Darkness
.
.
.
Darkness
.
.
.
Darkness
.
.
.
Abysmal Darkness
.
.
.
Floating in the endless void, the darkest of black laid a wondering grain of consciousness. For how long this spark of intelligence floated within the void is unknowable, uncountable and
.
.
un...
.
Tangible...
.
Could it had been an eternity or perhaps several? Has it only be hours or it just a spli-
SHEEEEN!
---------------------------
Somewhere in the recent past hidden within the rocky mountains of rural China, a palace of pristine wood and stone can be seen. One in which no wealth within a single lifetime can achieve and be built with.
Within the humble villa lies a husband and wife, whom can be seen holding hands next to each other as they prepare for the birth of their firstborn. With the help of a midwife from a local village, the anxiety and stress of their first childbirth experience has been tamed to a much more manageable level for the couple. After many hours are strenuous labor a child was finally birth forth into the world and a strong cry can be heard throughout the luxurious bedroom.
The the midwife quickly wrapped the crying child in a soft silky blanket before passing the child to the parents and congratulating them. "It's a beautiful baby boy" The midwife cheered as she passed over the child to the newly appointed father.
"Woah what a strong healthy boy." The father smiled as he held on to his firstborn. "For all the pain and work you had put your mother through, my son. I shall name you Xu Shàng-Qì. For you shall be a strong and unmovable man. A great man to watch over and protect your family one day" A cheerful yet simple smile grew over the father's face as for the first time in his long years of living, he had created life instead of taking it.
"UGH!!" The newly appointed mother let out another of her countless cries of pain. She had just gotten a glimpse of her child when another contraction of pain was felt. However, this one was much more able to withstand compared to the ones prior.
"She's not done? Could you two be gifted with twins?" A breath of astonishment came from the midwife as she quickly move to help the mother. For the couple were only expecting one but had received twins, much to the surprise of everyone. Even more unexpected was how much faster this second delivery was.
The child was already out and wrapped in another silk cloth before the mother could let out one more of her many many wails of pain. "It's another boy..." The midwife tried to calm herself down from the quick and unexpected second delivery. The new born seem cold and limp in her arm as anxiety and panic begins to form in her eyes. This child...it doesn't have a heartbeat. Looking at the warm happiness irradiating from the two newly appointed parents. The midwife couldn't find any strength in her heart to tell them her discovery. "M-master Xu..." She calls out to the Father as she tries to get only his attention and not the attention of the exhausted mother. The rare smile of warmth on Master Xu's face slowly fades away as he hands his eldest son to his wife.
"I-I'm so sorry, Master Xu." Xu approaches the midwife as he extends his hand out to hold his still born child. Given his enhanced body and years of training that pushed his body to the peak of human physicality he's able to hear the heartbeat of his children...but of only one of them. "Go. You have done your job. This is as much as I can thank you for now." Master Xu's face darkens as he tries to suppress the rage and sadness in his heart. His life had always been filled with hardship and pain but he was able to carved out his own place in history through his own effort and will power. But today. Today marks the greatest and most painful day he's had to experience. The midwife hastily bow to the master of the house before quickly leaving the two parents' side to grab some remedies to help the recovering mother.
Master Xu slowly walks over to his wife as he's unsure of how to break this news to his wife. She's still so exhausted and can only continue to lay down with her eyes close as she hold her firstborn on her chest. "Husband. Where's our second one? Why don't you lay him on my chest too." She gives him a warm smile as tears begin to slowly roll down his face. He could only do what she asked of him until she come to discover the news herself. He hands her the warm still born to help lay it down on her chest. But the moment they made skin to skin contact, a look of astonishment and disbelief flash over his eyes has a second heart beat can be heard.
His second son. The worst experience he's ever had in his long life has made a switch that even he wouldn't believe if he hasn't seen it with his very own eyes. His son, born dead and limp is now sprawling on the chest of his wife as his heart begins to beat with the same strength and vigor as his older brother. His wife soon opens her eyes as she feels both her sons touching her skin. "They're both so handsome and healthy. But this little one is a bit cold" The mother let out a soft whimpering breath as she tries to reclaim her sense of stability and breathing. "What should we call this second one, my love?" She glace towards her husband with a weak but warm smile.
"We had only came up with one name right?" The husband let out a chuckle as he slowly sway his body from side to side. Trying to ponder a name that would be fit of his unexpected second son. "Would it be too cheeky if we name him soft and quick after how rapidly he came out?" The father laughed to his own joke as he look into the loving eyes of his wife. He tries to lighten his own mood by treating the previous 5 minutes roller coaster ride of emotions like it didn't exist.
"Hmph. You and your childish humor husband. This is a serious matter." She couldn't help but cracked a smile as he had always had a charm that could make her fall in love over and over again. "Eerha!" The second child let out his first cry as he struggle to reach out and touch his brother. While the firstborn had already started to drift to sleep the second born could be anything but restless. "My lovely wife, what is that on his hand?" The father pointed out the strange marking on his newborn. On the back of the second child's tiny left fist, a birth mark can be seen. It was that of a star or rather a web.
"Hmmm why my love, that looks like a spider web to me. Maybe he really was born to be named after your sense of humor." The mother let out a soft chuckle as she kisses the hand of her child. "Well that makes it official then. He shall be called Xu SīChóu-Chù. A child as smooth and as gentle as silk but as resilient and strong as threads made from spiders." The father had a look of great accomplishment on his face as his wife had accepted the name. As the midwife return into the room with a pot warmed herbal tea, the humble villa proceeds to return to normal after the quick little celebration between the two new parents.
----Samuel's POV----
"What the fuck is that on my hand and why his everyone so big!! Hmmm it's so warm and bright after a being asleep for so long...I...I really need to-"
-----------------
But to everyone, all they could hear was the cries of a newborn and the gentle warm sensation of urine slowly dripping down the chest of the new mother