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"Thank you, everyone! Thank you so much! Hehehe!" Nyx giggled cheerfully. "I’m so happy I’m going to become a mom! I-I will try to be the best mother I can be!"

"And I will try to be the best father I could ever be!" Celes said, hugging her hips and kissing her.

The bite mark on the back of his neck was still visible after all these days. Some noticed it and laughed, whispering among themselves.

A grand celebration filled the family as they joyfully marked Nyx’s pregnancy. They ate plenty, and Nyx finally satisfied her incredible hunger.

Lucifer spoke with her while she ate, addressing the egg.

"I’m sorry, Nyx. I had no idea you already had an egg..." Lucifer sighed. "I was never able to watch one of my children grow all the way to adulthood. I’m truly happy for you."

"It’s fine, Dad!" Nyx replied with a bright smile. "It’s only one, though. I thought I would have many more."

"Dragons don’t lay more than one or two eggs," he explained. "Our children are strong, so by focusing on raising one or two at most, we can maximize their growth and protection."

"I see! So that’s why!" Nyx giggled, patting her belly. "Well, it’s more convenient to have just one for now... Haha. Ugh..."

"What’s wrong?" Lucifer asked. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Y-Yeah... It’s just that the egg is growing so quickly," Nyx sighed. "I might have to lay it soon. I need... I need a big nest! Celes has to help me build it! You too, Dad!"

"A-Ah, of course! A nest, yes. I will help you," Lucifer nodded. "I see some instincts are already kicking in. Haha. Your mother was the same when she was pregnant. Out of nowhere, she became obsessed with making the biggest, comfiest nest imaginable."

"Oh wait, those were just instincts?" Nyx asked, surprised. "Damn... I need a nest! Celes! Help me gather stuff to make a good nest!"

"E-Eh? A nest?" Celes looked confused. "Well, alright!"

He did not question it and simply went along with his wife’s needs.

Two days later, Nyx rested comfortably in a large nest made of soft, warm materials, mostly hay, with a solid base of wooden branches. Plenty of cushions surrounded her, and her belly had already swollen noticeably.

When Celes returned with more materials to expand the nest...

"Eh?!"

He found Nyx gently hugging a large egg covered in stripes of black and blue scales. It emanated a powerful aura.

"T-The egg...!"

"Oh! Honey! I already laid it! It might hatch in a couple of months."

"I see...! W-Well, this is wonderful!"

Celes rushed to the egg and gently pressed his ear against the warm shell, listening to the steady heartbeat of their child.

"Ahh... Our baby is really in there."

"Yeah! I wonder if it’s going to be a boy or a girl?"

"We should think of names for both!"

"Yeah! Ummm... but what names could they be?"

After some thought, they settled on simple yet meaningful names, suitable if the child chose to live in human society.

If it was a boy, they would call him Will.

If it was a girl, they would call her Hope.

These names symbolized their will to shape a better future and their hope for a peaceful, happy life together.

A couple of days later, Maria visited the egg with Lucifer. She caressed it gently while inspecting the child’s properties and abilities.

"Hmm, this child is incredible!" Maria said. "It seems they have inherited both of your elemental powers."

"I can feel a lot of Spirit Energy," Lucifer added. "And strong Draconic Power... Could it be? Maybe this will be a new type of dragon, a Spirit Dragon? One of oceans and... shadows? Death? Ghosts?"

"Maybe all of them! Who knows?" Nyx shrugged with a grin. "But it’s definitely going to be strong! Heheh! I can’t wait!"

"Hmm, yes," Maria nodded. "This child will probably also be human, or at least half-human. Celes is technically human, after all... Hmm! Maybe a Sea Spirit Dragon? That would be cool to see!"

"Hahaha, I mean... We’ll be happy no matter what the child turns out to be," Celes said. "Even if they’re born as just a human with no special features... it will still be our dear child, right?"

"Of course," Nyx smiled. "No matter what they look like, we will love him or her unconditionally."

"Hmm..." Maria smiled warmly and continued caressing the egg. "Nevertheless, I will place a Divine Protection on the baby. All of you should do the same, so the child is blessed with good fortune and a strong, healthy body!"

"Right," Lucifer nodded.

"Of course!" Nyx smiled.

"I guess we should," Celes agreed.

All four of them placed their hands on the egg and infused a small fragment of their divinity, merging it into a powerful Divine Protection created by the child’s parents and grandparents, wishing the baby a good life.

Afterward, Nia, Thanatos, and Celeste joined them.

"Ah, sorry we’re late!" Nia sighed. "Oh? A Divine Protection? Sure!"

"How do I do that?" Thanatos asked, confused. "Wait, did I receive one too?!"

"Of course you did, dear," Maria smiled, kissing his forehead. "Mama gave birth to you, so of course you received something!"

"Heh, this is why you’re so fortunate," Lucifer laughed.

"Wow, awesome," Thanatos said with a smirk.

"It’s just an egg, but the baby already feels cute! So, is it going to be a boy or a girl?" Celeste wondered.

"We don’t know yet. We want to keep it a surprise for now," Nyx giggled.

"Yeah, we already decided on names," Celes added. "Will if it’s a boy, Hope if it’s a girl."

"Good names!" Celeste nodded. "Alright then, Will... or Hope, we wish you the best!"

Everyone granted the baby even more Divine Protections, letting their auras overflow for a moment and spread with the combined might of the oceans and the Netherworld.

Although she had not told anyone what she had seen, Maria had used her Hourglass while infusing her protection. The artifact had reacted strongly to the child, revealing a distant future in which this baby would help them with something very important.

The vision filled Maria with a mixture of sorrow, happiness, pride, and high expectations, but above all, an overwhelming love.

"I see... So you are deeply connected to our future, my dear grandchild."

She smiled, kissed the egg, and hugged it gently for a moment.

"No matter what, never forget your roots... And always remember that we love you." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Knowing that revealing this future could alter it, Maria decided to keep the vision to herself.

Thus, time passed.

Two weeks later, Maria gathered with her family and allies, all those already by her side.

They stood before a large crimson door that led to their next destination.

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