The Damned Demon

A sudden, sharp pain shot through Rowena's abdomen, catching her completely by surprise.

Her eyes widened as she gasped, clutching instinctively at her belly. Another intense kick reverberated from within, causing her legs to buckle slightly, dizziness washing over her in a nauseating wave.

"Ngh—!" She doubled over, feeling her veins burning, mana surging chaotically through every fiber of her being.

She was about to collapse when strong arms swiftly caught her, steadying her carefully.

Valeria's armored hands held Rowena gently yet firmly, her crimson eyes glinting behind her helmet's slit.

"T-The baby..." Rowena managed through gritted teeth, her voice strained with pain. "She wants to come out... I didn't... expect this to happen so soon..." Sweat began to bead on her forehead, trickling down the sides of her pale face.

According to Igrid, her child wasn't supposed to come until at least a few weeks later.

Valeria's response was immediate and calmly confident, her voice cold yet oddly reassuring, "It's fine. I will have to help you deliver the baby here, now. It might become dangerous for you if we waste time by returning and waiting for a physician."

Rowena blinked through her pain, disbelief flickering in her crimson eyes. She looked up at Valeria, confusion evident in her voice, "You... You know how?"

Valeria didn't hesitate, gently helping Rowena lower herself to her knees. "I assure you, I can safely deliver this child. Your baby is incredibly powerful—even Igrid might not know how to handle such a birth."

Rowena's breathing grew heavy and ragged, her muscles twitching and clenching as waves of pain washed through her body.

Her rational mind screamed that returning to Igrid was safest, but something deep within—an inexplicable trust—told her that Valeria spoke truthfully.

She took a shuddering breath, nodded slowly, and gripped Valeria's armored hand tighter.

"I trust you," she whispered, grimacing with another sharp surge of agony.

Valeria quickly produced a soft mattress from within her spatial root, carefully helping Rowena lay down gently upon it.

She knelt by Rowena's side, removing the gauntlets from her armored hands to ensure gentleness. Her skin beneath was unnaturally pale, smooth, and elegant, yet carried a subtle strength, making Rowena wonder how a warrior's hands could look so soft and noble. But that thought only lingered for a moment before pain overwhelmed it.

"You are going to be alright," Valeria assured, her tone unchanging yet strangely comforting. She squeezed Rowena's trembling hand gently. "I will do my best to ease your pain."

Rowena could only nod, breathing deeply, steadying herself against the torrents of pain, her determination flaring fiercely despite her suffering.

Her heart thundered in her chest, knowing the birth of her child—her and Asher's child—was finally here.

She thought she would be prepared for it...but she wasn't.

"Now, breathe deeply and steadily."

Rowena nodded, forcing herself to follow Valeria's calm instructions. Each breath burned her lungs, each contraction intensified the agony—but she refused to surrender.

Valeria guided her with precision, speaking softly but clearly. "Now, Rowena. Push."

"Aaaaaahhh!!" Rowena's cry tore through the peaceful forest, her mana surging uncontrollably outward in powerful ripples.

Crimson tendrils crackled around her, splintering the air as though space itself was trembling with the force of her anguish and determination.

Trees quivered, leaves swirling violently around them, as the natural mana of the world resonated fiercely with this unprecedented event.

"Again, Rowena," Valeria urged steadily, unshaken by the chaotic energy flooding the clearing.

Rowena pushed again, her muscles straining to their limits. Sweat poured down her face, mixing with tears of pain and exertion. She felt the baby shift, closer to emerging.

"You're almost there," Valeria encouraged her quietly, her voice unwaveringly strong.

Rowena summoned every ounce of willpower and strength she possessed, letting out one final, fierce scream.

Her mana exploded around her, shaking the very ground as she pushed her child into the world.

Suddenly, everything went eerily quiet.

Rowena collapsed back, breathing heavily, her entire body trembling. Her vision blurred, consciousness fading at the edges. She barely saw Valeria catch the small, delicate form emerging into her waiting hands.

Then reality returned with sharp clarity.

Valeria stared down at the tiny, blood-covered child, whose skin glistened with a pale, ethereal glow.

Small, pointed elven ears peeked through tufts of damp, silken hair. A pair of delicate fangs glinted in the moonlight. Her eyes remained closed, motionless in a disturbing silence.

Rowena, sensing something amiss, struggled upward weakly, her voice trembling. "Valeria...? My child... Why isn't she breathing?"

Valeria remained silent, her crimson eyes narrowing sharply behind the helmet.

Without a word, she turned the baby carefully, laying one hand gently on the infant's back. Her palm glowed faintly with crimson mana, pulsing gently, coaxing life to stir.

"Please..." Rowena whispered desperately, tears burning her eyes as panic clenched her heart like a vice.

Still, nothing. Valeria's jaw tightened, quietly determined, channeling more mana—deep, fiery, and powerful.

Rowena's eyes flickered as she sensed the mana that was emanating from her. It was far different than the mana that was coming from her earlier.

It felt so...familiar and warm, reminding her of her mother's mana. Was she imagining it due to her current state?

At that instant, the entire world seemed to pause, the air turning heavy, charged, expectant.

A soft, resonant hum filled the night, growing louder with each heartbeat, the ground trembling gently as though acknowledging the birth of something mystical.

Then, suddenly—

The baby's eyes shot open, blazing with an eerie, dark yet luminous golden glow.

She drew her first breath, a piercing, powerful cry splitting the quiet air.

At that precise moment, far above, the clouds abruptly parted, revealing a breathtaking celestial alignment.

The crimson moon shone brilliantly, larger and brighter than ever, casting a deep, scarlet glow across the world below.

For an instant, the entire realm bathed in the unearthly crimson radiance, rippling outward as if reality itself had momentarily shifted.

People far away had their jaws slack as they looked up in confusion and surprise upon seeing the sudden changes above. They wondered if the Seven Hells themselves were passing some message to them.

Drakar, who was in the middle of looking over strategies to take on the Moon Guardian, suddenly stepped out and looked up upon feeling an uncomfortable sensation pressing down on him.

He frowned upon seeing the skies, feeling chills pass down his spine. But then he clicked his tongue, ignoring the feeling and resuming his business.

-

Asher who was busy getting trained by Skully suddenly stopped mid-way as he felt a ripple deep within his soul.

It was a feeling that caught him off guard and yet something that made him feel as if his heart was swelling with warmth.

He didn't know if he imagined, but for a moment, it felt as if he heard two heartbeats. Did he just imagine that?

The light in Skully's sockets briefly flickered as he looked up and mumbled in a voice lower than a whisper, "Ravina..."

"What did you just say?" Asher asked as he felt as if he heard something from him.

Skully looked back at Asher, "Clear your mind, and let's continue," He answered plainly, seemingly unmoved by Asher's confusion.

-

Rowena stared in awe, her heart swelling with overwhelming relief, wonder, and pride. She reached out trembling arms as Valeria gently placed the crying infant against her chest.

Rowena extended her arms, eagerly yet carefully taking her child into her embrace.

"Your daughter lives," Valeria announced in a low voice, "She is strong—stronger than you might have anticipated. There is nothing to worry about."

The infant's cries softened almost immediately, comforted by the warmth of her mother's touch. Rowena stared in awe at her daughter's delicate face, the eerie golden eyes slowly fluttering open again, gazing up at her mother with an unearthly yet undeniably beautiful intensity.

Rowena's expression melted into a soft, warm smile, tears of joy flowing freely down her cheeks.

Those eyes were just like her father's, though most of her physical features seemed to resemble hers.

Her pain forgotten, Rowena's lips slowly curved into a gentle, warm smile, heart swelling with overwhelming love and fierce protectiveness.

She whispered tenderly, her voice thick with emotion, "My child... my beautiful little girl... You are here, at last."

Earlier she had feared giving birth too early. But now, upon seeing her beautiful face, those worries didn't seem to matter at that moment. All she felt was happiness and warmth to see this face.

She gently cradled her child, feeling the infant's warmth radiate softly through her exhausted body.

The crimson glow from the moon cast ethereal patterns upon the clearing, bathing both mother and child in a mystical, otherworldly aura.

The pain she had endured moments ago seemed insignificant compared to the overwhelming joy and fierce protectiveness now surging through her heart.

"You're a miracle," Rowena whispered softly, stroking her baby's tiny cheek with trembling fingers. "Born in darkness, yet you shine brighter than any star."

Valeria silently watched, standing solemnly beside them, her helmeted gaze unreadable but subtly attentive.

Rowena lifted her eyes to meet Valeria's steady gaze, a rare warmth breaking through her normally cold demeanor. "Thank you, Valeria. Without you, I'm not sure we would have survived today. I will never forget what you've done for us."

Valeria rose gracefully, her armored figure silhouetted by the crimson moonlight. "Protecting the bloodline is my purpose. But soon, your enemies will learn about your child. You have to tell your people before it's too late."

Rowena frowned. She had done her best to hide her pregnancy and even avoid the eyes of the public.

But of course, Valeria could be right. There could be spies within the close circles of Lakhur. Nothing could be guaranteed.

She took a deep breath while holding her child closer, "Okay…But when will you tell him?" She asked before looking at her child in her arms. She felt a heaviness in her chest, knowing that he still didn't know, though the others had advised her to not tell him yet.

Valeria looked at her and said in a low voice, "Soon."

"Soon? But I…Am I supposed to not even name my child until then?" Rowena asked with a slight shake of her head.

Valeria's gaze remained unmoved, "If it's a name you seek, then he would want her to be named…"

Rowena was puzzled by her words, "How do you know he would want to name her that?"

"I just do. You will have to believe me," Valeria plainly answered, not explaining further.

Rowena was increasingly finding Valeria's words and actions strange.

Nevertheless, she felt inexplicable trust and faith in her.

Most of all, she found the name fitting and perfect for her daughter, who was the scion of destruction yet also the seed of rebirth.