The black desert-like space full of spiky rock formations was something out of a fairy tale. To be honest every place she visited so far reminded her of something that she could have read to Terra as a bedtime story. Dead forests, crystal walls, cliffs reaching clouds, yellow and pink sky... But it still was The Hell. Quite a dark fairy tale those places were but thanks to the variety of the environments Ayu was able to tell how much of the area she has covered already. Hoping that she wasn't actually walking in circles, Ayu wondered how far she has gone since she left Zerori and Zaks. It has been two days but who knows if the time and space in this place worked the same way it does in the living world? She hoped that the two of them were doing okay. She hoped that they had better luck than she did...

Ayu continued her journey stopping only sometimes to get some needed rest. This sand under her feet was dreadful - it wasn't a case of quicksands - but she was moving slowly when walking through this area. Maybe she should jump from one spike to another? But one careless move and things could get bloody. Using vines to get out of this place quickly seemed a better idea but for a certain reason Ayu was concealing her presence. Getting spotted by angry souls was something she tried to avoid by staying out of sight but if there was someone powerful enough to sense Ki... She couldn't allow herself to waste time needlessly endangering herself. Staying low was also needed to find Liari - if she would leave the area once she sensed Ayu she might never be able to find her. As much as she wanted to stay here until she'd be able to meet the blue Majin, cruel fate decided that she had limited time. It wasn't that bad yet the pressure very gradually was rising within Ayu's chest reminding her that the clock was ticking.

One step at a time. One, two, three, fou- oh great, she almost tripped. It didn't matter how strong she was, she still was clumsy. Stretching her arms to the sides she caught her balance but Ayu realized that she was stuck. Her left leg fell deep into the black sand right above her knee and she wasn't able to pull it out... Now she was half-kneeling on the ground, trying to wriggle her way out to freedom. Scratching her cheek she sighed, trying to free herself from the sandy pit but to no avail. These things still were happening to her - they weren't easy to outgrow - just like anxiety, huh? It was risky but she decided to quickly use her power. Her energy raised just slightly, enough for Ayu to make a plant appear right under the sole of her shoe. The roots that she created under her foot dug effortlessly through the loose soil and pushed her up, and finally, she was able to pull her leg out of this trap. Flying was a handy ability... Ayu made a mental note to try learning it once more when she'd return home. Right as she freed herself her energy was concealed again. Hopefully, no one would spot her presence here, in this black, empty desert.

And yet, someone did.

Maybe she felt it sooner than she heard a voice behind her. A very subtle change in the air created a shiver that blew cold breath on the back of her neck. The presence behind Ayu appeared without a warning, without a sound, and devoid of hostility but it was still enough to make her stomach drop. The pressure was... Odd. Instead of crushing waves of detestation, it was a very uneasy feeling of pain. A mosaic of emotions she couldn't quite grasp but her heart started to ache all over again. Even before she was able to grasp a good sense of the energy, now somewhat bleak and distant, Ayu knew the identity of the lost soul staring at her back. She didn't hesitate. Her hand was by her cheek when she turned around, pulling the hood away from her weary face. She wanted to look at Liari without her eyes running away. It was hard to do but she had to - when Ayu would meet her in Hell, she owed Bluebell as much as not to hide anymore, to face what she feared calmly and talk to her and-

... The Liari she saw now wasn't something she expected to see.

No.

Not at all.

Suspecting that all the hate and resentment the blue Majin was holding against her deep in her soul would be the main obstacle to reaching her... Ayu was shocked. Her eyes widened when she was gazing at the tiny, short silhouette kneeling in black sound in front of her. She did imagine that their meeting would start not with tears but with clashing fists. With sharp glares and even sharper, fierce words. As cruel as it sounded, Ayu was ready for that - it might have been something she deserved. It wouldn't be surprising if she'd have something thrown at her face, and fighting with tall and intimidating Liari would be a battle she never wished for... But so be it - if that was what Bluebell needed, she would fight. Pity, that she was only making that decision because of this place and their circumstances... Ayu was even bracing herself for a clash to death if putting her life on the line would be the only way to get through to her little sister - because there was something she wanted to know. That's why she was here, in Hell. She expected offenses, glares, grudges, Liari attacking her, ignoring her, or straight up leaving, not wanting to look in her direction anymore. And that would be understandable and there be no way Ayu could have anyone other to blame than herself for Liari's state.

And yet... Never she could envision seeing her again in her smaller form, looking like a child lost in a cruel world, bawling her eyes out so bitterly. A tiny blue Majin girl was on her knees. The cornflower blue hue of her body seemed to turn into a more greyish color... She seemed thinner, weaker, and worn out, her tears only enhanced this impression. It hasn't been long since she died - just what has happened to her? What was the cause of this... Where did her previous form go? There was no mistaking that she was real... Right? Liari was there, right in front of her and it wasn't an illusion, was it..?

It took Ayu a second to realize that it wasn't Hell's new attempt at playing with her senses. It was a second that was no longer than a single heartbeat but felt like an eternity - her eyes watered and completely astounded she dropped her hands.

She rushed to her as if her body was pushed forward by the relief, her arms reaching out to Liari... Maybe it was that wrecked sand, maybe it was the edge of her cloak, or simply strength left her too, but Ayu's legs gave in. One step in front of Liari she fell to her knees, pulling her into her arms as they both ended up on the ground. Despite shivering her hands were closing her in a secure embrace - like she was a fragile thing that could break at any moment not because she held her too strongly but because the hug wasn't tight enough. Ayu cradled Liari's head against her shoulder, hiding her wet from tears face in blue tentacles. Nuzzling her cheek against the tip of her head she didn't even try to hide how her arms were shaking from the sob that was tearing her heart. Ever since South City, she could only shed a tear or two, not being able to earnestly cry... It felt like she wasn't able to or like she didn't deserve to, or like a piercing shame inside was stopping her. Now? Nothing was blocking the honest tears full of relief, love, and pain. It really was Liari... Her mouth opened but there was no sound other than sobbing and an indistinct murmur.

"-ve you..."

She wasn't letting go.

For so long Ayu was thinking about what she was going to say. About how to phrase her words to reach Liari, how to express everything she wanted to convey, and how to make sure that she would answer her questions. It took her a long time to think. She still wasn't so sure about it... She wanted to be calm, to reason with Majin, make amends if necessary... But it all simply lost its meaning when her voice was strong enough and she started to speak without thinking, tightening her embrace as if still fearing that Liari was going to break away from her arms and disappear. Not yet, if she has to go that would be fine with her just... Not yet. Hot tears were slipping from her closed eyes, gathering the dust that the wind placed on her cheeks.

"You were right, I am a coward. I'm sorry," Ayu said softly with a voice frail from the abundance of tears. Despite the calmness and composure that her tone possessed, all the emotions were there too - the happiness of seeing her again. Pain, worry, and shame piled up in her soul through the last weeks. Oh, and the regret... "Back then I was so scared of losing you that I hurt you. I-I didn't mean to do that but I said some awful things..." Her fingers shivered and Ayu's expression turned sorrowful, the sad, tearful smile wasn't leaving her face. "I know that I have been losing you for some time now and I didn't know what to do. I panicked and I..." Her voice cracked gently and taking a deep, shaking breath, she slowly exhaled the air from her chest, feeling the heaviness there only growing. "... I selfishly didn't want you to die."

But... That was only her. The need to fight, the burning desire that would either be released by flames or would swallow Liari from within, was something that Ayu couldn't understand. Though not understanding didn't mean that she was unable to do anything - and yet she didn't. Partially, she couldn't, too scared that releasing her energy would kill Liari if she would ever attempt to spar with her, she was struggling to control that plant-based power of hers. If she would hurt anyone again, Ayu wouldn't be able to forgive herself... Yet it didn't indicate much compared to what happened. The drive that pushed the Majin to recklessness and losing her life was greater than any other emotion or need. She was ready to put everything into that desire. That was her choice... It was stronger than her feelings for her daughter. Than Ayu. Maybe she wasn't as important as she thought and... That was okay too. In the first place, she wasn't able to lift the pressure from Bluebell, to help her quench that thirst for battle.

The sharp words she kept hearing in her dreams lately were backed up by that hateful, burning glare that echoed through her head once more - here, in Hell. I don't care. I don't care.

Her embrace grew softer when Ayu leaned back.

"I never realized that you resented me so much..." she lowered her voice in shame, gently letting go of Liari. One of her hands was still supporting her back, keeping blue Majin close enough but she wasn't going to stop her if she'd try to move away. It didn't feel right to do that now... Even if she wasn't ready to let her go. "I thought that... Caring and loving would be enough when it wasn't," her other hand reached to Liari's face, stroking her cheek gently and wiping tears from her small, blue face. Ayu's sad smile turned bittersweet. "But I know now that even if you love someone if it doesn't give them strength or comfort, it's no different than doing nothing," she admitted, her gesture stopping when her hand curled into a trembling fist. She pressed it against her chest. "I should have listened to you better. I should have been more helpful when you were struggling with your instincts, I-I..." The gentle and heartbroken tone stopped abruptly. Changing the past was impossible at this point and what Ayu said and had done was forever written there. Whether she liked it or not.

"I'm sorry. It's f-fine if you curse me or hate me..." After a moment she spoke up again. "I wasn't the best older sister, was I..?" Ayu's tears weren't even as half as bitter as her words when she said that with loathing poking up from her soft voice.

Liari wasn't the only one who was growing self-hate inside her.

---

Power Level - 300,900| 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 2,155
Total Word Count - 3,910

In the need to speak out about everything that was heavily weighing on her chest, Ayu nearly forgot one thing. That the little, blue Liari that was in her arms wasn't the same as the one that she last talked to just before she met her death. She poured her heart out not fully realizing that the Majin here was back to her first form - with everything that she got from the people she absorbed gone. Even her energy told her that. She was aware yet it didn't click in her mind before she heard her speaking her name. Her power, her abilities, and her nature were not the same, turning her back in time to the day when they met on the wasteland for the first time, sharing snacks and lemonade. Ayu must have sounded weird with all those phrases that she thought she would be speaking to a different version of Liari... Her eyes softened when she realized her mistake.

Placing her hands on hers, Ayu embraced her fingers, leaning down to rest her forehead against Liari's head, and closing her eyes. How could she feel the warmth of a dead person? Huh, that was a question for later... Her vision was already blurry with tears and she was close to beginning to sob again but no. She couldn't. Ayu took a slow breath, calming down her beating heart. If she was the older sister here, despite what wrongs she had done and all the apologizing she did, there was no point in hurting Liari more by being heartbroken and letting it all out in front of her. If Majin's life is going to be a constant storm of everchanging forms, whims, or needs... Let at least Ayu be the constant in the midst of it all.

The low, small voice of a little girl was breaking her heart more than she could have imagined. To see Liari here deprived of what has previously been a part of her, of her pride and warrior mentality - to force her again child-like mind to face the things she had done while she was almost a different person... She was already here, in Hell. And all she could do was apologize with tears, not even trying to look for excuses because how could she? The weight was already on her shoulders and as she said herself, she did bad things. Ayu couldn't deny it... And yet, she couldn't confirm it. That statement was true and yet it wasn't. Fate and reason were entangled so much, it was almost comical to see that everything went through the worst way possible. But still, she couldn't bring herself to blame her for anything. A broken, small kid that was first taken advantage of and then fell into a trap made of impulses that weren't her own...

"You're not a monster, Bluebell," she finally said something that she felt was the most important right now. Ayu opened her eyes and smiled warmly through the tears, stroking Liari's cheek with honest affection. On the surface world, no matter if she'd be back or not, the Majin will be known as an enemy, a villain, hated and despised... And as much Ayu's heart was being torn to shreds at this thought, it was Liari who would be forever aware of the consequences of her actions. Actions that were born simply because of her race's ability to soak in the others' characteristics - both positive and those traits one could be ashamed of... They accumulated, festered, and piled up on the original character of her little sister. "You're not," she repeated in a gentle, reassuring voice. And although Ayu loved and cared about Liari in every form she was, the more people she absorbed the harder it was for the Majin to control those instincts... Ayu never feared her younger sister - she feared her actions.

Now, she was here, in the pits of Hell for a reason. For something she didn't do when she should have, and yet it still wasn't too late to talk to Liari about it. Because too late would be only when she would stop trying, turning her back on a person whose only fault was the nature of her race. Ayu knew very well that they couldn't choose who or what they were... Or even how they were made.

"You are so brave Sweetie," she squeezed her hand gently. "I know it must have been hard and you felt alone. You struggled so much..." Ayu patted Liari's head, her fingers stroking her blue tentacles slowly, their foreheads still pressed against each other. "You know that I could never hate you, right..?" A heartfelt, but not without tears, smile lightly curled the corners of her lips. "I love you very much. You are my family," a well-known warm sensation on her face made Ayu close her eyes for a second, so only two tears would roll down her cheeks. It wasn't the right time to break down crying, now. She had something to do. "I came here to find you and talk with you... Because I would like to know everything I don't," she explained, Ayu's tone still gentle and kind but now firm in this determined way that gave her just enough strength to venture into the depths of Hell with her head raised high. With one hand on Liari's head, and the other holding her fingers gently, Ayu's eyes opened.

The resurrection, coming back, everything - she trusted Callion's judgment to expect Liari to get back to the living world one way or another. Yet her journey wasn't focused on reassuring Bluebell that she soon should be alive again - at least not only. Ayu learned something, even if the experience was a brutal teacher... That loving and caring without taking the right actions weren't anything short of doing nothing. But she hasn't finished that lesson yet, though she was adamant to do it. She owed Liari as much.

"Please, listen to me Bluebell," Ayu's voice lowered to a calm, gentle tone, as she spoke about her request. "Since before we met - as far as you remember - to this point right now... What happened when I wasn't there? And even when we were together... What you did, why you did it, how you felt... Everything. I would like to know everything." It was in a way plea, in another manner, it was a very late apology. Ayu's expression softened, and once again her soul was prickled by a sharp blade of guilt and loathing. She stroked Liari's head lovingly, trying her best not to snatch her in for another hug. She was the one who needed an embrace at this moment but that could wait - a more serious matter had to be addressed. "Each time you changed I wasn't able to understand you as you deserved it. I treated you the same way when I shouldn't have... I want to understand you better." Because that was something that she was supposed to do in the first place. "Can you help me?"

Looking back, it was obvious that she didn't know a lot about Liari. Who she was, why she appeared on Earth... Even the origin of her race held a mystery Ayu had no clue about. Her fault was that she never asked. Mainly because she didn't want to pry, assured that she didn't have to know anything more than the fact that Liari was Liari. Bluebell, a child she loved dearly. And then, when things started to change and her body, mind, and desires started to evolve... Even when Ayu suspected that something wasn't right, that maybe Liari was entangled with things she would not approve of... Ayu didn't step forward. She simply didn't do anything to question Bluebell about it. While she was telling herself that she trusts her and she didn't feel comfortable asking and being nosy, that was only a comforting smokescreen. In reality, it started to look more like she was protecting herself from not wanting to hear things she was frightened of. And look where it led them...

Now she wanted to make up for that.

"I'm sorry if it's a difficult request... You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Wrapping the side of her cloak around Liari's shoulders, Ayu pulled her closer to her lap. Out of everything she could have asked her while they both were here in the afterlife... Was it alright? It just felt so urgent. She cradled her dearly in her arms while they sat on this sandy black desert, resting her chin on the top of the girl's head. Even if she won't get an answer, it would be fine to simply stay like this for a long while. There were still many things Ayu wanted to do but...

"We have time, Bluebell."

---

Power Level - 300,900 | 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,474
Total Word Count - 4,664

Ayu did not dare to interrupt Liari when she heard her trembling frail voice speaking. She really couldn't try to stop her words with more questions or requests, it didn't feel right. Bluebell, shaken as she was, started to slowly explain everything. Staying quiet about everything or tackling it all right now... Ah, it was a bit of a mess. Deciding to wait patiently until she would get every little thing off her chest seemed like the right thing to do. Just seeing Bluebell's face was breaking her enough but she couldn't say anything, simply trying to gently smile back. The tears, puffed cheeks, the dust that was staying on her skin... Pulling out from her pocket a clean handkerchief, Ayu gently wiped the drops that were wetting Majin's face, not once asking her to stop crying. Emotions should not be pent up like that... Softly stroking Liari's cheek with white fabric reminded her of their first meeting. Little Majin was eating so messily that she had to clean her face from all the crumbs and sweet syrup that were covering the strawberry tarts.

In a way, it felt like it happened during a different lifetime. It wasn't that long ago yet so many things took place, disasters smaller or bigger, that... Ah, life is never easy, is it?

"Thank you for telling me all of this," she finally spoke softly after hearing everything. Ayu hold her face in her hands and leaned in to kiss Liari's forehead, pulling her closer. With a heavy and relieved sigh, she held her in her arms, slowly rocking them both. Bluebell was heavy like the whole weight of her sins was setting now in her embrace. Her face was hot when Ayu stroked her cheek, wiping some of the tears that didn't want to stop falling. She softly smiled at her... "I know Sweetie. I know," she admitted with a hushed tone, for the first time in her life being able to hide how dangerously close her voice was to cracking. That sentence back then hurt her the most... I don't care, she often heard it resonating through her skull when she was asleep. But still, Ayu was aware that it was the hunger for fight and validation speaking, pushing away everything else. There was no way she could blame Liari for that, even if it hurt. She told herself that many, many times - but only when Bluebell ensured her that it wasn't true, one of the rocks on her heart crumbled away and her chest was a little lighter. Ayu nuzzled her cheek against the top of the blue head. "We love you too. Terra and me. Very, very much..." Maybe it was the habit kicking in but when she said it, Ayu poked Liari's cheek lightly, almost playfully, before giving her another squeeze.

It would be ideal if only they were on the surface... In their house, sitting on the pile of pillows with Terra napping on the couch next to them. But the reality was often something different than she wished it to be. Ayu sighed a little. She did it, she found Liari - strengthening her resolve to next time take action sooner before the disaster would strike again. It wasn't Bluebell's fault that her race, her kind, was built this way, gaining traits from those she absorbed, growing stronger, and changing her personality. Ayu always wanted to treat her the same, showing that no matter what would happen, she will be her little sister - but that wasn't something that Liari needed. Ayu will have to adjust how she treats her to the way she will become to make sure that she'd stay safe, without rushing into any more trouble. The length she went to have her craving for a fight satisfied... It led to so many cities being destroyed, lives lost, and Majins being branded evil... But still, not everything was lost yet.

"You'd be back to the living world sooner or later, Sweetie." She reassured her, holding Liari's hand. "I know there's a way, though I am not sure what is it exactly... Callion said it's possible to be revived so if there's anyone who can find how it's you." Ayu's eyes softened. Maybe there was a way in this Hell to leave those abyssal plains and return to the living world but she didn't feel right about leaving it all to Liari. She was back to being a kid again, tossing such responsibility at her seemed cruel. "I'll look for a way to bring you back too. And when you return..." Her voice lowered to a gentle but reassuring tone, the one that hinted at many things - including very subtle guidance. She'd hate to tell Liari what to do but there were things they should do nonetheless. "Let's try our best to fix everything that happened, alright? Together. It will be tough but if you'd only want me to, I could help you. I'm sure that Callion would gladly aid us too." Stroking Liari's head, she cuddled her in her arms, in this dark and quiet desert. "We'll fix the places that were destroyed. Rebuild the parts of the cities that are gone. Apologize to Quash and others too." Resting her chin on top of Liari's head, Ayu smiled a little with a weary but loving smile.

It no doubt was going to be tough. Gathering Dragon Balls would be quite an ordeal and repairing cities was going to be time-consuming. Funny how destruction could happen in a blink of an eye yet fixing everything could take months or years... But so be it. Even if, by some dreadful chance, Liari would decide later that she doesn't care again, wrecking the Earth and attacking the population, Ayu knew what she would need to do. She could not hesitate any longer.

"Some things are not so easy to forgive but it doesn't mean that we can't try." She had a feeling that both of them were quite stubborn when it came to certain things. And later... Who knows?

Things might not return to the way they were but they could improve from the state they were right now.

---

Power Level - 300,900 | 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,030
Total Word Count - 5,694

Somehow... By some miracle, the mood became lighter. Better. Nothing changed, not too much at least, they were still in the middle of Hell, holding onto each other on the black sandy desert. Liari was dead, the world was still in disarray and the dust from the battle of South City have barely just settled down. And yet, Ayu could feel Liari's breathing getting calmer, her desperate grasp softening a bit. That felt better, she hugged her warmly. In a way, it was similar to the pieces of her heart being stitched back together. It felt like simply a change of heart, some new hope and a fresh resolve were enough to blow away all the black clouds gathering above them. Maybe not all, to be perfectly honest - the dark pit was still there they just needed more courage and resolve to work it through. Yeah, that felt about right... Stroking Liari's head, Ayu sighed softly.

"They will," she said soundlessly, barely moving her lips, perhaps replying to her own worry more than Liari's. If there was anything here that was holding Bluebell back against her will... Then, Ayu just has to find a way to stop it from happening. Looking for a way to bring the dead back to life would be tricky but there were Dragon Balls if anything could go wrong. Yes... Ayu blinked and smiled at Bluebell when she moved away and started to talk with a more composed voice. Of course, she wouldn't want her older sister to get tangled with something dangerous simply because she was looking for a way to bring her back... As much as she wanted to, she couldn't tell Liari that she was going to search for any means necessary for resurrecting her on her own. That would just make her worried...

And when she said that she was indeed going to fix what she did - when did the Bluebell grow up so much? In a way, she was still a kid, and yet, not anymore. There was something different in her speech and mannerism, in the look of her eyes - fighting and dying were enough to change a person it seemed. For a moment, her saying all that, Ayu thought that it was a declaration of Liari trying to do everything on her own - and Ayu's eyes softened a little when she mentioned her and Terra's name. Right. Something warm started to pour into her heart. She knew she wasn't alone in all this, that was the biggest relief of them all. They will be there for her, to support and help if she'd only wish to - and maybe a little even if she'd try to be brave and tackle everything on her own. Bluebell wasn't alone.

Hearing Liari asking so eagerly about Terra, Ayu's features mellowed with melancholy. Oh, she cared so much about her daughter... She loved her niece dearly too... She wished for nothing more than to see the two of them together because despite everything, the care, the lessons, and the affection - Liari was the one she missed the most.

"I'm sure she'd be surprised," Ayu smiled, raising her hand to wipe with the help of a handkerchief some dust that was still left on her blue cheek. "The last time she saw you you were two times taller. But that form is easier to hug," she joked a little, her eyes glowed gently with tenderness when she thought about the tiny pink Majin. Hopefully, Calot was doing okay with babysitting Terra, Cress, and Celric. Ayu trusted him to look after the kids but in a way, she couldn't count on the children to not try making any mess... She had to make it up to him when she'd be back. "Terra has made a lot of friends and trains a lot because she wants to be as strong as you." There was pride she felt when she talked about her niece. "Callion is teaching her a special technique, oh, and she picked up some plant magic from me," Ayu said, smiling warmly.

And yet, the warmth and the tenderness somehow were covered by a veil of concern. Her gaze lowered to the ground and she took a slow, long breath before she spoke again.

"... I tried telling her that you're gone but in the end, I-I couldn't." Her voice cracked gently. "I would never lie to Terra. I'm not sure how much she knows about what has happened but I told her that you had to leave to train in some very dangerous place. It's not a lie but it's not a truth either..." Ayu closed her eyes, aware that the weary and tired expression in her yellow gaze would give away too much. Talking about death wasn't a pleasant subject and explaining it to an innocent child was... On another level. Maybe it was selfish but knowing that there was a way to bring Liari back, Ayu didn't want to make Terra go through all the despair and sadness of knowing that her mother was killed in a fight. She wanted to save her from those tears. "She knows that you won't be with us for a while but she still waits and misses you dearly." After opening her eyes, Ayu looked at Liari with a smile and a determined sparkle deep in the yellow hue of her irises. "That's why we're going to get you out of here. One way or another."

Her hand reached out to Liari.

---

Power Level - 300,900 | 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 916
Total Word Count - 6,610

Whatever the future planned... It seemed that they all should stick together, for better or for worse. For that, she would need to make sure that Liari will come back to the Living World. Then they should talk with Terra, making sure that no one would come after her sister would be hard but surely with Callion's help they could explain everything. It wasn't going to be easy but it wasn't impossible either, right?

So many things to do...

"I know..." Her eyes were saddened by that thought but what else could Ayu do? Telling Terra everything seemed like the right thing to do but she couldn't find the oh-so-needed words. Revealing half of the truth wasn't better than lying too... And describing everything that was happening with Liari due to her absorbing others was something Ayu couldn't even start to think about. What if Terra would grow resentful of her own nature..? Fearing that she could change just like Liari did. And die pursuing someone else's desires that were taken as her own - like her mother..? To tell her niece such heartbreaking news, making sure that they are delivered as gently and compassionately as possible... That was something Ayu couldn't do. Maybe she would need years to find a way because her mind was blank. She wanted to do so but still, there was a lump in her throat every time she thought about it. Maybe she wasn't the right person to have this talk with Terra anyway. Just... Maybe it was something that only a daughter-mother relationship could work through, together. Yes. "I think it will be better if she'd hear it from you..." She could only admit that simple truth, smiling a little with a melancholic look on her face. "It's something the two of you need to talk about on your own, without anyone else."

Ayu hated the thought of pushing this difficult conversation onto Liari but she had to accept that she wasn't the right person for the job. Terra would love to talk with her aunt - but she was missing someone else. Either way, she was glad to see her sister's eyes lighting up tenderly when she was thinking about tiny pink Majin that was, probably, giving Calot a headache, while playing with Saiyan siblings on the Lookout. Liari thanked Ayu and kissed her cheek, showing gratitude for caring for her child... There was something abstract in Liari - small, short, happily-blue Majin - declaring that she was going to take care of Terra, focusing on being a better mother for her. That race surely was complicated, with her now looking more like Terra's older sibling than her mother... Or maybe it was only Ayu's thought that made it so? If born by magic and the feelings bond was still there, it didn't matter how they looked.

"I'm sure she's going to love having you around more. You're going to be a great Momma," Ayu raised her hand to stroke Liari's head. Having lived - and died - through all those things wasn't the best thing that happened to the blue Majin but she was taking everything she could from those experiences. That included the hierarchy of what was truly important... And although Ayu knew she had no saying in what was dear to Liari or not, she was glad that Terra was there. This small girl missed her mum so much, even if she was still happy and cheerful, Ayu knew she longed to hug her once more.

When she looked at Liari maybe... Or maybe not, she thought she was a little different. Everything that happened made this sparkle in her silver eyes more mature and given their circumstances, it wouldn't be anything strange. They both changed, more or less - but they undeniably did.

"All will be okay in the end," Ayu smiled back at Liari, holding her hand as she got up from the ground. "If it's not okay, it's not the end." Nodding slightly, she dusted her clothes from the sand though this gesture was useless in the desert. The lightest breeze was sneakily sprinkling the black dust on her clothes again. Taking a deep breath, Ayu looked up at the sky... For a moment she forgot that they were in the depths of Hell. They do say that good company makes any place bearable. Liari must have felt something similar because she proudly started to talk about new things that she has learned. This unfriendly land was probably an amazing place to train just by surviving here, no doubt she grew way stronger here. "Sure, show me. I know you're great at magic," Ayu nodded and gave her an encouraging wink. "Knowing you I'm sure it's something extraordinary... I wish I could say the same but I don't think I learned anything new lately." But that wasn't the truth, right? Ayu poked her cheek thoughtfully. "Though I can Seal my presence now," she smiled awkwardly. Keeping her energy in check was something she struggled with for so long and finally, she was able to do it... It wasn't that impressive of course but she was glad she finally reached this milestone. "Oh, and, as weird as it sounds I can tell now if someone is lying." Ayu shrugged a little giving Liari a warm smile. "Works great each time I caught kids stealing snacks from the kitchen in the middle of the night - they know they can't lie to me so I always know whose idea it was," she chuckled.

Hopefully, those who were taking care of this lively trio would have some luck keeping cookies safe.

---

Power Level - 300,900 | 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 934
Total Word Count - 7,544

For a moment everything was like before. A casual chat, bragging about what they could do while smiling and talking about important and also trivial matters. It felt like they never left home... But Ayu needed to look around to be reminded of the circumstances they both were in. The dull, heavy reality didn't go away. Still, if she could push it away for a second, watching smiling and boasting Bluebell who wanted to show off her skills... Yeah, then for a moment she could forget about it, just like that...

And just like that rock transformed into something else. Magic... Magic surely was amazing, defying science and everything that Ayu ever knew. She watched in awe as Liari's creation sprouted into a blade. As much as she understand the chemical structure of a simple rock couldn't possibly switch into a bar of cold iron, dyed blue and also sharpened so meticulously it felt like a breeze stroking against Liari's sword was cut in half. Still - it was magic. Things from regular's school didn't apply here. At this point, she should have already accepted the fact that there were different laws and powers in this world... Maybe a tiny part of Ayu was still looking back at this time when she wasn't concerned with anything. Had no responsibilities other than studying and taking care of her house. And she didn't know any better about herself, the state of the universe, the struggles of leaders of the planets, and everything else... It was a simpler time but so lonely, all things considered, Ayu did not want to return to that moment. Looking at Liari, beaming with pride and posing with her new sword, without realizing she smiled warmly. Bluebell changed. For the better rather than worse.

"Please, refrain from cutting planers in half," Ayu mentioned after Liari presented how her sword worked. She gave her short applause and smiled, and after a second of hesitation added - "At last the inhabited ones." That won't hurt anybody, probably? The boulder that she dug from the black sand and pulled out, tossed into the air, and in a very scenic way, she cut it in half, was now laying on the ground. The right moment of telling Liari not to play with sharp objects was long overdue... Besides, considering what could have happened in the future it would be a good idea to have various means of protection. And not to mention, seeing how she was posing and using the sword made Ayu think that this type of weapon suits her a lot. "That must have been hard, learning something by only watching others... You did an amazing job here," she stroked her head fondly, looking at her with warmth in her yellow eyes.

Even in this place, even in those circumstances, Liari was able to obtain a new ability by simply watching someone else do it... That was outstanding on its own. Then again, Ayu was glad that there was something else she could have focused on, instead of thinking about all the grim thoughts and whispers that could have been filling her head with guilt... Going in the same direction, she tilted her head when Liari asked about her Seal.

"I'm not exactly sure, hm..." Ayu stroked her cheek. She lifted her sleeve, showing the dimly glowing mark on her green skin - a simple rune written in a circle that looked like it was brushed with luminescent paint on her body. "If I could describe it, it's like putting on a masking shield that hides my power level," she smiled a little, thinking back about all the struggles her high energy caused her. "I cannot control my Ki, I can't conceal it or make it unreadable to others in the way most warriors do... So I'm making a shield with magic that covers my presence." After showing Liari the seal, Ayu fixed her sleeve. "It makes others unable to sense me, well, at least until I use my powers, then energy cannot be hidden. But most of the time I'm keeping the level low, passing as a regular Earthling." With a gentle sigh, she looked at Liari, explaining her reasoning, Ayu's face melancholic a little. "It would be suspicious to have no energy signatures to sense and I know that my true level is so high it can attract unwanted attention."

The attention... The Red Ribbon. Zhang was still alive and who knows what he was planning. With her face being shown on TV during the South City incident, Ayu would have to stay away from the cities... And probably every other town or village too. Her skin color, hair, and plant powers were too recognizable and now it seemed like being anonymous was out of the question. Living on the Lookout or as a hermit in the forest seemed like the only possible solution to stay away from the interest of the world. A quiet, simple life wasn't an option anymore - she disliked the fame and the spotlight, wanting nothing more but a peaceful corner of the world where she could stay.

Fate had different plans and Ayu had to focus on looking after her home planet. It seemed that the case of attention didn't matter anymore.

"Once you'd be back on Earth, you will find me and Terra on the Lookout. It's an Ancient Temple - easily recognizable as it's high above the clouds," Ayu reached into the inner pocket of her travel coat, looking for something. "I would love you to come there with us but I know you might have other plans, so here-" she placed a key in Liari's hand. "Just in case, the key to our home near the forest. It's your place too so feel free to stay there as long as you'd like. You can take Terra with you." The little one should spend more time with her mother, she missed her so much... Maybe those two would need a bonding session, just them, mother and daughter. Ayu lowered her gaze and closed her eyes. "I... I will have to stay on the Lookout a bit longer."

It was a simple matter. The energy in her body was building up the tension that resulted in headaches, pain, and nosebleeds. Dende was able to heal it and Ayu could easily focus on her training. That's why she couldn't leave for long. Yet, since she entered Hell there was no way of getting this strain out of her system. The chance of her going... Well, snapping like back then, was low but the sensation wasn't fading.

At least her level of control got slightly better.

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Power Level - 300,900 | 0 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,108
Total Word Count - 8,652