Chapter Text
A baby’s cry echoed throughout the snow-covered trees. Amarah followed the noise into a far corner of the commune.
There a man stood. His back was turned to Amarah, and he was shushing at something in his arms. The snowflakes fluttering down onto his head were a sharp contrast to his pitch-black hair.
“Onyx,” Amarah spoke softly, voice barely audible over the deafening wails.
Still, the man managed to hear them. Onyx turned around, revealing what he held. It was a bundle of blankets with a few tufts of black hair peaking out the top of it. And—more notably—what seemed to be two small wings made of flesh and bone.
“Elder Amarah—!” A look of relief flashed on Onyx’s face. He looked utterly exhausted, dark purple bags under his red-rimmed eyes. “I just… I can’t calm them down.”
“Give them to me.”
Onyx nodded before handing the bundle over. Amarah peered down at the baby now held in their arms. Their eyes were squeezed shut and face beet red as they screeched their tiny lungs out.
“Shhh… It is okay, little one…” Amarah hushed. He began gently rocking them. “It is okay. Quiet down now.”
After about a minute, the infant’s cries finally started to dissipate. They finally opened up those impossibly huge dark brown eyes and stared up at Amarah curiously. They hiccuped a few more times before their crying stopped completely.
“There we go…”
“Oh wow.” Onyx gaped. “You’re so good with them.”
“Babies like being rocked. It simulates the rhythm of the mother’s womb.”
Onyx nodded. His gaze flickered down, sniffing once and then rubbing his face.
“Elder Amarah… I don’t know how I am going to do this without her. I can’t raise this child alone.”
Onyx was the newborn’s father. Their mother had died in childbirth, as is common. Childbirth was unfortunately a very complicated process. But if her death was Spawn’s will, then it was Spawn’s will.
“You’re not alone,” Amarah reminded him. “Your family is here for you.”
“Yes, I know. I am so grateful you’re here, Am— Elder Amarah,” Onyx corrected himself.
“Of course. And the Spawn is always with us as well.”
As if to prove his point, Amarah gently stroked the baby’s head wings. They were reminiscent of the Spawn symbol, with the jagged triangular shapes. They also had a similar tail currently hidden beneath the blankets.
“You have a very special child, Onyx.”
“Are… Are they really the chosen one?” Onyx asked softly. “I mean, I know you’ve already said that they were. But… my child…”
“Yes. The wings and tail are proof enough. They have been chosen by the Spawn Himself. They are destined to receive the blessing of a second life.”
Onyx smiled softly as he looked at his child, a stray tear falling down his cheek. He didn’t bother to wipe it away. He leaned down to give them a kiss on the forehead. The baby cooed innocently.
“I love you so much, my child,” Onyx whispered. His focus returned back to Amarah. “May I have them back now?”
“Allow me to hold them for a few moments longer.”
Onyx’s lips twitched but nevertheless he bowed his head.
“Of course, Elder.” With that, Onyx turned around and sighed, looking off into the trees almost wistfully.
With Onyx’s back turned to him again, Amarah supposed now was as good a time as any.
Shifting the baby into one arm, he reached into his pocket.
“I believe I have decided what to name them,” Onyx spoke.
“Is that right…?” Amarah responded, not particularly listening to the other anymore. He stared at his reflection within the object he pulled out. The reflection stared back.
“Me and Juni came up with many names, but there was one in particular that she really liked…”
Amarah tightened his grip on the handle and took a step closer to Onyx. He glared at the man’s back.
“Their name—”
Amarah thrusted the ghostfire dagger in.
Onyx gasped and Amarah quickly yanked the now bloodied blade out. Onyx whipped around, confusion and betrayal apparent in his wide eyes.
“A-Amarah…?” he croaked out.
Amarah smiled sweetly. “It’s okay, Onyx. The Spawn recognizes and appreciates your sacrifice.”
“You…” Onyx’s eyes traveled to the baby Amarah held. “Give… give them to me…”
He tried to take a step forward but collapsed to his knees. Amarah took two steps back, out of Onyx’s reach.
“Amarah…” Onyx tried to raise his voice, but he was growing too weak to speak any louder than a whisper. Tears filled his eyes. “My baby… I need my baby…”
Onyx collapsed to the ground and began to cough. It was a gross wet sound. He was probably choking on his own blood. Speaking of blood, plenty of it poured from his fresh stab wound. Dyeing the pure snow beneath him red.
“I know it’s scary now, but it will all be over soon.”
With the last of his strength Onyx reached out towards Amarah and his child. Unable to speak anymore, all he could let out was a pitiful wheeze.
Amarah stared down at him with nothing but a dull indifference. Onyx let out a final sad breath and then went limp. His stretched-out arm fell to the snowy ground with a thump.
Amarah just continued to stare. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little sad. Onyx had been her dear friend for many, many years.
It was always a bit jarring how quickly a precious life could be snuffed out.
Oh well. It wasn’t as though death was something Amarah was unaccustomed to. The Spawn required constant sacrifices, whether it be animal or human. And He had recently spoken to Amarah directly after the birth of this magnificent child. He wanted Amarah to be their mentor. To be the one who raised them. Protect the chosen one and lead them on the correct righteous path.
Lead them to the blessing of a second life.
Amarah would happily oblige to her beloved God’s word.
She was snapped out of her thoughts as the baby began to whine again. Poor thing had no idea what was going on. And they were probably getting cold in this frigid weather.
“It’s okay, little one. We’ll be inside soon.” Amarah gently bounced them up and down again. Their whining settled down before letting out a big yawn. Amarah chuckled softly at the sight.
She then sat on the snowy ground, placing the dagger down to her side and the infant in her lap. With Amarah’s hands now free, she clasped them together and closed her eyes.
Dear Spawn. I have done as you have asked. Please accept this gift I offer onto you. Onyx has served as an honorable sacrifice.
Amarah could feel the Spawn’s warmth envelope him, like the sun’s rays delicately brushing his skin. Even on a cold cloudy day such as this. He grinned serenely.
I will not disappoint you, Spawn.
With that, he unclasped his hands and stood back up. He turned around, refusing to give his friend the corpse another glance. Instead, he glanced down at the baby now peacefully sleeping in his arms.
“Two Time…” Amarah bestowed the new name upon them. “Let’s go home now, my child.”