My mind was caught in a tumultuous whirlwind of conflicting emotions—confusion, sadness, happiness, and wonder. The unexpected turn of events had left me grappling with a myriad of thoughts, each vying for attention in the chaos of my mind.


    As Isabe''s, or rather my mother''s, hug tightened around me, I felt the swirling emotions within me gradually releasing their grip.


    It was afort that transcended the physical, easing the turmoil in my mind.


    Tears welled up in my eyes, a testament to the overwhelming mix of emotions that coursed through me as I reciprocated the embrace.


    "Mother...?" I mumbled, uncertaintycing my words. The situation was as perplexing as it was emotional, and I found myself at a loss for how to navigate it.


    "Yes, yes, it''s your one and only mother, my dear Ian. I missed you!" she eximed with genuine warmth, gently stroking my head. The sound of her voice, the touch of her hands, all mirrored the motherly presence I had longed for.


    Lifting my head to meet her gaze, I saw a gentle smile spread across her face.


    Although she assumed Isabe''s body, the essence within undeniably belonged to my mother.


    Questions swirled in my mind—how had thise to be?


    Had my mother somehow possessed Isabe? And why, amid such a profound breach of causality, were there no repercussions?


    The goddess herself remained silent for some reason as well, seeing as there was nothing happening even though the holy nation was part of her domain.


    ''Does she not sense mother?''


    Mother''s gentle touch traced the contours of my face, her fingers caressing every curve with tender affection.


    "Mm~! Looks like my baby is as cute as ever. The face might be different, but the same Ian I know still lives in there" she remarked with a contented smile, her gaze filled with maternal pride.


    Moving from my face to my body, her hands explored with curiosity, trailing from my neck down to my shoulders.


    A look of surprise flickered across her features as she encountered the firm muscles that adorned my frame.


    To my bewilderment, she nodded approvingly and even licked her lips?


    "Have you been working out, baby~?" she inquired, her fingers gently squeezing my biceps as she surveyed my physique with a pleased expression.


    Despite the temptation to fabricate a response and spare myself any embarrassment, I knew I couldn''t deceive Mother.


    She possessed an uncanny ability to discern truth from falsehood, seeing straight through any facade I might attempt to construct.


    I''m sure she could see through Loki''s lies with ease as well.


    "Ah, no... my body was already like this," I admitted truthfully.


    Despite the challenges and hardships he faced especially the relentless bullying, the original Adrian had undergone basic training in swordsmanship and muscle development as part of his upbringing in House Tellus.


    The instinct for self-improvement ran deep within him, instilled by the demands of his noble lineage.


    "Hmm~ your original body was also quite well-built, but this chiseled physique, coupled with your handsome looks, makes you even more beautiful, baby~" she yfully remarked as her hands slowly traversed my chest and stomach.


    Her excitement bubbled over as she thoroughly examined my abs and chest muscles.


    Even though this wasn''t the reunion I had envisioned, the sheer joy of being able to converse with Mom again after a prolonged absence eclipsed any disappointment.


    This marked the longest period in my entire life that I had been separated from her both physically and spiritually.


    Witnessing her happiness, I found myself unbothered by whatever antics she might indulge in.


    The satisfaction radiating from her smile was more than enough to outweigh any reservations.


    "Mom…" I said to her


    "Hmm?"


    "That''s something you shouldn''t be touching you know?" I said to her as I stopped her hands from unzipping my pants.


    "Oh,e on what''s wrong? It''s not like it''s the first time I''ve seen or touched your dear junior besides you have a new body now, I''d like to check the differences~" she said with a smirk.


    Despite her persistently unreasonable behavior, even if her im held some truth, the whole situation felt awkward.


    I promptly intervened, stopping her hands from unzipping my pants.


    In response, she made a dissatisfied face, her cheeks puffing up in frustration.


    As cute as her expression was, I stood my ground, aware of the many times I''ve sumbed to her persuasive charm.


    Undeterred, she continued her inspection, running her hands over me for a few more minutes before expressing her satisfaction with a nod.


    The whole episode left me bewildered, and I couldn''t fathom the reason behind her actions in the first ce.


    Mother''s touch lingered, this time finding its way to my chest.


    "Even your souls are one and the same now... no it''s more like you absorbed his essence making him yours a one way synergy just like me...." mom remarked as she peered into my soul.


    "...."


    I guess I really Devoured the Adrian deep inside me.


    I''ve always wondered where his soul went....


    Well it''s not like he truly died as his essence still lives on within me.


    As her fingers grazed my skin, her words pierced the silence, carrying a weight of both foresight and solemnity.


    "Ian, it looks like it won''t take much longer before your soul transcends" mother spoke, her gaze prating deep into the core of my being.


    With her words echoing in my mind, I closed my eyes, diving inward to the depths of my consciousness. In the recesses of my abyss, I beheld the sight of my heart, shrouded in a murky ck aura.


    The chains of darkness bound it tightly, yet beneath the surface, a subtle transformation was underway.


    Despite the veiled protection granted by the goddess, the darkness within me continued to deepen with each passing day.


    It was a reassuring sign, a harbinger of the day when I would finally be able to touch my mother''s true form.


    As I delved deeper into my introspection, a sense of anticipation stirred within me. The prospect of liberation from the constraints of my current existence filled me with a quiet resolve.


    Opening my eyes once more, I was met with the unexpected sight of the ceiling, or rather, half of it.


    My mother''s face loomed above me, her expression tender as she looked down upon me.


    It seems that while I was introspecting, she seized the opportunity to ce my head in herp. Now, the two of us were on the bed, and she gently stroked my head. This feels so nostalgic. I didn''t even care if she was treating me like a kid.


    But as much as I would like to linger in this moment, pressing matters at hand need to be addressed.


    "Mother, as much as I appreciate this blissful reunion, can you tell me what exactly is going on right now?"


    Mother stopped stroking my hair, adopting a serious expression.


    ...


    "So, you''re telling me Isabe had the qualification to be your apostle?" I questioned, seeking rification on the astonishing revtion my mother had just shared.


    Her response was a simple, "Yes."


    As Mother unraveled the process by which she had taken over Isabe''s body, I found myself grappling with the implications.


    It was difficult to fathom that someone like Isabe, a seemingly ordinary mortal, possessed the rare qualification to serve as an apostle.


    Mother had always conveyed that the urrence of finding a mortal capable of handling her immense power was an exceedingly rare event, happening perhaps once every million to a billion years.


    This realization left me in awe, contemting the extraordinary nature of Isabe''s soul.


    "So, the reason Isabe was able to perceive the deepest part of my soul, as well as survive looking at Mother, was because she had the qualifications to be an apostle?" I mused to myself.


    The idea that Isabe''s soul resonated with Mother''s on such a profound level was a revtion that stirred both curiosity and wonder within me.


    Just how closely aligned were the wavelengths of their souls?


    Lost in contemtion, I stood in a daze, my thoughts swirling in the wake of this newfound understanding. Mother, observing my mental gymnastics, offered a gentle chuckle.


    "Fufu… you don''t have to think too much about it, baby. Just think of it as me having my very own saintess" she reassured with a warmth that eased theplexities of the revtion.


    all apostles were, in essence, heralds of their respective gods. Even someone as cherished as Elena, my beloved, could be effortlessly taken over by the goddess if the inclination arose.


    The only reason Mother refrained from such a takeover was theplex web of causality she had woven, stemming from the hole she had created.


    In essence mom''s true body is currently giving the goddess a headache right at this very moment.


    ''Is that why she''s not making any moves?''


    "Where exactly is the real Isabe right now?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued by the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Isabe''s current state.


    "Hmm~ it''s quiteplicated. Right now, she''s simultaneously being punished and rewarded," Mother replied, her wordsced with a sense of amusement.


    "What do you mean by that?" I pressed for further rification, eager to unravel theplexities of the situation.


    "Didn''t this child almost do something unforgivable to you? Although I took a liking to her, it''s still a fact that she tried to use you. So, I gave her a little punishment as a result. But don''t worry; it will be beneficial for her in the end. This child is currently holding onto some deep, dark nightmares. I''m gently removing them with a touch of my own nightmares. Once she wakes up, all the trauma she had will be gone by then," Mother exined, her words delivered with a reassuring smile.


    "Her conscience will return before this night ends, so let''s enjoy our time together, okay, baby?" Mother''s words, delivered with a warm smile, marked the beginning of a peculiar night.


    She gently ced me on the bed and wrapped me in aforting hug, the soft murmur of contentment escaping her lips.


    It became evident that she intended to rest for the night, embracing the temporary reprieve that Isabe''s body provided.


    As Iy beside her, I contemted the forting headaches.


    ''Ana usuallyes early in the morning….''


    Exining Mother''s presence in Isabe''s body to Ana would undoubtedly be aplex endeavor, but for now, I decided to allow Mother the indulgence of a peaceful night''s rest.


    Anyways at least I confirmed a few things about her.


    The realization struck me that Isabe bore deep scars, wounds not visible to the naked eye but etched into the fabric of her soul.


    Her memories.


    I had sensed her profound fear during the temple incident, even in the mere act of touching her directly.


    The vulnerability she disyed when our hands brushed or when we linked arms betrayed an underlying apprehension, a fear of being touched that transcended the physical realm.


    Even though she acted natural I can tell that she was feeling fear for some reason back then.


    It might be because she was nervous with her ns with me back then.


    Even still….


    ''She was afraid of something'' I pondered, the pieces of Isabe''splex emotions slowly falling into ce.


    The trauma she faced must be something that mother deliciously ate right now.


    ''I wonder how much she''ll change the moment she wakes up''


    Well at least I get a new ally?


    "What is her nightmare?" I asked out of curiosity but mother just shook her head and told me that it was something Isabe had to tell me herself.


    Despite the lingeringplexities of the situation, the essence of it was surprisingly straightforward.


    When Isabe attempted to peer into my soul, Mother, recognizing her unique value, took swift action.


    Instead of reprimanding or dismissing her, Mother enticed Isabe''s soul with the love she so desperately craved.


    In the midst of the enigmatic cosmic dance, Mother''s seemingly drastic actions served a purpose.


    Isabe, in her pursuit of understanding, had inadvertently caught the attention of a being worse than gods.


    Mother, in her own mysterious ways, provided Isabe''s soul with the profound connection and love she sought.


    Reflecting on the situation, I acknowledged the stroke of luck that Isabe held for merely being alive.


    ''Still she was lucky that mother took a liking to her''


    Mother''s protective nature, veiled by the guise of what some might perceive as malevolence, would typically result in swift retribution for those who dared to harm me.


    This awareness had always lingered in the back of my mind, influencing my tendency to avoid violence whenever possible.


    The paradox of Mother''s love was evident – a fervent, almost excessive, protection that, in its nature, harbored the potential for the destruction and eternal pain of one''s soul.


    In the midst of my contemtion, Mother''s sudden inquiry jolted me from my musings, sending a tremor through my entire body. With a gentle touch to my cheeks, she redirected my gaze, and our eyes locked in an intense exchange.


    "By the way, Baby~ I heard you''ve got some pretty beautiful lovers... Do you mind telling me about them? I was really! really!! Really!!! Curious!!!! back when Nya told me all about them" she inquired with a seemingly innocent tone, though an underlying intensity lingered beneath her words.


    The air around us seemed to tighten, and despite the softness in her voice, I couldn''t shake the feeling that a wrong move could lead to dire consequences.


    The subject of my romantic entanglements had always been a delicate one, especially considering Mother''s protective nature and her rather extreme reactions to those who might pose a threat to me.


    My mind raced as I navigated the delicate terrain of this conversation.


    Mother''s curiosity was a double-edged sword, and while I understood her genuine interest, I also sensed the potential dangers of revealing too much.


    The pressure mounted as I grappled with how much to divulge, acutely aware that one misstep could lead to a confrontation with the formidable force that was my mother.


    "Uh, well, you see... it''s a bitplicated," I began tentatively, choosing my words with care.


    I knew she would eventually ask about them especially knowing how mom feels about me but…


    ''Fuck…''