Celestial Emperor of Shadow

The Weight of Choice

"Mother…" Victor's voice was barely audible, yet it carried through the quiet morning like a steady heartbeat. His hands remained pressed over hers, seeking comfort, seeking clarity. The warmth of her touch, the rhythm of her pulse beneath his fingers, anchored him amidst the storm of his emotions. Behind her, Ben's presence was steady and unyielding, a silent pillar of support and authority. Victor could feel it, every subtle shift in posture, every faint movement—he wasn't alone.

Anna's lips quivered again. She inhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling with the effort of gathering her courage. Her gaze flickered to Victor's purple eyes, glistening with restrained intensity, and then to Ben, whose sharp blue gaze softened ever so slightly under the weight of the moment. Finally, she nodded—slowly, imperceptibly, but with all the gravity of her love and fear bundled into that single, tiny movement.

Victor's lips curved into the faintest of hopeful smiles. Even this small acknowledgment, this wordless promise of eventual trust, felt like a victory won after years of waiting. He squeezed her hands gently, reverently, as if thanking her for even this subtle concession. He had asked. She had responded. Not with words, but with the language of shared emotion. For now, that was enough.

Anna's eyes softened as she finally spoke, her voice trembling yet firm. "Fine… I will tell you. But promise me, Victor… if I say something that makes you reconsider, if you feel the weight too heavy, you will listen. You will think, and then act wisely. Do you understand?"

Victor's gaze softened at her words. He shook his head slightly, a gentle, almost pleading look passing between them. He drew a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs, steadying himself. "Mother… I've considered everything. I've thought it through. I know what I must do."

Ben exhaled through his nose, a quiet hum of relief and cautious understanding. Victor could see his father's pride, tempered with the knowledge that his son was stepping into a path fraught with danger but also boundless potential.

Anna studied him carefully, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. She let out a long sigh, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Eventually, you are my son," she murmured, voice low but with undeniable warmth. "You inherit my stubbornness, and for now… I let it go. But this… your choice… think carefully, my child. Till you have considered fully, I release you to make your decision."

Victor's face lit up with a cautious, wary smile. Relief, pride, and gratitude mingled in equal measure. "Thank you, Mother," he whispered, bowing his head slightly. Then, with a flash of curiosity and his habitual sharpness, he asked, "Now… tell me. How did you meet Father?"

Anna's eyes flicked to Ben, a small, teasing spark lighting her features. "Son… do you know how I met your father?"

Victor glanced at Ben and shook his head. "No… Mother. You never mentioned it."

Anna's lips curved into a faint, secretive smile. "Yes… we never mentioned it. Perhaps we wanted to keep it just for ourselves. But now… you should know. I met your father in… one of the Winter Martial Competitions, a long time ago."

Victor's eyes widened slightly. Recognition sparked in him—pieces clicking into place. "Ah… so that's why… that's how…" He trailed off, a faint, wary smile spreading across his face. "Mother… by any chance… did you fear that in the competition, Father would find you and claim you… and that's how…?"

Anna shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Silly boy. One girl, a hundred girls, I never objected. As long as you love her, take care of her… that is enough for me. Nothing else matters."

Victor's brows furrowed in confusion. "Mother… what do you mean?"

"Son," Anna said, leaning back slightly, her voice softening, "I have no objection to your participation. What I object to… is the final rewards, where you fight other sides, young cultivators, and risk… everything."

Victor blinked, lifting an eyebrow. "Mother… don't you know I want to fight? Don't you know I want to face them, even if it means… competing, even killing if necessary?"

Anna's eyes softened, but her tone was resolute. "Son… can you listen first? You do not yet understand. There are others—opponents far stronger than you may realize. Many talismans, protections, and secret techniques. They are formidable. And…" She hesitated, biting the inside of her lip. "…and I feared for you."

Victor leaned forward, searching her eyes, voice low but firm. "What… mother?"

Anna inhaled deeply, her fingers tightening around his. Ben's hand pressed against hers from behind, subtle reassurance, grounding her courage. She exhaled, finally letting the words escape. "I feared… because there are others on the other side. Strong, skilled, and they will not hold back. I could not bear the thought of you facing them unprepared."

Victor's chest constricted. He felt the weight of her words fall like a hammer. Danger had always been part of his life, yet the thought of his mother fearing for him, her courage trembling under the burden of that fear… it was something altogether different.

Ben's deep voice finally broke the quiet. "Victor… your mother speaks truth. The challenges ahead are not trivial. But you… you are capable. You have the skill, the mind, and the heart to face them." His hand rested briefly on Victor's shoulder, grounding him.

Victor's purple eyes glistened with a mix of emotion—frustration, gratitude, and determination. He nodded slowly, squeezing his mother's hand once more. "I understand. And I will be careful. But I… I must do this, Mother. For me. And for the family. I promise you… I will not fail."

Anna's lips trembled, and for a long moment, she said nothing, simply letting him hold her hands, letting the room breathe with the tension and unspoken trust between them. She felt the weight of letting him grow, the agony of releasing him to danger, but the pride of seeing her son stand firm was stronger than the fear.