chapter 2:still

In a small green ship in the middle of the raging Nir Su Sea, a young, beautiful Mesa woman with green eyes and smooth brown skin was giving birth. Her whole body was covered in perspiration. Her husband, Edward, dressed in black Knight armor with a phoenix insignia, and his sister, Carol, a brown-skinned woman in mercenary gear, were there to assist. Carol, helping with the birth, replied to Edward's concern.

"Is she supposed to be in so much 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 snapped at her brother before turning her attention back to Gaby.

"Mmmhm, after all of this, we're never having sex again, Ed. Mmmhhhh, uhhh!!!" Gabby screamed in pain.

As Gabby was pushing, they all didn't realize that the world had grown quieter. It was as if the storm had passed. If anyone came out of the cabin, they would see that the world went still. Nothing was moving; it's as if time had stopped everywhere except their little cabin.

"Yes, yes, Gabby, you did..." Carol paused before finishing, shaking the baby. Edward noticed the baby wasn't crying, meaning stillborn. Gabby burst into tears while Carol covered the baby with a white cloth and wept.

"I'm so sorry, Gabby."

Gabby buried her face in Edward's chest, weeping. Edward held her tighter, trying to comfort her.

"You are not at fault, love. Maybe this was the will of the gods. If anyone is to be blamed, it's them," Edward said, tears escaping his eyes.

While they wept, something strange happened to the baby's body—crimson patterns and symbols appearing on him, resembling ancient texts found in temples. These patterns covered his entire body, seeping into his skin. As soon as the strange incident ended, thunder roared, and waves hit their little ship hard. Lightning flashed, followed by a thunderous roar. The previously silent baby started 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 in joyful tears.

Gabby sat up straight, 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 looked at Edward with fake shock as she was about to respond with 'you handsome? Forget it.' But she couldn't, as Carol tilted her head to look at Gabby.

"Thank you for helping us, Carrie. Thank you so much," Gabrielle said.

Carol, willing to do anything for her family, 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 on 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," spoke Edward 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 headed to the Kingdom of Zebha to start a new life.