A Journey That Changed The World

Archer watched as Ella’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes softening. ”Oh, she’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Halime’s features melted into a tender smile, while Teuila let out a quiet gasp, her eyes glistening. Nefertiti, usually composed, leaned closer, her voice barely a murmur. ”She’s your double, Arch, with Sia’s nose.”

Each woman was instantly smitten, their heart captured by the tiny princess, who stared up at him as if he were her entire world. Time seemed to still, the world fading until it was just them.

His chest tightened, overwhelmed by a love so vast it felt like it might shatter him. Exhausted, he sank into a nearby chair, cradling Freya closer. Her small face tilted up, never breaking eye contact, a faint coo escaping her lips.

Archer leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his voice a soft, trembling whisper. ”I love you so much, little one.”

At his words, Freya’s eyes sparkled, and a bright, toothless smile spread across her face, her tiny hands twitching with delight. His heart swelled, a warmth flooding him as her joy lit up the room, binding them even closer in that tender, fleeting moment.

Following that, the women went around helping Sia rest as the midwives checked on the princess and gave her a clean bill of health. Archer quickly took her and stepped out onto the grand balcony.

Mia hurried toward him in a panic. Her brow furrowed with concern, and her voice carried a sharp edge of alarm. ”Arch, what on earth are you doing?” she exclaimed, her hands fluttering nervously. ”It’s chilly out here, and Freya’s far too young to be out on a balcony like this!”

Archer didn’t turn to meet her gaze, his attention wholly consumed by the little girl, who let out a soft gurgle and kicked her legs with surprising vigor. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

”I’m showing her the night sky, Grandmother,” he replied, his voice low.

The term of endearment for Mia, a nod to her new role in Freya’s life, softened the air between them, though Mia’s frown lingered. Before Mia could press further, a warm, melodic voice cut through the tension from the doorway.

Sia leaned against the frame, her arms crossed casually, but her blue eyes alight with a knowing warmth. ”Leave him be, Mother,” she said, her tone gentle but firm. ”Look at him. Look at the way he’s gazing at her. That’s not just a father holding his child; that’s a man who” just fallen head over heels in love with his daughter. It’s the same way Father looked at us when we were small, remember?”

Mia’s expression softened, her eyes flickering toward Archer and Freya. The sight of them together, the towering young man, so formidable and known as a devil on Thrylos, cradling the tiny, fragile life with such care, seemed to melt her objections.

She let out a small sigh, her shoulders relaxing as she watched Freya’s tiny hand curl around her grandson’s finger. The stars above began to twinkle more brightly, as if in approval, casting a gentle glow over the scene.

Once outside, Archer noticed the night had deepened, the sky above the palace now a vast canvas, strewn with stars like scattered diamonds. He sat on a comfortable bench as he cradled his daughter in his arms.

The infant’s eyes locked onto him, her gaze unblinking, as if she could see straight through to the depths of his soul. Her tiny chest rose and fell with soft breaths, and every so often, her lips parted in a faint, curious coo.

Archer’s heart felt as though it might burst under the weight of her stare, a look so pure, so trusting, it anchored him to the moment in a way he’d never known. The air carried a crisp chill, and his brow furrowed as he noticed her small body shiver.

Instinctively, he raised one hand as a Cosmic Shield unfurled around them. The violet dome sparkled faintly. The air within the shield warmed instantly, a gentle heat radiating from its surface, wrapping father and daughter in a cocoon.

Freya’s shivering stopped as she warmed up once again, and her tiny fingers curled contentedly against his chest. ”There we are, my little princess,” he murmured.

After that, he shifted her carefully in his arms, lifting her so that her face was level with his. Her big blue eyes seemed to grow even wider, reflecting the faint glow of the shield and the stars beyond.

Archer’s breath caught under the weight of her gaze. ”You’re braver than most people in this world, including your aunts and uncles, you know that? Looking at me like you already know all my secrets.”

He gently lifted the tiny baby higher. Holding her aloft, he gazed at her, marveling at the blend of features that mirrored both of them. Her tiny face was a combination of their traits, his sharp jawline softened by Sia’s cheeks and nose.

Freya’s eyes were sparkling with warmth. But it was the soft tuft of white hair atop her head that stole his breath, utterly adorable in its unexpected charm. Her little ears twitched ever so slightly to the sounds of the world.

Archer couldn’t help but smile, his heart swelling with quiet joy. ‘Her hair is so long and floofy already!’ he thought, a silent celebration bubbling within him.

He was careful to keep his excitement contained, not wanting to startle her with a sudden outburst. Instead, he simply gazed at her, captivated by the tiny miracle in his hands, already so full of personality and promise.

Freya’s legs kicked gently, and a delighted, happy noise escaped her. ”’You’re going to light up the world,” he said, his words filled with love. ”Brighter than any star up there. Stronger than any shield I could ever conjure. You’re my everything.”

The little girl’s gaze grew even more intense, her tiny brows twitching as if she understood every word, every heartbeat behind them. Archer lowered her slowly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as he breathed in the soft, sweet scent of her.

”You’ve got me, little one,” he whispered. ”Always.”

Hours slipped by unnoticed as Sia appeared at the door. Looking tired, but her smile was infectious as she approached, her gown swaying softly. ”Time to feed our little one,” she said, gently lifting Freya from his arms.

The baby gurgled, her eyes still lingering on her father. Archer felt a quiet pang of loneliness as the warmth of her small body left him. Ella appeared as Teuila, and Neferitit joined Sia in the bedroom.

When the Half-Elf caught the fleeting shadow in his expression, she grinned. ”Oh, come on, handsome,” she teased. ”You’ll have plenty of babies to fuss over soon enough. Most of us are due within a matter of weeks, there will be more.”

Her words coaxed a chuckle from Archer, easing the ache as he leaned back, the promise of future moments softening the quiet void left by Freya’s absence. He glanced at the gorgeous half-elf.

”I can’t wait to meet our baby El,” he revealed.

This made the young woman beam as she gave him a passionate kiss before answering. ”Shouldn’t be too long now, my love.”

After leaving the bedroom and Freya behind, he teleported to the Avidia frontline, where Inara and Elara were still defending. The Darkthorne and Alliance armies cut their path forward, but that would end.

Archer appeared on the wall next to the grey-haired lioness, who smiled. ”Congratulations, husband. I heard the baby is beautiful.”

Without speaking, he created a mana version of her floating in front of them, both women went wide-eyed as Freya and all her little features appeared. Elara got excited and started gushing over the baby.

”She’s so adorable, Arch!” she exclaimed. ”She looks like a female version of you with Sia’s eyes, look at her little ears!”

Archer chuckled but noticed Inara was quiet, prompting him to approach the lioness and embrace her from behind. He leaned down, kissing her slender brown neck, causing the older woman to moan. ”Mmmghh~~.”

Elara continued gushing about the new addition to the family as Inara finally spoke. ”She’s gorgeous, husband, can I go see her please?”

”Of course,” he answered. ”I’ll continue from here and take Darkthorne, enjoy your time with Freya, and tell them I’ll be back before sunset.”

The two women agreed and vanished from the wall, leaving him alone. Archer turned north, where the remaining Duskfire Empire remained. Moments later, he summoned an army of Venomwings and jumped on a guardian’s back.

”Let’s ambush the Alliance camps and finish off the Fire Elves,” he ordered.

Following that, the horde of monsters rushed north to take on the Demon camps littering the landscape. Archer grinned as thousands of Venomwings descended onto the first one and started killing the enemy soldiers.

Screams, shouts, and explosions rang out as the Alliance fought back, but his creatures were too fast. They swooped down, piercing the chests of commanders while carrying off others only to be eaten.