2 Rebirth

A loud cry could be heard suddenly, yanking Aria out of her unconscious state. I mentally groan. Is it time to wake up already? I can sense my limbs flailing about in the darkness, but why can't I open my eyes? The pitiful wails continue to echo, causing me to gain another headache. Why is this happening?

"There there, little one," a soft, melodic voice coos in the darkness. I can feel the touch of another person and I subconsciously held onto that warmth. Eventually, I was able to open my eyes after another bout of struggling. A blurry world of light filled my eyes then a woman's facial features appear in front of me. I take notice of her hazel colored eyes first. My first thought is how beautiful the woman's eyes were in front of me. I did not know that eyes could reflect such warmth and kindness.

"My lady, the Lord wishes to enter." Another voice announces, causing me to look away from the woman's tender gaze. The lady chuckles before replying. "Cassian must be pacing quite anxiously. Please bring the Lord in and tell him he sired a beautiful baby girl." The other presence leaves to bring in the Lord, who is perhaps my father. The woman brings me closer to her bosom and strokes my cheek before smiling. She has a beautiful smile and I can't help but reciprocate. She is obviously tired and her long, dark hair falls limply to her face, but she holds an inner glow that makes her look radiant. To me, she reminds me of the milky way, twinkling in the night sky.

"Welcome to Twilight Haze. I am your mother, Astrid." I take note of the different language. I wonder why I can understand the language but I can't recognize it. Indeed it is quite a strange language with lilting, melodic speech patterns and vocabulary that isn't really English nor any other languages I can recall.

I try moving my hand to my mother's face. I try speaking but it comes out as a "moa." I can't help but scrunch my face, embarrassed. As a baby, I would not have developed my vocal cords yet or have much control over my own body. I decide to just stare at my mother warmly. So this is what a mother is. As an orphan in my past life, I have never experienced a mother's love. She is kind, I think.

I can hear the door opening, and in the same instant, a huge shadow loomed over the bed where my mother and I lay. I froze and stare at this man that practically appeared out if no where. Huh? How did he appear so quickly and quietly.

"Cassian, don't use Shadow Walk in front of the baby. You could scare her," my mother scolds. She holds onto me just in case I was scared, but I remained calm. Instead, after freezing and staring at the man briefly, my mind begins to ponder on how the man approached us and what mother meant by Shadow Walk.

A powerfully built man, aged at most in his early 30s, backs up slightly at the woman's wrath before coming forward to kneel beside the bed to stare at me closely. He quietly observes me before stating, "She does not seem afraid. Besides how could a child of ours be scared so easily." Mother glares and the man lightly coughs.

Before I can comprehend what happened, strong arms wrap around me gently. Who knew such a large man can be so gentle? I observe him carefully. He also has a tender, loving look in his eyes as mother does. What catches my attention, though, is his heterochromatic eyes and long dark hair in a ponytail. He is wearing a long overcoat and fancy noble clothes you can find in fantasy novels. "She's as beautiful as you, Astrid. I am your father, little one."

My mother watches our interaction with adoration. "She reminds me of that one tale from my childhood my mother would read me. I believe her name was Freya Aiz," my father comments.

"Freya Aiz," my mother mutters quietly before she claps her hands once. "Ah the one who eventually became an empress after overcoming so many obstacles. Isn't that too much for the baby?" Father continues to stare at me with pride and joy. He shakes his head momentarily before he says, "I believe our little one will be able to handle anything."

"Your name is now Freya Aiz Winchester," my father announces. My lips twitch in reply. I suppose that is a notable name. Freya Aiz Winchester... That is my own name given to me by my parents. I will cherish it forever, I think happily.

Two voices arguing can be heard outside the door.

"I want to see mama and our little sister," one of the voices demands.

"They didn't give us permission yet. Do you want to harm them?" another asks logically.

Mother chuckles before giving the two voices permission to enter. "Aerik. Kaon. You may enter. Your new sister is here waiting to meet you two."

Two little boys come tumbling in. One looks about 6 years old and the other 4 years old. Both have dark hair, but different colored eyes. The one who appears to be 6 introduces himself first.

"Hello. My name is Aerik." He puts out his finger which I unconsciously hold onto. He smiles.

"Why is she so wrinkly?" the four year old asks curiously as he stands beside his brother. His nose wrinkles.

Mother and Father laughs in reply before Mother says, "You were also like that as a baby too."

The four year old doesn't seem to care so much anymore as he gently pats my stomach. "I'm Kaon. I'm four."

I cannot help it, but as a little baby, I let out a yawn. I want to know more about my new family and the world I live in now, but I feel sleepy. I can feel my eyes droop slightly.

"It seems like little Freya needs to sleep," Mother says. Cassian wraps his arms around the little boys. "Come along boys. We should let your mother and sister sleep."

The boys quickly agree and leaves with their father.

"Come little one. Let us rest," Mother says as the maid outside turns off the light and closes the door. I yawn once again as Mother snuggles me into her arms. "Sweet dreams, Freya." I feel something warm against my forehead before falling into the welcoming darkness.