82
Advantage
"Oga," Furuichi pulled the brunet's sleeve. "Mother's asking to take over." Feeling the tension roll off the rest of the group's shoulders, Furuichi was quick to add, "She wants to help us."
Although Oga was more trusting of Mother, the leader was afraid Hilde or Aoi might accidentally kill Furuichi if Mother got out of control. The shadows began to gurgle and howl in the near distance. "Whatever she wants to do, she'd better make it quick," Hilde said while brandishing the torch with both hands. Oga gave Furuichi a nod. When Furuichi opened his eyes again several seconds later, Oga could tell they weren't Furuichi's eyes anymore. "Put down the torches. Stamp them out," Hilde and Oga gave equally challenging looks. Mother put up her hands in a peaceful gesture. "The light is too bright for them. They are crying out in pain."
Oga slowly dropped the torch to the floor, but didn't stamp it out. Hilde hadn't moved, but asked, "What are they?"
"Fallen children. Products from my foolish nightmare."
If Aoi hadn't put a hand on Hilde's shoulder, the group wouldn't have known what would've come next. For a final time, Oga and Hilde's eyes locked before stamping out the torches to stand in cold and complete darkness.
Oga could hear the heavy breathing of the others, he hoped the stuttering of his own heart fell on deaf ears. It took a few uneasy minutes of silent adrenaline before anyone's eyes could fully adjust to the gentle greenish glow coming from Furuichi's body. Oga thought Furuichi looked absolutely beautiful, majestic with the way the leaves and vines glowed across his skin. The waterfall of silver hair and sweet flowers cascading in elegant ropes of braids.
At some point, Oga became all too aware of the padding feet sounding toward their direction. Hearing Hilde put out her machete, Oga had a mind to take out his.
"Please," Mother called toward Hilde, "Put away your weapon. They mean you no harm." Hilde was quicker to sheathe the oversized knife, but still kept a hand on the hilt.
When the creatures limped into view, Oga hadn't quite understood what he was seeing. Misshapen pelts of animals scuffled into view, snorting and backing away when the scent of pure humans filled their noses. Mother knelt before them, arms open and inviting; she waited patiently until the smallest of them came to settle into her lap.
That was the only day Oga, Hilde and Aoi saw Mother cry.