Jara was stunned, hearing for the first time about the edict, since they began their escape.
The leader continued, "They want all infants born in this month to be exterminated in body and soul. They care for the world, and that one child will bring ruin to the whole world. We all know the prophecy itself is a gamble."
"It may not come true, but if there is any possibility of it being true. They want the possibility erased. There will be no exception. Please return with us, Lady Seraphina" said the leader, setting finality of the situation in his tone.
Lady Seraphina fell silent and despaired for her child, just then her gaze went to the portal which was nearly stabilized and ready for transfer again.
"Jara, watch out. They are stalling for time. The portal is almost stabilized. More are coming. We need to close it." Seraphina cried out as she withdrew a crystal white stone from her space ring and threw in the direction of Jara.
Jara catched the stone, understanding its use for creating a turbulence in the space portal. Observing the urgent situation, she drew power by burning her minimal amount of mana she had absorbed and attacked the leader with a sword in her right hand.
The leader easily parried her attack and took a swing at her head to decapitate her. The other two assassins also rushed to help the leader in killing Jara.
Seeing the desperate situation, Jara did a backflip, to appear behind the leader. Avoiding the attacks from the other assassins, Jara matched the sword with the leader's dagger which was closing onto her heart.
Jara saw that the portal flickering again, signifying the transfer of more assassins. She made an immediate decision to ignite her soul itself and started burning her lifespan in exchange of power. Her attacks grew faster and deadlier. She forced the subordinate assassins farther away from her and, exchanging injury to non-vitals, she thrusted the sword at the leader's throat.
The leader panicked, seeing the attack coming for his neck and was thrown off-balance. Jara saw the opportunity and kicked him in the chest in the direction of the portal. Seeing the leader being hurled inside the portal, the other assassins rushed in his direction to save him and prevent the portal from closing due to disturbance.
Jara followed them closely and threw the crystal stone inside the portal. The energy stored in crystal stone ignited as it neared the portal and once it breached the portal entrance, it exploded. The leader and the assassins being closest to the portal took full brunt of the explosion.
The explosion created a massive crater of 100-200 feet depth on the forest floor. As the dust cleared, Jara and Lady Seraphina saw that at the center of the crater, the leader was still alive and was drawing his last breaths. The remaining assassins have been burnt till nothing remains but ashes. Seeing the condition of the leader, Lady Seraphina weakly said "Jara, take me near him. I need to ask something."
"Your Majesty. It is dangerous. He is still alive. If he self-explodes, it may harm you and your child." Jara worriedly pointed out.
"It's fine. He was closest to the portal, and the center of the explosion. He cannot survive this. Anyway, we need to kill him and check his space ring, just in case it has some tracker."
"Yes, Your Majesty" Jara supported Lady Seraphina to stand and then holding her hand by her right hand she took her near the center of the crater. The leader, seeing Lady Seraphina, took a deep breath and said, "Lady Seraphina, we are not the first and we will not be the last who will come after your child. I hope you are ready for the consequences of your choice."
"You talk too much. I ask you, who told you I was due to give birth in this month. And how did the seal break." Lady Seraphina, despite the pain, interrogated the leader.
The leader gasping for air, replied "I don't know. I just got orders to capture you and kill the child upon its birth. I don't know anything about the seal you talk about."
"Thank you for telling me. Jara, send me on his way." Lady Seraphina ordered.
Jara, seeing that now Lady Seraphina has regained her composure and can now walk short distances independently, took a step forward towards the assassin. She swung her sword and decapitated the assassin.
"Your Majesty, let's leave this place. Someone may come here to investigate the cause of the explosion."
"Alright. Let's look for a place to take shelter. The seal is broken. I may go into labor any moment." Lady Seraphina weakly replied.
Both walked slowly, in the direction of a tall mountain in deep forest looking for a shelter from rain. Coming near the foot of the mountain, hidden among the bushes they found footprints of wild animals which were nearly washed away due to rain if not for tree leaves shielding them. Assuming a cave nearby, they followed the muddy footprints to find themselves in front of the cavern.
Entering the cave, they saw a mother bear feeding her cub. The mother bear sensing the intrusion grew alert and took a protective stance in front of her cub. Seeing the intruders, the mother bear roared.
"We will not harm you or your cub. We are just looking for shelter from the rain and a place for me to give birth."
Mother Bear, seeing the gentle eyes, sensing the kindness in Seraphina's voice growled as if agreeing and took a step back, taking her cub in arms and then pointed out toward one corner of the cavern.
Lady Seraphina, understanding its intention, motioned Jara to go in that direction. Jara, taking the cue, went in that direction. Seeing the place, dusty and filled with molds , she cleaned it and then brought some ferns and grass to make bed. Once done, she let Lady Seraphina to lie down. Lady Seraphina upon sitting with the support of the cavern wall said,
"Jara, let's rest here. Once the child is born, we will move then. How are your injuries?"
"Your Majesty, I am fine, injured but nothing fatal" Jara replied.
"Jara, nurse your injuries. Take some pills. We will need your strength in case of any danger" Seraphina ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty" Jara said while she sat beside Lady Seraphina for rest. Soon both were asleep, tired from surviving the ordeal. Mother Bear, seeing them resting, ignored them and also took rest.
After resting for a few hours, just as night was coming to end, and dawn was to break out, Seraphina started screaming her throat out with pain.
"Aaah… Aaah…"
"Jara, I am in pain…..Aaah, the child is coming…"
Jara woke up in alarm, seeing Seraphina in pain, she was overcome with worry.
"Your Majesty, take deep breaths, try to relax."
"Jara, he is coming… Aaah" ..Seraphina screamed due to pain.