As Venti sleeps, a voice rings through their mind.
Venti.
They roll over, not wanting to wake up.
Venti. Wake up, dear.
Venti groans, stirring. "Roxy?" They ask, thinking the voice to be their girlfriend.
No, dear.
Venti is given a vision of a moth. No, the moth. Lin. Then of the Goddess Mara. Venti gasps, vaguely recalling the bulk of 2021. "I'm Cerulean..."
Yes, you are.
"And you're Mara...."
Correct. I apologize for being dormant these months. However, I intend to help.
"How?"
Suffice it to say, I have connections. I am no stranger to the Moon, dear.
"Slenderman???" Venti asks, confused.
The very same.
"Why couldn't I remember Naomi before?"
You agreed to let me temporarily suppress those memories. The goal was to allow you to be a child but clearly that is no longer an option. Now the goal is to help you regain your memories but slowly so you may process them heathily. They can be very traumatic.
"I... I see..."
Are you alright?
"Yeah I just... need a moment...." Venti curls up in bed, hugging themselves.
Venti.
"Y-yes?"
No need to be nervous, child. And I have spoken to The Moon. You may leave with Roxanne when she awakens.
"....really?"
Yes.
Venti gets up excitedly, starting to pack. "This is amazing... you're amazing!"
The goddess smiles.
I am filled with joy at your excitement. Enjoy your reunion with your mother and Lily.
"I will!!"
---
Venti's currently shaking and holding their phone, "Fuck fuck fuck I think they have my mom-"
"Whhat?" Roxy asks.
"Naomi, they- theyre threatening me and sent a picture of my mom tied up-" Venti is tearing up.
"Oh fuck. Uh. Fuck" Roxy stares slightly, "Um. Do you like. Need a Hug?"
"Y-yeah but we need to go- save her-" Venti is shaking badly. "I dont wanna go back I dont wanna go back-"
"What do we do?-"
After a bit Venti pulls themself together. "I walk into the trap... but..." Venti looks to Roxy. "You're a corruptelam. They wont expect you- Maybe..." They rack their brain for a plan.
Roxy blinks, "I mean I can try?"
"I need..." They rub their temple. "Maybe Mara can help... We could go in guns blazing maybe."
"I guess ? ?" Roxy is clearly anxious.
"S-sorry..." Venti holds their head. "I can... I can try to do it myself...."
"Not letting you do that???"
I dont have a choice-" Venti holds their head, trying not to cry
"Cant I help you or something ??"
"You can I just...." Venti looks to her. "You look nervous..."
"Because I have no idea what I'm doing, which honestly is how I've felt for the past 3 years but. Yeah."
"Yeah... felt.." Venti leans over, resting their head on her shoulder.