Chapter 66 - 066: It’s a baby....

The moment the notification appeared, another contraction seized Anaria’s body.

She sucked in a sharp breath, her fingers tightened around the edge of the bathtub as she waited for the pain to ease.

The System panel remained suspended before her.

[Emergency Pregnancy Kit]

[Status: Unlocked]

[Instructions available.]

[Follow the displayed instructions to stabilize the mother and assist with childbirth.]

Anaria stared at the panel through half-closed eyes "Show me."

The display changed immediately.

[Step One: Maintain a stable position.]

[Step Two: Control breathing during contractions.]

[Step Three: Monitor the mother’s condition.]

[Step Four: Change position when instructed.]

[Step Five: Push only when the body is ready.]

Anaria swallowed "That sounds easier than it feels."

The panel remained silent.

Another contraction came, Anaria leaned back against the side of the bath area and forced herself to breathe slowly.

In....Out....In....Iut.

The warm water continued to ease some of the tension in her body, but the pain was steadily becoming stronger.

Her forehead became damp with sweat.

She squeezed her eyes shut "Come on..."

She focused on the instructions, she e couldn’t afford to panic. Her baby was depending on her.

Minutes passed in a blur of pain and shallow breaths.

Every time another contraction came, Anaria gripped the edge of the tub and followed the System’s instructions as best as she could.

Then the panel changed.

[Position adjustment recommended.]

[Mother should leave the water.]

Anaria opened her eyes "What?"

She looked down at the water around her, the warmth had become the only thing making the pain even slightly bearable.

But the instruction remained.

[Change position.]

Anaria clenched her jaw "Fine."

Getting out of the bathtub was harder than she expected.

Her legs trembled beneath her as she carefully pushed herself upward.

A sudden wave of pain made her stop.

She gripped the side of the area, breathing through clenched teeth until it passed "Just a little farther..."

She slowly stepped out of the water, her body felt heavy. She lowered herself carefully onto the ground beside the bathtub and shifted until she found a position she could tolerate.

The System panel appeared directly in front of her.

[Position stable.]

[Continue controlled breathing.]

Anaria let out a shaky breath "I’m trying."

Another contraction came but this time the pain was stronger.

Anaria’s hand flew to her stomach as her entire body tensed.

A cry escaped her "Ah!"

She breathed through it, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

The room seemed to shrink around her, the only thing she could feel was pain and the small life she was trying desperately to bring into the world.

She thought of Kenai, Rylan, and Kai. They were probably still searching for the herbal woman, unaware of how much worse the pain had become.

"I hope they’re coming."

Another contraction hit. Anaria gripped the cloth beneath her, breathing as the System updated.

[Contraction detected.]

[Maintain breathing.]

She followed the instruction, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly again and again.

The pain intensified until she could barely think "I can’t..."

Her body trembled "I can’t do this."

The panel changed.

[You are progressing.]

Anaria stared at the words before wiping the sweat from her face. "Hmm, I don’t know "

She took another breath "Dear Lord "

Time blurred into contractions and brief moments of relief. Her body grew weaker, but she continued following the System’s instructions.

[Maintain position.]

[Control breathing.]

[Prepare.]

[Do not strain yet.]

Then the panel changed.

[The body is ready.]

Anaria’s eyes widened "What?"

Another contraction came.

She cried out and pushed, gripping the cloth beneath her "Ahh!"

The pain slowly faded, but another wave followed almost immediately.

[Continue.]

Anaria shook her head "No..."

But she pushed again.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

She didn’t care anymore. She only wanted it to end. She only wanted her baby to be safe.

Another contraction then another push.

Her body trembled with exhaustion then the final instruction appeared.

[Final stage.]

[One more push.]

Anaria stared at it.

One more.... She gathered every bit of strength she had left.

The contraction hit, she screamed and pushed with everything she had "AHHH!"

Then suddenly, it was over.

Anaria froze, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she looked down.

A baby.... Her baby.. A little bear girl.

Tears filled her eyes "She..."

Her voice broke "She’s is beautiful"

The System panel changed.

[Birth completed.]

[Mother stable.]

[Newborn detected.]

Anaria released a shaky breath.

Her hands were still trembling as she carefully reached for her daughter.

She followed the System’s guidance, moving slowly and supporting the newborn properly despite how exhausted she was.

The baby was so small and warm.

Anaria gently held her against her chest. For several seconds, there was no sound.

Anaria’s heart began pounding.

She looked down anxiously "Come on..."

She gently patted the baby’s back "Please..."

Nothing...Fear immediately tightened around her heart "Please cry."

She patted her gently again then finally, a tiny sound broke through the silence.

A cry....

Anaria pasued. Her eyes widened.

The baby cried again, stronger this time.

A huge breath escaped Anaria’s lungs "Oh..."

She laughed weakly through her tears "She’s okay."

Her entire body finally relaxed. That was all she had wanted. She no longer cared about the pain or the exhaustion. Her baby was breathing. Her baby was alive.

Anaria looked down at the little girl in her arms, her eyes softening as she gently touched the baby’s tiny head. "My daughter..." The words felt strange, yet beautiful. A weak smile touched her lips.

"You really made me suffer," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But you’re worth it."

Before she could say anything else, the door suddenly burst open.

Kenai rushed inside, followed closely by Rylan and Kai, with the herbal woman right behind them. All three males looked terrified. "Anaria!"

Kenai’s eyes immediately searched the room, his expression tightening when he saw her lying on the floor. Rylan’s face went pale, while Kai stopped completely.

Then they saw the baby.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The herbal woman’s eyes widened as she stared at Anaria. "You already gave birth?"

Anaria barely had the strength to answer. She only looked down at the little girl in her arms, a faint smile appearing on her tired face.

The herbal woman quickly moved toward her. "Give her to me for a moment."

Anaria hesitated, instinctively holding the baby a little closer.

The woman understood immediately. "She’s fine. Let me take care of both of you."

After a moment, Anaria slowly nodded.

The herbal woman knelt beside Anaria and immediately took over her care, cleaning her and handling the necessary after-birth care before carefully cleaning the newborn.

Kenai, Rylan, and Kai remained nearby, still stunned. They had left to find the herbal woman fearing something had gone terribly wrong, only to return and discover that Anaria had already given birth alone.

The woman said nothing about it. There would be time for questions later. For now, Anaria needed to rest.

Once the baby was clean, she was settled safely back into Anaria’s arms. Anaria looked down at her daughter, her eyelids growing heavier with every passing moment. She gently touched the baby’s cheek.

"She’s finally here," she whispered.

She wanted to stay awake a little longer, but her body had reached its limit. After one last look at her daughter, Anaria carefully handed the baby to the herbal woman.

"Take her."

The moment the woman took the newborn, Anaria’s arms fell limp and her eyes closed.

"Anaria!"Kenai caught her immediately, his face filled with panic.

"What happened?" Kai asked.

"Is she okay?" Rylan added.

The herbal woman quickly checked Anaria before shaking her head. "She’s fine. She’s simply exhausted. Giving birth for the first time has taken a great deal out of her."

Kenai tightened his hold on Anaria. "What should we do?"

"Carry her back to her room. I need to finish caring for her and prepare some medicine for when she wakes."

Kenai immediately lifted Anaria into his arms, while Rylan and Kai gathered the herbal woman’s tools. The herbal woman carefully carried the newborn, and together they left the room.

For the first time that day, their fear began to ease.

Anaria was safe.

Her daughter was safe.

And they were finally together.