I looked at Mama and pulled the hood off my head. Mama let out a cry of horror and hesitantly reached for my cheek.

“Sweetie, is that you? How is that possible? Is that really you?” <Mimi>

"Yes, Mama, it's still me. With my ability, I can transform myself into another person, and for certain reasons, I can take on this exact form. This human form. It makes me look like a human woman, so I can live in the Empire without any problems." <Eliza>

“That's incredible, sweetie. I would never have recognized you. Not only do you look different, but your voice is different too. Fascinating, but also frightening at the same time.” <Mimi>

“Now you can understand why the Empire left me alone. As a human among humans, I am completely inconspicuous.” <Eliza>

“And all this time I was afraid you would be hunted as an elf. How is that possible? Where did you get it?” <Mimi>

“I was probably born with it. It was activated after I was separated from Kira.” <Eliza>

“What do you mean, it was activated?” <Mimi>

“I can trust you, so I can tell you this. But be warned. This knowledge will make you a target of the Empire and the Church, even more so than the fact that we are not human.” <Eliza>

“You're scaring me, sweetie. Is it something bad? Something forbidden?” <Mimi>

“In the eyes of the Church of Lumos, it is forbidden, yes. Do you know about the gods?” <Eliza>

“When I was little, my grandmother told me old legends. According to them, there were other gods on Narran besides Lumos, but they disappeared long ago. Why do you ask?” <Mimi>

“I found an old shrine to one of these gods, which still contained some of the divinity. Through contact with it, to put it simply, my skill was activated.” <Eliza>

“Are you lying to me too, sweetie? That sounds so unbelievable, too unbelievable.” <Mimi>

"I have no reason to. With this knowledge, you yourself are in danger, and I thought long and hard beforehand about whether I should tell you at all. If only to keep you out of danger, but without it, you can't understand. Unfortunately, I can't tell you everything, at least not at this point in time. I'm sorry, mama." <Eliza>

“It's okay, little one. I'm glad you trust me enough to tell me so much.” <Mimi>

I smiled at her and then transformed back. There was still a trace of uncertainty and disbelief on her face.

“It's really strange to see your transformation. It looked strange from the outside when you suddenly got smaller. I don't even want to know what exactly happens. What happened after that encounter?” <Mimi>

I told Mama in detail how I first found shelter in the small village, lived there for a few months, and then came to Tyros. How I registered as an adventurer there and became stronger by visiting the dungeon. About Lynn and the young wolves. About Lirella and Weyn. How I happened to save Dirala. That I knew some people in the capital who supported me. I left out almost the entire story about the heroes, at least most of it. I only mentioned that I knew an adventurer who had become a recruit with the heroes and that I had gotten the information about the raid through him. I left out the name Stevt, as well as the fact that he was one of my characters.

“Thanks to this information, I was able to send you the message. Fortunately, everything worked out and you were able to escape.” <Eliza>

“You've been through a lot and come a long way. You've grown up so much, little one. I'm so proud of you. You were already so clever for your age back then that it sometimes scared me. But everything turned out fine and you're standing on your own two feet. Schlurz.” <Mimi>

Mama started to sob and cry and took me in her arms again. I started again too. These tears were probably tears of joy and relief. I must have caused her a lot of worry. It hurt me that I still had to keep so much from her, but I resolved to tell her everything soon. And that one day I would take her to a place where she would never have to fear for her life again. I promised.