Shattering Humanity-Chapter 368: Itsuka’s Mother & Her Apples Of Immortality

Whatever ˹pleasure˺ you have been given is ˹no more than a fleeting˺ enjoyment of this worldly life. But what is with Allah is far better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord; who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, and forgive when angered; who respond to their Lord, establish prayer, conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and donate from what We have provided for them; and who enforce justice when wronged.

The reward of an evil deed is its equivalent. But whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, then their reward is with Allah. He certainly does not like the wrongdoers.

There is no blame on those who enforce justice after being wronged.

Blame is only on those who wrong people and transgress in the land unjustly. It is they who will suffer a painful punishment." -Surah Ash-Shuraa 36-42

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[Outer Sanpaku]

Shelly: "Oh yea!

Now that you mention it, I had a small chat with Madame Fryer within my Yggdrasil Mindcscape yesterday, she also described you as the descendant of a Völva woman named Ioûnn!

our mother and my Valkyrie grandmother were traveling companions!"

Leaving the mental conversation, Katsu’s eyes turn into bright, over dramatic stars by the information pointed out to the rest of the group.

Katsu: "Holy crap!

If that’s true, that would be incredible, Big Sis!"

Sol: "And not to mention a little too much of a coincidence."

Everyone presently around the fire turns their attention to the mysterious statement. Everyone, except Aiden. The logical and quick witted genius has the knuckle of his index finger on his chin, calculating certain explanations.

Aiden: "That’s what I was about to say. If Shelly’s grandmother was slain almost 800 years ago, while fighting the DæMons to buy time for Itsuka’s mother to escape. That would mean this ’Skalmönd’ woman had to have a child or children, she must have left with Itsuka’s mom, before her final stand against Laban and her sisters."

Everyone then looks over to Saku and Laban.

The smiling, changed DaeMon is too preoccupied with her tiny adopted daughter, but all the eyes on him immediately give the Yin Vessel agida.

Saku: "What?"

Daisuki: "Well Saku, there is a question we are all wondering, and only the two of you could possibly answer this question with Laban’s eye ability."

The DaeMon mother’s attention finally focuses back to the conversation and her attitude returns.

Laban DaeMon: "What are we talkin’ about?

The Amazonian’s mother?"

Itsuka blushes and her nose twitches. Knowing she may have to hear about her mother from her biggest enemy.

Laban DaeMon: "I can never speak for my Saki, but don’t get your hopes up that I have all the answers.

Thanks to Skalmönd’s final SeiõrSpell, anybody with Völva or Valkyrie blood was protected from my sister’s Nye-omnipotency. Only when coming in contact with humans not protected by the veil, was the spell compromised."

Aiden is putting together the pieces while everyone listens.

Laban DaeMon: "When I got my eye ability, and realized it was one of the DæMon abilities I immediately searched for answers and found you two."

She looks at Shelly and Itsuka.

Laban DaeMon: "Since neither of you had known each other before leaving those mountains, I figured it was only a matter of time before the two of you formed a close bond, and I was right."

Both Itsuka and Shelly blush, remembering the very first night they were a group outside the mountains.

Even Saku, who was pretending to be asleep recalls the night Katsu was unconscious from his eye transfer.

{FLASHBACK}

Itsuka: "When PipPip’s life ended, I was in denial.

I told myself he was just sleeping and believed it, like a 5 year old, and convinced myself all my actions to save him would be worth it.

The real reason I had to seriously duct tape and make a Matryoshka of boxes as his coffin, was because of his smell. I waited so long and fooled myself for long enough that I saw insects in the creature I once saw as my only source of emotional support.

I was in denial for so long, I no longer saw him differently than others who called him a ’smelly rodent’.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t let the ones you cherish change for the worse, because sooner or later, you’ll see the one you once cherished, no different than how others have seen them all along."

...

Shelly(crying): "I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost him Itsuka.

I truly love this man with all my heart and not like the adopted sister he sees me as.*sob* I’m so scared of moving too fast, or telling him my true feelings and that confession makes him feel awkward or uncomfortable to be around me.

I’d lose everything I’ve built with him, forever.*sob*

I’d do anything for Katsu so he could live happily for the rest of his life. Everytime I train.*sob*

Everytime I fight.*sob*

To be called a ’Beast’, as a woman, for this one man who could have died today because of meehehee. *sob*

Because he really deserves it Itsuka*sob*. He does.*sob*

I’ll be friends with all his friends, even if I can’t stand them.*sob*

I’ll play all the sports he wants to play, even if I don’t know how to play.*sob*

I’ll watch any of those shows others call nerdy, just to be with him and be able to see how happy he gets from them.*sob*"

{FLASHBACK}

Saku gets tears in his eyes, now truly knowing just how much that statement means to the young girl.

A snowflake drops from his Anjell Eye.

He looks through the flame, at Katsu biting his bottom lip, trying to fight back his own tears.

Saku(thinking): *Katsu...I get it.

At the time, I didn’t, but now I get what unconditional love does to a man...*

Saku’s green eye moves around at TayTay being fed another "apple" by Sol.

Saku(thinking): *It creates a sense of comfort that we don’t instinctively have or aren’t born with.*

Then over to Jormungand and Drakania.

Saku(thinking): *It turns us into something we’re not.*

Finally at his mentor, knowing he has his own ’collection’ of women.

Saku(thinking): *It makes us want to protect them at all costs...*

He looks over at Itsuka, then at Laban, and finally Xaaydagaay asleep on the ground.

Saku(thinking): *...Even if we don’t inherently want to.* 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Aiden: "So, how did Itsuka’s mother live for so long anyway?

If she was alive for so long, wouldn’t she look old and decrepit and why didn’t she teach her daughter anything about Seiõr?"

Itsuka remembers her mother’s pristine figure and workout routine eventually passed down, but no magic.

Laban takes a deep, annoyed breath from being talked to by Aiden and instead of responding, she talks through her clenched teeth.

Laban DaeMon: "Zoram, can you please?

Or else I’m going to beat that nerd’s ass."

Aiden flinches back in fear.

Zoram nods with a smile and stands up. She holds out her hand wearing the SeiõrSilkSleeves and all the SeiõrSnow falling begins forming a floating white orb in the middle of her palm.

Zoram: "It is said this technique was created by the great Völva Ioûnn herself and the sole technique allowing the Old Norse witches to live so long whilst practice so many more Seiõr techniques."

Itsuka stares at the brightly flashing white orb and to everyone’s surprise, the ball of Seiõr starts transforming and molding shape on it’s own.

Itsuka: "My mother created something like that?"

The Middle Eastern Völva nods and continues on with her explanation.

Zoram: "Yes, it is also the way Madame Laban and I were able to traverse history to meet Captain Every.

Also how we fooled the old Don of Roronora City into thinking Madame Laban was his child.

Once one consumes the finished product, their body will glow all white and then regress back as far as back to a new born infant, but they will keep all their memories and functions."

Drakania is fascinated by the topic and is so excited to be part of the conversation, she stands up without thinking.

Drakania: "Ioûnn, or Idun, was the Old Norse Völva associated with time and apples of immortality!"

Upon hearing the word, and knowing her sons infatuation with the fruit, Sol turns to see TayTay jump up to his feet, causing the ground around the bonfire to shake.

TayTay: "Apples!"

Saku snickers at his big glutton of a friend while Sol begins making the next roasted "apple" for the giant soldier.

Sol: "Of course it was..."

Drakania continues with her extensive knowledge of mythology. Her little brother is sitting on the ground, bracing himself with his one human arm/one Iceman arm back, and smiling while listening to his sister’s enthusiasm.

Drakania: "Although not seen as a God herself, it was said the strongest were dependent on her to achieve greatness.

It was said she was a deep and beautiful thinker, who’s beauty was so breathtaking and her eloquence when speaking so divine, it made those in her presence want to better themselves, but for her."