Chapter 2: The last wish of a mother

The child, eyes full of tears, looked at Julz with a mixture of fear and determination.

The child: I have ...

Julz: Hmm?

The child: I have no choice. I have to save the life of my brother and mother.

Julz: (What!?)

The little one was in tears, her face marked by despair. Julz, seeing sincerity in his eyes, understood the gravity of the situation.

Julz: (she doesn't lie.)

She canceled the fate she had launched to keep her prisoner and approached the child. Gently, she asked him:

Julz: Tell me everything.

The trembling child resumed with difficulty.

The child: They are very sick. My mother, my brother and I were sold as a slaves in a department store.

This revelation shocked Julz, who, while listening, felt invaded by indignation.

Julz: (slaves! This explains the marks on his body ...)

The child: The man who took us made us work in exchange for a shelter and food. But a few days later, my mother fell seriously ill. This man said she was no longer used for anything and put her on the door.

The two men who were nearby expressed their horror.

Character 1: What cruelty!

The child: My brother and I decided to watch over her. It was then that my brother used her magic to treat her.

The child: but using too much of his powers, he also fell ill. I wanted to go back to see this man to help us, but he refused.

Julz: So that's why you took his money, right?

The girl, surprise, looked at Julz, who confirmed her suspicions.

Character 2: How do you know that?

Julz: There is only one bag in his hood.

Character 1: Oh ...

The confused child looked down before continuing.

The child: Yes ... that's why I stole him, but ...

Julz: I understand.

Julz’s reaction was unexpected for the child, but she didn't have time to react more, because a familiar voice rose.

Voice: Finally, I found you, a small thief.

The child froze, palpable terror on his face. She whispered in a trembling voice.

The child: my ... sir ...

Julz, feeling the fear of the child, turned to the man who had just arrived. A look of contempt passed in her eyes, and she thought:

Julz: (It's him.)

The merchant, in a dry and authoritarian tone, approached.

Mister the merchant: dirty thief, I will give you a lesson.

He noticed that the child was in the hands of Julz and turned to her with challenge.

Mr. Marchand: Thank you for challenging this thief, but now I'm going to take care of this case ...

Julz was interrupted dryly.

Julz: I'm sorry, but I think there was a misunderstanding. No one will touch a single hair of this child.

The merchant, visibly irritated, launched: And who are you to give me orders? You are not in a position to negotiate with me.

Julz: I don't negotiate. If you touch this child, you will regret it.

Mister the merchant: Do you dare to threaten me? Do you really think you can stop us?

Julz: It's not threats, it's a promise. I insist you do not touch this child.

The merchant sneered, sure of him.

Mr. Marchand: Why defend this child? She belongs to me as a slave, and I do what I want from her. And she stole money from me.

Julz took the stolen money out of the Small bag and launched him towards the merchant, who caught him greedily.

Julz: Take it.

The merchant, after counting the money, seemed dissatisfied.

Mr. Marchand: And the child? I remind you that I bought it. She remains my property.

Julz advanced, his freezing look.

Julz: The day you decided to put it to the door, you have broken all link.

The furious man turned to his men.

Mister the merchant: dirty little morvety! She belongs to me, and I intend to take care of her.

The trembling child took refuge behind Julz, who, with a calm gesture, had the merchant's men back from a simple movement of the hand.

Julz: If you insist, try to take it back.

The merchant, red of anger, gave an order.

Monsieur le Marchand: give him a lesson!

The men set off towards Julz, but barely they were within reach that they were projected behind by an invisible power. The merchant, amazed, remained speechless.

Monsieur the merchant: what…!?

Julz advanced, his imposing aura invading space.

Julz: I hate being challenged. And men like you ... I don't tolerate them.

Mister the merchant: Are you ... a witch?

Julz raised a hand and, with a simple movement, touched the man. A bitter pain appeared on his cheek.

Mister the merchant: aahh !!!

Julz: This is my last warning. Disappear.

The trembling merchant, signaled to his men to withdraw, and all fled.

Character 1: They finally moved away.

The second character, impressed by the power of Julz, thought in a low voice.

Character 2: (she is not afraid of anything ...)

The child, still in shock, collapsed on the ground, between relief and anxiety.

The child: How can I act now?

Julz, calm, replied.

Julz: You won't need money.

The child: huh?

Julz: Show me where they are.

The little one, surprised, stared at her for a moment, then nodded. A few minutes later, Julz and the two men accompanied them to a dilapidated shelter, where the child's mother was lying on the ground, next to his brother, always unconscious.

The child approached his brother with a shy smile.

The child: Big brother, look, I came back with help! You and mom will heal.

Julz observed in silence. She was more worried about the mother, whose state was much more serious. She tells herself to herself: (it is already too late for her.)

But, so as not to break the hope of the little one, she replied in a soft voice.

Julz: Go get water, please.

The child rushed immediately. As soon as she walked away, the mother opened her eyes, murmured weakly.

Mother: It's too late for me ... don't waste time.

Julz: Rest. Do not waste your strengths.

The mother, in a last breath, pronounced: save my son ... He is too young ... Do not let my daughter suffer from losing both her mother and her brother ...

Julz turned to the young boy and, with a gentle gesture, put his hand on his forehead. She quickly diagnosed the source of her ailments.

Julz: (he suffers from internal injuries and lack of magic.)

She recited a healing spell.

Julz: Hoc Sana Vulnus.

The boy began to react positively. Julz then turned to the mother.

Julz: He's out of danger now.

The grateful mother murmured.

Mother: Thank you ... Thank you ...

Julz smiled gently.

Julz: There is no need for thanks.

But the mother, in a last momentum of lucidity, asked in a weak voice.

Mother: Can I ask you one last thing?

Julz knelt, attentive.

The mother's mother, visibly sagged, slowly turned to Julz, her eyes full of distress. She put a frail hand on hers and, in a weak voice, said: "If I came to leave this world, they would find themselves alone, homeless or family ... I would like you to take care of my children, please. »»

Surprised by this unexpected request, Julz fixed the woman for a moment, lost in her thoughts. She had no choice but to respond, unable to refuse such a promise.

Julz: "I promise you, I will watch over your children and protect them from any danger. »»

The mother's eyes filled with gratitude. A slight smile appeared on her lips, a smile imbued with relief.

Mother of the little one: "Thank you ... a lot. »»

It fixed Julz intensely, as if each word pronounced had a huge weight.

Mother of the little one: "You look like her so much ..."

At that moment, the little girl returned to the room, a bucket of water in her hands and an innocent smile on her face. Upon entering, she stopped, the atmosphere of the room had changed. She approached her mother, her sparkling eyes, and said to her happily: "Mom, you too, you will heal ..."

But his smile froze when he saw his mother, leaning against Julz, visibly weakened, her distant eyes. The mother whispered, her last forces about to leave her.

Mother of the little one: "My daughter, you look so much like the great witch Kamui ..."

Barely these words were pronounced than the mother let herself be carried away, her breath turning off in a last breath. She no longer moved.

The little girl leaned over her, her trembling hands trying to wake her up.

The child: "Mom ... Mom, you're going to get up, don't you?" Julz will take care of you and we will be able to live new moments together, we will be happy. »»

Julz, eyes full of sadness, knelt near the little one. She gently put her hand on her shoulder.

Julz: "Magic cannot bring the deceased back to life, I'm sorry. »»

The world seemed to collapse around the little girl. His suffering broke out, a heartbreaking cry being heard.

The child: "Noooooooooon!" »»

She collapsed in sobs, placing her head on the inert body of her mother, unconscious of the presence of her brother, who, in a last start of life, opened her eyes. But, not having the strength to understand what was going on, he quickly lost consciousness.

Julz, with a tight throat, got up and slowly walked away from the devastating scene. She turned to the little girl.

Julz: "I'm going to let you calm down, I'm going to stay outside with the two gentlemen. »»

By crossing the door, she whispered a last promise: "Your mother asked me to watch over you, and I promised her on her deathbed that I would do it. »»

The little, surprise, looked at her without understanding.

The child: "Uh !!! »»

Julz: I never backtrack on my promises, but the decision comes back to you. I'm waiting for you outside, warn me when you're ready. »»

Julz closed the door behind her, leaving the girl in her thoughts. She joined the two men outside. One of them, concerned, asked him:

Character 1: "We have heard cries. Is anyone well? »»

Julz: “She has just lost her mother. »»

The two men immediately felt affected, their faces closing under the weight of emotion. One of them exclaimed, with a heavy heart:

Character 2: "Poor little, I'm going to go see her. »»

Julz shook his head, his voice full of wisdom and calm: “It would be better to leave it alone; She really needs it. »»

Character 2: "Oh !!! »»

Julz turned to the door, feeling the heaviness of the situation. The little one should now face the inevitable reality of loss. After so many tears, she should now make a decision for her future, and that of her brother.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***