"Roxanne, I know your respect for me is a lot and I appreciate it, but really, I'm not as important as you think."

My mother finishes by saying that and getting up from the table, carrying Sophie in her arms.

"Wait, mother!"

I yell that to my mother.

She stops a few seconds after my shout.

"I... I know I don't understand much about this world and I know you are still suffering from my father's death."

It's true... my Father died a few months ago, he. Just like my mother. He was an important man, being one of the highest ranking generals protecting the queen.

Unfortunately he died in combat against the beasts, there are not many details about his death, only that is known.

"Your father's death has affected us both, Roxanne."

My mother, she just says that. Without turning to look at me.

As my father was the general in charge of protecting the queen, my mother is an apostle in charge of protecting the islands.

If we analyze it a little, it is impossible to believe that my father died. Their missions are totally different. In fact, my mother's missions are considerably more dangerous than my father's, but still, my father died. My father died. That alone makes it clear that danger is everywhere.

Roles are very much established in this city.

The soldiers tend to be in charge of the safety of the inhabitants and the interior of each of the islands, they submit very little to the potential danger of the beasts.

The Warriors have the mission of following the apostles to the exploration missions that they carry out on the outskirts of these islands, one could say that they are like their private armies.

The Cherubim are magicians who are in the ascension to be apostles, you could say that they are like the right hand of the apostles. Their mission can be as simple as permanent training or as difficult as exploration alongside the apostles or some unforeseen war against the beasts.

The Virtues or Apostles are the wizards who represent each of the islands, usually there are 12, and they are at the head of the research and explorations that take place outside. In addition, they have direct contact with the beasts, having to defeat all those that are out there.

The Powers are the queen's generals and are in charge of supervising the virtues or apostles, as well as taking care and protecting the queen herself and the castle.

And finally, Seraphim, which is how the person who rules over this city is known.

My mother has the rank of a virtue or apostle and my father had the rank of a power.

All this is what I have learned from my mother and school, and in my opinion it is more than enough.

I don't need to be a genius to be aware that my mother is an important woman and so was my father.

"I know that the loss of my father has been very hard for the family and that it is complicated for you to be alone at the head of the family, it is not easy at all to have to fulfill missions in which you risk your life and also to have to take care of 2 daughters".

I feel like tears are coming out of my eyes when I say that.

"But, that's why I want to be like you."

"I want to be a fighter, I want to be able to go outside and face those creatures to continue giving hope to humanity and also, you, mother. You can rest."

...

Saying that, my mother turned to look at me with some tears in her eyes.

At the same time, my sister Sophie. Confused, she looked directly at my mother.

"What are you trying to say with that, Roxanne?"

My mother, with her deep gaze between tears, was looking directly at me.

I swallowed some saliva, closed my eyes and clenched my fists, preparing myself for what she was about to say.

"I want to be a virtue mother, just like you."

"I want to train enough so that I can defeat beasts and you can rest at home taking care of Sophie."

"I don't want you to keep risking your life, I think you should rest and live peacefully now."

After saying that, my mother's eyes widened to the point of looking like she would have a heart attack.

Moreover, my mother was also dumbfounded by what I said.

"No, you won't!"

As if it were a muscular reaction, my mother was quick to respond.

"What? But why not?"

I replied to my mother, confused. Since, repeatedly in the past I had told her about my dream of wanting to be like her.

"I won't allow it, it's too deadly a job for you!"

My mother, likewise, shouted back.

"I don't understand, why are you reacting this way? You should support me for this dream."

I reply to my mother, while placing my hand on my chest.

"It's impossible, I will never allow it!

My mother screams too loudly, which causes Sophie to start crying.

"Oh, come on, calm down, mom is a fool, she shouldn't have screamed like that!"

My mother starts stroking Sophie's head, while saying things to her to try to calm her down.

"Listen, Roxanne, I don't think we should be having this talk right now, but I will be clear and precise. I cannot as your mother allow you to enter this world."

My mother calmed down and replied.

"Do you think I am weak, Mother?"

I ask her that, as I again make direct eye contact with her.

"It's not that, Roxanne. It's just that I wouldn't want you to enter this scary world."

My mother answers that, but at the same time she sounds insecure.

"I know you think I'm weak, Mother. Actually, everyone thinks that."

I reply again to my mother.

"That's not the point, Roxanne. I know you still don't control your magic very well and you're a little behind compared to your peers, but that's not what this is about."

...

My mother took a pause to think and spoke again.

"It's about the fact that I don't want anything bad to happen to you or Sophie. That's all."

"Besides, you've never seen a beast, they really are terrifying and they are very strong, I've seen many people die and I wouldn't want that to happen to you."

"I wouldn't stand for it..."

My mother this time answered with more sincerity and what she said was as if it touched my soul.

"But mother, I believe I can take on a beast without something happening to me. I assure you. I may be small now and not know much, but I will learn many more things in the future, I promise you!"

I said that and then put force on with my right arm.

My mother laughed a little at that.

"I know you're still a child, but the world isn't all roses, Roxanne. I'll tell you that much."

"I wish I had that enthusiasm you have again."

"I don't know at what point I lost it."

My mother sounded rather sad with that last thing she said.

"I guess I don't know anything about the world, as you say..."

"But I want to strive for what I want!"

My mother just watches me. Like she knows she should end this dream of mine, but at the same time she doesn't want to.

"Roxanne, your dream... it's quite dangerous."

"Leaving this place and having to face beasts in order to make way for the future, it's a very scary thing, I always tremble when I have to face a beast."

"I know that you possibly you will feel that too if you get to see one, but. To be honest, I wouldn't want you to see one in your life, for your well being, it's better that you don't."

It feels weird that my mother is talking in such a mature way to me.

It almost makes me want to give up this dream, but I can't.....

I want my mother to be able to rest and live a peaceful life as soon as possible.

"Mother, but are you forgetting the doll that you yourself created for me?"

I replied, as I pointed to the doll which was in the corner of the wall, on a chair.

"Yes, Roxanne. I know I created that doll for you, with the purpose that you could fulfill your dream of fighting a beast... but it's very different in real life."

"I just want to keep you and Sophie safe."

My mother said that.

"But, Mother. I want to protect you and Sophie too."

My mother, hearing that cheered up a little.

"Your father would be very happy to hear you say that you want to protect us, but Roxanne. You had better not make a virtue out of yourself and I ask you to please listen to me."

"Good night..."

...

My mother said that last thing and went to sleep....

Tonight I won't be able to sleep...