Return of the Mythic Bloodline

"Dear heavens, am I really going to marry them?" Taranis gasped, holding his brother’s sleeves for support, his knuckles white against the magenta fabric. The moment seemed too good to be true, a dream he was afraid to wake from. "B-bro, I think I have a crush on them."

Taranis did not know that the mic was on. His words carried through the garden, amplified by the speakers, reaching all the way to Nymeria and Ume, causing the two girls to instantly blush beneath their veils, their cheeks warming with a delicate rose hue.

"My dear brother, you will be marrying them in a few minutes," Aryan laughed through the mic, causing another wave of chuckles through the guests.

"This idiot does not know when to keep his mouth shut," Nymeria hissed in a low tone, her voice carrying a mix of embarrassment and delight, while Ume remained completely silent, her fluffy ears twitching. Contrast to the words coming from her mouth, she was beaming with happiness, as was Ume, from Taranis’s intrusive thoughts that he had let slip. The confession, unintended as it was, had touched them deeply.

The two brides gracefully walked down the aisle, the robes behind them moving along the path with them, their hems brushing against the red carpet. Celestia and Aisha stepped aside once they reached the front chairs, taking their places among the guests, while the brides continued to the stage. The soft music swelled around them in a melody of joy.

As they simultaneously climbed the stairs, their gowns flowing like water, Taranis moved forward, offering his hands. They placed their hands, covered in white and pink nets, on his as they reached the stage, their fingers warm and trembling slightly against his palms.

"You two are looking breathtakingly gorgeous," Taranis whispered as he slowly stepped back from them, his eyes drinking in their beauty, memorizing every detail.

Neither of them responded. They kept their eyes down as if they had not even heard him, their gazes fixed on the floor. Although the faint smiles on their faces told Taranis that they appreciated the compliment, the joy was clear in the subtle curve of their lips.

Aryan waited until the trio settled themselves on the stage, their positions aligned. From the pocket of his trouser, he pressed the button of a remote.

With a light mechanical sound, a short pillar rose from the platform in front of him, between the brides and groom. At the top of the raised pillar that reached Aryan’s chest, inside a glass cover, the Soulbinding Cup and the two bottles of Soulwines in milky colour and light pink colour were placed, their surfaces gleaming under the soft light.

Aryan gently raised the glass from the pillar, placing it aside before speaking once more, every word that Taranis had written for him last night now flowing with confidence.

"This is the Soulbinding Cup."

He pointed at the cup with both hands, his gesture reverent.

"For generations, it has been the sacred symbol of the union. Once the Soulwine is shared from this cup, the bond between the two souls shall become eternal, their paths shall converge into one. Whether it is grief or happiness, it shall be borne by both of them."

He picked the pink wine bottle from the pillar, pulled the lead out, and poured it into the cup, the drink’s surface glistening with golden sparkles.

"Taranis El Thunderbane. Ume Kitsune," he ordered in a respectful tone, his voice carrying across the silent garden. "Please place your hands on the Soulbinding Cup."

The unfamiliar names confused many guests sitting on the chairs. Those who personally knew Taranis as Raj from many years seemed more confused than the others, exchanging puzzled glances. Nonetheless, they stayed silent, deciding not to disturb the sacred ritual, their curiosity set aside for the moment.

Nymeria gently lifted the veil from Ume’s face, only until her lips were bared, the translucent fabric resting just below her nose. Ume and Taranis grabbed the Soulbinding Cup by the golden handles on the sides, with each spout on its lid pointing at Ume and Taranis.

"Do not release your grip until the ritual is complete," Aryan ordered, his voice firm.

"Bride, partake the Soulwine."

They moved the cup slowly towards Ume’s lips. She drank from it slowly, the sweet liquid touching her tongue, until only half of it remained, the golden sparkles dancing in the remaining wine.

"Groom, receive the Soulwine from the same cup."

Once Taranis drank the sweet wine until no drop was left, they placed it back on the flat surface of the raised pillar, their fingers still tightly holding the cup.

"Before heaven and earth, I declare your souls forever bound. Taranis El Thunderbane and Ume Kitsune are officially married."

It was only then that the duo lifted their hands from the cup.

Loud claps echoed through the garden along with the wishes of the guests, a wave of joy washing over the gathering. Ume was almost on the verge of tears, barely holding back herself to not ruin the make up that she had worn for the first time on her face, her emotions threatening to spill over. She slowly stepped back, reaching beside Nymeria.

Aryan picked the white wine bottle from the pillar, the milky liquid shimmering, and poured it into the cup, filling it once more.

"Taranis El Thunderbane. Nymeria El Snowbane. Please place your hands on the cup."

Following the same guidance, Nymeria drank the first half of the wine, her lips pressing against the rim, while the latter half was drunk by Taranis, the sweet taste lingering on his tongue.

Taranis could not help but notice that Nymeria’s hand was trembling as she held the cup, a slight shiver running through her fingers. Even her eyes seemed barely open, her gaze unfocused, as if she was struggling to stay present.

"Before heaven and earth, I declare your souls forever bound. Taranis El Thunderbane and Nymeria El Snowbane are officially married."

Another ripple of wishes echoed through the garden, guests standing on their feet, clapping and cheering. The sound of their joy filled the air.

But the sounds turned distant for Nymeria, her body slowly hovering back and forth, swaying like a leaf in the wind. Taranis’s gentle face before her turned blurry as she saw him looking at her with eyes filled with worry, his lips moving, but the words not reaching her.

"Nymeria..." Taranis called in worry, moving forward, his hand reaching for her. The smile vanished from Ume’s face as well, noticing Nymeria’s condition, her pink eyes widening with alarm.

They had only taken a step forward when Nymeria’s eyes slowly closed, her lids fluttering, and her knees buckled beneath her, her body giving way.

Before she could fall, Taranis bolted forward and held her in his arms, cradling her against his chest. Her weight was limp, her head falling against his shoulder.

"Nymeria! Nymeria!" He called, each word laced with more worry than the previous one as he slowly sat on the floor with her in his arms, his heart pounding with fear. The guests gasped, confusion rippling through the crowd.

Ume soon reached beside them, equally worried.

"Ume, take us inside," Taranis ordered, his face pale, his breathing heavy as he tightly held Nymeria in his arms.

Ume nodded. With a swift sway of her hand, the trio vanished, a spiral of petals enveloping them, reaching Taranis’s room inside the house. The sudden transition left the guests in stunned silence.

"Place her on the bed. Let me check on her," Ume ordered as soon as they arrived, her voice sharp with authority.

Taranis gently laid Nymeria on the bed, his hands lingering for a moment before he stepped back, his eyes never leaving her still form. Ume grabbed her wrist, a faint pink energy emitting from her body entering into Nymeria’s, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Taranis’s uneven breathing was disturbing her focus. "Wait outside," she ordered sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. Taranis obliged without a second question and moved outside, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

A few seconds passed as he paced back and forth outside, sweat trickling down his temple, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. The family members soon arrived outside the room, their faces etched with concern.

"What happened to her?" Aryan asked, his voice low.

"I do not know," Taranis said, pressing his temples, the tension building in his skull. "Ume is checking on her."

"Don’t worry, Brother Raj," Aisha tapped his shoulder, her touch gentle and reassuring. "Everything will be alright."

A few minutes passed, every moment feeling like eternity to Taranis as he stood outside with Siya, Aryan, and Aisha.

The door finally opened with a click, revealing Ume standing at the entrance without her veil, her expression unreadable.

"How is she?" Taranis asked, his tone hurried, his eyes searching Ume’s face for answers.

"Come inside, all of you," Ume said in an even tone, stepping aside to let them enter.

The family entered inside, finding Nymeria leaning on the wall against the bed, looking at Taranis with lowered eyes.

Taranis released a sigh of relief, finding her awake. He reached the bed and asked, sitting beside her, placing his hand on her cheek, his touch tender, "You should have told me that you were unwell. How are you feeling now?"

"I am fine," she said, shaking her head, holding Taranis’s hand against her cheek.

"Then why..."

Before he could ask further, Nymeria guided his hand from her cheek to her abdomen, pressing it gently against her stomach, and whispered in a low tone, "Congratulations, my husband. You are going to be a father."

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