The Birth of Liam: Rise of the Child of Light

 Previously on The Veil Of Treason: Bagnus Taste For Blood

Flight into the Unknown

The family moved out of town one day in the dead of night. Baldric had summoned the protectors and conferred with them on how best they should move; he had told them to be the lookout so no one would see them as they travelled. It was a hard ride, but the three adults forged on, determined to be out of such an environment that would harm the child of light. It was a test of their patience and determination.

An Unexpected Arrival

When they thought they were getting to their destination, Abigail suddenly stiffened and cried out with pain. Allora rushed to her daughter, concern and fear showing on her face. "What is it? Abigail!"

"I think the baby is coming out," Abigail said with a strained voice as she stifled a scream.

"Set the blanket, Baldric! We will need hot water and herbs—get your lazy ass moving now!"

"What is going on?" he asked her, not moving at all.

"Are you deaf? Set the blanket and boil warm water; Abigail is having the baby!"

"What? That is unexpected."

"Be that as it may, do it now!"

The Desert Birth

Abigail was having a rough time trying to stay focused and not lose consciousness. The pain was really unbearable. She clamped a hand over her mouth as she felt a sharp pain. "Mother, please hurry! I think I just broke my water."

"Be strong, my daughter. All will be well. Just be a brave girl and hold it a bit till your father sets everything."

Baldric wasn't having a good time setting such stuff. He shook his head as he dug into the load to bring out a blanket. He wondered how he was going to start a fire when they had no wood and the area they had stopped was like a desert. He closed his eyes to think, and after a moment, he called the three angels. They appeared, and immediately they swung into action, forming a circle around the blanket and conjuring a fire and a pot of boiling water.

A Mother’s Strength

It was a tense moment for Baldric as he watched and ran errands. He heard Abigail screaming and he clinched his fist, praying her pains should be transferred to him. He was just about to go to her when he heard his wife's voice.

"My brave daughter, I know how painful it is, but think of the innocent life you carry. Be brave and be strong for him. Push slowly, but push with determination and just don't let the pain stop you from hearing that beautiful cry of a baby."

Baldric sat there listening to her voice, and he marvelled at how it had calmed him, too. Soon, he heard the cry of a baby.

"My grandson," he muttered. "You will be named Liam."

And just like that, the heavens opened and a light rain started falling.

Fury in the Dark Throne Room

Mighty Osaka sat upright when he felt the rain falling. He screamed, and all those around him had blood coming from their ears just from hearing it.

"How could I have been so stupid?" he fumed. "So my brother has marked a mortal. This rain is just full of pure joy; I can taste the new life created from it," he snarled as he summoned Bagnus.

The Assassin’s Call

Bagnus was laughing hard as he saw what the sword had done. "Wow! This is so sweet. I think this sword needs more blood." He looked at the young woman whose father he had killed and grinned. "Your time will come, my wife," he said with a wicked grin.

"I will rather die than let you touch me, you monster!"

He was about to laugh in her face when he felt the call of Mighty Osaka. A portal opened and he hurriedly entered, bowing. "You summoned me, Mighty Osaka."

The Hunt Begins

"It seems we have underestimated my brother," Osaka said. "The delay my brother caused on the veil was to buy time, so his mortal champion will be grown up by the time we are capable of bringing down the boundary."

"If I'm bold to ask, who is that champion? I may go and destroy them now."

"You feel the rain? My brother is a coward, so what I want you to do is to search for a kid who has just been born."

"A kid?"

"Yes. It wouldn't be hard to find."

"I will do as you command, Mighty Osaka."

The Commander's Malice

Bagnus was angry after his meeting with Mighty Osaka; he felt like all his efforts had been thwarted. As the portal opened for him to enter the mortal world, those around took a step back when they saw how his face was twisted with malice. He turned to those holding the girl and ordered them to take her to his room and tie her. He ordered two of his soldiers to watch over her and told them if she escaped, or if anything happened to her, they would pay with their lives.

He turned to the rest of his soldiers. "Get me my generals now! Any who delay will have his head cut from his shoulders."

The Decree of the Newborns

When they had assembled, he looked at them and said, "Listen very well, and don't let me down. Go out into the streets and bring in every child that has just been born. I don't care how you do it—just get them here now."

The soldiers saluted and left. He was not content with them doing the search alone, and so he ordered the remaining soldiers to follow him.

The Path of Destruction

Bagnus went from house to house, destroying and killing any who stood in his way. He was so angry that some of his own soldiers were punished just to satisfy his bloodlust, and he vowed if he met that child, he would have him for dinner.

The Creator’s Sigh

The Creator watched all this unfolding and sighed. There was nothing more he could do, as he had already given the child everything; it now depended on his protectors to protect him. He had already unbalanced the universe by granting his power.

The Veil Of Treason 1: The Veil Of Treason 1