Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

After leaving the garden, having finished up her first learning experience in a subject she was actually interested in, Elaina was her next encounter. The woman was cleaning some rooms getting them ready for guests. The sanctuary had gotten much busier it seemed, more and more people were seeking shelter as the world slowly fell into chaos.

“Elaina-”

“OH! Bloody hell!” Elaina jumped a mile out as Aveyon had said her name. With her hand over her heart, she turned around. “You scared me!”

Aveyon smirked, finding it amusing.

Elaina beamed. “I’ve never seen you smile!”

“Well, you do not make a fool of yourself every day, either,” Aveyon remarked.

“Hush you!” Elaina laughed. “Everything okay dear?”

“I was actually looking for y-“. Aveyon suddenly caught the sound of a second heartbeat coming from Elaina.

After her lesson with Emerald, she was more in tune with the living things around her. It was faint but it was definitely there.

“Do you know?” She questioned her expression turning serious.

“Know what?” Elaina asked confused.

Aveyon took a few steps closer, and her eyes fell on Elaina’s abdomen. “There is a heartbeat.”

Elaina touched her stomach confused. “No, the hearts up he-“. She dropped the broom. “I’m pregnant?” She asked shocked.

Aveyon nodded, not really knowing what to do in this situation.

The colour drained from her face. “I-I need to find Eros!” Elaina grabbed a hold of Aveyon’s arm and pulled her along as she went to find Erosvent.

It didn’t take long for Elaina to find him. But what surprised Aveyon was her anger. Elaina picked up a vase and threw it at him. The vase shattered against the invisible wall that protected its guests from harm.

Aveyon’s eyes opened wide with shock; she didn’t know the woman had a violet streak in her.

“YOU! How dare you not tell me!” Elaina yelled. “If Aveyon can hear a second heartbeat, so can you!”

Ah! It suddenly made sense to Aveyon. Erosvent should have already known. He had the same superhuman hearing as her and was far more experienced in using essence.

Erosvent looked down at the ground, potting mix spread across the floor. “What!? Second heartbeat? What are you talking about?” He was clearly confused.

“DON’T YOU DARE PLAY DUMB WITH ME!” Elaina was furious.

“No no no, you don’t understand, with our bond our bodies disconnect if you fall pregnant. It’s to prevent the baby from dying if the other dies. If you’re pregnant, your body is completely blocked off from me, I can’t hear it even if I wanted to.” He dropped to his knees and placed his head on her stomach. “I wish I could. I’m going to be a father?”

Aveyon’s cringed; no he wasn’t... all the babies are being born without souls. They are stillborn.

Elaina stood in complete shock. “I... I can’t have a baby, this is crazy... not now.” The blonde-haired woman’s mood turned sombre. “No, no no no, you know what this means...”

Ah, it had finally sunk in. Aveyon was at least glad she didn’t have to spell it out for the two.

“I won’t let that happen; we will figure this out.” Erosvent stood embracing his wife.

Aveyon’s gaze fell on the life growing inside Elaina’s body. The cycle of rebirth was currently broken. Their journey could restart it, but there was no guarantee.

Elaina looked over to her. “How far along?” She asked.

“I do not know how to tell such a thing...but-” She looked to Erosvent. “You can, if you see through me.”

Why she wanted to help these two at this moment, she didn’t know. She was opening herself up in a way she had never done for anyone. She held her hands out to them both, they took hold of her in an instant.

Aveyon hadn’t been prepared for Erosvent to push himself into her mind. She gasped, it didn’t hurt, since she allowed him in. But it was a foreign, cold and uninviting feeling.

It lasted for only a second and she snatched her hands away wrapping her arms around herself as she felt slightly violated.

Erosvent had literally dived into her mind, invading her body to see, hear and feel what she could. The connection through Elaina’s hand allowed him to scan her body and see how far along the baby was.

“I’d say the child is around six weeks old, the heart had only started beating recently.” He concurred bowing a little thanks to Aveyon, who nodded in return.

“So, seven and half months?” Elaina asked. They all exchanged solemn looks.

Elaina broke the silence. “It’s okay. I won’t be the first to go through it if it happens. Don’t pressure yourselves. We have no idea how long it will take to find a way to Alarious, let alone if the river of souls can be fixed.”

Aveyon nodded, the woman was rational, but she could see a million emotions flickering behind those eyes. She was strong, a trait she admired greatly.

“I’ve missed a lot it seems.” Vincent’s voice came from behind the group.

Aveyon spun around. “You are back, perfect timing.” She was growing unconformable with the current conversation.

“Hello Princess, good to see you’re awake.” He smiled.

“Welcome home, Vincent.” Elaina welcomed him with a warm smile, though it was obvious she was trying to hide her sadness.

“Indeed, good timing we have a lot to talk about. You two especially.” Erosvent added, pointing to Vincent and Aveyon.

“Me, and the Princess?” Vincent questioned raising a brow at Aveyon.

“A lot has happened. Come, let’s go discuss over some dinner.” Elaina Offered.

The four made their way to the dining hall and Elaina prepared food while the three caught up on vital matters. Aveyon was glad to see the room rather empty.

Erosvent incurred that most of the residents didn’t actually eat in the hall, they just used it and took the food away with them.

Aveyon then explained to Vincent what had happened to her, and why she had been out of action for so long.

Elaina returned with a small plate of sandwiches and drinks. Finally, it was time for Aveyon to ask the question they had all been waiting for.

“Vincent, would you link your soul with mine?”

Vincent choked on his drink not expecting that at all. Coughing a few times, he cleared his throat and looked over at her, they were sitting at opposite sides of the table. “You want me?” Vincent finally answered with a question of his own.

“You have the knowledge to perform it, and you are quite strong.” She paused. “There are other factors that made me think of you as well.”

“It’s true, I’m the one that told Erosvent about it, but...” He started to respond.

“How do you have such knowledge?” She questioned.

He huffed a half laugh. “That’s exactly what Eros said as well. It’s hard to explain, I don’t remember my life before I met Erosvent, it’s all a blank. I just assume that these things come naturally because, perhaps my maker knew of them...or something of the like.” He did his best to explain.

“How very odd... Regardless, I would like it to be you, if you will help me.” She responded.

Elaina whispered something in Erosvent’s ear, which Aveyon could hear. “We should leave them to discuss the details.” He nodded.

“Oh, and Aveyon dear, if you have any questions after you’ve spoken to Vincent, I’m here for you. As someone who has gone through it, I may be of some help.” Elaina injected before they made their exit.

After they left, Vincent wasn’t sure how to begin.

Aveyon broke the silence. “There is no need to worry. From my understanding, it is a simple blood exchange and an incantation to link our souls. What it actually does to our bodies I am unsure of.”

Vincent looked relieved. “You already have some knowledge of the ritual?”

She nodded. “I am from the royal family; the secrets are guarded from the outside but not too well from the inside.”

“It will link our souls, which means you won’t have to worry about your essence issue, as I’ll be your vessel. You can draw from me when required.” He explained.

“So, you will?” she asked again. “Even with the consequences?”

“Yes Princess, of course, I will, I assume you want to leave for the elves as soon as possible?”

“Yes, that would be the plan.” She frowned. “Though I do not know if the request for training was approved.”

“It was, there’s nothing holding us back.” He added. “We should rest for the night, pack and head out at first light.”

“I agree... and Vincent, thank you. I am sure there are other things you would rather be doing.” She stood to leave but he stopped her with his words.

“No need, I’m doing this because I want to, not because you’re a Princess.” He smirked at her shocked face. He had somehow guessed what she had been thinking.

“I am using you.” She confessed. “That doesn’t bother you?”

“I’m offering my aid; you’re not ordering me to do anything. And honestly, I would decline the order. I will never follow a selfish leader.” He stood and began to walk with her out of the dining hall.

She eyed him as they walked. But she was being selfish, how did that make sense?

“I love that you’re trying to figure me out, though.” He said with a smile.

She rolled her eyes has his flirtatious behavior, but oddly he never made her feel repulsed.

“You're so...” She couldn’t find the word shaking her head.

“Handsome?” He joked.

“Full of yourself.” She replied holding back a laugh. She felt then that she enjoyed his company, though he called her Princess, he treated her almost like any other person.

They soon reluctantly said goodnight to each other, having to prepare and rest. She headed to bed ready to start the next day fresh. The new chapter of her journey was about to begin.

Finally, she felt she was moving forward, one step closer to her goal. One step closer to the end of it all.