I fell to one knee, panting.

  "KiAera." GamaGen moved, perching onto my shoulder. "She's—"

  My half-sister froze and then she ran toward me. Her silks flared behind her like wings as she crossed the space between us. Pzion cried out, "Diantha, stop—!" but he did not pursue.

  She knelt before me, grasping my face in trembling hands. Her scent was familiarly sweet, but wind-torn.

  "Mina?" she whispered. "Is it really you?"

  Our fingers—my fingers—grasped at her wrists.

  My voice cracked as our gaze locked. "It's me."

  Tears spilled from her eyes and she wrapped her arms around me—us—like a storm refusing to let go. Her whole body trembled. And I did something I hadn't expected. Mina cried too.

  I wrapped my arms around Diantha, letting my chin rest on her shoulder.

  I could feel Jalkra watching.

  I could feel GamaGen watching him.

  "Now do you see why she won't let go?" I whispered to GamaGen.

  He said nothing. But his silence told me enough.

  Diantha pulled back just slightly. "I don't understand how this happened…"

  "Neither do we," I said. "But GamaGen thinks we can undo it. He says we need Mina's consent."

  Diantha looked from me to GamaGen, her eyes full of pleading. "Would it hurt her?"

  "Not physically," GamaGen replied. "But such a bond, once undone, leaves echoes. It's like losing someone… twice."

  Her eyes fluttered shut.

  "I see."

  Jalkra stepped forward at last, arms crossed loosely. "Diantha, the child…"

  "I know," she snapped at him, then softened. "I'm sorry. But this moment is ours. Don't take it from me."

  Jalkra did not speak again. But his jaw clenched tight, as if he bit back words he had no right to utter.

  GamaGen finally turned to face him fully.

  "You fear what you don't yet understand, young Jalkra."

  "I understand more than most," Jalkra replied, no longer smiling. "Including when to leave what's sacred untouched."

  Their words clashed without raised voices. I could hear my pulse in my ears as Oath shifted closer. Liozel still rode on her back, staring wide-eyed at everyone, whispering something into her ear.

  The clearing had grown still again. Except now… it was holding its breath.

  Jalkra looked at me one final time.

  "When you're ready," he said, "I'll be waiting."

  "For what?" I asked.

  His golden eyes glinted. "To see what you become."

  And with that, he turned and walked back toward the shimmering edge of the woods. Pzion followed. Diantha lingered, holding my hand until the last second.

  "My boy is almost here! You must be there to see him!"

  I felt Mina's stab of guilt and sorrow. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to see her sister and her nephew.

  "Oath," I called, “please construct a building. Clear the area if you have to. Liozel, summon Perl, Loa, and Sapshorla—we'll need them."

  When Liozel disappeared into a portal, Mina's voice was barely a whisper inside me. "Just hold out a little longer, Di."

  But I knew Diantha heard. She nodded, a single tear trailing down her cheek. Then she let go of my hand and followed Jalkra and Pzion back to the carriage. It had transformed into an outdoor bedroom. Once again, Pzion's doing. While he and the other summoned monsters began their preparations, Oath was already building the structure I envisioned: a crystalline construction that would serve as a medical center. Hopefully, it would be enough.

  My gaze shifted to where Pzion paced. He was a doctor—or, in my world, the closest equivalent. But his presence wasn't enough. Not when Mina's sister was about to give birth.

  I needed to do something. Anything.

  "Mina?" I whispered aloud. "What do we do?"

  There was silence at first, and then Mina's voice came through. It was weak, but it was there.

  "We trust them," she said.

  I suddenly became aware of several presences nearby. My gaze turned as Liozel returned through a portal with Perl and Sapshorla. Perl reached me first, fluttering across the clearing. Her presence was grounding. She had once told me she'd been there when the Nexperbax triplets were conceived.

  She loved Rox, Viz, and Nex like her own. I remembered the longing in her voice when she spoke of them. It hadn't been just love. It had been family.

  My eyes shifted to the other two approaching. Sapshorla carried Liozel in her arms. Slightly shorter than me, she was adorably beautiful, resembling a young dryad with a wooden shawl over her shoulders and pink-tinted leaves framing her head like hair. Three eyes, arranged in a triangle, gleaned a touch of vibrant color to her natural charm.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  And then there was Loa, who stood at my side with crossed arms and a stoic expression. She was always like that. She rarely smiled, and she rarely showed emotion. But she cared.

  Perl spoke first, her voice soft and singing.

  "KiAera?"

  I nodded, knowing what she was asking. "Yeah, it's me."

  "I'm here," Perl said. "Is Diantha—"

  "She's with the others," I replied. "They're with us… for now."

  Perl glanced toward Pzion, still pacing. "Got it. I'll get to work immediately."

  "Thank you," I said, feeling a wave of relief.

  Sapshorla cleared her throat. "I can help too. Just tell me what to do."

  Liozel peered up at her from her arms, gave her a curious look. "You know how to help the Oni lady?"

  Sapshorla chuckled and set him down gently. "Well, no... not exactly. But I can be useful. It's never too late to learn!"

  Liozel beamed up at her, tail wagging. "Okay! I want to help too!"

  Mina was silent within me. But I could feel her presence. Her love. Her fear. We approached Diantha as she reclined on the lavish bed.

  "We'll be right here," I said, holding out my hand.

  Diantha took it and squeezed. Her eyes were wide and full of pain.

  "Don't go," she gasped.

  "I won't," I replied, tears welling in my eyes. "I'll never leave you again."

  And then we were holding each other. There was nothing else but us. And the unborn child.

  Time passed like a slow heartbeat. Perl began to sing a lullaby; GamaGen, Loa, and Pzion chanted softly as Oath's crystal structure finalized into a clinic.

  Liozel tugged on my pants. I knelt to pick him up, and he nestled against my chest, his warmth reminding me: we were still here.

  Jalkra stood at the bedside. His gaze lingered on Diantha, his expression unreadable.

  I looked away and exhaled. It was hard to breathe. Hard to think. I clutched Diantha's hand.

  Not much longer.

  The noise began to blur. Perl's song was beautiful, even through the pain. Diantha’s screams echoed off the crystal walls. But she was strong. Stronger than most.

  Then Mina's voice drifted through our connection. "I love you, Di. I'm here. You can do this."

  And the world shattered. A wail cut through the air like a blade.

  Loa stood nearby, cradling a tiny bundle in her arms. The child was screaming, crying out for his mother.

  I felt Mina's joy as if it were my own. And suddenly everything else faded away. All that mattered was this moment, this child.

  Diantha's voice trembled as she reached for the infant. "My boy... my boy..."

  "He's beautiful," I whispered, tears streaming freely.

  "It's a boy!" Perl sang out, her eyes glistening with tears.

  GamaGen, Loa, and Pzion's chanting ceased. Liozel tugged at my sleeve and pointed toward where Jalkra was standing. The crimson-horned warlord wore an expression of awe. He was laughing as he cupped a hand over his eyes.

  "Well, isn't that something," Jalkra said.

  I didn't understand—until I looked at the child.

  In Diantha's arms lay a baby Oni with a strange pair of horns: one shaped like Jalkra's, the other like Mina's. On his shoulder, a glowing birthmark—shaped like a swirling vortex: the mark of chaos. And his eyes—those brilliant golden eyes—were the eyes of both parents.

  Diantha wept with joy.

  Pzion's gaze was focused on the child. He looked shaken but relieved. "So, this is what the future holds."

  GamaGen nodded. "It seems our young Jalkra has an heir."

  I didn't know what to say. That was my nephew. Mina's nephew.

  Liozel's tail curled around my arm as he stared at the child with wide eyes.

  "Wow," he whispered. "He's so small..."

  "I know," I said, smiling softly. "He's beautiful."

  And then the child was screaming. Not in pain. In power. The wail echoed off the crystal walls and sent a ripple through the air.

  Liozel responded with a delighted roar, almost a giggle, tugging me toward the child. The newborn reached out and clasped his clawed finger.

  Liozel laughed, then smiled.

  "Your baby is very strong. What's his name?"

  Jalkra turned to Diantha, his gaze softening as he brushed back her hair. "You named him after me, right? My little Jal-Jal."

  "Actually," she said with a teasing smile, "remember? We decided to name him after someone else. Our precious child will be named after the one who inspired you."

  Jalkra blinked, "After me?"

  "Not you," Diantha laughed gently. She held out the child, who had finally quieted down. "His name is Denji Mirage."

  "Mirage," I ended up whispering aloud.

  Meanwhile, the crimson-horned Oni was quiet for a moment, his eyes fixed on the newborn. Then he nodded slowly, a smile spreading across his face. "I like it. It's fitting for our little miracle."

  I felt a rush of emotions swell within me. This was my nephew. He was perfect.

  Diantha looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

  My breath caught in my throat. "You what?"

  "I just... I'm sorry I couldn't do better for you," she said, her voice cracking.

  "Di…" I swallowed hard, tears burning at the edges of my vision. "You were always there for me. Even when I pushed you away. You never gave up. I'm the one who should be sorry."

  A sudden jolt tore through me. My hands flew to my head. I had just enough sense to set Liozel down before everything inside me twisted and pulled. I felt myself unravel.

  "What's wrong?" Diantha asked, alarmed.

  "I'm fine," I managed. "Just a little dizzy."

  But the next spasm hit me, sharper this time, and I stumbled out of the room. Before I knew it, my legs buckled. I collapsed to my knees. And then—I felt it. I was splitting.

  When the glow faded, I looked up...

  And Mina was there, mirroring my posture, blinking back at me with the same stunned expression.

  We had separated. We were whole again.

  "Did I miss the baby?" she asked, a note of panic in her voice.

  I couldn't help but laugh. "No. No, you didn't."

  Mina grinned, then her expression shifted to a wince. "KiAera?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Let's never do that again."

  I nodded. "Deal."

  Just then, the door creaked. Jalkra was grinning as he watched us, carefully closing the door shut behind him. I couldn't help but frown back at him.

  He simply held out his hands, "Hey, hey. I know what you're thinking. Don't give me that look."

  "I don't think you do," I said flatly.

  He laughed and stepped closer. "Then let me clarify."

  His tone softened. "I just came to say… you're both welcome to stay here. My people and I will be heading back to DreaGoth after Denji's birth ceremony. But the door's open to you, KiAera. To Mina, too."

  "Seriously? After everything?"

  He shrugged. "Hey, I'm willing to let the past die if you are. Don't think of me as an absolute monster, KiAera. We're not so different, you and I."

  "What are you talking about? I'm nothing like you."

  Jalkra's expression darkened. "Maybe you're right."

  Then I heard a voice, one belonging to a younger Jalkra's as it whispered: "You have no idea what it's like to be hated for who you are. To be feared by everyone around you. To have your entire existence reviled and despised. You have no idea what I've had to endure."

  Mina's memories surfaced in my mind. They were flashes, like photographs of moments long gone. Images of Jalkra being cast out by his own people. Of him wandering the wilderness, alone and determined.

  My heart ached for him. For a moment, I felt something for him. Compassion, maybe. And that terrified me.

  "I'm nothing like you," I repeated, more to myself than to him.

  "You're right," he said. "You're not."

  Jalkra turned and walked away without another word. I watched him go, my thoughts racing. What had just happened? How could I be feeling sympathy for someone like him?

  Before I could process it, a shrill voice jolted me from thought.

  "W-wait up, Lord Jalkra! You can't leave yet!"

  The source: a bizarre creature, part-cat, part-ceramic, resembling a massive tortoiseshell. A bell jingled on its collar, but what really caught my attention was its tail, split down the center into two swaying ends. I remembered this creature as one of Jalkra's commanders, one of his Pillars.

  Her name was—?

  Mina groaned beside me. "Oh no. Biscuit."

  Sure enough, the feline flashed her fangs in a wide grin. "That's how you greet me? Really?"

  Mina folded her arms. "Why are you here, Biscuit?"

  "I was supposed to follow Lord Jalkra," she said, fluffing her tail. "We're hunting the Merecritt, remember?"