A Journey That Changed The World

Archer’s lips curved into a proud smile as he adjusted the baby in his arms, letting her face his sisters more. ”Everyone, this is my first daughter, Freya Wyldheart,” he said, his tone warm but steady, carrying the weight of a father’s love. ”Your niece.”

Freya, as if sensing the importance of the moment, let out a gleeful squeal, her tiny hands reaching toward Kestria, who gasped and laughed softly in response. Dara took a cautious step closer, her eyes locked on the toddler’s beaming face.

”Can… can we hold her?” she asked, glancing at him with a hopeful, almost pleading look.

Archer chuckled, the sound easing the tension. ”Go easy on her,” he said, his voice teasing but protective. ”She’s small, but she’s got a fierce grip.”

He gently shifted Freya before passing her to Dara, as the brothers slowly approached like scared deer, their shock giving way to curiosity and warmth, drawn in by the light of their new family member.

Oswyn leaned back against the worn oak table outside their tent after they all sat down, his arms crossed and a bemused grin spreading across his face as they watched the sisters playing with the baby.

”I still can’t wrap my head around it, little brother,” he said, his voice a mix of astonishment and pride. ”You, the Great White Devil of Thrylos, a father? You’ve outpaced us all. I was betting Kestria would be the first to settle down, but here you are, proving me wrong.”

Archer let out a low laugh as he followed Oswyn’s gaze, where the others were busy watching their sisters. Not far away, Dara and Kestria were utterly enchanted by the baby, who sat between them on a soft blanket spread over the grass.

Dara ran her fingers gently through Freya’s soft, snowy hair, cooing softly. ”It’s like spun moonlight,” she marveled, her voice brimming with awe as the little one giggled and swatted playfully at her hand.

Kestria, ever the caretaker, hovered close, brushing imaginary specks of dust from the little bundle’s dress, her movements careful and deliberate to ensure the toddler stayed pristine and squeaky clean.

The scene warmed his heart, a quiet joy settling over him as he watched his sisters dote on his daughter. Freya’s eyes fluttered faintly, each burst of laughter making everyone smile at the noise.

A soft chime interrupted his thoughts as Hecate’s voice resonated in his mind. ‘Husband, Sia told me you’ve taken Freya to meet your siblings. They must be smitten already. Shall I bring the twins to join the fun?’ The most up‑to‑date version is on *.

His smile widened, his heart swelling at the thought of his other children meeting their aunts and uncles. He glanced at Freya, who was now attempting to grab Kestria’s braid while Dara laughed and gently redirected her tiny hands.

Oswyn, still watching, raised an eyebrow, clearly catching the shift in Archer’s expression. ”What’s that look?” he asked, leaning forward with a teasing grin. ”More surprises up your sleeve, little brother?”

Archer chuckled, shaking his head. ”Just Hecate,” he said, his voice soft. ”She’s asking if she should bring the twins to meet you all.”

His older brother’s eyes widened, and the others’ jaws dropped as he let out a low whistle. ”Twins too? You’re building a whole army, aren’t you?”

Oswyn clapped him on the shoulder, his laughter echoing through the hall. ”Go on, tell her to bring them. Let’s see if your sisters can handle three of your little stars at once.”

Archer’s gaze returned to Freya, who beamed up at Dara, and he felt a surge of gratitude for this moment, his family, whole and together, her at its heart as she had changed him completely.

Following that, he shook his head, smiling as he replied to Hecate. ‘Bring them, love.’

Moments later, a portal opened nearby, causing every head to turn, conversations halting mid-sentence as all eyes fixed on the swirling vortex. Freya let out a delighted squeal, her tiny hands clapping as she knew it was one of her mothers.

Archer straightened, his heart quickening, a faint smile tugging at his lips. From the portal stepped a tall, striking Moon Elf, her grey skin shimmering faintly under the hall’s warm light, like moonlight on still water.

Her long, silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face both regal and warm. Her crimson eyes, sharp and luminous, swept across the clearing they were in, taking in the gathered siblings.

When her gaze landed on Archer, her expression softened, and a radiant smile broke across her face, illuminating her features. ”Hecate,” he said as he stepped forward, Freya’s babbling a soft backdrop to the moment.

The Moon Elf’s expression brightened, and she crossed the distance between them in a few graceful strides, her flowing robes whispering against the floor. In her arms, she carried two bundles, Neoma and Kela.

”Well, look at this gathering,” Hecate said, her voice rich and melodic, tinged with a playful warmth as she stopped beside Archer.

She leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against his cheek before turning her attention to the siblings, who stared in a mixture of awe and curiosity. ”I see Freya’s already stolen your hearts,” she added, her crimson eyes twinkling as she glanced at Dara and Kestria, who were still fussing over the giggling toddler.

Oswyn, recovering from his initial surprise, let out a low chuckle and stepped forward, his eyes darting between Hecate and the twins. ”So, you’re the one who’s tamed our brother,” he said, his tone teasing but respectful. ”And brought us more nieces, by the look of it.”

Archer swept, his arms wide as he gathered Kela and Neoma while grinning. The twins erupted into delighted giggles, their tiny voices filling the air as he showered their soft, grey-skinned faces with a flurry of kisses.

Kela, her white hair catching the light like a halo, squirmed halfheartedly, her protests more playful than serious. She pushed at his face, but her efforts were futile against his affectionate onslaught.

The little girl let out a dramatic sigh. She surrendered, nestling into his arms and accepting her fate with a smile. Neoma, however, was not so easily won over. Her little brows furrowed in as she swatted at his hands, her tiny fingers batting using surprising force for someone so small.

Her wriggles grew more vigorous, her giggles turning into indignant squeals as she tried to assert her independence. But his persistence was unwavering, and eventually, even Neoma’s resolve softened.

Archer felt her squirming slowly, and she let out a tiny huff, her sparkling violet eyes betraying her amusement as she finally relaxed in his hold. Pausing to catch his breath, he gazed down at the two grey-skinned girls cradled in his arms, his heart swelling.

Their contrasting personalities, Kela’s happy acceptance and Neoma’s fiery spirit, only made him love them more. ”You know I love you both, right?” he said softly, his eyes shining.

The twins seemed to understand, their faces lighting up as they responded in their way. Kela babbled happily, her little hands waving as if conducting an invisible orchestra, while Neoma bounced in his arms, her earlier defiance forgotten as she let out a string of excited coos.

Their energy was contagious, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Kestria and Dara, who had been engrossed in playing with little Freya, turned to see what the commotion was about.

His sister’s eyes widened in unison, and soft smiles spread across their faces as they took in the heartwarming scene, Archer, utterly devoted, surrounded by the joyful chaos of the twins’ laughter.

As Kela and Neoma still giggled in his arms, their infectious laughter echoing through the clearing, his sister couldn’t resist the pull of the joyful scene. Kestria, cradling little Freya securely against her shoulder.

Freya, her tiny fists clutching at Kestria’s tunic, seemed to sense the excitement, her curious gaze fixed on her sisters’ antics. Without a word, the two women hurried over, their steps light but eager, drawn in by the twins’ boundless energy.

”Oh, look at these two troublemakers!” Kestria exclaimed, her voice warm as she leaned in close, brushing a gentle hand over Kela’s white hair.

The baby cooed in response, her grey cheeks dimpling as she reached out, trying to grab Kestria’s finger. Neoma, never one to be outdone, let out a high-pitched squeal and kicked her legs, demanding attention.

Archer chuckled, shifting his hold to keep the wriggling Neoma from launching herself out of his arms. Dara, standing at Archer’s side, couldn’t help but laugh as she reached out to tickle Neoma’s tummy.

”You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” she teased, her voice soft but playful.

Neoma’s eyes widened, and she swatted at Dara’s hand, her giggles turning into a delighted shriek that made Freya squirm in Kestria’s arms, as if eager to join the fun alongside her sisters.

He watched as the brown-haired young woman adjusted the baby gently to soothe her, but her attention remained on the twins. ”They’re growing so fast,” Hecate commented from behind. ”It’s thanks to their father.”