"I'm a witch."

The room went silent. One could see confused faces and behold bemused stares targeting the woman who had held her child tight in her arms.

It caught everyone totally off guard. The priests, who were trying to accuse Aydem of being a demon disguised in body of a 3-year-old child, didn't expect that. Alicio, who was trying his best to find a gap between the priests' discussions and talk to them, had an expression shrouded with shock. Aydem, who was so scared that he would even accuse his own mother of witchery to get safe out of that situation, appeared puzzled.

Everyone needed a few seconds to react properly and understand what had just happened.

"I confess. I confess to be a witch."

The elder priest made a sanctimonious face, one filled with smugness and self-righteousness. "Please, continue," he said.

"I acknowledge my sins. I concede that I've been doing witchcraft."

"And you used the blood of your child to practice dark magic?"

"Yes," she said, her face turning down and lids cloaking the eyes.

The elder priest gasped, forming a surprised look, but it didn't last long as he frowned.

"I see. Such a wickedness!" he said. "Anyhow, why would you confess your actions now?"

"I've done terrible things, but now I wish to repent. My boy is innocent. He's a victim."

The young priest, who had stayed quiet for a while, started talking, still preserving his cold expression. "What if the child is actually a demon and is controlling her? Perhaps, the demon has felt threatened. She confessed when we were talking about the child being a vessel of devil. Is that a coincidence?"

Alicio also expressed his opinion, finally finding the opportunity to talk, "Wait! Listen to me! They can both be innocent. She's a mother after all. She could be protecting her child."

The elder priest raised his hand to demand silence. "With all due respect, Mr. Eraldim, I have to say that actual confession has more validity than mere speculation."

He then turned to Emine. "It seems your motherly love has given you a chance to get saved. Confessing one's sins is the first step towards salvation. The temple will protect your son. You have my words on that. Truthful to the gods, we may never lie. My young partner here also has his suspicions, so this way we can have a look on the boy."

The elder priest made a nodding gesture at Emine after taking a quick glance at Aydem. She, understanding the meaning of that, put Aydem down from her embrace. Kneeling down to her son's height, she placed both of her hands on his shoulders, giving him a warm, loving look in the eye. In exchange, he stared back with an uneasy, fragile look, one that was on the verge of crying.

During these three years, the only time he had cried was as an infant, a sign of thirst or hunger, or other needs that he couldn't take care of as a newborn baby. However, not once had he ever felt an urge this strong to genuinely cry. What was this need that he couldn't take care of as a 3-year-old?

For the first time in his new life, he came to care about something other than himself. A heavy pressure kept crushing his mind and soul. Was it guilt? Separation from one's mother? Perhaps both, or maybe something entirely different. Everything had happened so fast that he failed to fully realize where this pressure was coming from.

"Don't worry, sweetie. Everything will be just fine. I know you're a smart boy, so don't think I'm trying to trick you. I truly mean it. I promise to get back safe. In the meantime, while your father's gone, these men will take care of you. Don't judge them so quickly. The priests are generally good people. The temple is also a great place."

She kissed him on the forehead before holding his face in her touch. "Stay safe. I'm not saying goodbye, because there is no departure. Our bound is that of a mother and a son. I'm always with you no matter where you go."

Aydem attempted to speak, but his throat felt clogged, as if someone was choking him. He felt a sharp touch over his skin, like a thousand honed swords sliding through his chest. His lungs were on fire, being burned from within. Although he tried to suppress those fiery emotions, tears after tears started flowing down his face, which he failed to realize until Emine wiped them away.

"Don't be sad. Didn't I tell you? We'll be back together soon."

Even forming proper thoughts came to be a difficult task for Aydem at that moment, let alone making a response. He stood there, motionless with his red-hot face and vulnerable sight, watching the events unfold before the eyes.

Emine stood up, facing the elder priest. "I'm prepared for any punishment that awaits me."

"All right," he said, "bring the chains. We'll keep you in the jail at the chief's building until further notice."

"Please, could you not do it in front of my son?" she asked.

"Fine," the elder priest motioned to one of the guards before coming to Aydem. "Son, come with me."

Aydem stumbled ahead, following the elder priest outside the house. Looking back, he saw one of the men guarding the entrance step towards Emine, carrying heavy shackles. He fastened them around her wrists and ankles, restricting her hands and feet.

The elder priest stood beside Aydem on the street. It didn't take long before Emine was dragged out of her home by the two sturdy men next to her. Alicio, wearing a troubled face, followed them from behind, while the young priest remained in the house.

"I'm staying here to investigate this place more thoroughly."

"Sure, do what's necessary. There could be more valuable evidence hidden from our sight."

Aydem could see the young priest directing his looks to where he recalled to be the kitchen in the hall, stepping towards it and vanishing from the sight before the door was shut close.

Emine walked forward slowly, the clanks of her chains penetrating the fresh air and reaching him. The sound would be considered irritating, but if the chains were restricting a loved one, it would be even more infuriating.

She stopped before Aydem, and the two guards stopped along with her. Going down on her knees, she whispered in his ears, "Love you, sweetie. Stay Strong!"

Aydem didn't react, his feet frozen on the ground and tears frozen on the face.

"I trust my partner has put the necessary spells on her?" the elder priest asked after turning to the guards.

"Yes, sir," the guard to Emine's left responded, his voice being as tough as his physique.

"All right, we shall depart then. Mr. Eraldim, may I ask you to accompany the witch to the prison? Meanwhile, I shall bring this child to the temple with me."

"U-Understood, honor," Alicio said, his voice shaking here and there.

Afterwards, they began to move in opposite directions, following different paths, one going to the main square and one to the temple. The distance between them grew bigger as Aydem tried not to look back.

What am I doing?

He stopped his steps, standing still, his sight shrouded with a shade, that of gloom, grief, and guilt.

"Hmm? What's the problem, child?" the elder priest asked after noticing it.

Aydem turned back, watching Emine getting further and further away from him, but she was still in sight. He began running to her as fast as his fragile legs allowed him to.

"Hey! What are you doing?" the elder priest said loudly.

She, hearing her son's steps from behind, also turned back, watching him jump into her embrace and burst into tears. Albeit surprised at first, Emine wore her usual gentle smile successfully before hugging him back.

"I love you too, mom. I love you too."