Prologue - Vile Creature

Asuna looked at Solaris with a smile on her face. She touched her baby bump, "I heard about the magical river in this cave. I wanted to deliver my child here, is it alright?"

Solaris laughed and grabbed Asuna to help her walk into the cave. "Of course you can. It is an honour to have you here!"

The billion-fold hiss of water dripping echoed in the cave, Millions of insects glowing in the dim cave, just like a twinkle in the night sky. Asuna loves the beautiful scenery of the cave.

Skeletons of animals mangled around the caves, making them feel like vomiting. Moa, Luffa, and Rachel frowned and looked at each other. They do not believe this cave is magical and they don't trust the insects.

Solaris saw their reaction when they looked at the skeletons. Worried that the animal will screw up her plan, she asked them to leave. "I am afraid we need only one person here to help her. Too many people may disrupt positive energy in the river."

Moa, Luffa, and Rachel glared at Solaris. They do not want to leave Asuna alone in the cave. "We are here to accompany, Asuna."

Asuna could not think of anything else but the future of the child and she really hopes the rumours about the magic is true. She looked at Moa, Rachel, and Luffa and convinced them to wait outside, "I can handle this. Please wait for me outside." Asuna smiled towards Moa, Luffa, and Rachel.

They were hesitant to leave her alone. "But, Asuna." They try to persuade her to leave, but Asuna insists ongoing in.

Solaris got mad with Moa, Rachel, and Luffa. She noticed Asuna desperately wanted to give birth in the cave. She glared at them and gave them a warning, "If you all will stay here, I suggest then you all leave together. The river needs to be calm."

Moa looked at Asuna. He does not like to see Asuna upset. He quickly dragged Rachel and Luffa out of the cave. They left the cave in anger and worries. "If something happens to Asuna, I will jump in quickly to rescue her!" Moa assured them.

He does not give Rachel a chance to say anything, and she could hear Solaris's boisterous laughter from the outside. The blood in her veins is boiling and about to explode. She kicked the sands on the ground, clenched her fist. Luffa pats on Rachel's shoulder to calm her down.

Inside the cave, Asuna clasped her hand to pray in her heart, hoping her child will not turn into a demon god. Suddenly, her water broke, it's a sign of the baby is coming out soon!

She removed her gown and undergarment. Then, she moved towards the river and sat on the corner. Asuna frowned in pain and pushed as hard as she could.

Solaris walked towards her to give her a bowl containing soup mixed with the elixir, "This will help you ease the pain for labour."

Asuna grabbed the bowl and drank it, "I appreciated your kind hospitality."

A moment later, she felt the baby coming out of her body. She pushed as hard as she could to deliver the child, and her hands clenched on the gummies mud nearby the river.

Sweating, screaming and clenching. And, finally, the baby is out! Just as Solaris said earlier, she doesn't feel much pain in labour. She has given birth to a son. She washes the child gently. Then, she holds the child in her arms and uses a cloth to wrap the baby.

Solaris heard the baby crying. She ran to Asuna and said, "Let me help you remove the umbilical cord from the child."

Asuna gave the child to Solaris and watched Solaris trimmed the umbilical cord.

Moa, Luffa, and Rachel could hear a baby crying. "It's born! It's born! The baby is here!" They hold each other's hand and jump in delight.

Solar carried the baby towards Asuna. "I will help to carry the child. You need to put on your clothes." She winked her eye towards the clothes. She quickly feeds the baby with the elixir without Asuna noticing.

Asuna laughed. She took the clothes from the ground and put them on. She gave the child back to Asuna and helped her walk out of the cave. Rachel, Moa, and Luffa were excited to see Asuna carrying the child and ran towards her.

Luffa tickled the baby's face with his finger and asked, "What is the name of this beautiful child?"

Asuna smiled, "Ahmed." The baby smiled when his mother mentioned his name. He raised his chubby little hands to play with his mother. Looking at the child, the pain is actually a gain!

Rachel grabbed the child gently from Asuna. She is helping her to hold the child while she climbs up to the elephant. Luffa wanted to carry the child, but Rachel pushed him away using her shoulder.

Moa helped to lift Asuna to the back of the elephants. They bowed to express their gratitude and bid farewell to Solaris. They started their journey back to the jungle.

They have walked for hours from the cavern back to the jungle in Fern Mountain. Wandering through the woods, hiking several hills, crossing several rivers, and yakking all the way home. The sun was setting down, and a full moon appeared to light up the dark sky.

All animals gathered near the stream to celebrate the bundle of joy. A pack of wolves howling and fish leap from the water to cheer the prince of the jungle. Each of the animals approached mother nature to look at the adorable baby and congratulated her.

Asuna informed the jungle animals that she gave him a name Ahmed, means he is someone praiseworthy, and she hopes he lives up to his name. Now, she is getting tired.

During the celebration, she stood up and smiled towards the animal, "Thank you for organising the gathering to welcome my son, Ahmed. After a long journey and giving birth to this boy, I am exhausted. Please allow me to get some rest now." She bowed at the animals to excuse herself.

Asuna carried the child and happily walked back to her den. Ahmed melted her heart when he smiled at her. After breastfeeding the baby, she puts him to sleep in a crib made by the monkeys.

She yawned, slowly walked towards her bed, and stretched out on her bed, then tucked the blanket over her.

While she was sleeping, a hissing voice calling her name jolted her awake. She sat bewildered on the bed and walked out of the den. She has no intention to get out of the den, but her body is moving uncontrollably. A frisson skittered down her spine, forcing her to move and followed the echo of the voice. It was the effect of the elixir she consumed without knowing earlier.

Asuna tried to scream for help, but she had lost her voice! Her hand tried to reach out on the handrail. She could not fight against her internal force. It's dragging her to the cavern she went to earlier.

In the dark, she walked all the way to the cave. Her feet are getting dirty and bleeding from stepping on the stones. She thought the path was familiar, it's like dragging her back to the cave. She knew Solaris had cast a spell on her. Now, she regrets allowing herself to be trapped in this situation. If only she had listened to the animals, she probably would end up with such tragedy.

While she is walking painfully, Solaris laid comfortably on her spiderweb hammock. She expected Asuna to come, and she waited anxiously.

Solaris looked at Bruno and gave him a warning, "If the elixir is not working, I will kill you." If they have failed this mission, it will be harder for another attempt. Especially with the jungle animals. They are very protective of mother nature.

"The elixir is a summon potion. Whoever eats this will come to you whenever you call." Bruno said to Solaris. He is confident of the potion. He knew he would not fail on this. After all, he is the most reputable poison master.

Solaris wondered if she should kill her. To kill the immortal, Solaris isn't powerful enough. Furthermore, she had protection from Kenji the divine of earth. She seeks Bruno for advice, "What should I do with her?"

Bruno walked closer to Solaris and whispered to her ears about a plan.

She nodded, "I love it! Go for it!" She pinched Bruno's cheek, adoring him for his intelligence.

They expected the jungle animals to come in a pack to attack the insects. They quickly pack and leave the cave. She gave instruction to all the insects to emigrate out of the cavern. She had given them a new location.

A swarm of insects, flying out from the cave. Where are they heading? What do they plan to do with Asuna?