Chapter 246: A Long Journey

Chapter 246: A Long Journey

Time passed as Ira moved the city. Its inhabitants grew accustomed to the very faint yet ever present tremors and life continued as always. At first, the effects were felt by the entire city as they lost all abilities connected to the Origin Realm. Only those with strong bloodlines, like the Half-Dragons, or those who had drank the Behemoths blood managed to withstand the worst of it. Healing magic couldnt be used as it once had and even Ira, with all of his power, could do very little to alleviate the suffering of the Empire.

After consuming the blood of the strange creature the Wolf provided, Ira had already become untethered from anything which wasnt apart of his bloodline. In order to prevent his children from experiencing the agonizing pain that entailed the journey, Ira made sure to share his blood with them and once they consumed it, they became better off. He did the same for Harper but couldnt do the same for Avery or Rhys as they didnt carry the same bloodline.

Then, after more than a year, the people began to adjust and with the exception of crippling fatigue, the pain of the separation faded. It was around that time that strange dreams and hallucinations began plaguing various individuals. Until the first case of madness was felt as violent incidents broke out and were perpetrated by those who were affected the most.

Just like the long period of pain, the people weathered the onset of madness, seeing it as a trial given by Ira to test them, even though he did his best to suppress each occurrence.

The last and most important effect came in the form of a very silent and abrupt death with no warning signs. At least, none that could be understood by the people who witnessed it. Ira was aware that those who were weaker than the others were likely to die as their bodies rejected the change.

And just like each event before, Ira did his utmost to solve it. Those who died were brought back, but they werent the same as they had been previously. Whoever died became known as one of the Keeper's Chosen and joined the ranks of Juliana and Zella, two who remained unaffected during the travel.

There was no way of mistaking one of the chosen as their skin became marked by the Void and their faces were always covered. Those who lost the ones they loved rejoiced and mourned in the same breath. In fact, the citizens began to misinterpret the deaths as Ira selecting those he thought worthy or took pity upon and Ira felt it was best to let that belief continue.

So, the people persisted through the turbulent voyage and eventually the Keepers Tribulations came to an end. Those who had survived had come out better for it even if they had become weakened.

The lull of peace even managed to affect Ira and those around him. And not too longer after the steadiness became constant, Avery became pregnant again. During that time, Ira maintained the highest level of alertness to make sure his unborn child was protected.

Then, after what may have been a few months, Avery was surprised when she went into labor with no prior signs. The entire Valkyrie Fortress began to shake wildly as it happened and the attendants ran off in search of Ira.

Keeper! Please, the Keeperess has requested your presence! A Dark Elf attendant barely managed to stay standing as she knocked on a tall wooden door.

I'm going. Ira answered, appearing in front of the attendant before disappearing again.

When he appeared again, he was standing in the delivery chamber where Avery lay exhausted.

...Ira. Avery barely managed to smile as she called out his name.

Where is everyone? Ira questioned with slight anger as he found Avery was all alone with the exception of a cloth bundle.

They...couldnt get in...after-

Tell about it later, just rest now. Ira spoke as he approached her bedside but found something was definitely off. Wait

Ira looked closely and found that there were two cloth bundles in Averys arms instead of just one.

Hold on...What is Ira reached out peeled back one of the bundles revealing an infant who stared up at him, showing off its yellow eyes with two narrow pupils like his own.

Before he could get caught up staring at his newborn child, he peeled back the second cloth bundle and found an identical face looking up at him.

This Ira speechlessly stared at the pair of twins of returned an unblinking gaze.

This is going to be trouble. Even while he said that, Ira was smiling with pure joy.

The twins had received the purest form of Iras bloodline which was altered by the blood of an ancient being. The most important thing was that they had been born without the Origin Force to influence their development.

Erel and Elora.

Their names? Wait Ira examined his children once more and found that they werent completely identical as one was a boy and the other was a girl.

Could you...watch them...for a while? Avery said as she drifted off.

Of course. Ira lifted the twins who had barely even blinked the entire time.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Ira took a seat with the twins in his arms.

Erel and Elora, you both seem to like privacy, Im guessing? You didn't let anyone else in.

Casimir giggled in a childlike manner as he stumbled around the room. Meanwhile, Erel and Elora stood close to each other silently as they watched everything happen. Elora made a grabbing motion and poorly made stuffed dog appeared in her hand.

Raveria is right, everyone should calm down. Theres a lot to do before everyone can just run around. Ira surveyed the room and found that most of his children were eager to leave.

Keeper? Sylun entered the room with a knock before kneeling down.

Gather up some people, Ill have Juliana and Zella send a few people to whatever continent is out there.

As you will, Keeper. She bowed once before leaving just as quickly as she arrived.

Avery, could you take some of the Valkyries and see if theres anything close to us.

What will you be doing? Avery inquired.

Making our own little spot in this ocean, Ira said. Ill have to reshape the land a bit carefully and attend to some other things.

Ill gather the Valkyries. Avery departed in order to carry out her task.

What should I do? Raveria seemed keen to be included.

You, well, watch over your brothers and sisters and make sure they dont get into any trouble, especially the twins. You too, Rhys. Ira glanced toward Erel and Elora who both just stood in the corner innocently.

They appeared to be two well-behaved adolescent children but Ira clearly thought differently. They gazed at him with sleepy expressions which made it even harder to believe they would cause trouble.

And what am I doing? Harper inquired.

Youre fishing.

Fishing? Why am I fishing?

The people need food dont they? Im sure the stockpile is empty.

Cant you just capture them for us?

Im busy.

No youre not! You could do it in two seconds, easy.

I could, sure, but then you and everyone else would become lazy. Now, go get some nets or boats or something. Ira waved his hand and Harper vanished before she could protest.

Could all eight of you try to behave until were all sorted?

Sure! Nephele said while giving an unconvincing nod.

Why are you including me? Raveria asked while furrowing her eyebrows.

Of course, Papa. Liliara answered.

Valeryn and Zephyr both nodded in sync.

Yes.

Yes.

Erel and Elora replied together.

The final reply came from Casimir who mumbled incoherently as the youngest of the family.

Ira smiled once more after and then vanished from sight.

Alright, come on. Raveria lifted the twins into her arms while Rhys grabbed Casimir and they all left in search of something to pass the time.