Felix slipped his hand into Eri's, intertwining their fingers. He carried a smile upon his face as they slowly left the tent, relieved that everything ended well. Their destination was the Tree of Providence and more specifically, Calinna.

However, they made one stop along the way. They ran into a tired-looking Noria and from what Felix knew, she had been practicing her magic. Despite her exhaustion, he remembered his discussion with both her and Lorem. That gave him an idea…

"Noria!" he called out, making the woman in question lift her weary head up. Her partner, on the other hand, let out an excited yip.

"Oh, hello Felix– And Eri…"

The mage's response had him concerned, and before he asked for her help he decided to check in on her. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah… Just, well, exhausted. Lorem and I–" She cut herself off, her entire face reddened. "I-I was just coming back from training!"

Right… He did his best to hold back a smile. Eri, though, gave her a knowing, devious look.

"Did that training include rolling around in the brush?" she asked, her free hand reaching up and pulling a twig out from Noria's hair.

The poor mage looked ready to faint and Felix decided to save her. "I see. I'm glad that you're working hard… Actually, if you have the energy, I have a favor I'd like to ask."

Noria perked up, gone was her embarrassment and exhaustion. "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing much… Could you go and check in on Oralyn for me? Just make sure everything is going well and answer any questions she has."

She blinked, confusion written on her face. "Sure… But, what's going on with her?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You haven't heard?"

She looked between him and Eri. "No? Heard what?"

She must've been 'training' with Lorem all morning. Would also explain why she's so tired… "It's a long story, and there's plenty of rumors floating around now about it… But, she managed to hatch a dragon–"

"Really?! That's incredible!" Noria shouted, cutting him off in her excitement. Then it hit her. "Wait, when did you let her be imprinted?"

"This morning," Eri answered for him. "We had a meeting with her and the two of us realized how much she's done for everyone here. I suggested a gift of some kind, and Felix…"

"…I came up with the idea of letting her try her hand at hatching an egg," he finished for her. "What I hadn't expected is that she would find one that was so close to hatching. I thought I would have more time to prepare everything."

Noria folded her arms and nodded along. "That must've been a lot for her to take in– I know I struggled with the concept up to, and even after, Azelea hatched."

"Yeah, and that's why I want you to go and check up on her. I stayed for a little bit and did my best to answer questions but… As you said, it's a lot to take in. She's in the Hatchery with her new partner– I'll let her introduce him.

"And speaking of introducing him… I plan on making the announcement later this evening, but most people know something happened. Besides that, I want the dragons to meet and, hopefully, get along with him."

Noria let out a chuckle as she looked down at her own partner. "Azelea says she will be his friend."

Eri kneeled down next to the little Jewel before giving the dragon scritches. "I know you will," she said with a wide smile. Azelea, for her part, let out a purr.

As that happened, Felix continued speaking with Noria. "If you see the others, could you let them know I'd like you all to be in front of the hatchery then? Zira and Kyrith should be back by then as well."

"Sure! Was there anything else?" Noria looked ready to speed off towards the hatchery…

He chuckled. "No, I think that's about it– Thank you for doing this."

"You're welcome!" She looked back down at her partner. "Ready?"

Azelea let out an excited chirp before suddenly bolting towards the hatchery.

Noria rolled her eyes. "Sorry!" she said as she chased after the little dragon…

Eri peered up to the canopy above, anxiousness bubbling up inside her. This is it…

This was it.

A part of her already had an inclination, knowing that the tree had something to do with her unusual pregnancy. Since her talk with Aluin she had felt a calling to come here, ever present and in the back of her mind. But it wasn't until now, while she stood below the tree, that she felt a connection. A…

Bond.

But what did that mean? Did Felix have a connection to it as well? He had communicated with Calinna, now the Guardian and spirit of the Tree of Providence. So, did that mean he did? Or was this something else entirely?

We both worked together on the spell that birthed it. She had helped him, and they were connected together then. Was this a result of her bond with him?

Many more questions flooded her mind but there was only one way to know the answer to them all. She would have to reach out and connect with the tree, to Calinna…

"If…you don't want to do this, that's fine," Felix commented, sensing her anxiety. "I can–"

"No, I want to speak with her. I have to know for sure." Her tone sounded far more confident than she felt, but she meant it.

Felix studied her, both with his eyes and mind. Eventually, he let out a breath. "Okay, but we're done the moment I sense anything wrong."

She gave him a nod. "I would appreciate that, I have yet to speak with her and I don't know what she will say."

"I think…you'll come to appreciate her," he said, his expression softening.

"I hope– Think so as well." She reached out for his hand, which he offered without hesitation, and took it into hers.

"Then, here we go–"

***

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A void…

Nothing…

For a moment, she was alone. A panic began to seep out from her core, she could not feel him.

Yet, she felt something. But what? What could it be? Who could it be?

She tried to call out his name… Only silence could be heard.

And just when she was about to try again, a visage appeared before her. An ethereal woman with hair that shifted and changed colors. Her eyes were like rainbows, slowly shifting through hues.

The ethereal woman smiled, and the most beautiful voice could be heard.

"Hello, Eri."

Stunned, Eri could only gaze at her, at the spirit, the Guardian… Calinna.

Suddenly, Calinna was directly in front of her, mere inches apart. Before she could react, she found a pair of arms wrapping around her.

"We finally get to speak… Though, I apologize for separating you and Felix. Don't worry though, the two of you will be reunited shortly."

"Why?" The sound of her own voice startled Eri, the simple question even more so.

Calinna separated from her and blinked, putting a hand to her chin. "Hmm? Why have I separated you two? Or…"

Eri answered for her. "Why have you been calling for me? Is it…" She grasped her stomach. "Is it because of my child?"

Calinna's smile faltered. "It is."

The truth nearly sent Eri to the ground, only an invisible force kept her up right. She held back a choking sob. "What… What is wrong with my child? How can I–"

"You can't. You can't do anything. You can only bear the pain." An eternity of silence passed in the matter of a moment. "But there is nothing wrong with your child."

"What?" She could not believe it, how could there be nothing wrong?

Blinking away the tears forming, Eri found the scene around them had changed. No longer were they in the void, now they were high above the clouds and peering down upon the island they called home. It would have been breathtaking had the situation been different.

"Eri, I know Felix has shown you what is happening. I know you know the threat attempting to stop us." An apple appeared, floating in Calinna's hand. "Its seeds are instrumental to the future Felix and you, promised for everyone. But with them…comes chaos."

The apple vanished and so too did the scene. In their place, was the void once again. The Guardian continued, "I released four seeds. Three floated away upon the winds, to settle in different lands. But one didn't, one had something else in mind."

Eri felt like she knew where this was going. And now, a new fear began bubbling up. Was the child even Felix's?

"It is," Calinna answered, somehow knowing her question. "The seed only melded with it. The child was, otherwise, not harmed. Only…changed."

She shook her head, unsure how to take this news. What could it mean for their future? For hers and Felix's? For their unborn child?

"There will be others out there, just like him."

That caused her to freeze. "H-him? The child is a boy?"

The Guardian nodded. "He and the others, the Chaosborn, will be our only chance to break the storm. Once it is gone, the future that has been promised shall be obtainable."

Silence once again took hold, stretching out for eternity… That is, until Eri found her voice. "Why have you separated us? You haven't answered that."

"Because…" Calinna's form changed in a brilliant flash, her body shrinking into that of a small girl. A very familiar small girl…

Mirezabeth.

The Goddess gave her a wry grin. "I just wanted to have a little private chat with you. There's something I need to tell you, something that Felix doesn't need to know."

She gulped. "W-what's that?"

Mirezabeth held out an open hand, a scroll appearing. "This is the contract, the one modified by Fea."

It floated over to her, hovering.

"I want you to hold onto it for me. It's important that no one knows about this, including Felix."

Eri's eyes went wide. "Why?"

"Simple, it's what binds his soul to this realm. Fea thought to include something, just in case. But, in the wrong hands… Well, you've seen what he's capable of. And we both know how he would react if he learned about this."

"And…you trust me with this?" She could hardly believe any of this. And yet, her hand reached for the scroll, grasping it tightly.

"Yes. More than I trust myself, even. You love him, passionately so. I know you would do anything to see him safe and sound. And with him safe… My kind is safe."

Felix took in the sounds of celebration. Yet, before him stood merely rolling hills of green grass and a blue sky. Not another soul could be found.

He knew she was watching, though. He could sense her, and only her…

"What's going on?" he called out, raising a brow.

Calinna's form appeared beside him, her hands behind her back and a huge grin on her face. "Hmm? What do you mean?" she teased.

He gave her a pointed look. "Where's the celebration?"

She shrugged. "It hasn't happened yet. Soon though… Unless I'm not invited?" Her face took on a pleading look.

Felix smiled at her attempt to sway him, even if it wasn't needed. "You're invited– Hells, we're holding the wedding under the tree, you kinda have a front row seat."

"Really?!" she asked excitedly, hopping in place like a child.

"Yes… Actually, that's why I'm here. Was it your doing?"

She paused mid-jump and floated in the air. "Was what my doing?" she asked, trying to sound innocent. She looked beyond guilty.

Felix crossed his arms. "Someone cast a spell that's made everyone rather cheerful today. That wouldn't have been you now, right?"

Calinna slowly landed upon her feet. "Is…that a problem?"

He let out a laugh. "No, not really! But, I wanted to know why?"

"Oh! Well… You see, I wasn't planning on doing anything, but after yesterday… I thought I would cheer everyone up, including myself." That last part was barely audible and Felix nearly missed it.

"What did you–"

"But! I'm glad Eri is okay! I'm happy that everyone is smiling, just like they should be!" She hopped and landed in front of him.

"I can't wait for the marriage!" Calinna suddenly perked up. "Oh! Looks like Eri is done with her questions! Unfortunately, my time is almost up as well…"

He nodded in understanding. "Thank you, for everything you've done."

She shook her head, her body slowly vanishing. "No, thank you…"

***

Felix shook his head before feeling something tightening around his hand. It was Eri and she had a dazed look, even worse, her mind was abuzz with a thousand questions. Yet, as he looked into her eyes, it all suddenly vanished.

"Did you get the answers you were looking for?" he tried, feeling concerned for her.

"Y-yeah…" She blinked. "Yeah and it was a lot to take in… I'll, uh… Just give me a moment and I'll fill you in."

She let go of his hand and drew a breath. "It seems that our child is indeed special," she started with. "Very special."

Felix cracked a smile. "Well, we already knew that–"

She shook her head taking on a serious look. "No, Felix. Our son is destined for great things."

"I see–" He stopped, unsure if he heard her right. "Did… Did you just say, son?"

Eri drew closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. Still, she found a way to bring humor into the conversation. "What, were you hoping for a girl? Sorry, but it's a boy. Mir– Calinna confirmed it."

This shocking revelation left him completely stunned and unaware. A boy… It's going to be a boy! Thank the Gods! Otherwise, I would have no clue how to raise a girl…

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