Golden Glade Notre Famille [The Birth]

The first one was dead. There were no tears nor was there grief for Eden had used all of hers long before the contractions began. Soon after the birth of the tiny girl (she had Alyssum's innocent grace, but her form was contorted into something unrecognizable) came another force, and as Eden bent down to clean the sac from the young boy, it became clear that he was just as lifeless as the other. This was it; this was her punishment. For the time in which she abused her duties within the faith, her penance was the lives of her children, or so the stark maiden was convinced.
This one held a clear resemblance to Amari—the brother since forgotten. A gentle nose moved his deformed framed to the side of his sister where he would remain until they had a proper burial. Yes, a proper burial held by the Priestess, and there would be flowers for each breath taken.
Another contraction and a harsh period of pushing brought forth another tiny dame, yet within her thrived the breath of the Beings. Eden licked the sac away from the grey frame of the child and nudged her to suckle at her bosom. A silent prayer was made (one of thanks and hope alike) but it wasn't long until another demon arose from her womb. Anger washed over the young mother as she tore him away from her body and tossed him along with the rest.
Finally, the last baby boy of the brood came forth with screams and spunk as soon as his first breath was taken. Eden smiled and laughed as he happily found a nipple to suckle on, but then her attention was pushed back to the pile of corpses which had formed beside her. When @Sylvas Streiter arrived, she wouldn't hide them. He deserved to see what she'd done. The same went for @Heartha as well. If they wished to come in, Eden would be glad to allow them a quick introduction to the two live babes, but she wouldn't acknowledge the price paid for her own neglect. 

The patrol of the borders were complete, all checked and marked and Sylvas made his way toward the entrance of the Inner Circle, the brown male allowing his paws to guide him past the stark naked trees that now towered over them. Their leaves gone, completely fallen as winter was now here. A cold chill ran down the mercenary's spine as he finally approached the entrance of the tunnel system, bright amber eyes peering into the darkness, black lips parting as he allowed a soft howl to echo down the halls of the Inner Circle, he knew his pups were soon to arrive, but he still feared crossing over the threshold that he'd still not proven his worth to cross. A frustrated growl almost escaped him as he remained still, pausing before the forbidden borrow, waiting for his howl to hopefully reach his mate's ears.

Tongue flicked out from his mouth as he anxiously stood at the entrance, a new sense of impatience coming over him as he stared into the tunnels. Bushy brown and black tail swayed behind him as he shifted himself on his paws, the male gingerly lifting a paw to take a step forward, though he stopped himself midway; pondering on his current status amongst the members. Closing his eyes and lowering his ears to his head, Sylvas made a dash through the darkness, golden eyes gleaming as the light of day left their gaze as he made his way toward Eden's den.

Twisting and winding through the system, Streiter finally came to the entrance of his mate's den, the male found himself nervous to enter. Slowly the mercenary lowered his head and quietly made his way through the entrance, letting a gentle chuff escape him, allowing his Eden to know of his sudden presence. His body was tense as he entered, amber eyes peering to the ivory form of Eden, his stare trailing down to see two pups, tucked safely, feeding from her breast. A smile made its way across his maw, ”How are you?” He asked, eyes peering to her, Streiter finding it astonishing that she had given birth by herself, though his attention was soon grasped by the three distorted figures left to onside of his mate ”Was everything okay?” His tone of voice more worried as he then stepped forward, paws slowly bringing him to crouch beside his mate, giving her a gentle kiss to the head as he waited for her response.

Heartha stood up slowly at the call, and rather groggily. At first, she didn't understand it. It took some time to piece it together in her mind as she walked out of her den, yawning. When it came to her, her jaw snapped shut and her eyes widened in realisation, her ears perking up for any other howl. But she already had enough to go on.

She raced off. This was a chance to repay Eden for helping her. After all, she was experienced in this sort of thing. She arrived to see the deed had been done already. She couldn't have been prouder. Eden's mate was already there, watching over her.

But as she entered, she saw the ones that did not make it. A low whine escaped past her mouth. Heartha had only lost one. Eden, she had lost more. She would have to worry about that later, however. Carefully, she approached and stopped around two paces away, observing from a distance. They seemed to be feeding fine, and Eden looked to be doing well. "She looks to be in good health" she said to Sylvas, before speaking to Eden. "I won't check your young until two weeks time, however. To have you more comfortable alone with them." Unless Eden wanted her to check them now.

Life was a narrow gift for the tiny whelp. She was thrust into the world in few harsh shoves, greeted with a myriad of feelings that were not. For a few silent moments, the beating ceased within her chest and she lay cool and still as those before her had so peacefully done. Her bubble was her prison, yet her saving grace, for the rough and gentle movements were what stirred her breathe and shattered the grasp of Death with all the blessing of love and what fortune it could offer.

Time assembled around her gasping figure, smooth and of norm as she was nudged far more gently into the waiting grasp of something that smelled warm, and akin to The Dark. It was still not, yet was as if some unseen spirit had guided her feeble footsteps to drink the blood of life, rich and creamy as she latched on and began to suckle. And for that, when conscious was full, the pale embodiment would be grateful.

Her beloved was quick to the scene, padding in quietly to see the new faces. He asked if everything went okay, any of course Eden replied, Yes, for how could she not when two gifts came from the battle? Despite the losses, they were blessed to have the young survivors, thus they were the only things taking over the new mother's mind.
I'm okay, she cooed, though a gentle growl told him to remain where he was. She didn't want him near the puppies just yet. Soon, sure, but for now, Sylvas would have to mind his steps. Soon after he arrived, Heartha appeared on the scene. No, no, I think we're okay for now. I would like a little while alone with them, if that's alright. Eden offered a curt smile, though that was all she offered before turning back to gently nuzzle her children.

He knew he worried too much at times as he caught sound of Heartha's reassuring words, the male giving his head a respectful bow to the Dame as she entered. Ears twitching as she then spoke to his mate, the mercenary listened carefully though his attention was drawn to that of his children, the newly found father feeling a sense of pride overwhelm him as he quietly watched his pups suckle upon their mother's breast. His attention was quickly back to Eden as she replied to his previous question, though the growl that rumbled within her throat caused his ears to lay against his head, muscular body becoming rigid as he remained silently crouched beside his mate.

For the moment, just looking at them was enough for the male. A proud smile grew across his maw as he peered down to their tiny, delicate forms. The mercenary lifted his head slightly as Eden spoke, listening as her words were directed to the Dame, Streiter hearing as she mentioned that she would like some time alone with them, the male then slowly glanced over toward Heartha and silently back to his mate and children. At this moment, Streiter was completely lost in awe as he stared down at the tiny survivors, nose twitching emotionally as he remained focused on the two gifts they'd been blessed with.

Heartha nodded her head to Eden, smiling at what had been accomplished. She turned to leave, stopping just by Sylvas. After what had happened with Eden some time ago, she had to make sure. "Has she had those same pains again?" She had to be sure. She would have to keep a close eye on the pups too. She had no idea what it was, and if it was some kind of disease, it could have passed on. A risk she was not going to take. "If anything similar happens to the pups, call for me" she whispered. She didn't want to worry Eden. Then she took her leave to tend to her own.

The babe drank with growing intensity, her once distraught figure lulled into a content sequence of rough fluidity. The bulky lump beside her suckled too, abrasive against her own delicate body. She remembered him from The Dark. Perhaps he had followed her? Those early thoughts would either make or break kinship, form bonds or rivalry; the newborn was idly unawhere of her inner mind and what it may hold. And so she clung to what she could grasp, the simplicity of the present and her current goal, to feed.