CHAPTER 85: WATER BROKE

"If not lewd, then what? Remember, you’re heavily pregnant!" the annoying voice of Goddess Freya rang out.

Gara scowled. I wasn’t thinking of anything lewd! I just hoped he’d ask to be in a relationship. I would’ve agreed instantly.

"In your condition? Engagement, marriage—it doesn’t suit you right now. Think about it from his point of view."

"Strange. You’re actually defending Madha, Goddess. Or do you just want to keep things as they are—status quo? But it doesn’t have to be engagement. Being boyfriends first is fine."

"Keeping things status quo is far better. And you two boys are already friends."

I knew it. You don’t want me to end up with Madha. Anyway, are you telling me there’s no such thing as dating here?

Intentionally, the goddess ignored Gara’s accusation, choosing to address only the latter part. "Dating? That’s when you plan marriage, then become fiancés before the wedding, right?"

And Gara more interested on the discussion about the meaning of dating.

No. Dating means being in a relationship without planning marriage yet.

What? That’s selfish.

Selfish? You have to think about everything carefully before getting into a serious relationship. That’s why dating is important. Goddess, you sho—

Before Gara could finish his internal debate with Goddess Freya, a sharp pain suddenly tore through his stomach.

So sharp—!

"Ahhh!"

His body could no longer support him, not even to sit. He collapsed to the earth floor. Clear fluid pooled at his feet.

Wina rushed in from the kitchen, Madha from just outside the door, Fian from farther away with his sharp hearing, and even Rea, who had been playing with her children.

All of them hurried toward Gara.

Madha reached him first, panic in his voice. "Gara! What’s wrong? Is it your stomach?"

Gara didn’t answer. He grimaced, forcing his eyes open to read the translucent blue panel in front of him, the words written in bold caps:

[WARNING! CONTRACTIONS FOR FIRST BIRTH INITIATED!]

[WARNING! DELIVERY MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR HOURS!]

[WARNING! FAILURE TO DELIVER WITHIN THE GIVEN TIME WILL RESULT IN 100% MORTALITY!]

The pain in his stomach, combined with the pounding in his head from the endless warnings, made it nearly impossible to think straight.

"Take me to my room... I’m about to give birth," Gara forced the words out through gritted teeth.

Without a single question, Madha scooped him up in a bridal carry and rushed toward the room, just as Wina and Fian appeared with a ghost-walk.

"Gara’s going into labor," Madha announced to them.

Panic spread through their hearts like wildfire. Wina darted into her own bedroom to contact Idris, while Fian silently followed Madha.

Gara was laid down on the bed. His hands clutched at the fabric over his stomach, his body curling in pain.

It was unbearable—ten times worse than the sharpest cramps he’d ever felt back when he was still a woman.

Menstrual cramps had peaks, flaring up before gradually fading away. But this pain... it didn’t fade at all. It stayed, sharp and merciless, like it wanted to tear him apart from the inside.

Cold sweat beaded on his temples. Why had it hit so suddenly? Weren’t first-time mothers supposed to have time—sometimes hours—to walk around and help the delivery go smoothly?

Then why was he already in so much pain that even opening his eyes felt impossible? He was supposed to have four hours left.

Was he just overreacting because it was his first time? Maybe everyone went through this much pain but simply managed to hold themselves together?

Before he could spiral further, a familiar voice of Goddess Freya echoed,

"You’ve taken good care of your body during pregnancy. Healthy food, balanced habits... your labor will progress faster than most."

What?! His healthy habit made it more painful?

"And because you carry more than one child, the delivery must happen quickly. If the remaining baby stays in the womb too long, their life will be at risk."

A jolt shot through Gara’s chest. Of course, he was carrying twins.

He tried to lift his gaze, searching for his mother’s figure, but only found Madha and Fian. Both stood frozen, faces taut with panic, unsure of what to do.

Gara’s frantic inner debate had lasted less than a minute, though. Wina was still connected to Idris through the ring.

"The forest is on fire, and you can’t make it here right away, Sir?!" Wina’s voice cracked with panic.

It was the dry season; even the slightest spark could ignite an inferno.

Gara’s Unlimited Water Talent had kept her from realizing just how dire the situation outside had become.

A deep, weary voice came from the ring. "I’ll ask the guards to find another route."

"There is one, Sir—but it’ll take seven hours!" Wina replied, panicked.

"A male labor, and with twins no less, cannot wait that long..." Idris muttered grimly.

He knew the truth well: when it came to male births, the delivery had to be immediate. The time limit before the water broke was much shorter than with females.

No matter how miraculous a male’s body was in its ability to carry a baby, it was still not the same as a female’s.

His tone sharpened. "I’ll request Captain Tristan to clear a path or find us a rider swift enough to reach you in time."

"Alright, contact me again the moment you meet Captain Tristan, Sir."

Then, Wina slid the crystal ring onto her finger and headed straight to Gara’s room.

From outside, she could already hear her son’s weak groans, and it tore at her heart.

"Bring me warm water and a clean cloth," she ordered. Fian moved quickly, darting out of the room.

The middle-aged woman then turned to Madha. "Please lift Gara for a moment. I’ll change the sheets."

Half-conscious, Gara felt himself being carried. His thoughts cleared just enough to form words, though his arms still hung limply at his sides.

"Fetch the porcelain jar marked PK-III," he whispered.

Fian rushed back in, carrying a basin of steaming water and a clean towel. Using his Ghost Walk, he set them down on the wooden table before sprinting out again to find the jar.

...