0.5

"This child is a beautiful present to the world, Lady Astreia. She will be able to do great things in the future. She will have the power to free us all."

Astreia was doubtful about the words of her priestess. It was a huge challenge for them, although Az'rune didn't know yet.

—Will you, Lady Astreia, tell something to him?

—I need to do it, Shiv. I have no idea of how this is gonna finish. —Astreia smiled sincerely— And I know Az'rune will be happy. We deserved it, after all. Don't you think so?

—But my Lady, you must know that this miracle will not happen again, possibly ever.

—I know she is destined to do miraculous things. She will be rare, and maybe, she will be feared.

—Have sure she will be feared, my Lady. But in the end, —Shiva spoke— as your high priestess and friend I'm here for you two.

—I need to go, Shiv. Take care of the Temple for me.

—As I always do, my Lady. —Shiva smiled.

Coming back to the marketplace where Astreia and Az'rune would meet, she felt something unfamiliar and a bit unpleasant. There, in her world, none knew about the baby. Only her and Shiva.

She dismissed it and walked through the marketplace, with a smile and an apple on her hand.

She saw her husband standing at the end of the place, with some bags on his arms. He smiled at her in the distance, and she felt like she was at home.

When the two met, Astreia kissed him, walking to the palace located a few minutes away.

—I have big news, Rune. —Astreia smiled—.

—Will you tell me, or may I read your thoughts? If you are that happy, it can only be huge news.

—We —she signaled to them both making a dramatic pause— will have a daughter.

—Wait, wait, darling. —Az'rune looked at Astreia as if she was crazy—. That's impossible. We…

—It isn't! —Astreia smiled— we will be parents!

—Don't you dare to play with me, Ast.

—I'm not playing, Rune. Shiva had confirmed it half an hour before we met. 

—I need to see it myself. You know we are…

—Yeah, yeah, Light and Darkness. I know that. I just wanted to be happy with you. And we made it. Shiva calls the child a miracle. 

—Indeed, my darling, she is a miracle. She will be our daughter. Wait —Az'rune paused his speech— have you said daughter?

—Yes, it seems it will be a girl.

—Then, a daughter of Light and Darkness. —Az'rune took Astreia in his arms, making both desappear from everyone's sight.— Our daughter.

When they teleported to the palace, Astreia went directly to the room they shared, dismissing the servants almost immediately.

Az'rune gave her a lovely hug. But then, Astreia started crying in his arms.

—Do you think she will be safe?

—We can't know for sure, darling. —Az'rune spoke— But I can tell you, I will protect her with my life. After all, she will be our daughter.

—Mm. Maybe I'm just paranoid about everything. —Astreia smiled, hugging her husband and getting directly into bed, with the clothes still on.—

—How do you want to call her, darling? —Rune looked at Astreia, kissing her—.

Astreia looked at her husband, happy and nervous enough to ask the question.

She wasn't sure about them being good parents but she had sure the name her daughter would have.

—Rune, she will be named Katherine.

—That's a pretty name, my dear.

Months later, a baby crying resounded in the palace.

Katherine's first cry.