I lay on the cold, damp ground, my albino scales darkening as the Shadow Wings began to grow inside me. My eyes glowed with an eerie, blue-green light, and my body convulsed in agony.
Thyriatrix watched over me, her voice trembling with fear. "Aetherius, my love, please hold on. You must endure this agony, for the sake of our family."
My children, Tharros, Lyriath, Vyraxys, Nyxoria, Lyrixa, Kaidorix, Kieraxys, and little Niamon, stood nearby, their eyes wide with fear. Tharros took a step forward, his silver scales glistening in the dim light. "Father, we're here for you."
I felt a surge of pride and love for my family, but the pain intensified, leaving me wondering: what would I become? The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity, as the Shadow Wings slowly grew inside me.
I giggled, trying to reassure them. "Well, it will take 10-15 weeks, so I'm less worried." I laughed nervously, trying to hide the pain and uncertainty that gripped me.
Thyriatrix's expression remained worried, but she forced a weak smile. "We'll get through this together."
Tharros nodded in agreement, his silver scales glinting in the dim light. "We'll take care of you, Father."
I felt a surge of gratitude towards my family, but the pain soon intensified, making it hard for me to focus. My body convulsed again, and I let out a pained roar.
Thyriatrix rushed to my side, her light green scales seeming to glow in the dim light. "Aetherius, hang in there. We're here for you."
Tharros and the others gathered around me, their eyes filled with concern. I tried to reassure them, but the pain was becoming overwhelming.
And suddenly, the pain stops.
I lay there, panting, as the sudden cessation of pain left me feeling disoriented. Thyriatrix and the children stared at me, unsure of what to expect next.
Tharros took a cautious step forward. "Father, are you...alright?"
I slowly nodded, still trying to process the abrupt end to my suffering. "I...think so," I managed to croak.
The silence that followed was oppressive, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. But for now, there was only an unsettling stillness.
Thyriatrix sighed. "I will summoned healer eriol here. I think she might tell us the amount of shadow wings inside of you Aetherius!"
I nodded weakly, grateful for Thyriatrix's quick thinking. "Yes, please...summon Eriol. I need to know what's happening inside me."
Thyriatrix nodded and closed her eyes, focusing her energy. A soft, pulsing light emanated from her scales as she reached out to Eriol.
After a few moments, a gentle voice echoed in the air. "I am here, Thyriatrix. What is the nature of the emergency?"
Thyriatrix opened her eyes, relief written across her face. "Eriol, thank the gods you're here. Aetherius has...consumed a pregnant Shadow Wing. We need to know how many Shadow Wings are inside him and what to expect."
Eriol's voice turned serious. "I see. This is indeed a grave situation. Allow me to examine Aetherius and determine the extent of the...infestation."
Eriol's gentle voice guided me as she began her examination. Her scales glowed with a soft, blue light as she touched my belly, sensing the presence of the Shadow Wings.
"Hmmm...I can feel multiple heartbeats within you, Aetherius," Eriol said, her voice measured. "It appears there are between 14 to 25 Shadow Wings developing inside you."
Thyriatrix's eyes widened in alarm. "So many? Eriol, what does this mean for Aetherius?"
Eriol's expression turned grave. "The more Shadow Wings, the greater the risk of complications during emergence. We must ensure Aetherius receives the best care possible to minimize the dangers ahead."
I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine as Eriol's words hung in the air. What would happen when the Shadow Wings finally emerged?
I question, "Can you give me the real amount then just saying 14-25! Just tell me the amount!"
Eriol's expression turned solemn, and she hesitated for a moment before responding, "Very well, Aetherius. I sense" eriol seem pulzled and shock "30 Shadow Wings developing inside you!" She said.
I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. "30?!" I roared, my voice echoing through the cavern. Thyriatrix's eyes went wide with horror, and the children took a step back, their faces pale.
Eriol's expression turned grim. "I'm afraid so, Aetherius. The Shadow Wings' ability to adapt and multiply is beyond anything I've seen before."
Thyriatrix rushed to my side, her voice trembling. "What does this mean for you, Aetherius? Can you even survive this?"
I shiver, "I don't know. I hope I do, but I know I won't survive!" Thyriatrix and eriol both nodded.
Thyriatrix's eyes welled up with tears as she gently placed a claw on my shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to help you, Aetherius. We won't give up on you."
Eriol's expression remained grim, but her voice was laced with determination. "I'll prepare the strongest medicines and rituals to aid you during the emergence. We'll need all the help we can get."
The children gathered around me, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. Tharros, my eldest, spoke up, his voice steady. "We'll be here for you, Father. We won't leave your side."
I smiled weakly, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my family. "Thank you, my loves. Your support means everything to me."
Eriol nodded, her expression still grim. "We should begin preparing the ritual space immediately. The emergence could happen at any moment."
Thyriatrix helped me to a comfortable position on the cave floor, and the children gathered around me, their eyes fixed on me with a mix of worry and determination.
As we prepared, Eriol began to explain the rituals and medicines she would use to aid me during the emergence. I listened intently, trying to absorb every detail.
The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the cave walls as we worked, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern. But despite the familiar surroundings, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The Shadow Wings inside me seemed to be growing stronger by the minute, their presence stirring up a maelstrom of emotions within me.
I knew that I was running out of time. The emergence was coming, and I had no idea what horrors it would bring.
Healer Eriol sighed. "So is my job done?!" She asks, and Thyriatrix nodded.
Thyriatrix nodded, her eyes locked on mine with a mix of sadness and determination. "Yes, Eriol. Your job is done. We'll take it from here."
Eriol's expression turned somber, and she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "May the gods watch over you, Aetherius. May you survive the emergence."
With that, Eriol turned and departed, leaving us to face the impending emergence alone. The cave fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind outside and the heavy beating of my own heart.
Thyriatrix's gaze never wavered from mine, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. She took a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "We'll get through this, Aetherius. Together, as a family."
The children gathered around us, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and concern. Tharros, ever the responsible eldest, spoke up. "Father, is it...is it time? Are the Shadow Wings coming?"
I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what was to come. But before I could respond, a sudden jolt of pain shot through my abdomen, making me double over.
I sighed. "Look like this will be 10-15 weeks nightmare!" Thyriatrix nodded.
Thyriatrix's expression turned grim, her voice laced with determination. "We'll endure it together, Aetherius. As a family."
The children nodded in unison, their faces set with resolve. Tharros spoke up, his voice steady. "We'll take care of you, Father. We won't leave your side."
I smiled weakly, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my family. But before I could respond, another wave of pain washed over me, making me grit my teeth.
Thyriatrix's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze burning with a fierce inner light. "We have a long road ahead of us, Aetherius. Ten to fifteen weeks of...this. But we'll face it together."
With that, she nodded to the children, and together they began to make preparations for the long, agonizing ordeal ahead, doing their best to make me as comfortable as possible.
As I lay on the makeshift bed, I could feel the Shadow Wings stirring within me. Thyriatrix sat beside me, her eyes fixed on mine with a mixture of concern and determination. The children were scattered around the cave, each busy with their own tasks.
Tharros was nearby, his eyes watchful as he monitored my condition. Lyriath and Vyraxys were preparing a meal, their hands moving in tandem as they worked. Nyxoria and Lyrixa were tending to the younger children, Kaidorix, Kieraxys, and Niamon, who were playing quietly in the corner.
The atmosphere in the cave was tense, the air thick with anticipation. We all knew that the emergence of the Shadow Wings was inevitable, and that it would bring unimaginable pain and danger.
I gritted my teeth, trying to bear the pain that was growing more intense by the minute. Thyriatrix's hand found mine, her grip warm and reassuring.
"We're here, Aetherius," she whispered. "We'll get through this together."
I nodded, my eyes locked on hers. But as I looked at her, I felt a faint fluttering sensation within me. It was a subtle movement, but it sent a shiver down my spine. The Shadow Wings were growing stronger, and they would soon be ready to emerge.
Thyriatrix's grip on my hand tightened as she sensed my tension. "Aetherius, what is it?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to describe the sensation. "It's...they're moving," I whispered. "The Shadow Wings. They're growing stronger."
Tharros stepped forward, his eyes locked on mine. "Father, what does it mean?" he asked, his voice steady.
I shook my head, trying to find the words to explain. "It means...it's starting. The process. It's going to be a long and difficult road ahead."
Thyriatrix's eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of concern there. But she quickly suppressed it, her expression firming into determination.
"We'll get through this," she repeated, her voice firm. "Together."
As she spoke, the pain surged forward, a wave of agony that threatened to consume me. I gritted my teeth, trying to bear it, knowing that we still had 10-15 long weeks ahead of us.