Blood Ties (Part 2)

Lith froze, staring at Marth with his eyes wide open before Vastor's voice forced him to turn around.

"I have to agree with Marth. If only we caught the disease earlier or if the child could survive even a few months after birth, then there would be a flimsy chance of success, but as it is, there's nothing we could do." Vastor wiped a lonely tear from his eye.

Age had made him softer in more than one way.

"Quylla?" Lith's voice was so thin that it was barely audible.

"Professor Vastor is right, Lith." Quylla shook her head. "To not negatively affect the mother and the other children, it would take months of therapy. After birth, even with a dozen Healers providing the baby with life force, he can't live without lungs.

"If we cure him fast enough to allow the child to breathe, his body will die because of the excessive stress the procedure requires. If we take it slow, he will simply choke to death."