"Sixty-eight… sixty-nine… seventy…"
Huff… huff…
"Ha… Done. Seventy, huh… and I feel like I could go even further."
After resting for a few minutes, Nova went to take a bath. It had been three days since he learned about the cultivation realms, yet the strange fatigue hadn't stopped. When he asked Joren, his father said it might be a delayed breakthrough — something rare. It meant that his foundation would be stronger than usual, leading to faster progress through the next realm.
Soon, it was lunchtime.
But Nova completely forgot about lunch, because something far more important was happening right now.
"Ahh…"
Elaine was in constant pain since last night.
"It's okay, dear," Maela said softly. "I believe I'll have to deliver today only. Just hold on… You're going to have another baby soon."
Elaine forced a smile. "Yeah… I'm okay. I just wish the baby stays safe."
"Leave that to me, dear. You take care of yourself," Maela comforted her.
"Will Mom really be okay?" Nova asked worriedly. "She seems to be in a lot of pain."
Maela smiled gently. "Don't worry about your mom. You should be happy — you're going to have a younger sibling to care for soon."
"Yeah, but…"
"Oh! I forgot to make lunch today." Maela straightened suddenly. "Nova dear, would you mind staying with your mom while I prepare it? It won't take long. Just call me if you need me."
"Yeah, it's alright. I'll stay here. You can go."
Maela smiled and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
After everyone ate, both Maela and Nova stayed with Elaine through the afternoon.
Soon, evening came — and Elaine's pain still hadn't eased.
---
Knock knock.
"Nova!"
Nova rushed to the door as soon as he heard his friends' voices. He opened it — and the moment his friends saw his tense face, their smiles faded.
"I'm sorry, guys. I can't come today. My mom's really sick…"
"Oh…" They all fell quiet.
"Well then," Riku smiled softly, "you take care of your mom. Tell her we wish for her fast recovery."
"Yeah, don't worry, she's gonna be fine," Tama added.
"Yeah, don't worry!" Haru chimed in.
Nova managed a small smile. "Thanks, guys. I should go now."
"Alright, take care."
---
As time passed, there was another knock on the door.
"Dad!"
Nova ran and opened it. "Come fast, Dad! Mom is really sick!"
"I know," Joren said, his voice tight but steady. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Even though he said it, his face betrayed his worry.
He went straight to Elaine's side.
"Hello, honey. How are you feeling?"
"Ah… worse than in the morning, I guess…"
Joren's tension deepened. Every time Elaine gasped from pain, he felt it as if the same pain were cutting through him.
Night fell. Elaine's condition still didn't improve. After dinner, everyone tried to rest, but no one could sleep. Joren lay beside her, wide awake. Nova, too, couldn't sleep — the sound of her strained breathing echoed in his mind.
Slowly, exhaustion pulled at Nova, and before he realized, his eyes closed.
---
"Ahh!"
Three or four hours later — around midnight — Nova woke to his mother's scream.
"Mom!"
Sleep vanished instantly. He rushed to her room.
Elaine was drenched in sweat, gripping the blanket tightly, her face pale and trembling in pain. Maela was beside her, pressing a wet cloth to her forehead and whispering words of comfort.
Joren stood nearby, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white. His face showed panic — a helplessness Nova had never seen in his father before.
"Joren! Get more water!" Maela shouted without looking up.
Joren ran out and came back moments later with a filled bowl. Maela grabbed it, soaked the cloth again, and pressed it to Elaine's forehead.
"Ahhh! It hurts!" Elaine cried, her body arching in agony.
Nova froze, wide-eyed, heart pounding. He had never seen his mother like this.
"Nova," Maela said without turning her head. Her tone was calm but commanding. "Come here and sit by the bed. Stay out of the way — but keep your eyes on me. Hold this blanket."
She handed him a folded cloth. "If you want to help, listen carefully and stay right where I tell you."
Nova nodded quickly and obeyed. He wanted to run to Elaine and grab her hand, but Maela's firm presence anchored him.
Elaine's strength was fading, her breath uneven.
"Joren… I… I can't… do this anymore…"
Joren gripped her hand tightly. "Don't say that, Elaine. You're strong — you've always been strong. Just a little longer, alright? I'm right here."
"Haah… Ahhh!"
Another scream tore through the house — so sharp and raw that even the night outside seemed to hold its breath.
Nova's eyes filled with tears as he clutched his shirt. His chest felt like it might burst.
Maela kept counting softly, checking Elaine's pulse, whispering instructions.
"Breathe with me, Elaine. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Now — push on three. One… two… three… push!"
Elaine gritted her teeth, her hands gripping the sheets so tightly the fabric strained. Joren pressed a wet cloth to her forehead, trembling but focused.
"Good… good," Maela encouraged. "Keep going. You're almost there."
Outside, the rain that had been falling for hours eased into a soft drizzle. Inside, the air was thick with warmth, steam, and tension.
Elaine gasped, another contraction twisting through her. "Again," Maela said calmly. "One… two… three — push!"
"Ah!"
And then—
A faint cry.
It was soft at first, like a whisper. Then louder.
Wahh.
A baby's cry.
Maela exhaled deeply, her hands trembling as she lifted the small, red, wrinkled newborn. "It's… it's a girl," she whispered, relief flooding her voice.
Joren's knees gave out. He sank beside the bed, tears welling. "A girl," he whispered again, as if tasting the word.
Maela quickly checked the baby, cleaned her, and wrapped her in a cloth before placing the tiny bundle on Elaine's chest.
Elaine's pale face softened. Her trembling hand brushed the newborn's cheek. "She's… beautiful," she breathed, her eyes shining. She turned to Nova and smiled faintly. "Nova… come here."
Nova stepped closer, guided gently by Maela. The baby was so small he could've held her in one hand. Her cry faded to soft hiccups. When Nova reached out, her tiny fist closed around his finger. He smiled, wide and teary-eyed.
Joren leaned close and kissed Elaine's forehead. "You did it," he whispered. "You both did."
Elaine let out a soft laugh, weak but full of warmth. "We did," she said, then looked at the baby again. "Look at her… our little star."
Maela tucked the blanket snugly around the newborn and offered a small cup of herbal tea to Elaine. "Drink this. It'll help restore your strength."
Nova stayed by the bedside, his gaze locked on the sleeping baby.
For the first time in his life, his heart felt full — alive — burning with purpose.
Elaine smiled at him and whispered, "Now you can be her protector… big brother."
Nova's throat tightened. He lowered his head slightly and whispered, "I promise."
Maela glanced at him approvingly. "You did well, Nova. Now, get some rest. You'll need it too."
Nova nodded, still staring at his sister — his little sister — as she slept peacefully in Elaine's arms. The lamplight painted them all in gold: the exhausted mother, the proud father, and the boy who had just found a new purpose.
Outside, the mist rose from the river. Inside, a new life slept in a mother's arms.
Ever since he was born, Nova never felt as happy and proud as he was feeling today.
This long night would change Nova's life completely.
He was a big brother now.