Several months later, the Garden of Eden, early morning.
Aile, as the owner, hunched stealthily, hugging the wall, and slipped step by step towards the door.
However, as soon as she approached the entrance, a crisp yet authoritative voice came from behind:
Aile’s body stiffened, and she turned around helplessly.
In the hazy morning mist, a small figure less than one meter forty tall, with a pair of emerald green earth-like touch atop her head, stood with her chest out, hands on hips. Her youthful face exuded a demeanor inconsistent with her age, and her eyes, like crimson stars, examined the "fugitive" before her:
"Trying to run away again?"
"Couldn’t sleep, so I got up to wander around."
Aile answered with a light cough, lowered her head, her eyes flickering, somewhat reluctant to meet the small figure’s gaze.
After all, this was Tiamat, the demon representing death and terror in Babylonian mythology, the Mother of Origin who made the gods tremble with fear in legends.
And clearly, Aile’s feeble disguise could not fool the sharp eyes in front of her.
"Liar! You are definitely leaving!"
Tiamat frowned with displeasure.
Seeing her true intentions being exposed, Aile could only confess honestly:
"During the last battle with Ishtar, quite a mess was left behind. Recently, many departed souls have surged into the Netherworld. I wish to quickly sort out these trivial matters and restore the Netherworld’s order."
And to avoid angering the terrifying being in front of her, Aile hurriedly reassured:
"Please rest assured, there’s only a bit of finishing work left. It won’t take too long. I’ll return as soon as things are sorted out!"
Aile’s self-defense ended abruptly, squatting on the ground with a miserable face, hugging her head like an unlawful individual awaiting arrest.
Yet, a warm little hand gently landed on her head, softly caressing:
"You’re too good; Mother is a little worried about you, Aile. You could slack off a bit more, you know, and I’ll help you."
Aile froze for a moment, a warm current surged in her heart.
Though touched, she shook her head resolutely:
"No need, you just stay here, I can handle those little things myself!"
Compared to the being in front of her, what were the troubles outside? If she didn’t run away, she’d truly go insane.
Hearing these words of refusal, the Babylonian Mother of Origin, who had been full of authority, instantly drooped her head, showing a pitiful, teary look:
"Oh, Aile doesn’t like Mommy anymore, Mommy is hated."
Upon this move, Aile couldn’t resist, hastily swearing assurances:
"Then would you let Mommy help you?" Tiamat stopped her sobs, looked up at her "daughter" with hopeful eyes.
"There are too many departed souls outside, and they’re ferocious. I think you’d better stay in the Garden of Eden..."
"Ohhh, Aile doesn’t like Mommy anymore, Mommy is..."
"Stop! I agree! Isn’t that enough?"
This time, Aile almost wanted to cry.
Since accidentally inviting trouble into her home, this exiled Mother of Origin in legend formally moved into the Garden of Eden.
If she were really as terrifying and fierce as the rumors said, Aile could easily, without any psychological burden, call upon the Pantheon of Gods to eliminate this potential threat to the God Era World.
But in reality, it was just the opposite.
Even after being betrayed by her offspring, her mind and body regressed to that of a young girl, she still brimmed with love for the world and life in her bones.
In fact, shortly after the brief contact, she regarded Aile, Ishtar, and Siduri as her "daughters" and continually showered them with various forms of care.
Initially, Aile even enjoyed it a bit.
Born from the remains of the Divine Ancestor Apsu, she had no parents, and Tiamat’s presence and care perfectly filled the motherly love she had always longed for.
But as time went on, Aile discovered a serious problem.
This "mother" was too clingy, wanting to eat and sleep with her, greatly reducing her personal space, leaving her with no time for her regular work or to be alone with a certain close friend.
Therefore, Aile could only harden her heart to plan this "jailbreak."
But in the end, the plan ended in failure.
"I told you, you can’t escape, just accept your fate."
Accompanied by gloating sarcasm, Ishtar came out yawning from the palace, followed by Siduri who also suffered from lack of sleep.
As members of the "daughters," both of them naturally couldn’t dodge the mountain-like "motherly love" from the Goddess Tiamat.
However, at this time, from her words, Aile realized the reason for her jailbreak failure, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger:
"Well, so it was you guys who snitched, despicable!"
"Don’t say that, we just didn’t want to make Mother sad."
Ishtar retorted confidently, looking like she was torn for the sake of this family.
Although Siduri did not speak, her eyes toward Tiamat were full of tenderness and closeness.
Similar to Aile’s origin, she was an elf born from wine, without parents or siblings.
The appearance of Goddess Tiamat let her experience a family warmth she had never felt before.
However, unlike Aile and Ishtar, who were both respectful and fearful, her feelings for the Mother of Origin were more like a mother looking at her daughter.
At this moment, seeing the other two daughters present, Tiamat perked up:
"Ishtar, Siduri, you’ve come just in time, let’s help Aile together, and go repair the damaged areas of the Netherworld. I’m very strong, super Mom, move out!"