"Momma!"

"Luka…."

In a small house within Iliasville, A young woman by the name of Lucifina was resting in her room while her son Luka was currently checking her ailing health. Shortly after they moved here, they were not welcomed by the locals in this village as they have the tendency of distrusting outsiders.

Not the mention they are fanatical to Illias; their goddess while Lucifina didn't go into their temple for a particular reason, which increased their hate towards her and her son but she didn't care about that.

Luka hold his mother's hand. "Momma, I find someone to help you! Don't go away!" Luka pleaded to his mother.

"It's useless Luka. They don't…. Wait!" before she can finish her statement, Luka quickly runs off the room, intended to find anyone who can save her.

"Oh Luka…" Lucifina whispered. She knew that the people living in this village would never help her, much less listen to her stubborn son. During her usual work on farming in an attempt to prove the Illiasville's villagers, she was suddenly contracted by an unknown disease from a suspicious plant. Because of this, the one who in charge of the farming rudely pushed her out of the garden and gave a warning not to come back here again.

It was for the best, actually. She didn't want anyone to be infected by her disease, regardless of their feelings towards her. Compared to her younger self, who was only known for killing unmercifully to her enemies. Whether they are monsters or normal people, it didn't matter to her as long she can kill for her own enjoyment.

This day, however, she had no reason to fight.

Just as she was about to dwell further into her memories of her past life, she felt a familiar presence inside the room. A presence that she haven't feel since…

Lucifina closed her eyes. "I know it's you Ilias. Come out of there." She spoke. All of the sudden, particles of light begin to gather around the room near her bed before being dispersed. In that place was an angel, who had yellow blond hair that stretches down towards her legs and blue huge eyes. Much like her angels, she didn't have a distinctive halo above her head and has a pair of feathered wings on her back.

The angel before her was none other the Ilias herself, her former goddess and of course, one of her precious daughters Ilias created before the Great Monster Wars, alongside with her eldest sister; Micaela. Lucifina remembered that event where she became to question of Ilias's decisions during the war. But despite witnessing her declaration to the Monster Goddess and her Six Ancestors about continuing the war, Lucifina remained at Ilias side after the war.

Although she loved Ilias, Lucifina became more and more concerned for the goddess's sanity and her trust was slowly deteriorating over the centuries. The last straw was her own goddess ordered the now legendary hero by the name of Heinrich to be sealed at the Sinner Sealed Prison after that young man tried rebelling the heaven and pardoning the treasonous angel Promestein from her jail at the deep cave. But her most hypocrite action, was the fact that she saved a descendent of the First Monster Lord that the previous hero supposed to slay her in her own castle is alive and is now helping with Ilias.

Lucifina decided that she couldn't stay like this. Thus, she rebelled Ilias for the first time and wanted to get far away as possible. Fighting her own sister Micaela at the entrance of the Navel of the World, she tried to convince her eldest sister to rebel also. Because of her loyalty towards Ilias is greater, her sister refuses and almost managed to beat her until she had no choice but to release her 'secret weapon'.

Although beating Micaela for the first time, she didn't strike her down. Despite whatever rocky feelings towards her sister, especially when it comes to Ilias, she still loves her elder sister before she finally left the area.

After a brief silence, Ilias spoke. "I surprised that you can sense me near you, even though your powers are sealed." She then gazed at the glowing ring on to Luficina's finger.

"Of course, how could I forget your very presence that I lived for so long?" Lucifina firmly answered. She feels that Ilias was little annoyed about her remark but she doesn't care. She just wanted to know why Ilias was here. "Why are you here Ilias?" she asked.

"Why, to see my daughter of course." Ilias said that in a sweet tone that Lucifina almost choked. "It would be a shame if I didn't visit my daughter for once who is sick, even if she had betrayed me centuries ago."

Ilias walks towards the window left of Lucifina and gazed outside. "Looks like your son Luka is trying to get help from the villagers that are loyal to me." She said as she witnessed the purple boy being pushed away by a middle aged man. "Commendable… but ultimately futile."

Lucifina glared at Ilias as the goddess spoke of her son. Her appearance here was bad enough, speaking of her own son in a disappointing tone was more than enough to spark her hatred deep within her. "Leave Luka out of our conflict Ilias." Lucifina responded harshly. "He has no knowledge about our origins… or our relationship."

But Ilias gave a huff. "Even you became a housewife, you still have that same attitude back then." Ilias said as finally looked at her daughter. "I wish your sister is here though, it would be nice we were to be reunited like a family before… before the War."

"Except, Micaela's is not at your side right?" Although Lucifina knew what happen almost 3 decades ago, she couldn't show it to her face. "If I remember correctly, Micaela always by your side no matter when you are far away or not. I guess she finally left you after all."

Another silence came and, for a few minutes, they were staring each other's eyes until Ilias spoke. "You know… before the war. I remember you were always playing in the snow with Micaela and Eden. Making snow angels in the ground while I only watched you 3 from afar."

Lucifina chuckled softly. Yes, she remembered. In her younger days since her creation, she played with her sisters in the ground below the heaven when they have free time for themselves. At one point, she remember all three of them covered Ilias with snows and making her into a snowman. Not only that, but they also covered her in sand as they went in one of those wonderful beaches.

Thinking about those memories before makes her smile, even just a little. "Yeah…. Those were the days." Lucifina replied before giving out a dry cough.

However, Lucifina's coughs changed Ilias's happy expression as she saw her daughter coughing badly, to the point she even saw a tiny sprinkle of blood coming out of her mouth.

Ilias stares at her former angel with worry. "Lucifina … please come back to my side." Ilias proposed which caught the former Seraph by surprise. "Remove that ring off your finger and return to me by my side. If you swear loyalty to me, I assure you that you would be cured of that virus once we depart to Hea…"

"So you're the one who put this disease to me in the first place." Lucifina interrupted Ilias as she frowned, now realized that this disease was the same virus that was used in the Great War, killing a quarter of the monster population in the process. "Since I always ignored you in my dreams, you resorted a cheap plan to give me this virus and believing I would be easily swayed by this?" She raised her one eye to Ilias. "You really are desperate aren't you?"

Her tone started to get on Ilias's nerves. "I have no choice!" Ilias snapped. "No matter what I did to get you back at my side, nothing works! I tried to convince you in your dreams for many centuries but you pushed me away, time and time again! Instead, you prefer staying with your own little family rather than returning to your own goddess, who fed and loved you since the day you were born."

"Then this is how you repay my love and loyalty to you? By giving me this disease and trying to force me into servitude again?" Lucifina retorted back.

Lucifina proceed to glare at the goddess's eyes deeply. "You took my life in heaven, hunted me down, and my husband's life but know this…. No matter you pressure or threaten me and my son, I won't return to your side Ilias and I never plan to. My life here on this world maybe harsh from the start but it's much better than staying in the heaven that I once called home."

"So this is what you want my daughter? Do you wish to die in that rusty old bed rather returning to your own goddess?"

"Yes, Ilias. I rather stay on this world and die than returning to your side."

Now seeing her daughter making such a bold statement in determination that Ilias finally shred away her arrogance personality and replaced it with a worry one. "Please my daughter… stop this nonsense already. My plan for this world is unavoidable. I beg of you, return to me by my side once more and I promise that you and your son will be protected under my wings if you could just say 'yes' to me. Please… just say it."

Although Ilias didn't change her expression, Lucifina could've sworn that there was a tone filled with sadness hidden beneath her false mask of a confident goddess of light. She could tell that Ilias was now desperate to have her back once again, even she knew it won't happen. With her and Micaela gone and left Ilias's side, Lucifina knew that choosing the wrong one, would definitely shatter Ilias's already crumbling sanity.

As a former angel and a seraph, she could try accepting Ilias's offer and return as her status back as a seraph. Once in heaven, she could try convincing Ilias about abandoning her plans to re-create the world, imprisoned that deranged scientist and Black Alice, and fix her mind as she possibly could. If she succeed this, Ilias would return back the way she was before, if possible.

But as a wife and a mother, she couldn't do it. She swore to Marcellus on their wedding day that she would never return back into her old life again, much less returning to her angel form. Not to mention about her son; Luka would be left at the hands of these people who show no love or care to any outsiders and she was afraid that he would do more harm than good.

No matter what Ilias wants or begs to, she just couldn't do it.

With a heavy sigh, Lucifina made her final decision. "I'm sorry Ilias but… I already made my choice. I'll stay here with Luka until I die and nothing's going to change my mind, including you."

Once more, there was a tense silence between the two as they continue to stare quietly, not moving an inch. Finally, Ilias muttered. "So be it... my daughter."

Ilias turns her back as she prepares to cast a teleportation spell. Just as she was about to finish her spell out of there, Lucifina spoke something that would remember the goddess from centuries to come. "While I hated you as a goddess…" She then hesitated before continuing. "…I always loved you as a mother, Ilias."

Ilias's eyes widened at this unexpected confession as she temporary halts casting the spell. Lucifina then continued to say. "Although I won't regret what I have done that day, I feel sorry for casting you so much pain. I just wish you can understand my choice someday."

However, she didn't turn her face around to see her daughter's face but Lucifina could've have sworn that deep down, she felt Ilias sadness within her polluted heart. She can tell that she deeply wanted to speak with her backstabbing daughter more. But instead, Ilias just finished her incarnation and teleported out of there, leaving her sickly daughter die alone in the room.

Lucifina sighs in relief as she delve into her thoughts. It was true what she said there though. While she never regretted her choice of leaving Ilias after the Black Alice incident, she still loves her mother dearly who had created her and Micaela. She just wish her own mother can see the error of ways and return the way she was before. But it is clear that she already made up her mind and would not budge.

Just then, Lucifina senses a familiar aura heading towards her house. "Luka." She said sadly.

As she waits for her son to come back, Lucifina was thinking about what Ilias said earlier. Her plan was to re-create the world in her own image; where every monsters are eliminated and humans that didn't follow her teachings. Only the ones who remain faithful to her would be by her side in her new world. It wasn't a closely guarded secret though since she had been bragging about it towards her angels for centuries. But Lucifina never imagine that Ilias would begin the process this so soon.

Lucifina's first thought was to go to Enrika and warn her sister about Ilias's grand plan. But because of Ilias giving her the virus, she can't move from her bed at all. Even if she did reach the hidden village and join forces, both knew that they wouldn't stand a chance against Ilias and her angels. Also, her alliance with the traitorous Promestein and the 8th Monster Lord Black Alice makes their chances even lower.

There's still a matter about her other reason to come here. During their conversation, Lucifina noticed a glint of appealing in Ilias's eyes as she was observing her son. It wasn't until her eyes widen in horror as her mind reach full circle. She wanted turn Luka into another one of those heroes of old; heroes that would travel to Hellgondo and slay the current Monster Lord in accordance with Ilias's wishes. If he fails in his task…

No. She cannot have that. She wanted Luka to become a true hero like his father, not a fake one that blindly follow Ilias's beck and call. She wanted to get up and leave her bed but didn't have the strength to do so as she feels her life force is leaving from her body.

Her first action was to become to Seraph once again, purging the virus within her in the process and possibly stop Ilias for carrying her nefarious deeds, even if it meant die trying. But she already knew that, once she removes her ring, she would breaking her vows to her late husband. Furthermore, revealing herself to her son Luka in her true form would create more complicated than it is.

Making a hardest decision on her life; a decision much like she did after turning her back from Ilias, she decided not to and accepted her fate, knowing she is delaying the inevitable. But… but just once, she wished for her son to succeed against Ilias should he ever find out about her plans and, deep down, Lucifina wanted Ilias back from her usual self before the war. Even though her wish is not possible, it is a wishful thinking nonetheless.

As she feel Luka's life force came closer and closer and hers became dimmer and dimmer, her only thought was…

"I wish you good luck on your journey… my son."

In another spot, Ilias was seen crying from afar as she covered her face. Rather than returning to heaven, she instead teleported from a distant location not far from Lucifina's house, she disguised herself as an old woman and decided to watch the two of them in the same window from afar.

As the two were talking, Ilias stretched her left hand and begin to sense Lucifina's life force which is slowly fading away. As the young one panicked, she saw Lucifina's hand touching the boy's cheek gently before in a few seconds, it falls down. At the same time, she couldn't sense her life force anymore, only her son's remain in the house.

The loss of Lucifina was a devastating blow to Ilias so much that she shredded her farce as she finally broke down into tears. Why? Why is she always so stubborn? If she had accepted her offer, she could've have lived and return to Heaven with her son. Instead, she had chosen death rather returning by her side as an angel.

The fact make Ilias cry even harder than before.

"Why… why do you have to die?" Ilias bitterly muttered. She knew from the start that Lucifina was always stubborn. Even though she had grown up after her betrayal, she still have the same stubbornness as before. She could at least try to convince her to leave her human life, even going so far into infect her one of her weapons used against the monsters.

Instead, it was the opposite and it cause her more than she ever bargained for.

As she continues to weep for her now dead daughter, she heard a couple of voices in front of her as they spoke each other.

"Is it true, that boy's mother died?"

"Yeah. I can't believe it finally happened."

The second young lad's statement caught Ilias (in disguise) by surprise. Suspiciously, she slowly walks behind the group that were now slowly gathering outside of Lucifina's home, without them noticing.

"Heh… the elder was right." The old man said as hear the young boy's wailing. "Those that did not worship or thank the goddess doesn't deserve to live. I bet goddess Ilias sent that plague as her punishment."

"You guess it. Still, I wonder what will happened to that boy." The woman scratched her chin. "Maybe we should kick that boy out of our village before he infects any of us." The woman said in disgust.

Her husband agreed with his wife's suggestion. "Sounds good to me dear. That boy must be expelled from here in the name of Ilias!"

Ilias clenched her fist in anger. How dare they would insult her fallen daughter! Not only had they badmouthed Lucifina, but also her son too. Had Lucifina was in her prime and shown her true form to anyone, none of these fools will remain alive today to tell the tale. But thanks to her actions, her daughter is…

Ilias shook her head as she wipe her remaining tears in her eyes. Remembering what she had done today would only cause her to cry again. Not to mention it would attract a lot of people about why an old woman unexpectedly cried in the scene. She then turn her head around, seeing the two young lad that badmouthed Lucifina are now heading towards the house's entrance with the rest of them following, trying to disturb Lucifina's grieving son.

Not willing to let that happen, Ilias prepares to cast the same spell that was used in Lucifina as her hands began to glowing. If they want to feel the pain of her son's mother, then all of these fools would should feel the same pain as not only to that boy Luka but also her pain too. The pain of losing the one they love. The pain of losing their sons and daughters… like her very own daughter that she ultimately caused.

It doesn't matter if Lucifina betrayed her or abandoned her alone…

…she was still her daughter.

A/N: Here we are, my first MGQ one-shot posted in the MGQ fanfiction. I gotta say, I did not expect writing this one, especially when it comes from this visual novel. Strange, isn't it? Ever since I finished the original story (crazy right?) in 2017, I always want to write a MGQ fanfiction. My first idea was to explore the origins about Heinrich and Black Alice but I never got to materialize my idea. Also, I found out in 2019 that one of the fanfiction authors already made a prequel story that shows their backstory together. It's called "The Tyrant and the Hero" made by Fish on Land. Be sure to check that story out if you want.

It wasn't until I finished MGQ! Paradox Part 2 (sequel to the original) a couple of month ago where I finally got an idea to make an MGQ fanfiction. While this one-shot took place MGQ Chapter 3 in a flashback, there are some references from the original and its sequel.

If any of you are curious about as to why I wrote this story, especially when it comes in this different kinds of visual novel. You'll find out … when I release a new MGQ fanfiction! Before you ask, no, the new one is not a one-shot like this one. But it's still a secret though. If you all going to reply from this story, I'll make sure I'll answer those in my new MGQ fanfiction if I want to.