Days after the Recovery
A Household Learning to Breathe Again
Morning light filtered through the high windows of Aurelthane’s estate — calm, soft, honest light.
Not the flicker of combat.
Not the shimmer of shattered lattice.
Just morning.
Arden stretched beside the hearth.
Kaer sharpened his glaive with slow, rhythmic sweeps.
Vex and Laz bickered over who cheated at cards last night (both did).
Borin’s empty chair remained at the table — draped with his hammer and a forged pendant the Dice placed there each dawn.
Life resumed.
Not unchanged.
But continuing.
And for the first time in weeks…
Elaris slept past sunrise.
Sereth woke before him, cradled in his arms, hair fanned across his chest like a copper halo.
Her breathing steady.
Her movements calm.
She lay there for a time — one hand on her belly, which was no longer “beginning to show”, but unmistakably full, rounded, and radiant with life.
Final term.
Elaris murmured into her hair, half-asleep.
Elaris:
“…you’re safe. Stay a little longer.”
She did.
Elyra’s New Steps
Elyra walked into breakfast without support.
Barefoot.
Without the circlet.
Without Tavian’s bracer holding anything in place.
Just Elyra.
Her own steps.
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
Kaer’s whetstone froze mid-swipe.
Arden clapped a hand to her mouth.
Vex whispered “by ALL the hells.”
Garruk accidentally snapped a fork in half.
Elyra smiled shyly, cheeks flushing copper-red.
Elyra:
“…It’s getting easier every day.”
Arden beamed, touching her shoulder.
Arden:
“You’re not just healed.
You’re whole.
The crystalline curse is gone.”
Elyra flexed her foot, delighted at every tiny sensation — the stone floor, the warmth, the freedom.
Tavian, who’d arrived early (he always seemed to these days), lit up like someone had told him he’d been chosen by the gods.
Tavian:
“You did it.”
Elyra:
“No. We did.”
He blushed right back.
Tavian, the Unexpected Constant
If the Dice were out aiding townsfolk, scouting roads, clearing mirrorborn in weakened pockets — Tavian was nearby.
Not intruding.
Not inserting himself.
Just… present.
If Elyra trained, he fetched her water.
If Sereth had morning pains, he fetched Arden.
If Elaris collapsed into a book, Tavian fetched him tea (even though Elyra reminded him Elaris despised herbal blends — Tavian insisted on learning).
He wasn’t a hero.
He wasn’t a fighter.
He was simply kind.
And kindness had been in short supply lately.
Sereth’s Pregnancy — Accelerated
The lattice’s restoration didn’t just heal Sereth.
It sped forward what had already been happening quietly:
Her pregnancy blossomed.
Not unnaturally —
simply swiftly, beautifully, like the body remembering what it had forgotten.
Her bump grew prominent.
Movements strong.
Flutters becoming kicks — little pulses of life that made her eyes widen each time.
Arden kept close during these months.
Arden:
“You are stable.
He is strong.
And you are safe.”
Sereth’s hand always drifted to her belly with reverence.
Sereth (softly):
“…He protected me in the forest.”
Arden only smiled.
Arden:
“He will again.”
And then — one morning — Arden pulled Sereth aside privately.
Arden (whispering):
“Would you like to know the gender?”
Sereth:
“Yes…
but Elaris must hear it from me.”
Arden nodded.
A knowing, maternal warmth in her expression.
Arden:
“As it should be.”
Mother & Daughter — Their Quiet Talks
Sometimes Sereth and Elyra stood together under the shade of the oak by the reflecting pool —
the same one where Elyra had once practiced walking again.
Both healthy.
Both repaired.
Both scarred in ways invisible.
They tried to piece together the battle.
The moment the lattice shattered and unleashed something neither of them understood.
Elyra:
“When you were pinned, when she—
I didn’t think.
I didn’t cast anything.
It just… happened.”
Sereth rubbed her daughter’s back, thoughtful.
Sereth:
“It felt like the forest exploded around me.
Like a storm hit the ground.”
Elyra nodded.
Elyra:
“It wasn’t mine alone.
I felt your fear.
His life.
The baby’s heartbeat.
And then something inside me tore open.”
Sereth chilled slightly.
Sereth:
“…It was the lattice.”
Elyra:
“I know.
But what part?
It wasn’t necromancy.
Or ranger magic.
Or divine light.
It was all three.
I don’t understand.”
Sereth wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her tight.
Sereth:
“We don’t need to.
Not yet.
We survived.
That’s what matters.”
But as they stepped apart,
both felt it:
A faint echo.
A hum.
A memory of a power neither had summoned.
Something deeper.
Older.
Watching.
Neither spoke of it further.
The New Normal — Fragile, Beautiful, Tense
Life didn’t return to how it was.
It became something new.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
- Elyra walked again — sometimes effortlessly, sometimes with Tavian’s arm around her waist.
- Sereth’s pregnancy flourished — every day bringing new warmth, new kicks, new wonder.
- Elaris hovered like a protective star, never far from either of them.
- Arden recorded every anomaly in her journal — mother, daughter, unborn son.
- Kaer trained in silence, his eyes scanning the horizon.
- Vex grew restless, muttering she “felt a storm coming.”
- Laz played mediator, joker, and occasional wine thief.
- Garruk carved a cradle out of a massive block of oak with his bare hands and would punch anyone who laughed at the uneven edges.
- Pancake continued being Pancake — cosmic, chaotic, omnipresent, and occasionally glowing for no explainable reason.
Peace had returned.
But beneath it —
like a low vibration under the skin —
a distant hum throbbed in the lattice.
Something was shifting.
Something was waking.
And somewhere far away…
Valthrix twirled her quill,
smiling at the mirrors showing the happy domestic scene.
Valthrix (soft, sly):
“Let them rest.
For now.”
And behind her —
Latt Elyra watched the same images,
expression unreadable,
eyes glowing faintly with blue-green light…
… and something else.
Something almost like longing.
THE REVEALS — LIFE, LOVE, AND A VERY NERVOUS YOUNG MAN
Crisp spring morning, Aurelthane’s gardens.
SERETH’S MOMENT — “ELARIS… I KNOW.”
The gardens behind the estate were quiet — dew still clinging to the grass, morning sun warm on the flowers that still bowed their heads in sleep.
Sereth stood there barefoot, her copper hair braided loosely down her back, the roundness of late pregnancy unmistakable beneath her soft tunic.
She cradled her belly with both hands, smiling to herself as little flutters tickled her ribs.
Elaris stepped out onto the terrace, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.
Elaris (soft):
“You’re out early.”
Sereth turned, radiant.
Sereth:
“So are you.”
He moved to her immediately, hands drawn to her stomach like magnets.
Elaris:
“Is he… they… is the baby alright?”
Sereth laughed breathlessly.
Sereth:
“Better than alright.
And actually… there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
Elaris blinked.
His voice softened, nervous as if awaiting a verdict.
Elaris:
“Tell me anything.”
Sereth took both his hands in hers and placed them gently on her bump.
A long breath.
A smile trembling with emotion.
Sereth (whisper-soft):
“Elaris… we’re having a son.”
Elaris froze.
Every part of him — the necromancer, the scholar, the shepherd, the father —
all collapsed into one overwhelmed man with tears suddenly spilling over.
Elaris:
“A… a boy?”
Sereth nodded, laughing through tears.
Sereth:
“A boy.”
Elaris’s legs almost gave out.
He gathered her into his arms, pressing his forehead to hers, voice cracking.
Elaris:
“A son. Sereth… a son… gods, I— I don’t know how to—”
Sereth cupped his face.
Sereth:
“You’re going to be incredible.
He already loves you.”
A soft kick landed under Elaris’s palm.
He choked on a sob.
Elaris:
“H-he said hello— Sereth he— he said hello—”
Sereth laughed again, kissing away the tears on his cheek.
Sereth:
“Yes, Elaris. That’s what babies do.”
Elaris:
“That’s our baby.”
He kissed her — tenderly, fearlessly — hands holding her like she was the world.
And in that moment,
everything was perfect.
But of course…
That’s when Tavian arrived.
TAVIAN REQUESTS PERMISSION — AND IMMEDIATELY REGRETS EVERYTHING
Tavian approached with the posture of a man walking to his own execution.
Hair neat.
Boots polished.
Tunics straightened three times on the walk over.
He froze when he saw them — Sereth glowing with maternal warmth, Elaris glowing with paternal terror/excitement.
Tavian:
“Um. H-hi. Morning. I— um— oh gods— I should come back—”
Sereth smiled warmly.
Sereth:
“Tavian. It’s alright. Come here.”
He swallowed.
Hard.
Tavian:
“Actually I— I wanted to speak to the both of you.”
Elaris straightened instantly.
The father stance activated.
Elaris:
“Oh?
Alone?”
Tavian:
“Y-yes.”
Sereth elbowed her husband playfully.
Elaris pretended he wasn't preparing a Saving Throw vs Intimidation.
They stepped aside with Tavian beneath the arch of climbing roses.
Tavian took a breath like he was about to dive off a cliff.
Tavian:
“I— I would like to formally request your blessing to… to court your daughter.”
Silence.
Elaris blinked.
Sereth raised an eyebrow.
Tavian panicked.
Tavian:
“NOT— not like court court— I mean yes court but like respectfully! Respectful courtship! I wouldn’t do anything disrespectful— not that Elyra would let me— not that I’d try— gods why am I still talking—”
Sereth bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Elaris folded his arms dramatically.
Elaris (deadpan):
“And why exactly do you think you’re worthy of her?”
Tavian went pale.
Tavian:
“I— I don’t— I mean I hope to be— I want to be— I’ll try to be—”
Sereth snorted.
Elaris smirked.
Elaris:
“I’m kidding, Tavian.”
Tavian deflated so fast it was audible.
Sereth stepped closer, her voice warm.
Sereth:
“Elyra speaks of you constantly.”
Elaris nodded, much more genuine now.
Elaris:
“And she smiles when you’re near.
Really smiles.
Not the brave smile.
The real one.”
Tavian’s eyes glossed with relief and emotion.
Tavian:
“I— I love her. Fully. Truly.
I know I’m… not a warrior like you, Sereth, or a mage like you, Elaris—
but I will stand with her. Always.”
Sereth placed her hand on his cheek gently.
Sereth:
“That’s all we ask.”
Elaris placed his hand on Tavian’s shoulder — fatherly, firm, honest.
Elaris:
“Make her happy…
and you have my blessing.”
Tavian nearly collapsed in joy.
But then —
Elaris added:
Elaris:
“And if you ever break her heart, Tavian…?”
Sereth (sweet smile):
“We’ll bury you so deep the gods won’t find you.”
Tavian squeaked.
Actually squeaked.
Tavian:
“Understood.”
Sereth burst out laughing, kissed Elaris’s cheek, then looked across the garden.
Elyra stood there watching — arms crossed, smiling
and blushing like sunrise.
She mouthed to her mum:
“Mum. Stop teasing him.”
Sereth mouthed back:
“No.”
Elaris mouthed:
“Run.”
Elyra rolled her eyes — walked straight to Tavian —
and kissed him breathless.
Tavian forgot how to breathe.
Elaris nearly fainted.
Sereth laughed so hard she held her bump.
And in that one absurd, beautiful, chaotic moment…
the Vorn family felt whole.
A NIGHT OF HEARTS — TWO MILESTONES, ONE FAMILY
The estate’s courtyard at dusk. Warm lantern light. A shifting breeze. Something is about to change.
THE PREGNANCY TURNS — A NEW POWER IN THE LATTICE
Sereth had been feeling it all day.
A strange tugging beneath her ribs…
A warmth that wasn’t quite warmth…
A pressure in her lower belly like someone gently knocking from the inside.
She tried to hide it.
She failed.
Arden noticed instantly.
Arden (concerned but calm):
“Sereth… stop pacing. You’re holding your stomach every few minutes.”
Sereth waved her off, breath unsteady.
Sereth:
“I’m fine, I just— he’s… active today.”
Arden raised an eyebrow.
Arden:
“Active? Or—”
Sereth winced.
Not pain.
A pulse.
Like someone flicking a string inside her body, sending a vibration through her bones.
A thin wisp of golden light trembled across her fingertips.
Sereth stared at her hand.
Sereth (whisper):
“…Arden. That wasn’t me.”
Arden stepped closer immediately, hands hovering over Sereth’s belly.
Arden:
“Sereth, breathe. Let me—”
Sereth gasped, grabbing Arden’s wrist as another pulse hit — this one stronger.
The lattice shimmered faintly across her skin.
Sereth:
“He’s— he’s doing something— I can feel him— gods— Arden—”
Arden’s eyes widened.
Arden:
“Sereth… it isn’t magic. It’s not yours. It’s his.”
A glowing pulse spread over Sereth’s middle like rippling sunlight on water.
Arden whispered something she had never said aloud:
Arden (awed):
“The child is awakening.”
Sereth’s breath shook with equal parts awe and fear.
Sereth:
“Awakening…?”
Arden:
“His soul is touching the Lattice.
This is early— far earlier than it should be.
But he’s protecting you. Strengthening you.
Your son is reaching out.”
Sereth braced herself against the wall.
Sereth:
“Elaris needs to know— now—”
Arden nodded, already sprinting.
And Sereth stood there in the dim light, trembling, cradling her belly with both hands, whispering to the tiny life inside:
Sereth:
“It’s alright, little one…
Mama’s here.
We’re here.”
Another pulse.
Warm.
Safe.
Strong.
And Sereth realised—
Her son was not just alive.
He was awakening with power far beyond any unborn child should possess.
ELYRA AND TAVIAN — THEIR FIRST DATE
At the same time…
Elyra stood in her room, blushing so hard Arden had legitimately thought she was feverish earlier.
On her bed:
A dress.
A pair of single-sole strappy heels.
A bracelet.
A gift from Tavian.
Arden had helped her put the dress on — soft moonlight blue with green accents that shimmered like her ranger magic.
Now Elyra turned to the mirror.
Elyra (soft gasp):
“…Tavian…”
The heels fit perfectly — green and moonlight blue, elegant and delicate, somehow both heroic and romantic.
Then the bracelet.
Engraved on the outside:
The date they met.
Engraved on the inside:
“Elyra Vorn, I will always love you.”
Her breath caught.
She traced the words with trembling fingers.
Elyra whispered:
“You’re going to kill me… gods…”
She was still absorbing everything when a knock tapped gently on the doorframe.
Tavian (voice cracking adorably):
“E— Elyra?”
She stepped out.
And Tavian forgot how to function.
He stared.
Blinking.
Healing rolls were needed.
Tavian (breathless):
“You’re… you’re… Elyra, you’re—”
Elyra smiled slowly.
Elyra:
“Mhm?”
Tavian:
“You’re divine.”
She blushed so fiercely she had to look away.
Elyra:
“Would you like to sit with me in the courtyard? Away from everyone?”
Tavian just nodded.
He would have nodded to anything she said.
They walked — or rather, Elyra walked and Tavian floated — to a quiet bench surrounded by flickering lanterns.
They sat close.
Too close for Tavian’s heart rate to survive.
Elyra:
“You remembered the dress. From when I couldn’t walk.”
Tavian:
“I remember everything you say.”
Elyra’s lips parted in shock.
She tried to respond, but then—
A pulse.
A deep Lattice thrum.
The same one echoing from Sereth across the estate.
Elyra gasped, bracing the bench.
Elyra:
“Dad…? No… Mum… something’s—”
Tavian grabbed her hands in fear.
Tavian:
“Are you alright?! Elyra?! What’s happening?”
Elyra wasn’t frightened.
She smiled — soft, awestruck.
Elyra:
“I… I think my baby brother just woke up.”
Tavian blinked.
Tavian:
“Your what— your—”
Elyra laughed through tears.
Elyra:
“My brother. He’s… finally here. He’s awake.”
And Tavian, overwhelmed but joyful, wrapped his arms around her as she shook with relief.
THE FAMILY GATHERS — TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
Arden barged into the courtyard.
Arden:
“Elyra! Elyra— come, now— your mother— something’s happening!”
Elyra and Tavian shot upright.
They ran inside.
They reached the hall just as Sereth reached the stairs, one hand on the wall, the other on her bump, glowing faintly with lattice resonance.
Elaris sprinted toward her, panic and love warring on his face.
Elaris:
“Sereth—!”
Sereth looked up, breathless, glowing.
Sereth:
“Elaris… I think he just—
I think he just awakened—”
Elaris touched her stomach.
The tiny life inside pulsed again.
Elaris choked on a breath:
Elaris:
“…son…”
Elyra, breathless and teary, hurried forward.
Elyra:
“Mum— are you okay?”
Sereth reached for her daughter, pulling her close.
Sereth:
“Yes. Yes— I’m okay, I’m—
He’s so strong, Elyra.
Like you.”
Elaris held them both.
Tavian stepped back, unsure, until Elyra reached and tugged him into the embrace as well.
The Vorns.
And Tavian.
All together.
All glowing faintly in the Lattice light.
Arden watched with a soft smile.
Garruk wiped his face very discreetly.
Vex openly cried and blamed it on “infernal allergies.”
Kaer stood arms folded like a proud uncle trying not to sob.
Pancake simply whispered:
Pancake:
“Baby Hawk awake.”