"Who's that?" Ashleigh asked.
"This is Helena, and she's my daughter," Zack replied.
Hearing this the other children were surprised to see Helena so old. When they heard of an egg they pictured something tiny and were expecting a baby. Zack could see most of them were excited but a few of the original children seemed sad.
They started seeing Zack, and Yuki as their parents. Seeing Zack's real daughter, and knowing Yuki would have her own child to they started feeling insecure. Knowing what was troubling them Zack called over Helena and Yuki.
"These are your brothers and sisters," Zack told Helena.
"All of them?" Helena asked with excitement.
"Except for me, I'm your aunt." Tanya smiled.
"I know the concern some of you have but I promise this is just our family growing," Zack told the children while wrapping his arm around Yuki.
Helena was so happy to see them and with Zack motioning them in to join their family time they smiled. With the kids put at ease, everyone sat down to enjoy breakfast together. Once they were finished Zack was heading towards the library with Lilith and Yu. Destiny took Helena towards the tailor to work on a special dress.
"Are you sure she's in there? Yu asked.
"It's her favorite place, and I can sense her," Zack replied.
"I'm getting a little nervous," Lilith stated.
They walked into the library and began their search for Vanessa. After a half-hour of searching, they found her at a research table going through some of Altair's journals. When Zack placed his hand on Vanessa's she jumped.
"Sorry didn't mean to startle you." Zack apologized.
"It's okay...I'm starting to figure out how this place works." Vanessa said with a smile.
Vanessa went on to explain that the library belonged to Altair originally and that it was larger than any of them could imagine. This theory started after she spent a month searching the library and continued to find new areas.
With time Vanessa found the source of the library's magic, and it was an artifact in the center of the library. With the journals found by Rolen, they learned who the original owner was. It was this search for information that allowed Vanessa to advance the buildings in Eden.
Elaine found this artifact long ago and dedicated her life to adding books to Altair's collection. The library could be accessed from anywhere making it easy to use during her adventures. After the foundations of Eden were built, Elaine attached the library to the estate for Zack to use. Before her passing, Elaine even added to the library's magic.
Thanks to alterations the library could sense the desire of those inside the artifact. If you have a passion for botany the next aisle you turn around would be filled with books relating to alchemy. If you were struggling to master a certain element it would show you books written by past practitioners with exercises that help your training. This was implemented to keep the user from wasting time by walking through the vast library for not everyone had an extended life.
"Can we do the test?" Yu asked.
"I have everything with me, and we can start at any time. I will need a little blood though." Vanessa replied.
Vanessa retrieved a few items from her ring as the two drew blood. They dripped it onto the devices she retrieved, and a green light appeared.
"You're both fertile so that's not the issue," Vanessa stated.
"With a child and two on the way it's not him either," Lilith replied.
"Do you do anything different with them?" Vannesa asked while pulling her hood down to hide her blushing.
"If you're referring to positions we are very versatile." Lilith teased.
Vanessa went red hearing this and was retrieving a notepad as Lilith described their acts. Zack didn't hear because he began racking his mind for anything that could be different between the three. Then he recalled the rough nature of both Destiny and Ren.
"I always have to use my grace when I'm with them. If not it gets a little dangerous for the important bits, and when Yuki likes to freeze us in place it's how I keep warm. There's no way that's it right?" Zack asked.
"It's possible. Mermaids prefer to mate in their natural state to increase the chances of conception, and they aren't the only example either. A Nephilim is supposedly difficult to sire so you need every advantage you can get. Do you know what your natural state is?" Vannesa investigated.
"When my powers first manifested my wings were permanent. It took a lot of meditating to be able to hide them." Zack replied.
"Then being in your angelic state would likely increase the odds," Vannesa stated.
"So wings, and all?" Lilith teased.
"I never had them out for that. If Vanessa's theory is true my grace being activated should be more than enough. Unless you prefer it that way." Zack replied grabbing Lilith by the hip.
"No, they're too bright, and it would just distract me from the task at hand," Lilith smirked.
"Can we go try right now?" Yu asked clinging to his arm.
"Let me talk with Vanessa first. If you wanna wait for me in the room I'll be right up." Zack said while kissing Yu on the cheek.
"Thank you so much," Yu told Vanessa while embracing her.
"N-no problem," Vanessa replied.
Since Vanessa's arrival in Eden, she has slowly been opening up, but only in the presence of Zack. Being touched was still a little too much, but seeing how happy Yu was she was able to endure it. When the two left leaving them alone Zack walked up to Vanessa as she rapidly hid her notes.
"Thank you for the suggestion it means a lot that your willing to help," Zack told Vanessa
"It 's important to you so I wanted to help.'" Vanessa replied.
"You could never disappoint me. Wanna see if we can find it now?" Zack asked.
"With you here it shouldn't be difficult," Vanessa replied.
The two began strolling through the library side by side. Vanessa kept looking at Zack and thinking of how much he's helped in her gaining confidence. This was a task given to her by the guild, but now she didn't wanna leave. There was a meeting that was mandatory in a few days, and she was concerned they would ask to her switch out.
'If I have to leave will he forget about me?... I don't want that.' Vanessa nervously reached for his hand.
Zack felt a trembling hand touching him, and when he glanced at Vanessa she was hiding under the hood. He was surprised Vanessa would show interest in something other than books. She was preparing to pull away when Zack held her hand.