Work Text:
“How come we never called you ‘mother’ before?” the scarlet haired woman asked the automaton.
“I was too young to be a mother.” She answered.
Elizabeth continued to watch the two other members of justice as they played, and so did Cecilia. The question was random, but she couldn't help but wonder about the past, the childhood they had.
Elizabeth and Raora didn't have anyone, they never had the so-called family tree as they were never introduced to their parents, in exchange of their gifts given from above.
The two young children grew up in different orphanages. For them, they were nothing special, they were not even given a family. Elizabeth grew used to it. She had come to accept the fact that she'd stay in that orphanage forever. There were moments of hope, a hope to find her family, the missing piece of her heart that would bring joy to her life, but in the end, she was forced to embrace her faith.
Raora, on the other hand, was happy with her life in the orphanage. She got to play with the other kids and receive love from many adults taking care of them. Still, it did not last long. After getting involved in a fight, Raora’s peaceful life had come to a halt. Nobody took her side, nobody believed her, even the ones who claimed to have loved her. Right after that, she received nothing but hate. The kids who she used to play with avoided her, the adults who used to draw with her threw everything away. It was her punishment, and she had to accept it.
Time passed by, they stayed alone in the orphanage they were in. It was until the adults announced their adoption, someone had bought them. The adults praised Elizabeth, but she never had hope to find happiness with her new life. Meanwhile, Roara was happy. The adults were very worried for the person who bought her but she was just glad she could finally leave the suffocating battlefield of fighting for the love of the adults.
“Would it be any different?” — “Everything will be different!”
It took them days to pack their stuff, and soon, someone had picked them up with a car. Elizabeth, who was picked up last, was surprised to find another child in the back of the car.
‘So it was not only me?’ Elizabeth thought before getting inside. The one driving was oddly suspicious. Covered with a black cloak, a hood covering the face. Both couldn't help but wonder if they were going to be involved in any illegal businesses. The after travel was a shock, they were not told they were going to the sky, and it clearly shocked them that Raora started panicking.
By the time they arrived, they were told someone was waiting for them inside. Both got down, and…the house was surprisingly big, but why was it up high in the sky? They were guided by the person wearing the cloak, carrying the children's baggage.
“Welcome, kids.” the woman greeted them. The short white hair that was mixed with green color, and the warm smile that greeted the two of them felt somewhat warm…was what they wanted to happen, but rather, an intimidating gaze was in front of them.
“I'll guide you to your rooms, follow me.” The green one said as she started walking. Both quickly ran to follow, trying their best to be fast with the heavy baggage.
“This will be your room, Liz.” She informed her as she opened the door, then proceeded to take Raora to her room. They were given 2 hours to unpack and change, they had to be fast.
“I'm already regretting coming here.” Elizabeth spoke to herself. When the time was up, they were called back to the living room.
“Listen, I'm not here to be your mother, I am your guardian.” She started. “My name is Cecilia Immergreen, and yes, call me Cecilia, nothing else.” She explained everything. The reason why they were adopted, how they were chosen, and told them their real names.
“Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame.”
“Raora Panthera.”
…They weren't used to it, but it felt somehow comforting, they felt like something inside them was completed.
The new life wasn't easy, they had to adjust in many ways. They were being taught to be independent everyday, but they never complained. Cecilia might not have realized it, but she was also starting to soften to the kids. She'd give them house work, train them based on their abilities, etc. Raora quickly caught on, awakening her gift from the Gods.
“Good job, Raora, we'll celebrate tonight.” Cecilia said with a smile, patting the pink haired girl’s head. Raora grinned, feeling satisfied to have received such acknowledgement from their guardian. Elizabeth, on the other hand, could only look at her with envy, ‘how come I haven't awakened mine…’ she asked herself.
That night, Cecilia served a lot of food to eat, and gave Raora a gift. “A hat and a drawing set?! Thank you Ceci!” Raora jumped with happiness as she hugged the automaton, she couldn't be any happier. Elizabeth…wondered when it would be her turn to be the center.
After dinner, Elizabeth went to her room, preparing for bed. She turned off the light, until someone knocked. “Is it Raora?” She asked loudly, “It's me, Cecilia.” The automaton replied.
…‘What could I possibly have missed?’ she thought, before telling Cecilia to come in. Cecilia gently opened the door, coming in and quietly closing the door behind her. She walked towards Elizabeth’s bed, sitting on the edge of it.
“Are you feeling alright?” She started, “You seem out of it today.” Elizabeth kept her mouth shut, she was just glad the light was off. “...Are you worried that you might not awaken your gift?” She asked, Elizabeth flinched. She wanted to deny it, but she couldn't possibly hide the fear that had been eating her.
“What if I'm not the gifted child you were looking for?” Elizabeth finally spoke. Her voice was already shaking before she could even hold back. Cecilia was quiet for a moment, “I knew it, you're just going to–” “So what?”
She was quickly cut off by the automaton. It was confusing, her words were. “What do you mean, ‘so what’? I'm clearly not needed here…” she replied. “That's right, I'm worried. I'm scared that I might get thrown out once you realize I'm not worth anything, that I'm just a kid you'd usually find in the streets.” She cried out. She didn't want to, but she knew she clearly had to let it out. Cecilia listened to everything, letting the girl express her thoughts freely before giving her a tight embrace.
“I adopted you. Even if you're not the one I'm looking for, I'll never throw you away.” She assured her. “Besides, there's no way I'm wrong, we've been tracking you down for years now, you know?”
They stayed still, Cecilia not letting go of the child. The tears quietly escaped Elizabeth’s eyes, not wanting to be heard. Even so, the breathing gave it away. She embraced the automaton as tight as she could, she couldn't even want to let go. “You wouldn't leave me?” She asked for another assurance from the guardian, and Cecilia nodded, “Of course not, don't even think of leaving from my care.”
After the short cry that felt like forever, Cecilia took out a long gift box. I was planning to give it to you earlier, but you ran off to your room right after dinner. No way, she didn't even accomplish anything, and yet she was given a gift too?
She opened it…seeing the blade that resembled her hair. Just as she touched it, it started glowing, and she could only be surprised, gripping the guardian’s clothes. “See, the sword has chosen you.” Cecilia said with a smile. Elizabeth couldn't quite see, but she was happy.
Another knock was then heard, it was Raora. She opened the door and was shocked to see the both of them sitting on the bed. “Ahh not fair! I want to sleep together too!” Raora complained as she ran towards them. Cecilia and Elizabeth looked at the Panther before laughing together. That night, Cecilia told them a story. They spent time talking and laughing until the two kids fell asleep.
Cecilia watched their faces as they slept. She was glad everything was solved, and they slept without worries.
Days passed, and things continued, but now, everything felt warmer. It was until one day, when Elizabeth started calling Cecilia ‘mom’. It bothered her, she was too young to be a mother.
“Mom, I made cupcakes with Raora!” Elizabeth excitedly started as she showed the tray full of cupcakes. “O-oh~ really? Can I have a taste?” Cecilia asked, and Elizabeth nodded with excitement.
It lasted for months, and Elizabeth ended up awakening her gift after. The key to awakening…was to feel the warmth of the family, and Elizabeth has never been happier when she met Cecilia and Raora. The blue flame randomly popped on her chest. She was scared for a moment, but Cecilia's smile as she saw the accomplishment…was warmer than ever, Elizabeth felt proud of herself for the first time.
Because of that, she had decided to keep everything in place, to keep making Cecilia and herself proud. In order to do that, she had to be a good leader. Thus, she secretly watched and learned from Cecilia, all she had to do was enhance everything.
—2 years later—
One day, while running an errand, Elizabeth and Raora found a kid sleeping inside a big box. They had no idea who she was, but observing the box, they saw a name. “Gigi…Murin?” Raora read. Both were conflicted, but they couldn't possibly leave a child there. In the end, Elizabeth took the blonde haired kid out of the box and carried her on her back, while Raora carried the groceries they bought for the day’s lunch.
As expected, Cecilia was not happy with it. “Take her back, a random kid is not allowed to be here in the sky.” She said, turning her back from them.
“B-but we couldn't possibly let her stay there, she looks so small to be left alone!” Elizabeth argued. It was something she never wanted to happen, but she knew what was right as the future leader of justice.
“Aren't we supposed to be the justice? Is throwing a kid out something that justice does?!”
…Cecilia stopped her track, not looking back, “There's an extra room near mine, change her clothes and take her there for now.” She said before going back to her room.
The kid soon woke up, and it seemed she couldn't remember anything about her family either. From that day on, Raora and Elizabeth decided to take care of Gigi, even if Cecilia didn't want to.
Was what they planned, but they never realized parenting was difficult to do at all. Gigi was all quiet, not even having enough energy to move, they didn't know what to do. Cecilia, on the other hand, was busy for days. Although she'd still prepare meals, she barely spent time with them. Elizabeth wondered if it was her fault that Cecilia had become distant.
Then, one day, Elizabeth and Raora woke up to see Cecilia…feeding Gigi.
“Ceci, what are you doing?” Raora asked, “Feeding her, of course.” She replied.
“I-I mean, weren't you opposed to this?” Elizabeth asked this time. Cecilia looked at them as she stopped feeding the blonde haired girl, “I had to talk to the higher-ups so I got busy. It's fine now, I'm officially her guardian now. The information brought the two excitement, they were just happy that Cecilia wasn't mad at all. Once again, Elizabeth felt proud of herself.
Time passed, and Gigi had learned to talk, she learned to find her happiness through things. They all grew up, and Elizabeth…had received the title she had always wanted, “Congratulations, leader of Justice.” Cecilia patted the scarlet queen. Just as she received the title, she had created a government that she called “Bloodflame Kingdom.”
She was thankful of Cecilia, who became the first reason to take that path. It took her until 18 to get to her position, but it was worth it.
Gigi, on the other hand, who was only 16 at the time, had caused too many troubles for the people around them. She'd often get scolded by Cecilia, but she never stopped ruining people's belongings and buildings for her own interests. It was hard to catch up, especially because Elizabeth and Raora were busy with their roles, and Cecilia kept getting called by the higher-ups because of the trouble Gigi had been causing.
In the end, Elizabeth would always be the one to chase after the Girl, until one day…she accidentally broke Gigi’s precious stuffed toy, the stuffed toy that she made by putting different fabrics together. Gigi seemed old enough to have one, but it was something that kept her feeling alive. By the end of the day, Elizabeth…had carried her back to their home.
“I'm sorry, Gigi.” She started. The girl could only look at the back of her head, she couldn't see her face at all. “I didn't mean to ruin something so precious,” she paused, then proceeding as she slowed down her track, “but I want you to understand that you're not alone in everything.”
“You have your family now, please lean on us more.”
…This time, Gigi held Elizabeth tight, “Thank you, Liz…” she said, soon falling asleep on her back. Elizabeth, who heard it, could only smile. She now understood what it truly felt like to be parenting someone, and she was glad she learned from Cecilia.
“Happy birthday, Gigi!” Everyone yelled as they surprised the blonde haired girl with a cake. They would do the same every year for everyone, but this time, everything felt warmer, more precious than ever. The blonde haired girl smiled, a smile that doesn't cause trouble, but a smile that showed appreciation. She was happy to be accepted by the three of them, her family.
———
––
”Too young? Weren't you already a thousand years old by the time you took us in?”
“T-that is young for us!” She defended. The scarlet queen laughed as she placed her hand on the automaton’s head. The automaton, on the other hand, was confused by the sudden action.
“Treating me like a kid now?” She asked, glaring at the taller woman. Elizabeth…couldn't help but smile at Cecilia. Looking back, she only had Cecilia to thank. If it weren't for her, she probably wouldn't be the leader of justice she aspired to be.
“I'm just thankful that you were the one who had chosen us.” She replied, “You may not be our mother, but you showed us something greater than a single mother could.” She followed, stroking the automaton’s hair.
“We still need you, Cecilia,” Elizabeth pulled away. Cecilia didn't quite get it, why was she saying something so vague, out of nowhere, even. “So please…wake up.”
“...huh?”
“—cilia?! Are you okay?!” Cecilia slowly opened her eyes, seeing the three in front of her, and the other people they met, who had lost their memories after being sent to the other world.
“Liz…?” she spoke. Finally, she could remember the family she had in the world they were originally in. She never lost them, they were just…beside her all these times. Her hands caressed Gigi’s and Raora's face, before finally caressing Elizabeth’s. The familiar feeling…she couldn't let go of it.
“I'm back, everyone.”
Still, even after reuniting with her family, it felt like she had completely forgotten about someone important. “Cecilia…do you still remember me?” A voice called from behind. Everyone was worried, it was obvious she'd forget about the love she had created during her adventure. The love that she shared with the peasant. It became a problem when Baelz got her memories back, but they soon resolved it. This time, could Baelz even do the same thing Cecilia did to make her remember the love they had for each other? She wasn't sure, and she was scared to be forgotten.