In a quiet home

It was a while before Erika grew consciousness again, the weak body of hers desperately sucking in mana to fuel a second of being awake in the morning. The task was tiring to the soul, having yet to control the instinct and was absorbing too much in such little time. However it was all worth it in the end, every time she opened her eyes her mother would always be there to smile at her so warmly.

She was in denial at first; Usually second chances are given to those with a clean track record or ones that had died prematurely. She was neither. Though her doubt was slowly filtered away at each second that lay awake in her mother's embrace.

With each hum of a song she has yet to know, with each boop to the nose whenever she suckled, it seemed to cement the idea of being reincarnated.

She doesn't understand where this obsession for her mother's embrace came from nor does she understand the way mana in this world works but for some strange reason, but she feels more comfortable here than in her previous life.

Time flew by fast when you're in and out of consciousness. Though it didn't take long until...

'Oh-'

Something finally clicked into place with her mana. She finally reigned control over the amount of which she takes in, albeit there was a bit of an incident where she absorbed way too much mana in such little time that it scorched her crib with scorch marks by the rim. She had never seen her mother look so concerned while she comforted the baby that didn't even utter a cry. It kind of surprised Erika.

Nonetheless the world continued to spin and she continued to grow up. Now with her mana in place, she was able to stay awake for longer. Her days were usually filled with happiness, the shimmer of hope in her mother's eyes always manage to bring a giggle out of her whenever they both played.

Speaking of her mother, for the nth time she couldn't help but think how comfortable and loving her mother was. She was beautiful with her red eyes and cute dimples, and whenever she laughed at the stupid faces Erika makes sounded like a beautiful harmony of bells. Her mother was patient, despite already having lived a previous life it was extremely hard for her to control a weak body that moved different than she would. Yet no matter how much she fussed over not being able to roll over, or how many times she fell when she tried to stand, her mother was always by her side cheering her on and patiently having her arms wide open.

It was a surreal feeling. It has been millenia since she was cared for as fiercefully as her mother does. Even longer since she had a mother than actually cared about her. It's almost like a fever dreams at nights where she's just being lulled to sleep in her mom's arms.

It was when she took her first steps that she realised something other than her mom's beauty and nurturing personality. Her room was decorated so lively and colorful that when her mother had carried her outside, it felt like an entirely different dimension.

Her mother, whom who has kept a smile every time she sets her eyes on her, lived alone. Outside of her room, the woman mostly lived in solace. The rest of the house was so plain that Erika grew concerned.

This brings up the question: Where was her father?

Her whole year in this new world she has never found the answer, even until now as she celebrated her birthday in a crib with her mother carrying a tray of a cupcake with a lit candle singing her happy birthday in the language of from her province.

The thoughts of her father quickly faded away as a giggle bubbled up at the back of her throat when her mother made a face before blowing the candle.

The woman placed the things aside before carrying her out of the crib and planting multiple kisses all over her baby's face.

"You're just the cutest, inday!" Her mom told her, voice all high and excited, "You're a year old now!"

Erika cooed.

"Yeah! You've become so biiig~ getting even cuter by the minute!" She started cuddling the baby, almost mushing her to her neck but it only caused Erika to laugh even further. "So precious!"

Erika's eyes shone in determination as she suddenly grabbed her mother's cheeks and looked at her with an adorable yet serious looking pout.

"Ma!"

Finally. She did it. After months of hard work and failed attempts, Erika finally managed to say it. Her face lit up with excitement as she started babbling and cooing as if to express to her mother how proud she was to be able to do it.

However, her baby talk grew quiet as her mother grew quiet as well.

The happy atmosphere slowly dissipated and it didn't take long until a tear suddenly rolled down her mother's cheek.

Sadness seeped in Erika's chest, her face mirroring that of a kicked puppy as she apologised without words for whatever it was that made her mother cry. This was something entirely different than the wide smiles and stupid faces of her mother.

Did she say it wrong? The language in this world uses so much external exhale that it's confusing for Erika to learn but she did her best. Was her word incorrect? Did she somehow call her mom Father?!

No that's ridiculous.

Again, she placed her hand on her mother's cheek, eyes growing a bright red as she too started to tear up. Despite millenia passing, she was still the same emotional wreck she was in her old life.

She searched for her mother's eyes for something as they both suffered in a terrifying silence filled with the silent sobs of her own mother and her worried grunts.

"Ma..." she tried again. Maybe it will work this time.

Her mother, gently brought their heads together in a featherlight touch. More tears spilled from both of their eyes. Erika's little heart was slowly being crushed to pieces as she continued to watch her mother cry.

And then, by some miracle, the woman smiled wider than she had seen her. Her mother caressed her chubby cheeks lovingly as she whispered three quiet words.

"I'm you're mother..."

"Ma!" Erika tried again, this time more insistent.

The woman laughed, "Yes yes, I'm you're mother." She wiped away Erika's tears with a gentle thumb. It was then that Erika felt the care and love that was directed toward her, suddenly her heart was full of this same feeling. "Geez you're even crying. You're such a crybaby, Erika..."

Erika remained silent, gauging her mother's face as the sadness slowly seeped away replaced with a heavy douse of affection.

"I love you, you know? You're my everything in this cruel world..."

Again the baby remained silent, using her small body to wiggle closer to her mother and give her a hug. She does know she is love, and Erika will do everything in her power to prove herself worthy of such affection.