Cindy burned with frustration as she downed her third Boroclops with Mom standing there watching. She didn’t help, she just got a trickle of the loot and made Cindy do it all.

“MOM! WHY AREN’T YOU HELPING!” Cindy finally yelled stomping her foot in indignation. “You’re supposed to help me save the world! You can’t do that standing there!” Tears welled in Cindy’s eyes as she stared down her mother.

Those cold eyes turned to her, “I don’t need to get stronger. This is like your chore. Be a good girl and do your chores like I tell you.” Mom crossed her arms.

“I am strong! We don’t even know if you are!” Cindy kept stomping to accentuate every word.

“You’re disappointing me,” Mom said her gaze unwavering. It sucked the wind from Cindy’s sails as she drooped her arms and felt the tears start to flow out of her eyes.

“You’re not supposed to be like this…” Cindy whispered.

“Fine, you want my help, watch. I’ll show you why I don’t need the practice.” Mom stepped towards the new Boroclops that came into the clearing. As soon as it laid eyes on Mom it started to charge.

Mom didn’t flinch, didn’t move to dodge. Just stared and stood there. Cindy couldn’t help but yell, “MOM! MOVE!”

Mom took a deep breath and screamed in a way that shook the air. Cindy could see reality shudder at her call, rippling like water against her voice. “STOP!” The wave of power slammed into the Boroclops and a spider web of cracks, black as a starless night sky spread over the monster. It froze in place, its one eye filling with black smoky energy.

Cindy stared dumbfounded as she looked from her mother to the monster. “Wha…” As if she was moving in sludge she stepped forward. She could have stopped them from getting to me just like that? Confusion filled Cindy as her heart clenched.

Mom walked to the Boroclops and gently laid a hand on its snout. Dark tendrils of energy started to spiral out from her hand like bulging veins. The monster shook heavily as this strange energy swallowed its head. The hair on its body started to move in a phantom wind as Mom pulled her hand away.

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Another Boroclops broke into the clearing as if summoned by the world. It squealed in rage as it laid eyes on Mom and the changed beast. “Kill that one,” Mom commanded and the Boroclops she had touched turned. It moved like smoke over water as it charged.

The two beasts clashed heavily but the normal Boroclops stood no chance. As soon as it was attacked it glided out of the way like oil avoiding soap before it struck back raking its tusks across the other creature. Every strike left black cracks that swallowed the light. Something in the air felt… wrong.

Cindy stood there frozen as the two monsters tore at each other until the normal one fell into motes of pure darkness that flowed into Mom’s chest. The sun seemed to not touch her for a moment before it all faded away and she was back to normal. A simple wave of her hand dissipated the smoke. The Boroclops she controlled crumbled away, dropping nothing.

Mom walked up the Cindy who looked up with large wide eyes. “See, when I beat monsters they don’t drop anything. That is why I’m making you do it. How else do you think I can help you get stronger?”

“I… What was that? What are those skills called?” Cindy asked.

Mom bent down kneeling in front of Cindy so they were eye to eye. Cold hands brushed her cheeks as Mom held her face for a moment. Like she used to when she was saying something very important. Grounding her away from her ADHD. “Listen to my words,” Mom’s voice was so captivating. The world dimmed around her eyes until there was only mom there. “You do not need to know my skills. This world will be saved. Trust me.” The last words reverberated inside Cindy’s mind like a thousand echoes.

Cindy swayed on her feet as she sat enraptured by her Mom’s eyes. “Mom… Something is wrong.” It was a whimper, a quiet plea. “Your power is wrong.”

Mom frowned deeply and spoke once more, “If you don’t accept my power I will go without you. I cannot have you question me.”

Cindy felt a pang of desperation as her hands shot and grasped onto her mother’s sleeves once more. “No, please. I can’t lose you again.” Tears flowed down her cheeks like rivers. Her heart burned with pain as her throat clenched. “I’ll be quiet, I’ll listen. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Mom pulled Cindy in and kissed her forehead. The world dimmed more. “Good girl. Listen to Mommy.” Mom pulled Cindy in as she went slack with all the strength of her body leaving her. Smoke drifted up into the air from the both of them.

Mom picked her up and held her against her chest as the darkness flowed around them. More monsters approached, their eyes black and smoking. “While you sleep I’m going to get stronger. Don’t worry, if you can’t do it I can.”

“Momma,” Whispered Cindy as her body went limp. Her eyes were too heavy to keep open. It was cold, there was no warmth coming. It was like holding her hand for the last time. “Don’t go,” Pleaded Cindy.

Mom’s voice was deep, echoing. It was in Cindy’s head more than it was in her ears. “The world will be saved. From the true threat.”

Cindy’s head slipped, dropping as the dark sleep took over.

Mom looked around at the monsters she had been enthralling. She could feel the strength they gave her whenever they slayed other beasts. The black motes filled her with unimaginable power. Her arms wrapped tightly around the little girl.

“I hate being cold to you. But it won’t last much longer.” The world shuddered under her feet. Cracks formed for a moment before it all fixed itself. Mom closed her eyes and set her cheek down on her daughter’s head. Black lines formed on Cindy’s face wherever she was touched before Mom gently set her down. Light filled those black marks and began to heal, closing over and letting her daughter be perfect again. “Once this is over. You’ll be mine forever. No more distractions. Just us. The rest will be… dust.”