Chapter 10: Conflicted choice
"Mom! Are you okay?" I immediately turned to check on Erina, only to see her condition deteriorating. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she fell unconscious.
Seeing no other option, I decided to use my remaining magic to heal her, even though it wasn't enough. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"Hang in there, Mom. I'll do something!"
I took a deep breath and tried to transform into a different appearance. I could only use mana and cast magic with the 'Pure Love of Eternal' bestowed upon me by Goddess Aurelia. However, only my hand managed to transform.
"What? Why is it only my hand?" I wondered, looking at the white glow emanating from it. I bit my lip and focused on healing Mom.
"I don't care. I can do it with just my hand," I said, placing my glowing hand over Erina's chest.
"Greater Healing!"
My hand ignited with a white glow, releasing warm and magical energy onto Erina's body. But the effect lasted only a few seconds before my hand reverted to its normal state.
"No! Please heal her, don't betray me now! Please, help Mom!"
Aria stood silently, watching my tears and my desperate attempts to reach Erina. My efforts seemed futile, and I could do nothing but cry. Aria felt a sharp pain in her heart seeing me in such anguish. She wanted to comfort me but was reluctant to bring Erina closer.
She realized that if she didn't act now, she might finally live her dream of being with me alone. However, she also feared losing my love and trust if she didn't heal Erina. Torn between her desire to be with me and her duty to help my mother, Aria looked at her hands, unsure of what to do.
Finally, she came forward, determined to stop my tears and offer her help.
"Papa, please don't cry. I will heal her. Please, don't cry!"
"Aria!" I looked at her, seeing her wipe my tears away.
"Don't cry, Papa. I'll heal her, but I'm doing this for you. I don't like this woman, but I'm only doing this for you. Please don't be angry with me!"
I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope to save Mom. "Aria... Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. We haven't saved her, and I'm not sure how to heal her,"
"Don't worry I will guide you, come here" I called Aria, she came forward and stood between Erina and me.
"Place your hand over her chest gently and close your eyes" I whisper in her ears, she follows my words without any question as I put my hand behind her back
Healing magic requires great concentration and focus to heal wounds. If anyone loses the slightest focus, only God can save that person. Even though Aria is a God... No everything will be fine.
"Aria, take a deep breath and focus on your body, feel the mana flow inside and try to gain control of them"
She inhaled deeply and concentrated on her mana. I sensed that her mana was pure, but the flow was unstable and far too powerful for any mortal bare. I began to sweat at the intensity of the mana; if unleashed, it could potentially destroy half the country and give birth to new creatures.
"Now, move the mana toward your hands, but don't release it yet. I'll transfer the healing skill to you," I said, channeling the healing magic through my hand to her back. Aria absorbed the skill almost instantly and began to heal Erina.
Her hand ignited a white glow inside the room and lightened the entire house.
Soon, the white glow finally faded away. We opened our eyes and looked at Erina. She had stopped coughing and fallen into a peaceful sleep. I examined her body more closely; her condition had finally stabilized.
"Papa, what happened, why did that woman fall asleep? Did I make any mistake" Aria asked seeing Erina sleeping quietly. I let out a sigh and looked at her with teary eyes.
Aria misunderstood and thought she failed to heal Erina, but before She could react I abruptly hugged her and caressed her head tenderly "Aria, thank you... Thank you for saving my mom, she is finally out of danger only because of you"
I cried and hugged Aria tightly in my embrace as I praised her. She froze in one place and her heart pounded rapidly.
Aria's eyes instantly turned dark pink and an obsessive smile appeared on her face. She moved her hand behind me and said in my ears "Papa, I will do anything for you, I love you, Papa, You is happiness is my happiness"
With that, she moved toward my face and gently kissed my lips.