Chapter 2: still
In the midst of the tumultuous Nir Su Sea, aboard a small green ship, a young, beautiful Mesa woman with green eyes and smooth brown skin was in the throes of childbirth. Perspiration covered her entire body. Her husband, Edward, clad in black Knight armor adorned with a phoenix insignia, and his sister, Carol, a brown-skinned woman in mercenary gear, were present to assist. In response to Edward's concerned inquiry, Carol, assisting with the birth, snapped back.
"Is she supposed to endure such pain, little sister?" he asked, his voice strained.
"Yes, she is. Now shut up, you idiot! Come on, Gabby, you can do this. Only one last push," Carol scolded her brother before refocusing on Gabby.
"Mmmhm, after all of this, we're never having sex again, Ed. Mmmhhhh, uhhh!!!" Gabby screamed in pain.
As Gabby pushed, they were oblivious to the world growing quieter around them. It was as if the storm had subsided. If someone ventured out of the cabin, they would notice an eerie stillness. Nothing moved; it was as if time had paused everywhere except within their small cabin.
"Yes, yes, Gabby, you did..." Carol paused before concluding, shaking the baby. Edward noticed the absence of the baby's cry, indicating it was stillborn. Gabby broke into tears, while Carol covered the lifeless baby with a white cloth, grieving.
"I'm so sorry, Gabby."
Gabby buried her face in Edward's chest, weeping. Edward held her tighter, attempting to provide comfort.
"You are not at fault, love. Maybe this was the will of the gods. If anyone is to blame, it's them," Edward said, tears streaming down his face.
As they grieved, something peculiar occurred to the baby's lifeless form—crimson patterns and symbols emerged, resembling ancient texts found in temples. These intricate designs covered the baby's entire body, integrating into his skin. As the strange phenomenon concluded, thunder roared, and waves battered their small ship. Lightning flashed, followed by a thunderous roar. The previously silent baby commenced crying as Carol picked him up and handed him to his mother.
"Look, Gabby, he's alive. Why do that to your aunt, little fella?" Gaby said through tears of joy.
Gabby sat up, wiping her tears, and Carol handed her the baby. She looked at him with a smile.
"Isn't he beautiful, Ed?" she said.
Edward smiled and gently stroked the baby's cheek.
"Yes, he is. A handsome fella, just like his old man. Haha."
Carol glanced at Edward with mock shock, about to retort, "you handsome? Forget it," but she couldn't. Carol tilted her head to look at Gabby.
"Thank you for helping us, Carrie. Thank you so much," Gabrielle said.
Willing to do anything for her family, Carol gave Gabby a serious look as she drank water from her skin.
"Since when do we say thanks for such futile things? All I know is that if I was in the same situation, you would have done the same. So there's no need to say thanks, Gabby," she said.
Edward burst out laughing, and the two women shot him a look of contempt, so he quickly shut his mouth and straightened up.
"Gabby is right, little sister. Thank you. But I'm amused by what you said. What do you mean if you were in the same shoes? Who will get a crazy woman like you pregna-"
Before he could finish speaking, Carol's dagger was at his neck, and she gave him an innocent smile.
"What is that, elder brother? I didn't hear you very well. Could you please say it again? Hehe."
Edward gulped before faking a laugh as he backed away slowly.
"Nothing, huh? That's what I thought. Now, can you please name him?" Carol spoke clearly agitated.
"Timothy. Timothy shall be his first name," Edward declared as he looked at the child in his mother's arms.
"Since he was born in the storm, his second name shall be Mí'tûr, son of the storm," Gaby said after a little pause. They all watched the baby sleeping in his mother's arms.
"Where to from here?" Edward asked.
"Kingdom of Zebha," Gabby responded with a smile.
With the passing of the storm, Edward and his family set sail for the Kingdom of Zebha to start a new life.