THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGES
Sereth rose from Elyra’s bed with a warm smile, smoothing her dress, hand brushing instinctively over her rounded belly.
She’d been so proud — proud of Elyra’s first real date, proud of Tavian, proud of this strange and beautiful family she’d found.
Elyra watched her mum walk toward the door, still flushed from the kiss she’d been reliving in her head. She picked up one of her discarded heels and laughed to herself.
Then:
PSSSH—
A sharp intake of breath.
A gasp from Sereth.
Elyra froze.
Elyra:
“Mum…?”
Sereth stood very still.
Too still.
Her hand slowly drifted to the underside of her bump.
Sereth:
“Elyra.”
Elyra:
“…yes?”
Sereth’s eyes widened, soft, terrified, overwhelmed.
Sereth:
“…my water just broke.”
A beat.
A horrifyingly long beat.
Elyra’s eyes became dinner plates.
Elyra:
“WAIT—WHAT?!”
Sereth held her hands out slightly, palms up, helpless.
Sereth:
“I—I think it’s happening.”
Elyra, who had faced archdemons, dragons, mirror poisons, and her own death multiple times, suddenly became an absolute wreck.
She tried to leap out of bed—
Her legs tangled in her skirt—
She fell—
Her arms pinwheeled—
She grabbed the bedpost and wobbled upright like a newborn deer.
Elyra:
“OKAY—OKAY—OKAY—uh—MUM?! ARE YOU—IS IT—ARE WE—???”
Sereth, already breathing a little faster, tried to stay calm.
Sereth:
“Elyra… go get your father.”
Elyra:
“RIGHT—YES—OKAY—I CAN DO THAT—OH GODS—OKAY—I’M GOING—”
She staggered to the door, flung it open—
Then ran back in and grabbed Sereth’s arm.
Elyra:
“WAIT—NO I CAN’T LEAVE YOU WHAT IF YOU FALL WHAT IF—”
Sereth:
“ELYRA.
Go.
Now.”
Elyra bolted.
Sprinted down the hallway.
And in the panic of the moment, she absolutely forgot she was wearing no shoes.
As she thundered down the stairs she yelled:
“DAD! ARDEN! PANCAKE! ANYONE WHO CAN HELP—MUM’S WATER BROKE!!”
Sereth winced at the volume.
Sereth:
“Subtle as always, sweetheart…”
Then she gasped again, steadying herself on Elyra’s dresser.
A ripple of pain washed through her—
not unbearable, but enough to warn her:
This was real.
This was happening.
Now.
She breathed slowly, hand over her belly, whispering to the child she’d fought heaven, hell, and the forest itself to protect.
Sereth (soft):
“Alright, little one…
We’re ready if you are…”
There came the sound of at least six people colliding in the hallway, a crash, a yell, Garruk shouting something about boiling water, someone falling over Pancake, and Vex yelling:
“GET OUT OF THE WAY, I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH CHAOS BIRTHS!!”
Sereth sighed.
Sereth:
“…Oh gods.”
She placed both hands on her belly.
Sereth:
“Your family’s coming, little one.”
She smiled through the pain.
Sereth:
“…all of them.”
THE PANIC OF THE PALE SHEPHERD
— and the Ascension of Arden Midwife Supreme —
Elyra hit the bottom of the stairs so fast she practically skidded into the hallway, hair wild, no shoes, dress crooked, shouting:
“DAD!
DAD!!
MUM’S WATER BROKE!!!”
The sound that came from the men’s corridor was not human.
It was Elaris.
Elaris:
“WHAT—WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT BROKE—WHAT BROKE—WHO BROKE—”
He launched out of his room so violently that his chair fell over behind him.
Kaer caught the edge of the doorframe to steady him.
Garruk jumped up like someone had lit him on fire.
Borin’s ghost would have risen if it could.
But nothing — nothing — compared to Elaris’s face.
He was white.
White like parchment.
White like he’d seen a spirit.
White like the world had just tilted sideways.
Elaris (voice cracking):
“Elyra—WHAT—WHERE—IS SHE—IS SHE BREATHING—IS SHE BLEEDING—WHAT DO I DO—ARDEN—ARDEN—WHERE IS ARDEN—ARDEN—”
He sprinted past Elyra, then ran back, then ran in a circle once, then grabbed Elyra by the shoulders.
Elaris:
“WHERE IS SHE?!”
Elyra (pointing upstairs):
“MUM—BEDROOM—BUT YOU NEED TO BREATHE—”
Elaris:
“I CAN’T BREATHE, ELYRA, SHE’S HAVING A BABY!! I DON’T HAVE TIME TO BREATHE!!”
He bolted up the stairs.
Halfway up he tripped over Pancake, who had been sprinting toward the commotion like a golden missile.
Elaris, faceplanting:
“PANCAKE WHY—”
Pancake:
“BABY COMING!! PANIC!! PANIC!!”
Vex appeared from nowhere.
Vex (excited):
“OH GODS WE’RE DOING A BIRTH?! I HAVE A KNIFE—”
Kaer:
“No.
Put.
The knife.
Down.”
THE DOOR BURSTS OPEN
Sereth had just managed one deep, steady breath when—
BANG!!
The door flew open and Elaris slid into the room like someone crashing into a crime scene.
He froze when he saw her.
Sereth stood half-leaning on the dresser, both hands on her belly, breathing carefully but alert, present, scared — and strong.
Elaris made a noise halfway between a sob, a laugh, and an existential nightmare.
Elaris (voice cracking):
“Sereth—Sereth—Sereth—are you—are you dying—are you in pain—did something happen—did Varsha curse the baby—did Valthrix—did you fall—is it too soon—do you need water—do you need help—do you need anything—Sereth please—”
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Sereth gave him the gentlest, most exhausted, most affectionate deadpan look in existence.
Sereth:
“Elaris.
Love.”
(she breathes carefully)
“My water just broke.
Not my soul.”
Elaris blinked.
Twice.
Elaris:
“Right. Right—okay—yes—birth—not death—yes—good—great—terrifying—OH GODS—”
He ran toward her. Hugged her so tightly she wheezed.
Sereth:
“Breathe, darling—your son needs oxygen and so do I—”
Elaris immediately let go.
Elaris:
“RIGHT—AIR—YES—SORRY—”
He turned, panicked again, then turned back, then froze entirely.
Arden entered.
THE ANGELIC MIDWIFE GENERAL ARRIVES
Arden walked into the room like she had personally delivered a hundred celestial children.
Halo glowing softly.
Braid immaculate.
Golden aura radiating calm like a divine sedative.
Arden (clapping her hands):
“Everyone STOP MOVING.”
Everyone stopped.
Even Pancake.
Even Elaris, who was mid-panic and mid-sentence.
Arden:
“Good. Now.
Sereth, how far apart are your contractions?”
Sereth:
“…Lady of Light, they only just started.”
Arden:
“Perfect. Elaris?”
Elaris straightened like a soldier in the presence of a general.
Elaris:
“Yes? Yes! What do you need? I’ll kill a god, I’ll catch the baby with my bare hands, I’ll—”
Arden placed a single finger on his lips.
Arden:
“Shhh.”
Elaris shut up instantly.
Arden (firm, commanding):
“Your job is simple:
Stay with your wife.
Hold her hand.
Breathe when she breathes.
Do not faint.
And do not cast necromancy on anything in this room.”
Elaris (small voice):
“…yes ma’am.”
Arden turned.
Arden:
“Kaer, fetch clean towels.
Garruk, boil water—NOT the whole cauldron this time.
Vex, no fire spells.
Laz, no illusions.
Pancake… keep calm and do not chew anything.”
Pancake saluted.
Pancake:
“Pancake ready!”
Sereth suddenly winced and gripped the dresser.
Elaris lurched.
Elaris:
“WHAT WAS THAT WAS THAT A CONTRACTION—ARDEN—SHE MOVED—HER FACE MOVED—IS SHE DYING—”
Arden grabbed him by the shoulders.
Arden:
“Elaris.
Listen to me.”
Her voice softened.
Arden:
“She’s having your baby.
Your son.
This is the moment you’ve both waited for.”
Elaris’s throat tightened.
His eyes burned.
He turned to Sereth — who was trying her best to breathe evenly.
Sereth lifted one trembling hand.
Sereth (soft):
“Come here, Shepherd…”
He rushed to her side, took her hand, kissed it, held it against his cheek.
Elaris:
“I’m here. I’m right here. I’m not leaving.”
Sereth leaned her forehead against his.
Sereth:
“Good… because he’s impatient… just like you…”
Elaris let out a breath that shook his whole soul.
THE LABOUR BEGINS
— and Elyra Vorn Realises She Is About to Become a Big Sister —
Arden settled into her role like a goddess of light descending for battle.
Kaer and Garruk returned with supplies.
Vex and Laz hovered awkwardly.
Pancake sat atop a pile of towels like a fuzzy guardian statue.
Elaris held Sereth’s hand like it was the only thing anchoring him to the material plane.
Everything was controlled chaos.
Then—
a sharp, tight breath escaped Sereth’s throat.
Her fingers clenched around Elaris’s hand.
Arden immediately tuned in.
Arden:
“Sereth, that one was stronger. How long since the last one?”
Sereth (breathing through it):
“…Seven minutes…”
Arden nodded.
Arden:
“Good. Early labour is progressing.”
Elaris blinked.
Elaris:
“Early?! There’s more?!”
Arden:
“Elaris, she hasn’t even started the real part.”
Elaris went paler than usual.
Garruk:
“…He’s gonna faint.”
Kaer:
“Catch him if he does. I’m busy folding towels.”
But the moment of comedy was short-lived.
Because Elyra burst into the doorway.
“Mum’s having the baby RIGHT NOW?!”
Elyra had been downstairs trying to breathe through her own rising panic, her mind racing, heart hammering.
But she couldn’t stay away.
She rushed in like a wildfire, still barefoot, hair loose, eyes wide and trembling.
Elyra:
“Mum?! Dad?! Is she—is she in pain? Is she okay—did something happen with the baby—did Varsha curse something—did the lattice—”
Arden raised a calming hand.
Arden:
“Elyra. Breathe.”
Elyra tried.
Failed.
Tried again.
Failed worse.
She clutched her chest, breath catching, tears pushing into her eyes.
Elyra (voice wavering):
“I—I’m about to be a big sister—
I’m about to actually be someone’s big sister and—
wh-what if I’m not ready—
what if I can’t protect him—
what if I drop him—
what if I say the wrong thing—
what if he hates me—
what if—what if—what if—”
Her hands were shaking.
Sereth let out a soft groan as another contraction rolled through her, and Elyra completely froze.
Her voice shrank to a whisper.
Elyra:
“Oh gods. She’s actually doing this. It’s happening. Mum’s having my baby brother. He’s real. He’s coming. I’m—
I’m—
I’m going to be his big sister…”
Her breaths turned fast, shallow.
The panic spiralled.
Sereth reaches for her daughter
Even mid-contraction, even sweating, even clinging to Elaris’s hand—
Sereth reached out with her free hand toward Elyra.
Sereth (strained but soft):
“Little hawk… come here…”
Elyra took a broken half-step.
Sereth:
“Closer…”
Elyra knelt beside the bed, eyes shining with tears.
Sereth cupped her cheek — thumb brushing away the tear Elyra didn’t even know had fallen.
Sereth (gentle smile):
“You already protected him once…
You saved me.
You saved him.
You’re stronger than you think.”
Elyra’s chin wobbled violently.
Elyra:
“But what if—what if I mess it up? I’m not good with babies—what if he cries whenever I touch him—what if I can’t—”
Elaris knelt beside them too, his hand resting over both theirs.
Elaris (soft but certain):
“Elyra.
He already loves you.
Before he even sees the world, before he even breathes air—
he knows you.”
Elyra shook her head, overwhelmed.
Elyra:
“How?”
Elaris:
“The day in the forest…
when Varsha almost—
when he protected your mother…
he felt your panic too.
Your heartbeat.
Your fear.
Your love.
Your magic wrapped around hers like a shield.”
Sereth brushed Elyra’s hair from her face.
Sereth:
“He knows your voice.
He knows your soul.
You’re already the best big sister.”
Elyra let out a shuddering breath.
She wasn’t panicking anymore.
She was crying—
but for the first time, the tears weren’t fear.
They were love.
Deep, overwhelming, breathtaking love.
Elyra (voice small):
“…I want to meet him.”
Sereth breathed through another contraction, squeezing Elaris’s hand so hard he swore a bone snapped.
Sereth (her voice shaking but warm):
“You will.
And when you do…
he’ll be so lucky to have you.”
Elyra’s hand slipped into hers, and she held on tight.
Arden steps between them gently
Arden:
“Alright…
the next wave might be stronger.
We’re past the early stage.”
Elaris:
“Stronger? STRONGER?!”
Arden:
“Elaris.”
Elaris:
“…right. Quiet. I’m quiet.”
Sereth leaned her forehead into Elyra’s.
Sereth (breathless, smiling through pain):
“You stay right here.
I want him to hear your heartbeat too.”
Elyra managed a small, trembling smile.
She nodded.
And reached for her mother’s hand again—
ready to face whatever came next.
ACTIVE LABOUR
The room tightens, time stretches, and the world narrows to Sereth, her breath, and the child fighting to enter it.
Arden felt the shift before anyone else did.
That subtle change in rhythm.
The tightening of Sereth’s shoulders.
The contraction that didn’t rise and fall —
but rose, held,
held,
held
like a fist refusing to unclench.
Arden:
“Okay—
okay, Sereth?
This is it. You’re in active labour.”
Elaris:
“ACTIVE? We weren’t active before?! What were we before—WARMING UP?!”
Arden:
“Exactly.”
Elaris nearly blacked out on the spot.
The contraction hits
And Sereth folded forward with a groan so primal it rattled the floorboards.
Her fingers clawed the sheets.
Her breath escaped her in a sharp, broken exhale.
Elyra, still holding her mother’s hand, froze in place as panic spiked—but she didn’t let go.
Arden moved like a professional. Calm. Centred.
Arden:
“Sereth, look at me.
Slow breaths.
In…
and out…”
Sereth tried.
Failed.
Tried again.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
Sereth (through clenched teeth):
“It’s—gods—Arden—it hurts—”
Arden (soft, steady):
“I know. You’re doing beautifully. You’re safe. He’s safe.”
Elaris clung to Sereth’s free hand like it was keeping him tethered to reality.
Elaris:
“I’m here. I’m right here. I’m not moving. I’m—gods, Sereth—just breathe—”
Sereth whipped her head toward him with a glare sharp enough to kill a man.
Sereth (feral):
“YOU DID THIS TO ME.”
Elaris:
“I—yes! Yes I did! I’m sorry—I’ll fix it—I’ll—uh—WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?!”
Arden:
“Stop apologising and breathe with her.”
Elaris immediately inhaled so fast he choked.
Garruk leaned to Kaer.
Garruk (whisper):
“Should we pull him out of the room?”
Kaer:
“With how she’s gripping him?
If we tug him, she’ll take his arm with her.”
Vex:
“I’d pay gold to see him pass out.”
Laz:
“I’d pay double to see him try not to.”
Pancake shushed them with a paw.
HARD.
Like a furry little tyrant.
Another contraction — harder. Worse. Real.
Sereth arched forward, gasping, sweat beading across her brow.
Her hand crushed Elaris’s so forcefully a necrotic spark snapped out of his fingers.
Elaris:
“Ow—ow—Sereth—you’re breaking my—MY GODS YOU’RE STRONG—”
Elyra squeezed her mother’s other hand, nearly trembling.
Elyra (voice soft but fierce):
“Mum… you’ve survived everything.
Everything.
This is nothing.
You’ve beaten death.
You’ve beaten monsters.
You beat Varsha.
You can do this.
You can do anything.”
Sereth’s breath hitched.
A tear slipped down her cheek — pain, exhaustion, but also something warmer.
Sereth (hoarse):
“My little hawk…”
Arden checked again.
Her calm face flickered into something urgent.
Arden:
“Sereth—listen to me—
He’s coming fast.
Faster than expected.”
Elaris:
“WHAT DOES THAT MEAN—?!”
Arden:
“It means get a cloth under her NOW.”
Kaer, Garruk, Vex, Laz all scrambled at once and collided in the process, tripping over each other until Pancake kicked a towel into place himself.
Arden:
“Elaris—stay by her head. Elyra—don’t let go of her hand. Sereth, when the next contraction hits—
you PUSH.”
Sereth inhaled sharply.
Sereth:
“Gods—Arden—Arden—Elaris—don’t let me—don’t let him—please—”
Elaris placed his forehead against hers, voice shaking like glass.
Elaris:
“I won’t.
Neither of you are going anywhere.
I’ve got you.
I’ve got you both.”
Elyra leaned in too, forehead against Sereth’s shoulder, tears welling.
Elyra:
“We’re right here, Mum.”
Another contraction surged—
violent, relentless, overwhelming.
Sereth screamed—
not in fear,
but in raw, unstoppable power.
Arden:
“PUSH, SERETH!
NOW!”
Sereth bore down, growling, sobbing, teeth clenched—
every muscle trembling—
as Elaris whispered broken encouragement into her hair.
Elaris:
“You’re doing it, love—
you’re doing it—
I’m right here—
I’m right here—
gods, Sereth, you’re incredible—”
Arden:
“Again—!”
Sereth pushed again—
crying out through gritted teeth—
and Elyra held her hand so tightly the lattice hummed between them.
Elyra (voice cracking):
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known—
He’s almost here—
you’re doing it—
you’re doing it, Mum—”
Arden’s eyes widened.
Arden:
“His head is crowning—Sereth, look at me—
this is the part that ends the pain.
One more.
One more!”
Sereth’s whole body shuddered.
She looked at Elaris.
Sereth (whispering, terrified):
“Don’t let go.”
Elaris kissed her forehead.
Elaris (voice breaking):
“Never.”
Arden raised her hands.
Arden:
“SERETH—PUSH!”
And Sereth roared.
The kind of primal, ancient scream only mothers and warriors ever find.
The room shook.
The lattice shivered.
Arden’s voice rose—
Arden:
“I’ve got him! I’ve got—!”
And then—
A cry split the air.
Small.
New.
Alive.
Arden lifted the tiny, squirming body into the light.
Arden (voice soft with awe):
“…he’s here.”
Elaris’s face crumpled.
Sereth collapsed back in tears.
Elyra’s hand flew to her mouth.
Pancake fainted with joy.
And the child — their son — cried his very first cry.
