With a series of stiff, grating scrapes of stone on stone, the massive throne trembled slightly. Then came a winding-mechanism click from beneath my feet—the stone door began to turn slowly.
I remained seated on the throne, staring blankly as the Royal Citadel before me faded into darkness.
What lay behind the stone door? I didn’t know.
Was I afraid? Yeah.
...
After a few seconds of darkness, the scene gradually revealed itself. So this was what hid behind the throne…
A vast circular cavern. Its walls were studded with milky-white stones of unknown origin, emitting a soft, eerie glow that lit the entire space.
Almost instinctively, I stepped down from the throne—my feet sinking into icy-clear water, just deep enough to cover my ankles.
To my surprise, the foul bloodstains on my diving boots didn’t bleed into the water. Only ripples spread from my steps.
Ahead, a familiar figure sat waist-deep in the water, knees drawn up, staring intently at something.
“Mom…?”
My voice trembled slightly.
She flinched—but didn’t turn. Instead, she braced herself on the ground and slowly rose.
“Is it really you… Mom? Don’t scare me…”
Seeing that familiar diving suit, that beloved silhouette, tears welled in my eyes.
Though only hours had passed since I last saw her, I’d never missed her more.
...
Yet something felt… off.
Mom’s hair seemed longer than before.
A trick of the mind?
But right then, I didn’t care.
I stood frozen, heart pounding, waiting for her to turn—to pull me into a warm embrace.
...
She remained still. But through the water’s ripples, I saw her body shaking violently.
“Mom…”
I took a deep breath and stepped closer.
“Sorry I kept you waiting…” I murmured. My whisper cut sharply through the cavern’s silence.
She shuddered again—but still didn’t turn.
...
Now standing directly behind her, I caught it: that familiar scent. The perfume Dad gave her. A memory etched into my bones.
But… she’d changed into *my* diving suit. Shouldn’t it reek of blood? Why did she still smell like *her*?
The water was crystal clear, revealing the smooth stone floor below—no reflection at all.
And her diving suit… wasn’t the same model as mine.
Logically, I should’ve stepped back. Should’ve been wary.
But that scent… it disarmed all suspicion.
...
So what was happening?
I scratched my head, hesitated—then moved to circle around for a better look.
The moment my foot lifted, her hand shot out to stop me. Her fingers were icy. Unnaturally cold.
“Mom… what—?”
Startled, I stumbled back behind her.
Ahead loomed a massive cubic crystal platform, over three meters tall, with narrow steps winding up its sides. It rose in three tiers:
The first stood empty.
The second held a small crystal box, gold-trimmed on all sides. Light seeped from its seams—like a bulb gripped tight in a fist, glowing between clenched fingers.
The third tier, wide enough for two, sat too high to see clearly. Only the faint outline of handrails was visible.
...
...
...
Mom stayed silent, trembling uncontrollably.
I had no idea what had happened to her. No explanation for these changes.
Yet deep down, I *knew*—this was my mom.
...
After a tense pause, I gently wrapped my arms around her from behind.
I didn’t know why she shook—cold? fear?—but this embrace was all I had to give.
If you won’t hug me… I’ll hug you.
Pressing my cheek to her shoulder, I felt only chilling cold—like stone. Yet no fear stirred in me.
Only quiet comfort.
“Plan B worked… I’m here to meet you,” I whispered, hoping to calm her trembling.
...
“It’s me… Xiao Ji is here…”
But as I spoke, tears spilled uncontrollably, soaking into her suit.
All the fear, the loneliness, the ache inside surged at once. My legs gave way—I collapsed to my knees in the water, sobbing.
In an instant, she spun around, knelt too, and pulled me tightly into her arms.
Her hands were freezing. Rough.
Yet that touch felt achingly familiar…
I buried my face in her chest, crying without restraint.
My pathetic sobs and whimpers echoed through the cavern.
She stroked my hair, nuzzled my head gently—just like when I was small. A memory from long, long ago…
For a fleeting moment, I felt like I’d returned home.
Why did this feel so real…?
...
...
...
Suddenly—*click-clack!* A winding sound came from the throne.
I wiped my tears and turned.
Two familiar figures leaped down.
“Xiao Ji!”
Mom—wearing *my* tattered diving suit—rushed toward me. Wei Qiuying limped close behind.
“??”
Stunned, I whipped back around.
The woman who’d held me was already climbing the crystal platform’s third tier.
Two… *two* Moms?
I stared, dumbfounded, between the one ascending the platform and the one running toward me.
The newly arrived Mom froze too, her eyes wide with shock.
