Birth of the Strongest

Katrina wakes in an unfamiliar bed, she sits up and pivots her legs off the bed to the ground, she stands to hear a shovel entering the earth, she walks outside to see Raymonde shovelling dirt into a hole in the ground,

"What are you doing Raymonde?" she asks him, he doesn't respond, "Raymonde?!" he turns to see Katrina with tears forming in her eyes, "what are you doing?" he gestures for Katrina to come over, his head dips towards the ground, she walks over and sees a body partially covered in dirt, she attempts to say something but the only noise that are produced are unintelligible noises,

"It's for Lierin," Raymonde finally voices, his voice trembling, "she would have wanted this," Katrina clutches onto Raymonde's arm and holds it tight, "it's my fault she's dead," he voices, his eyes becoming a dull red, "it is all my fault!" he drops to his knees, crying, Katrina begins to embrace him from behind,

"It's not your fault," Katrina says to him, holding him tighter, "It wasn't your fault," tears begin to roll down her face, landing on Raymonde's shirt, he turns to face her,

"It was my fault," he replies, Katrina attempts to say something, "I am the one who killed her," Katrina's expression drops to a look of hatred, "it was either her or you, and I chose you," he says holding her hands, "I promised her if I ever had a daughter, I would name them after her," he whispers,

"Raymonde?" Katrina whispers, Raymonde looks at her to continue, "I have something to tell you," She says holding her stomach, "we are having a child," Raymonde's grim deminer fades to a look of happiness, "I've known for a month now, and she is going to be named Lierin," Raymonde's rests his hand on her head, leans in and kisses her.

----

Standing next to the King of Nenalin, Skye Hydrastride wonders when she will be able to free herself from this tyranny. She had originally come to Nenalin in search of her brother, they were about four years of age when her father, the former King of Nenalin, had sent her away. Whoever this imposter on the throne now is, all she knew was that she wasn't related to this fake royal.

When she had first arrived a year ago, she had heard some rumours that the King was about to send a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Kram, she still didn't know why he hadn't sent it, it was the only reason why she became a hired hand, a mercenary of sorts. Maybe she will find her brother in the Kingdom of Kram, she just needs to find a—

"Skye?" A voice resonates from beside her; she looks over to see the King, Ace Hawkstride looking up at her, how he got the prestigious name of Hawkstride, she didn't know.

"Y—Yes my King?" She answers, her voice as beautiful as her face, she is fitted with white and black plate armour, a sword strapped to her side.

"Didn't you hear a word I was saying?" Ace raises a brow.

"I am sorry," she kneels, "it won't happen again." She lowers her head; it is silent for long moments before the doors to the throne room swing open. Two guards walk in, behind them is the Queen of Nenalin, Anthem Jay Hawkstride, a Tiefling and a high-tier magic user, she occasionally goes out of her way to hunt the vile creatures that linger outside the Kingdom walls. Skye knows not to get on her bad side.

"What the matter dear?" Ace asks Anthem to walk up to his side, she is wearing her battle armour, which consists of the same white and blacks as Skye's.

"When are you going to send that deviant mercenary of—" She halts and looks up to see Skye standing next to Ace, with her hand resting on the pommel of her sword.

"I was getting to it; I was about to tell her before you came running in here and interrupting." Ace looks towards Skye and says, "I am sending you off to look for our daughter. She has been missing for a month now and we have reason to believe she is being held captive in Kram."

"So, you are sending me to the Wicked Provence?" She can look for her brother while over there.

"And another thing." Ace begins, "If you wanted to look for your brother, you should have just asked." Skye's eyes widen as Ace stands from the throne and walks up in front of her, he is shorter than she is, but his aura could shatter glass. "And if you find him, please tell him I await his return." Ace begins to smile as a red swirl of power forms around his hand, he raises his hand and releases the magic.

Dark.

Everything went dark.

When she had opened her eyes, she hadn't known how long she was out, nor did she care. When she came to her nostrils were filled with the scent of the sea. She stands and does a quick look around her to see nothing but the ocean. What had happened, how she got here. However it may be, she now knows she has one goal in mind.

To find her brother.

----

Two days have passed, and Skye Hydrastride finds herself in the Kingdom of Kram, well by the looks of it the former Kingdom of Kram. Of all the stories she had heard of the place, it was only natural to expect something more, not a burnt pile of rubble.

She wanders around for the better part of an hour before she comes across a building that seems it escaped the carnage of whatever happened to this place, she walks closer to the building and sees a sign discarded on the ground.

The sign reads, 'The Dirty Mind Inn.'

She walks into the building. The place is filled with beds, from wall to wall lies the injured and sick alike, she walks through the mess of people, and towards what she can guess is the bar, she sits at the bar and waits.

Minutes pass by before a middle-aged man emerges from the back, "Can I help you miss?" The man asks while wiping his hands clean from dirt.

"First, can you tell me what happened to the Capital?" She asks, gesturing to the rest of the room.

"Ah, new to the Capital I see." He mocks, probably the first bit of emotions he has shown since the Capital fell, "Well it happened seven months ago now, I am not sure why it happened, but I know I wouldn't be having this conversation with you if it weren't for the former Captain of the royal army staying at my Inn at the time." He now gestures to the room, "Now this place is a place for the injured and sick that are still feeling the effects of the fall."

"I am truly sorry, I didn't know." She speaks.

"Don't be, anyway what is it I can help you with?" He leans on the countertop.

"Right," she begins, "I am looking for someone, well my brother really, I was wondering if you have seen him around?" She asks.

"I am sorry miss, but I won't be of much help without a name, I'm fairly good at remembering names."

"Oh, right. His name is Raymonde, Raymonde Hawkstride. Know the name?" She looks up at the man, her gaze shoots to his hands that are now clamping hers.

"You are the former Captain's sister? Gods' save us, they have heard our prayers and are sending help." He shouts the room falls silent.

"I'm sorry who?" She looks at him in confusion, "Who is going to send help?"

"The Gods' of course. If you are Raymonde's sister, there is hope for us yet." He releases her hands, "If you want to find him, last I heard he was held up in the small town of Vul, it is about three days ride northeast of here."

"Are you positive? Was there anyone else with him when he left?" She stands from her seat.

"I don't know when he had left, all I know is that he spent most of his days with a woman and a child, I believe the woman was a Half-Elf and the child was a Tiefling."

"Did you say a Tiefling? What is he doing with a Tiefling?" She pauses for a moment, her eyes flash in realization, "Did this Tiefling have any distinctive markings on her?"

"Her? How did you know the Tiefling was a girl?" The man back up, "And yeah, she was red with black markings on her forehead and the bridge of her nose."

"Okay, thank you," she stands from the bar and leaves two silvers on the counter, "I'm taking that horse out back." She shouts as she leaves the inn.

The man picks up the silver and pockets it.

Skye runs behind the building and mounts the horse, which is tied to a post, with a flick of her wrist the rope that is holding the horse severs and, in a heartbeat, she was racing for the horizon and won't stop until she reached Vul.

----

Seven months have passed since Raymonde was forced to take the life of his own, in those seven months Katrina's stomach has doubled in size, and Raymonde, Llorva, Lorxan, and Isake have been working every waking hour rebuilding Nova. They had reached an agreement to name it in the memory of Lierin Nova.

"It's looking good," Lorxan said while taking a break for the day, Raymonde glances over towards him with a look of shock, he opens his mouth to say something but shakes his head clear of the thought.

"By the Gods' Lorxan," Katrina voices while watching them from the first house they had rebuilt, "I swear it has been months since I had last heard you speak." Lorxan looks over to the pregnant Katrina with a smile.

"I guess it has been." He replies while gazing upwards at the sky., baring his teeth.

"Gods' Lorxan, put them away," Llorva shouts, Lorxan glares down at her, tosses some dirt, and charges. He grabs her around the waist and lifts her off her feet and pins her to the ground, mounting her, "Lorxan get off me." She screams, forcing him off and mounting him.

"Looks like I got what I wanted." Lorxan states, without saying another word Llorva face turns beet-red. Raymonde lets out a low chuckle.

"Remember when we were like that." Katrina whispers into Raymonde's ear, "Remember our love disputes." She places her hands on his shoulders.

"Do I ever," he replies, with eyes widened with excitement, "It was one of the things that I looked forward to during the day," he continues, "the other was getting to see you." He turns to face her, he smiles and places a hand on her stomach, he kisses her.

"How long until my baby sister gets here?" An innocent voice asks, it was Lildöris.

"Not long now sweetheart." Katrina says while holding her hand out towards her, Lildöris approaches and takes her hand, "Raymonde this is going to be our first childbirth, shouldn't we know what to expect?"

Raymonde walks up onto the porch and rests his head against Katrina's, "We will figure it out together." He places his hand on Lildöris' head, "Besides if we get lost along the way, we have everyone here to help out." He gestures towards everyone out of the road, Llorva and Lorxan still battling in the dirt, Isake looks on in awe.

"Well, I guess you are right," Katrina answers, "Alright Lildöris it is getting late, time for bed." Lildöris nods and enters the door she walked out of, "Hey Raymonde?" Katrina asks while leaning on him, "Will you love anyone else?"

"Yes, yes I will." He replies, Katrina looks up at him, "And she'll call you mum."

Katrina looks at him as tears begin to line her eyes, she wraps her arms around him and kisses him, "I love you, Raymonde Hawkstride." She yells, everyone on the road stops and looks at them.

"And I love you too, Katrina Deathsworn." He kisses her, everyone looks on with awe. Raymonde stops and glares at them all, they consume a panicked look on their face and rush to do something other than watching them, Isake begins to walk over towards them.

"Raymonde," Isake begins, "I know we haven't gotten off on the right terms but—" Raymonde lifts a hand and cuts him off.

"Yes. You can be a part of her life." He says, Isake's eyes do wide, "And I will let you be a part of ours from now on." Isake rushes up onto the porch and hugs Raymonde, "Alright. Alright, I said alright!" Raymonde yells Isake releases him.

"I am sorry Raymonde," he replies, "thank you for letting me be a part of my future grandchild's life."

"Don't thank me," Raymonde answers, "if it were up to me, you wouldn't even have the chance to gaze upon her, you should be thanking her." Isak looks towards Katrina and smiles. Katrina smiles back and hugs him, horror crosses Raymonde's face.

"Don't worry about it, Raymonde." Katrina says, releasing Isake from her grip, "If you want him out just say the word."

Isake's expression drops from happiness to despair, "Anyway, thank you for giving me this chance." Isake says, he gives them both smiles, "And Raymonde, smile more. More people will like you if you'd smile."

"I don't need advice from you," Raymonde answers, "And if you screw this up, you are done for. Understood?"

Isake stops and nods, "Understood." He begins walking and stops dead in his tracks and drops to his knees.

"Isake? What's going on?" Raymonde shouts at him, "What has made you—" Raymonde stops as he sees a woman fitted in white and black armour, "Katrina stay here." Raymonde rushes down into the road and draws Frostburn, the blade ignites into flames as he stops it in front of her, "Who are you, and why do you dawn the colours of Nenalin?"

Isake rapidly stands and jumps in front of Raymonde, "No," he says, "there is something I need to tell you."

The swords flames die out and Raymonde sheaths Frostburn, "I'm listening."

"The truth is, is that Ace isn't your brother. He doesn't even have any royal blood running through his veins." Isake states.

Raymonde looks over towards Katrina, she looks as confused as he feels, "So what are you getting at?" He asks, "And what does she have to do with any of it?" He points to the woman standing behind him.

"Father, allow me to explain everything." The woman looks over towards Katrina, "Long time no see, Katrina."

"Alright, that's enough. How do you know my wife? And why did you call Isake, father?" Raymonde voices, assuming a defensive position.

"Skye, let me handle this," Isake says to the woman, Skye, "The thing is, this is your sister. I know you won't remember her, you two were only children when you had last seen each other."

"Skye? Is that you?" Katrina says as she steps down into the road, "By the Gods' it is you, I'm not surprised Raymonde doesn't remember you, in truth we were only children."

"I'm glad you remembered, and you are married now. Wow, never thought I would see the day that Ray-Ray, would confess his love for you." Skye says with a wink.

"In truth, I was the one who confessed." Katrina says, "Ray-Ray isn't one to confess his feelings." A smile broadens her face.

"What is with Ray-Ray?" Raymonde asks them.

"You're saying you don't remember? Well, it was near twenty-one years ago now. When we were around the age of four," Skye begins, "I've always called you Ray-Ray, and there was nothing you could do about it, considering I am about twenty minutes older than you."

"Hang on, we are twins?" Raymonde says in disbelief, "And where have you been all these years? What happened?"

"Father, you can take the lead on this one," Skye says as she looks around to see two pairs of prying eyes watching them, she waves towards them.

"Alright, by the time you were five years of age she was sent off to live in Khacagos to live a simple life while we had received that same families son, and you know him as Ace, we were lucky that he was around your age, so we could pull off the twin facade," Isake says, he now kneels in the dirt, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, it was just that I didn't know how to tell you. And it wasn't until a year ago that I had heard what happened to the family."

"What had happened to them?" Raymonde asks.

"Lightning." Skye cuts in, "A lightning storm had killed them twelve years ago. and that is when I discovered I could do this." She takes a few steps back and takes a deep breath. As she exhales bolts of lightning begin to swirl around her forearms, she looks up at them as crackles of lightning spill from her eyes, the lightning dies down, "It has been a long time coming brother, but I challenge you to a duel."

"A duel. Fine, I'll comply, but under one condition." Raymonde states.

"Alright, what are the conditions?" She answers.

"I want you to go all out."

"Alright, I also have a condition. and that is if I win I want to be fathers heir." She says.

"Fine, like I care for the Kingdom anyway. But let's do this tomorrow as it is quite late, Katrina needs her sleep, she is carrying the future of this place." Raymonde says as he grabs hold of Katrina's hand.

"Alright, it seems like she is near ready to give birth," Skye says, her eyes widening as she says, "I think her water just broke."

----

It has been thirty-six hours since Katrina had gone into labour, it has been a long time for both Raymonde and Katrina, but he now gets to rest as his newly born daughter is in his arms.

It had been hell in the last moments of childbirth, Katrina had lost control of her Goddess form and transformed right when Lierin was born, Raymonde almost fainted when Lierin was engulfed in purple flames, it was only when he held her that the flames died.

"You are to be the next ruler of this Kingdom," he says, trying to keep his own emotions under control, "it's time for you to meet the rest of the family." Raymonde kisses Katrina on the forehead as he stands and leaves the room with Lierin.

As he closes the door behind him, Skye, Llorva, Lorxan, and Isake approach him, "What's her name?" Skye asks as she holds her tiny hands.

"Lierin." Raymonde responds quietly, "She is named after the woman who saved my life countless times."

"Has she inherited any of your abilities?" Isake asks, Raymonde shoots him a look, "No, I didn't mean it like that, usually you can tell if a newborn has abilities within the first minute of birth."

"As a matter of fact, yes she has. How could she not?" Raymonde says as he lets Skye hold Lierin.

"She is the daughter of a God-Slayer, let alone a Demi-God in Katrina. Of course, she was going to be born with some sort of ability."

Isake steps back with hands raised, "Hey, I was just curious."

"In any case, she is going to be the future of this Kingdom." Raymonde walks over to Skye and grabs Lierin, "You are going to be the most powerful being in the world, even more so than me. No one will be able to stand in your way."

"All hail the future Queen of Nova," Llorva says as she kneels in the dirt. The rest of them follow her lead.

Llorva Skypeak, The Captain of the Guard, Lorxan Jerynomonis, The King's Hand, Skye Hawkstride, The King's Guard and Isake Hawkstride Jr. Lord of Kram, are all kneeling for their princess.