Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 153: Pin Drop Silence ()

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!" A pained scream echoed down the halls of the second level, completely overturning the usually quiet atmosphere.

The entire keep had fallen to pin drop silence, not a sound could be heard from all levels as dragons, riders and keep residents alike remained within their quarters, awaiting word from the second level.

At a time like this, no one could be seen moving about the keep, the dragon guards were on extra alert as three perimeters of protection surrounded the keep and every route leading up to the second level was tightly guarded.

At noon of this day, news had spread through the keep that the rider of Lord Imagor of argentine scales had begun the travails of birth.

This was a critical childbirth, the fate of Lady Kaliana could not be determined, the dragons and the royal healers had done all they could, Lady Kaliana’s fate was now left to the Creator.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!"

That heart-rending scream of pain echoed again, troubling the hearts of all who could hear it.

"Someone just tell me it’s going right..." Lord Imagor croaked from where he leaned against the wall in the hallway, his head cradled in his hand.

Lords Kirgan, Cassian, Menarx and King Jian were all present to lend their brother the support he needed, the only one absent was Lord Xenon himself,

No one truly expected him to be present and the pitch black cloak draped over Lord Imagor’s shoulders told Lord Xenon had left something behind, that would provide the strength he could not offer in person.

"Imagor...be at ease, no news is good news." Cassian assured, though his own eyes were narrowed in concern and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides.

"I just...by the scales! I just need her safe, I don’t know what I’d do otherwise..." Lord Imagor murmured as he struggled to maintain his calm.

"Everon has vowed Kalia will be safe, he will do all that is possible and even what is not." Menarx reminded with a sigh.

It was a rare sight for the brothers to see one of them in such shambles, as the leaders and protectors of the Asvarian stronghold, there was never a time they could afford weakness.

It was their place to always be strong and calm in every situation, yet there were situations like this when calm was impossible.

"Childbirth is a visit to the gates of hell, I have heard this many times, only now do I see the truth in it..."

"That my Kalia is in so much pain, it is all my fault." Lord Imagor breathed out, his voice pained as his hand clutched his reversed scale right above his heart.

"I feel her pain, her fear, her exhaustion... everything. I just want to take it all away... I should be the one in pain, I should be the one taking her pain..." Lord Imagor continued.

Had he been in the presence of anyone else, perhaps Lord Imagor would have kept up a pretense of strength, but around him were his brothers whom he trusted with his life.

Lord Imagor knew he could only be weak before them because they would be strong for him, because they would keep him in check and piece him back together even if he crumbled.

"You will hold your son, Imagor. You will raise him with Kalia and I shall grant him a royal name upon his birth as my first nephew."

"You should know, that a King speaks only the truth." King Jian said from where he stood, arms crossed behind his back.

King Jian’s expression was completely calm, it seemed he and Lord Menarx were the only two amongst the brothers who were not shaken at all.

Perhaps for different reasons, or perhaps for the same... one could not tell the thoughts that ran through the mind of the Dragon King,

But as for Lord Menarx’s thoughts and confidence, they became apparent as the doors came open and Neveah stepped out, holding a bowl of bloodied water.

"How is it?! How is she?!" Lord Imagor was the first to speak, unable to hold himself back.

The dragon lords had been left with no news since Lord Everon sent them out of Lord Imagor’s quarters, granting entry only to a group of female healers, attendants and Neveah.

The dragon lords and Neveah herself had not expected Lord Everon would demand Neveah’s presence through the birthing process but no one protested, all that mattered was ensuring Lady Kaliana’s safety.

Neveah was not surprised to find the King’s guard and even the dragon king congregated in the hallway and she moved past them, pouring away the water into a barrel.

Neveah pursed her lips slightly, she had no words of assurance to provide, the child birth was still a struggle and Neveah knew it would be a difficult process.

Lady Kaliana had lost a lot of strength and most importantly, she had lost a lot of blood while they tried to prevent the early labor.

In the end, what would be used for childbirth was Lady Kaliana’s final reserve of strength.

If it would be enough or not, Neveah could not tell, but she was prepared to do whatever it took to save Lady Kaliana.

Neveah did not respond to Lord Imagor’s question, she was about heading in again when Menarx took hold of her arm.

Neveah frowned slightly, passing a glance to Menarx and then down to his hand.

"Imagor...he needs to know something... anything." Menarx coaxed,

Neveah could understand their anxiety but she did not know what was fitting to say in such a situation.

She herself was still struggling to maintain her calm while watching Lady Kaliana’s pain, even if Neveah barely knew the rider.

Neveah sucked in a deep breath and turned to Lord Imagor.

"Your rider is weak, My Lord. She has lost too much blood in the past few days and exhausted her strength too, leaving barely nothing for us to work with..." Neveah began, watching the devastation in Lord Imagor’s eyes.

"Gods, no!" Lord Imagor exclaimed, his eyes fluttering closed.

It was not Neveah’s intention to demoralize an already devastated Lord Imagor, it was why she would much rather have said nothing.

But since they insisted on knowing something, Neveah would give an objective report.

Equally, there had been something on Neveah’s mind which she had contemplated bringing up or not, but at this point, it was best that all was said and done.

"You mean to say..." Menarx began but Neveah cut him off.

"I have never seen one as strong and wilful as your rider. She is barely conscious but she is holding on..." Neveah continued,

Neveah paused for a moment before she continued speaking.

"I have come out to bring her the final remedy and the last way to save her." Neveah said.

"What? What do you need?" Lord Imagor asked without hesitation, his eyes lighting up.

"You... I need you to go in there and hold her hand, tell her you cannot lose her. Tell her what life would be without her...tell her how much you love her..." Neveah said,

After considering many options, Neveah had settled on this final resort.

If the bond between dragon and rider was anything like the mate bond, then Neveah was certain the only voice Lady Kaliana would heed at this point was that of Lord Imagor.

As long as Lady Kaliana could remain conscious till the child was born, both mother and child would be fine but it was difficult to expect that when Lady Kaliana had already lost so much blood.

Ultimately, Lady Kaliana was just human, holding on for this long was already an outstanding feat.

If she slipped into unconsciousness...then it would all be over.

"When her strength wanes... she will draw it from the one she cherishes the most and that is you, Lord Imagor."

"Lord Everon worries you cannot bear the sight of your rider in pain, so he has you waiting out here...but my thoughts are different." Neveah murmured,

Neveah had not asked for Lord Everon’s consent first, it was why she was hesitant to say anything but Neveah swallowed down her hesitation.

This was what Neveah believed was right to do at this time and so she went along with her instincts.

"Your rider is weak, I need you to strengthen her...to be her strength and that of your child. You can be strong and hold yourself together...or you can be weak and cry,"

"But whatever you shall do, do it at her side...so she hears you and know you are there." Neveah finished her words.

The dragon lords all stared at Neveah in utter silence but she did not care for their stares.

Neveah had done all that was humanly possible, this was the final resort.

Neveah tilted her head back to blink back the tears that gathered in her eyes before she shrugged off Menarx’s hand and headed back into Lord Imagor’s quarters.

All that needed saying had been said, all that needed to be done had been done...Lady Kaliana’s life and Neveah’s fate, it was now up to providence.