C109: Fear, Change and Phenomena. Part 1
Overall Word count = 1630 on 7/6/2024.
Axel spends another day studying under Gorgon regarding mental arts. His proficiency in the training is progressing much smoother now that he has had a chance to rest. Afterall, training mental techniques on the same day that the same person injured their mind is not the brightest idea but Axel still got the introduction he needed as well as the necessary instructions and tips have already been provided.
Axel did some exercises by himself when he woke up and then ate breakfast before training with Gorgon that day. But the next morning he was awoken by a guest banging upon the heavy metal gates just outside his home. Axel slid out of bed to get dressed before looking out the window and finding someone who he didn't expect to be in a panic.
Axel witnesses as Ottar of all people hops the fence and then sprints to the door, slamming upon it with great fervor. Sweat dripped down the Boaz man's body as he hurriedly knocked on the door. Witnessing all this rushing puts a confused expression on Axel's face before he remembers something and enters a panic of his own.
Now Axel is the one rushing as he opens his room window and jumps out. "Let's go" Ottar naturally notices Axel and the Boaz man leads the way to Dian Cecht. On their way, Axel sees various Freya familia members stationed on the rooftops, providing overwatch against anyone that could be a threat. Granted each and every one of them also glared at Axel with murderous intent. Axel himself only returns a cocky grin in return which infuriates them further.
Ottar and Axel soon arrive at the signature hospital built suitable to Airmid Teasanare otherwise known as the Dea Saint. Axel had been here once before after he fought and defeated his first juggernaut in the upper floors. Approaching the hospital store, Axel notices dark clouds gathering above the city. He almost moves to scatter the clouds as they are a bad omen but forgets about it immediately as Ottar opens the doors.
He finds the area packed with Freya executives but they are spaced out enough that Axel sees one specific door open. Axel makes his way inside, past the thick set of killing intents thrown at him by the executives. Though the killing intent is only thick due to number and not actual hatred. With news spreading about Axel reaching level 8, they gave up on fighting him but they "shall make their discontent known".
Axel looks inside the medical room, while Ottar stands Guard at the door, and finds that a big white bed has been prepared for Syr/Horn, who is currently lying on it. Her elongated belly is a clear indicator of why she is here. Freya herself is sitting beside Syr, holding her hand as they chat. Freya is smiling brightly that it almost overcame Axel's gluttony and charmed him. He had to raise his guard by increasing the gluttony layers on him into 3.
Freya and Syr both soon notice him and with smiles on their faces, they motion for him to sit down next to Freya. As he moves to do so, he notices an odd presence in the room. Turning his head, he finds a short, light-red-haired girl sleeping in the corner of the room. Axel doesnt recognize her from the regular entourage and there should be a reason for her presence. Freya notices his gaze and explains.
"This is my familia's dedicated healer, Heith Velvet-chan, otherwise known as Vana Mardoll. She is amazing in her work and is regularly compared to Airmid but she overworks herself too much, which is why she has those bags under her eyes. Especially with regularly checking on Horn for me. I had to charm her asleep so she would have some proper rest while Airmid takes care of things. Cant have my child be so stressed out when a big event is coming up. " Freya introduces with a kind gaze at looking at the one of two designated doctors for the upcoming event.
"I could probably take care of the entire medical procedure with my puppet" He says and summons Dr. Blythe. The giant ugly looking medical puppet makes its appearance and Horn visibly pales in dislike, not quite disgust but she definitely makes it known that she doesnt like it's appearance.
Freya curls up her arm around Axel's own, "It shall be fine my dear Odr. We have suitable and well known professionals. Enjoy the life you have without going on and on about taking care of it yourself. Live a little"
Axel has no response to her words as he can clearly see how Horn doesnt like how it looks. He dispels the nen construct and looks at Freya, "Fine, Emergency only. Is there anything that is required of me?"
The two accept his proposal and have him sit down beside Horn again. Freya informs him that his duties are, "You must simply support your wife in whatever may occur" The two are shocked that Freya accepts Syr to be one of Axel's wives. Syr is shocked as she understands her role in all this. Her desire to be like Freya has never stopped, it even grew when she gave up her individual identity to the goddess. This brings her to tears at the acceptance and care she truly realized she had. Freya's charm had unintentionally made her think that she is simply going through the motions to fulfill the wishes of the goddess she adores. This sends her into a crying fit as she comes to terms that this is truly her own life.
Meanwhile, Axel is shocked because didn't really recognize the need to acknowledge her at this very moment. He had long accepted her into his heart but seeing her cry her eyes out like that made him understand that Horn truly needed these words of affirmation. He gets up and pulls her head into his chest. She begins to bawl even harder. Her emotions are truly throwing her for a loop due to the pregnancy. Freya had always ensured that she was in a safe and comfortable mindset, as such saying this to her now made all her locked up emotions burst out. Axel rubs her back to reassure her which helps a bit but not enough before a problem arose.
"Aaaaaahhhhh, ooooooohhhhh"
Horn's crying is interrupted as she leans back in bed like a dead fish due to a sudden pain in her belly. She groans as she holds her belly. Freya steps closer with worry on her face, "Are you alright?"
Horn's face is flushed red, partially from the crying and now from trying to get her breath in order. "I think the baby wants some excitement in their life" Syr responds to Freya's question which causes the goddess to snap her spine straight and to 'calmly' call out to Ottar, "Please bring Airmid in now. I think everyone is ready."
Meanwhile Axel is well and truly panicking as the idea of being a father revolves in his head. He had been distracted from one event to another and was never able to come to terms with it. As such it is all crashing down on him now. The stress of the unknown, fear for Horn who bears his child and the understanding that he will have to work even harder from now on to ensure their safety.
Luckily he has two good friends to reassure him and act as guides for him in this situation. Though he doesn't think Asuras method of providing the organs of a giant snake monster to Syr to eat as a divine blessing upon the child is valid. Nor Talions slightly outlandish theory about elvish bridemaids being capable of transferring the pain of birth to others. Though he would righteously sell out a criminal to bear Horns incoming pain. Unfortunately Celebrimbor remains unaware of such mysticism, to both Axels and Talions chagrin
A bunch of shuffling is heard before a slightly panicked slim, long silver haired lady enters the room wearing her signature blue white striped uniform with red handkerchief tie. She wears white with orange thigh high colored boots, a small white and blue hat resting upon her head.
The lady is Airmid Teasanare who upon hearing Horn's cries, quickly gathers her medical tools and asks both Axel and Freya to stand some distance back before she uses one of Axel's magic rings to cleanse the area before investigating Horn's condition. Whilst doing so the bed became wet around Horn's legs and the lady herself groaned.
Airmid speaks up now, "As you have surely noticed, Syr's contractions have started and her water just broke[1]. Her condition is stable since she has already been fed a few specific medicines beforehand. I will quickly gather more of the necessary tools. I was ill prepared aince there should have been a few more hours until this happened. I only ask that you both help reassure her and keep her calm. This process could very well take a few hours, In which case I will likely swap with sleeping beauty there"
Airmid points to the sound asleep red haired girl, Heith. The duo of Axel and Freya nod in understanding as Axel channels a wide scale cleanse spell for the building.
Meanwhile Airmid gets to work.
****************************************
[1] Did a tiny bit of research as I didn't feel like movies were accurate enough whenever I had noticed it. I learned that the water can break after contractions have already started, this can be extended to the same time, or after as how it is typically portrayed.