As scouts watched the battle from above, support stations were built around the ships. This was to provide any information needed for the ground teams. It wasn't long before the fighting began as magical explosions and screams erupted below us.
Clasping onto my chest, I patiently waited for my chance to join the fray. Sadly, I couldn't do it right away. If I did, Fenris would probably find me soon after Ben reported I went haywire—something I had to avoid if I didn't desire my wolf to be in further harm.
My desire to be with him couldn't be his downfall, so I had to wait, even though I wanted nothing more than to run towards the source. Everyone on the ground wore some ear device to communicate with the ships that acted as command stations, relaying information to everyone on the ground.
Amara was on our ship's support team, waiting for any injuries to be reported, but she was really there to monitor me. Although she appeared busy, yelling to have everything ready for the injured, she helped the medics on the ship prepare for any case.
It showed how genuinely passionate she was about her profession. Seeing everyone try their best, I could only hope to do my part correctly, and that meant dealing with Alijah while everyone was too busy to notice me gone.
Though I understood why they wanted me to stay still, I was heavily pregnant. I mean, I appeared to be inflated larger than expected, and Amara thought I would've had complications before I gave birth. Yet, against all odds, I was holding four almost full-term babies in my womb.
They were due in less than three weeks. Sometimes, my feet and lower back were painful because of the weight I carried every day, but that was where my limitations ended. Complaining about it day and night made them think I couldn't accomplish anything other than staying on the ship, which was to my advantage.
Phase two happened before they even realized it did.
So, sneaky Lily. Shade snickered.
Sadly, they underestimated my desire to keep Fenris alive. I finally had a dream that had to come true—one that we would be a family together. I wasn't about to stand down and wait for fate to be decided anymore.
At least not because my feet or back hurt. There isn't an ounce of me that'll lay down and take it anymore.
Amelia and Melody watched me like hawks, making it unlikely for me to find a way out without them noticing. This meant I had to be creative, and thanks to my massive belly, I usually had to run to the bathroom frequently.
The pressure the babies placed on my inners made it hard to keep my bladder full in command. The magical booms made everything noisier and more complicated to follow, as some made the ships sway, too.
The opposition's goal was to keep us busy long enough for Alijah to come through, or at least that was what we thought. Though, with Fenris in the lead, it wouldn't take long until they submitted the witches to their will.
Well, if they don't use the wolfsbane. If they do… Then…
After a few minutes, which felt like hours, I excused myself to the bathroom. Much to my detriment, Melody followed me there. Luckily, she was keen on privacy and waited outside the restroom.
After all, what could a heavily pregnant Lilith do to escape a big wolf?
She had been training with Liam. Even if she wasn't combat-ready, she was fast enough to catch me in my current state. If I tried any magic, she would also hear me too. I was lucky enough to avoid Amelia.
That white wolf would've shoved herself inside to watch me. Undoubtedly, she knew I wouldn't stay quiet. Luckily, she was too busy with Ben to notice my sudden disappearance. However, it wouldn't be long until she did.
Even with all the noise from outside, my hands appeared to be tied. Fortunately, I had grabbed a sigil from the manor to make the bathroom soundless. Before arriving at our destination, I inspected every bathroom while the elves took me on a tour. This one was the closest to the ship's outer shell, allowing me to slip through with no one seeing me.
It even had a window that showed the outside. Melody was none the wiser when I picked this one to go. After activating the sigil, I took the only chance I had. The tug of fate compelled me to go forward despite everything being stacked against me.
Although challenging, I climbed on top of Shade, who hesitated to time an explosion before smashing through the wall before us. There weren't any more safety nets as we plunged towards the world below.
It would probably take Melody twenty to thirty minutes to get worried about me and find out what I did unless Amelia found her first. Thankfully, I used to take a while in the bathroom, which shouldn't lead them to expect any less.
Once in the air, the forest was bigger than I had imagined. Thanks to the temporary abilities given to me by my pregnancy, I secured our soft landing with ease. The moment we hit the floor, we bolted forward towards where the pull of destiny led me.
It was also where the most concentration of magic persisted. Anyone who came on our way fell by Shade's claws as we were taking no prisoners. I couldn't afford to care for anyone else when I carried precious packages within me, yet I had never seen her so aggressive before.
She would end it with no hesitation when she felt life near her. The more we ran, the further we got away from all the mayhem, leading me to believe that was only a distraction. It felt like someone hauled me forward toward the middle of the forest where the fighting hadn't yet arrived.
The number of enemy hostiles we ran into was scarce as the rest tried to lure the dominant force away from this direction. Ryker was right when he said my grimoire made my spells less chaotic, allowing me to be more accurate with my magical attacks.
Thanks to it, I didn't have to remember a spell. No, the words flowed into me, making me an unstoppable force. I never knew the bond between a grimoire and its user, but for the first time, I felt free, and thanks to my ability because of my pregnancy, I could cast spells without muttering a word.
Unlike the time I set fire to the forest, I could precisely cast my spells to target individuals without having to concentrate as much. It also helped to limit the damage to the forest, unlike last time, when I set the whole thing ablaze.
Shade and I were like knives cutting through butter, going through the few enemy lines that stood in our way. Their attacks never reached me, thanks to Shade's barrier that bounced off any magical and physical assaults.
However, it was less effective at doing so. She quickly blocked any that slipped through it with her body, which didn't affect her, thanks to her immortality. Fighting through, we found ourselves in the middle of the forest.
There was an ancient building that was never reported, which meant this was the place the eternal witch was hiding until the prison started to spill into our world. With my initial approach, most witches and warlocks watched me as I slowly got off Shade.
They had witnessed us cut through their lines with little effort, which made them think twice about engaging me. My back started to hurt, though. It could've been from the ride alone and the extra exertion, making me feel slightly off.
Minor, consistent cramps raised within me, too, but I ignored them to see a familiar figure standing on the steps in front of me.
Ah… You haven't aged a day, Stella.