Two Months Later...

Lio and I stood at the docks, my stomach has gotten reasonably larger now that I was about six months in. We had spotted their boat a few miles out a couple hours ago. I felt small series of kicks and grunted. "Are you okay (Y/N)?"

"This baby... has no mercy." I sighed rubbing my stomach.

"I'm sure that the baby is just hungry, I mean you haven't eaten since yesterday."

"I'm nervous okay!" I exclaimed and began to chew on my fingers as the boat hit the side of the dock. Quickly, Lio and I helped tie up the boat and Garroth, Aphmau, Katelyn, and the girls bolted of the ship, Travis and Levin walked off after, chatting casually. Garroth pulled me into a tight hug and groaned. "You're squishing the baby!"

"Oh my gosh, how many months is it now!?"

"Almost seven." I answered. "Now come home, and make me food to eat." I tugged on his hand, and we both walked home where he made me pancakes even though it was midday. We both were in silence before I cleared my throat. "So you guys found the relics?"

"Yes... but... well. There's something I need to tell you." He looked down at his hands.

"Garroth?"

"I don't want you to fight..."

"I know, but-"

"And you know you shouldn't fight. For more than one reason."

"Are you referring to me being pregnant?"

"No... well that and one other thing that you may have forgotten."

"What?" He sighed and looked up at me with serious eyes.

"I want you to fight for Shad."

"Of course..." I bit my tongue until it bled.

"Work for Irene." I simply nodded, not making eye contact. "You see what I mean? If Shad can convince you to work on his behalf against your will. You could kill all of us... or we might even have to kill you."

I swallowed the thick blood in my mouth, and looked over at him.

"I can still shoot. I just can't be within hearing range."

"That might be over a thousand feet for all we know."

"I can shoot from a pretty far distance."

"No. I want you to stay here with Dante so he can keep you safe."

"I can protect myself." I growled.

"I know that. I just don't want any to take any second chances." I stood up from my chair and knelt down in front of him, cupping his face in my hands.

"I'm fighting with you Garroth. No matter what. I know you're just trying to protect me, but I know we might end up in another dimension, and I don't want to be left behind, telling our child that you're alive somewhere, I don't want them to feel abandoned. Do you understand that?"

"..."

"Garroth. I'm fighting with you, and that's that."

"Okay..."

"Good because I have a plan that can stop us from harming any other place without having to go into a dimension... but it may cost our lives..."

"Fight Shad alone is a risk. Anything you've got can't be worse now can it?"

"Oh, it can get a lot worse." I sighed. "We need to travel back to Gul'Ruk. From my knowledge nothing there had been truly alive for the last two hundred years. We can't hurt anyone there."

"That's a two and half months journey... what about the baby?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if you need to like... give birth during the fight. Or before it."

"That won't happen."

"What makes you say that?"

"Garroth... I can hold it in."

"Yeah, but isn't that painful?"

"Probably, but I can wait."

"Okay, we'll just have to figure it out when we get there."

"Anyways once we get to Gul'Rak the fighting will begin. We'll need to create some illusion that makes Shad think Alina is with us, otherwise he'll just leave. I'll need you to create a force field around us once we get on ground-"

"That didn't stop him last time."

"I know. Which is why I need you to do it again. It distracts him, maybe I can get a clear shot. All I need to do is penetrate the head, and the heart. Or if that doesn't work we could use a little fire power."

"What?"

"Dante and I have been working on a weapon over these last few months that you've been gone. I think it'll work fine. So if I go down I taught Liochant how to use it, so don't let him go down either. He'll have to man the weapon."

"Why can't you just teach me?"

"Because it takes a long time to practice and we don't have time. We're going to have to leave tomorrow."

"Why?"

"I told Shad that he'd meet us there to take Alina's relic."

"You think this will really work?" He asked me.

"I think it's crazy, but yes. It should." I stood up and sat on the edge of the table.

"What about your problem?"

"I've been practicing on fighting that urge, controlling my words is harder than my actions. I should be fine except a few mean comments towards you guys, which will also help convince Shad that I'm helping him. I should be fine though, you worry too much."

"I have every right to worry." He placed his lips against mine before pulling away. His hand slipping into his pocket. "I also wanted to ask you a question... completely unrelated to the current situation, but... if we both make it out of this..." he ran his fingers through his hair before taking my hand, and placing a silver band in my palm, "will you marry me?"

"...Garroth... of course I will!" I felt tears in the corners of my eyes, and I pulled him into a kiss, his arms snaked around my waist, and I pulled away quickly.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Laurance," I whispered, as I broke away from Garroth and stumbled out the front door into the silent streets. Which was odd it was always busy at this time, and it took me a moment to realize why everyone had taken shelter. A Nether Portal opened right on top of our dock. I grabbed my sword from the side of the house, and ran towards the portal, drawing my sword as a figure emerged from the eire purple glow. "YOU!"

"Heh, I forgot how bright the sun actually was..."