Do What We Must

Venom didn’t know how she felt about taking freedoms she herself had enjoyed away from her daughter. This would be a sacrifice that was not only of herself, but of Ikigai. There would be little to no choice who she spent her life with. The Empress didn’t know if that was a curse or blessing after everything that happened with Hattori. Her heart broke for this conclusion, so torn inside as she battled with this decision. Iki was incredibly determined though, more than Venom could have asked of her. Did she truly realize what she was giving up? Could Venom live with taking that from her?

The pair embraced tightly, Iki grasped her as Venom held onto her. She could only pray that something like this would be worth letting Iki go. Her entire being said this was the wrong choice, but duty and responsibility spoke otherwise. Iki was willing to make this sacrifice and Venom would not dishonor her decision. As Iki pulled away, looking much more collected than her mother, she promised again. Venom nodded in acceptance, however much her heart ached for it.

"Yes, I’ll need your determination to commit to such a promise.” Her voice broke as she lifted a white gloved paw to her daughter’s soft cheek. "My daughter, so strong and noble. Showing her mother what true self sacrifice is..” More tears slipped from her eyes and fell from her silver marked cheek as she gazed into Ikigai’s beautiful eyes. Letting go of her child go into the world like this would become the most difficult task of her life thus far.

"Venom"