Heart of Darkness: Book Three: Father of the Immortals

Chapter Thirteen: A Child Born of the Gods

Dragica screamed into the night, the pain was nothing that she had ever felt before, she woke up sweating, the bed under here was wet. Zodian woke up immediately and was trying to calm her. He called out for a guard and had them go get Flora, she had been teaching her people the art of medicine and had helped several people give birth to children.

Dragica let out another scream as another wave of pain hit, Zodian snapped his fingers and put clean sheets and towels on the bed under her. He softly stroked her hair as she held his other hand. “It will be alright love. Flora is on her way she should be here shortly.”

Dragica gasped and gripped his hand tightly as another wave of pain hit her. “Why does it have to hurt so much!” She cried out. Zodian gently touched her face and tried to ease her pain using his power. She let out a deep breath as he took most of the pain away from her.

“Thank you, love the pain isn't as bad now, it's bearable,” Dragica says letting out a breath.

Flora came rushing into the room a few moments later, a bag in her hand. She looked at Zodian, “If you will I need towels, scissors and a bowl of hot water.”

Zodian nodded and snapped his fingers, a table appeared with everything she needed, he had no intention of leaving Dragica's side. Flora examined Dragica, “Okay sweetie, it looks like you are almost dilated enough for this little one to be born, a couple more centimeters and then we can get you pushing. Just keep taking deep breaths nice and slow.”

Flera continued checking Dragica, while Zodian kept wiping her head down with a cool washcloth. The wind was blowing in the window helping to keep her cool. Dragica let out another cry as she could feel pressure in her lower area.

“Flera, I feel like I need to push!” She called out.

Flera checked her once more and then says, “Okay Dragica, the baby is ready to come out, I need you to start pushing, stop when I tell you.”

Dragica began pushing and it didn't take long for Flera to have the baby out and wrapped in a towel. She had Dragica push until the afterbirth was out. Then she took the baby to the table Zodian had prepared and cleaned the new child off. She wrapped the baby in a soft blanket and handed the child to Dragica.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl,” she said with a smile.

Dragica looked at the new infant cradled in her arms. She was beautiful, and small, her head full of black curls, and

when she opened her eyes, they were a dark sapphire blue. Dragica kissed her new daughter on the forehead and held her close. Zodian looked at his new daughter and his eyes filled with tears.

Dragica smiled at him and handed him their new daughter. Zodian took the baby and cradled her in his arms. He kissed her forehead and pressed his cheek against hers. His eyes met Dragica's and at that moment he knew. This was what he had been wanting his entire existence. This feeling of pure utter happiness, love, and contentment.

He handed the little one back to her mother, then sat next to her on the bed. He kissed Dragica's forehead and said softly, “This little one has a power all of her own. I can sense it, she has the power of darkness, and is immortal as we are. She will grow up to be strong, powerful and beautiful. What shall we name her?”

Dragica looked at the small infant in her arms and whispered, “She will be known as Serena Dragonias the Goddess of Darkness.”

Several days passed and the love Zodian felt for Dragica and his daughter Serena grew, he knew that life for them would be wonderful. They were planning a huge celebration with not just the Goddesses and but the people of Earth, to celebrate the birth of the new Goddess.

Zodian waited until he knew all the Gods except Brillando were in Sole Luminoso, and he locked their portal so they could not leave, while the celebration was going on. He did

not want there to be any interference or problems caused at his daughter’s celebration.

Brillando met with Zodian a few days before the Celebration, to speak with him. They sat down and began to have a deep discussion about the other Gods.

“Zodian, I have made it clear to them, I want no part in this feud, I have no issues with the Goddesses, part of me wishes you had let me go to their realm with them. But I respect the reasons for doing what you have done.” Brillando tells him.

“Brillando how do you know they are in their realm?” Zodian questioned.

“It was the obvious conclusion, you moved us to our realm, yet we were still able to come here if you did that for us, I was sure you would do the same for the Goddesses. It would make it easier to protect them and their families.” Brillando answered.

Zodian gave him a nod, “Yes that was the plan, but I know that it hasn't stopped the others from plotting and being treacherous. Fate is a funny thing, they can keep up their plotting, it will only get them so far.”

Brillando sat back in his chair and looked at Zodian, “I know what they are wanting to do.”

“Well tell me, and I will try to keep it from happening.”

Brillando looked down, “They don't plan on killing the Goddesses, they want to take away everything they love, and then find a way to rid themselves of the Goddesses. They want their power. Frailen and Armado have done a pretty

good job of convincing the others that the goddesses don't deserve their powers.”

Zodian shook his head, “Why doesn't this surprise me. This is what I get for giving them all free will. I wanted a working society, I guess that's the price you pay for happiness, someone is always trying to add chaos to a peaceful time because they have nothing better to do.”

Brillando nodded. He did not agree with the Gods, he had made friends with all the Goddesses before all this had happened and he wanted them to be happy, as he was happy.

“Well if they are threatening the Goddesses, then they threaten my child and if they are foolish enough to come after my daughter, they will beg for death from what I will do to them all,” Zodian said his eyes beginning to blaze in anger. He was getting tired of these foolish Gods and their plots.

He would do whatever was necessary to ensure the protection of his little girl. Brillando stayed with Zodian while the celebration was planned, and he even got to go to Hell to give Reaperiam his invitation.

When Brillando arrived in hell he was greeted by one of Reaperiam's minions. The minion took Brillando to Reaperiam, who sat in his throne relaxing and barking orders at the others.

“Reaperiam, it is good to see you again,” Brillando said as he approached him.

Reaperiam looked at Brillando, “Welcome to hell, how do you like my realm?” He gave him a smirk.

Brillando smiled and looked around, “It's a bit darker in here than I am used to, but I like the atmosphere, it is very you.”

Reaperiam laughed and stood up, he patted Brillando on the back, “So what brings you here?”

“I came to give this to you, by the way, you should feel special we are the only two Gods who were invited.” He hands Reaperiam a black envelope. Inside was a black paper with the invitation to the new child's celebration on it.

“Lovely, I’ll have to make an appearance. So, have you seen her?” Reaperiam asked.

Brillando shook his head, “No, no one aside from Zodian, Dragica and Flera have seen the new princess. They are keeping her hidden and revealing her and her name to us on the day of the celebration she will be introduced to us all.”

“Why has Flera seen her?” Reaperiam asked curiously.

“Flera is the one who helped bring her into this world. She had become obsessed with medicine and herbs. She has learned how to help with the birthing by watching the animals.” Brillando explained.

Reaperiam laughed, “I am pretty sure there is a big difference in an animal giving birth and a human or god giving birth.”

Brillando smiled, “Well it can't be that much different because she was able to do it.”

Reaperiam shook his head. “Come Brillando, have you eaten yet? All this talk of animals is making me hungry.”

Brillando rolled his eyes and laughed, “Sure I could go for something to eat.”

They both ate and then after a few hours of hanging out and Reaperiam giving Brillando the tour of Hell, Brillando left and went back to Zodian's palace.

Two days later was the celebration of the new baby's birth. They decided to call the day she was born her birthday and it was something they would celebrate every year.

Zodian and Dragica had their little one dressed in a beautiful black silk dress fit for a princess, with tiny black slippers for her feet. The entire kingdom, all the Goddesses and their families from Noir Lune, and the two Gods Reaperiam and Brillando were all attending.

Dragica and Zodian walked to the special stage that Zodian had built for this occasion and everyone went silent. Zodian looked out over all of them as Dragica held their baby. He smiled at his people, and his Goddesses and Gods.

“My people, my Goddesses, and my Gods, today is truly a happy day, the day that we have been waiting for. Today is the dawn of a new generation beginning. It starts with my daughter, Serena Dragonias, the Goddess of Dragons,

Princess of Earth and Princess of Noir Lune. Please help me welcome her to this life.” Zodian announces.

Dragica holds the baby so all can see her, the people gasp, and all start to cheer. The Goddesses and two Gods all approach the stage. One by one they all give the child a blessing and gift.

First Embressa approaches, she looks at the small girl and smiles, she kisses her on the forehead and then says, “My blessing for you little one is that your heart is filled with love, not just for those you care about but for your people. My gift to you is this,” she hands Zodian a box for the baby. He opens it and inside is a small silver bracelet that has multiple gems on it and small circles that hand hold other things. Like small charms. Embressa bows and then takes her place back on the ground.

Second Aphroda approaches, she too kisses the child on the forehead. She says, “My blessing for you is that you keep kindness in your life so you may treat others with kindness, and you will be treated with kindness. Here is my gift to you,” She hands Zodian a small box. Zodian opens it and inside is a small charm, it is shaped like the flower he had made for Dragica, he smiles and places the charm onto the bracelet, while Aphroda goes to her place.

The third to approach is Glaressa, she kisses the baby's forehead and says softly, “My blessing to you us that when you grow older you will know what true peace is like, and you will have it. Here is my gift,” she hands Zodian another box containing another charm. This one has a music note in it. As he attached it, she took her place.

The next person to approach is Flera, she kisses the baby's forehead and then says, “My blessing to you is that you can

find joy no matter how terrible the world around you may get. That you can laugh and find joy even in the moments of sorrow. Here is my gift,” another box is handed to Zodian containing another charm. This charm is of a heart. She takes her place with the others as Zodian attaches another charm.

Eriza is the last of the Goddesses to approach, she smiles at the child and says, “Little one my blessing to you is that you grow with incomparable beauty, there will be none more beautiful than you. I also bless you with an understanding, that sometimes a little destruction is necessary to keep yourself happy. Here is my gift,” she hands Zodian the last box from the Goddesses. Inside is another charm. This one of a circle with a dark cloud inside that swirls with black and red. She goes and takes her place with the rest of the Goddesses and waits.

Finally, it is the two Gods turns. Brillando goes first. He looks at the baby and his heart is filled with happiness, “My dear little one, my blessing to you is this, no matter how bleak things may seem may you always be able to find the light in the darkness, the solution to anything you may have to overcome in your life. Here is my gift to you,” He hands Zodian another small box. Inside is one more charm, a small moon, that shines and sparkles. Zodian attaches it and then watches as Brillando stands next to the others.

Reaperiam is the last one to approach, he approaches a playful smile on his lips. He looks at the small child and something in her eyes makes his heart melt. He kisses her forehead, “My blessing to you little princess is this, you need not fear death, death will be your friend. Not your enemy. and it will always be at your beck and call. As I will. If ever you need me, I will be there no matter what. Here is my gift to you princess of darkness.” He hands Zodian a square box,

inside the box is a crown made of strong metal, it is a small silver circle embedded with a single red ruby in the shape of a rose, with black diamonds made from Hell surrounding it.

Reaperiam takes one more look at the child, his heart filling with warmth and he goes to stand by Brillando. Zodian smiles at him and he knows. His daughter will always be safe as long as Reaperiam is around.

Zodian places the tiny bracelet filled with charms onto his daughter’s wrist and then looks out over the crowd.

“Thank you all for your gifts, no please come, eat, drink and celebrate. Celebrate life.”

Everyone applauds and then everyone goes into the banquet area and take different seats, the Goddesses and Brillando all sit near each other with their families, and Reaperiam sits close to Dragica, Zodian, and Serena.

Reaperiam looks at Dragica who sits there holding Serena and clears his throat, she looks up at him and smiles, “Yes Reaperiam you can.”

Reaperiam smiles, “I can what. You don't even know what I was going to ask.”

Dragica smiles and laughs, “Yes you can hold her.” She says.

Reaperiam grins, “Okay so maybe you did know.”

Dragica hands Serena to him and he holds her cradling her in his strong arms. He looks into her stunning sapphire blue eyes and she smiles at him. He smiles back at her, “Well

don't you have a pretty little smile.” Serena makes cooing noises as if to reply.

“Are you going to be fierce and powerful and ride dragons as your mother does? Or are you going to stay on the ground like everyone else?” He asks her.

She lets out another coo as if she knows what he is asking him. He lets out a laugh and continues to hold her so Dragica can eat. When she finishes, he hands Serena back.

He looks at Zodian, “I should be getting back, but if you need me don't hesitate to call,” Zodian nods at him. Reaperiam takes one last look at Serena and smiles and then returns to Hell.

Dragica looks at Zodian and smiles, “Are you thinking what I am thinking love?” She asks him.

Zodian laughs, “Yes, it seems the God of Death is a big softie. We never have to worry for her safety, if anyone tries to harm her, he will be on them will such ferociousness they won't have a chance.”

Dragica and Zodian both laugh and continue to enjoy the celebration.

The night ends and everyone returns to their homes to continue their normal routines...