September 1998

Anticosti Island, Chara, Quebec, Canada

The ritual chambers were nothing short of incredible. The three towering pillared buildings sat by side almost forming a half circle. Anyone that stepped foot into the area, could immediately tell that these were sacred grounds, as scribblings of an ancient language were carved into the tanned, beige concrete. Inside of the chamber, it was no different. Scribbling covered the walls, ancient tapestries hung, ancient text filled books were protected in display cases, and an altar stood in the very middle of the room, surrounded by several bigger altars that each displayed a large chunk of crystal pulsating with celestial blue light that illuminated the platform in the center, that carried a newborn Paige as she cried for attention.

Nazir hastily stepped to the platform, her heeled boots echoed against the floor and she gently picked up Paige, as she shushed her lightly wrapping the loosely swaddled blanket around her small body. "Hey, hey, it's okay." She cooed. "It's okay, little angel." She rocked Paige softly in her arms aimlessly walking around the room. Her cries began to quiet as her big, beautiful brown eyes stared back at Nazir, earning a smile from her.

"You don't have to be scared. I've got you..." She reassured her as Paige's tiny hand wrapped around her finger, and she almost melted over the cute gesture. "We're going to take care of you, alright? Before you know it, you'll be on your way to Seattle, sound asleep, protected." She spoke gently. Nazir looked up as the large entrance doors opened, and a middle aged, brown skinned woman with lightly armored military gear walked in, followed by a fair skinned man with the same gear and around the same age as her.

"Nadia? Finn? Are we all set?" Nazir asked seriously.

The man nodded quickly as he clasped his hands together behind him, standing at attention. The woman beside him did the same. "Yes ma'am. The guards just informed us that Yara is coming through the gates as we speak. Officer Bailey is escorting her.

"Great. And the evacuation procedure?" She said with a small grin as she continued to rock Paige in her arms.

Finn and Nazir turned their attention towards Nadia as she spoke clearly. "It went well as usual. Marie and Izan gathered their teams together and escorted everyone out. There's not a soul within 15 miles, just like you asked."

"Nice job, both of you." Nazir complimented, but her attention was more drawn to the sleeping infant that let out a small yawn as she relaxed against Nazir. Finn and Nadia couldn't help but see the joy in her eyes.

"How's our little soldier doing?" Finn gestured to Paige with a smile.

"She just woke up," Nazir answered. "Probably had a bad dream. She was crying so much that I had to come and calm her down."

"Or she might feel her mother's absence..." Finn muttered cautiously. The atmosphere in the room changed instantly as they all thought of Reyna.

"I hate to say it, but you might be right." Nazir admitted, her brows furrowing as she continued. "Part of me wishes that she had just stayed where she was. At least she would've had a lot more time with her."

"But, it's good that she brought Paige to us when she did, right?" Finn added.

"All we can do is hope that it was." She said, "We're trying to make things better for her. She can't live a normal life if she has Vimera's magic inside of her."

Nadia sighed. "It will only trouble her, make her confused." She mumbled. There was a bit of dejection in her voice. Finn reached for her hand reassuringly, earning a smile from her, as Nazir watched contently.

"But, there's no need to worry, right?! We'll do the ritual and have her ready to go by the weekend!" He said optimistically.

"I'm just glad that Donna and Charlie were happy to take her...." Nazir replied, with a knowing look between them. "Regardless of what's happened."

They all nodded, as Finn gave Nazir a quick bow. "I'm going to talk to Yara and Bailey."

"You just get prepared for the ritual okay?" Finn laid a hand on Nadia's shoulder.

"Yeah, okay..." Nadia said with a grin as he quickly kissed her on the forehead.

"See you in a minute." She called after him as he closed the door behind him, leaving Nazir and Nadia to speak. Nadia watched Nazir cradle Paige in her arms as she leaned against the altar in the center. She spoke to her quietly, as Paige napped, still grabbing onto Nazir's finger. Nadia giggled to herself as she walked up.

"You know, seeing you hold her like that, sure brings back memories for me..." She started. Nazir looked up happily.

"Does she remind you more of Kass and Julia?"

Nadia sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Oh, definitely a mix of them both!" She answered.

"Kassy was a lot louder than her sister, I'll tell you that." Nazir laughed as Nadia began to rant about her children. "Kept me and Finny up every two hours just wailing and screaming as much as her little baby lungs can muster." She huffed, pinching her nose at the memory.

"Julie was quiet, very quiet. And she was always into something. One time, Finn almost blew a gasket because she was coloring on the wall." Nadia laughed as Nazir's eyes widened. She rarely saw Finn get angry, at least to the point where he's "blowing a gasket". "No..." A grin spread across her face with a laugh.

"Absolutely. Both of them were menaces but they were so cute, you barely get mad at them for anything." Nadia contently stood beside her as she leaned against the altar herself.

"How is Kassandra, anyway?"

"Still doing Kassandra." Nadia responded with a smirk. Being as wild and rowdy as she can. Causing more trouble."

"But at least she thrives here," Nadia added on with a light nod. "Especially now that she's doing field work." The pride in her voice was heavy, but it quickly changed as she started to talk about her other child.

She sighed as she continued. "Jules is also still doing Julia things..."

"Doing her own thing away from us. Getting her Master's and going to business school."

Nazir gives her a look of concern. "Are they still butting heads?"

"Always." She answered, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her pants. "Kass thinks that Julia should be involved in the family business, Jules thinks that Kass should stop living under Finn and I."

"They're so stuck in their ways that I'm afraid that they won't ever get along." She muttered sadly.

Nadia then shook off her emotions with a deep exhale and stood up straighter, nearly forcing a smile. "But, enough about me!"

"So...." She began with a sneaky smirk, glancing at Nazir from the corner of her eye. "You ever want kids?"

Nazir laughed as a smile plastered on her face. "Oh, of course! I love kids!" She exclaimed. Her eyes flickered back to Paige and her smile nearly faltered. "But, I'll never be able to have them. Mainly because of my work, but also because Doctor Hensley said so." Her tone was bittersweet, and her smile was formed in a thin line now.

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Nadia's expression matches hers as she bowed her head slightly. "I'm...sorry to hear that. Really."

Nazir let out a huff and shook her head dismissively. "It's fine. I've made the decision of making my career my child, so that helps a little."

"Ever thought about adopting?" Nadia asked in curiosity, her brows knitted together.

Nazir nodded her head, but her bittersweet tone was still the same. "Too much paperwork and processing for someone with so little time on their hands."

Nazir had to admit that being a councilwoman was hard, but being Yara's second in command was harder. Keeping the other council members in check while she was gone was like babysitting a bunch of five year olds, and although she hated to admit it, Yara was a lot to deal with sometimes too. She was already tense with her role as Head Councilwoman, but the Reyna situation was making it worse. There had to be some type of balance, and it needed to be her. She didn't need anything to distract her, especially a family.

"Maybe I'll change my mind in future, but there's too much going on to worry about something like adoption." She added, and Nadia could only agree.

"I know that's right..."

The sound of the large chamber doors opening once more immediately caught their attention as Finn entered the chambers with a quick bow of his bow head to Nazir. He caught the door with one hand as he made way for Yara to swiftly enter behind him. "Thank you, Finn." She gave him a firm nod as she fully entered the room and they exchanged a quick smile before he closed the door behind them both.

"Nice to see you Nadia, Nazir." Yara greeted them as she walked up, straightening the front of her jacket. The marbled flooring made her heels click and echo, the sound nearly bouncing off the walls.

"Yara." Nazir and Nadia nodded to her simultaneously with smiles.

She clasped her hands together as she continued to speak, looking around the area to check the preparations. "So, are we ready?"

"Yep! We were just waiting on you." Nazir happily replied before gesturing to Paige.

"And I had to put this cutie back to sleep."

"Thanks for taking care of her so much, Naz." Yara gave her a small smile. "To be honest, I wish I could be around more to see her...." She sighed as she glanced at Paige once more. Nazir could see her jaw clenching as her eyes shifted to the floor.

Nazir walked up to her, tilting her head to the side to look into her eyes."Hey, we're doing the right thing. Which is all we can do." She reassured her.

Yara shook her head as she finally looked at Nazir. "But, Reyna doesn't see it that way." She muttered.

"She's grieving." Nazir said. "She's in a great amount of distress."

She let out a sigh as her eyes filled with worry. "We just have to pray to Vimera that she will realize her daughter has way more of a chance out there, than in here."

There was an understanding silence between them as they looked at one another and at Paige, who was still sleeping comfortably in Nazir arms.

"....I gotta sit her back down before she wakes up." Nazir said slowly as she reluctantly tore her gaze away from Yara.

Yara did the same as she looked at Finn and Nadia conversing near the chamber's viewing room. Finn gently kissed the middle of Nadia's forehead, before looking her in her eyes and grabbing her shoulders.

"Clear your mind, no doubting and be safe." He said to her with a serious look.

"Always." Nadia smiled. "You know I can handle it." She said amusingly as Finn scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Okay, smarty-pants, relax. I was trying to be a loving husband." He chastised her with a silly grin and Nadia laughed.

"And you are."

They both chuckled and blushed as Finn kissed the back of her hands and left to go to the viewing area, a safe distance away. Nazir followed him as she gave Nadia a curt nod, followed by a "You got this."

"Hell yeah, I do." Nadia nodded with a smirk.

Yara quickly came over to her and pulled her to the side. "Are you okay with doing this a third time?" She asked, her brows knitting in worry. "Yara, I'm sure. Besides, nobody else can do the chant, but me." She shrugged.

"I know," Yara huffed. "But the last time you did this was nearly eight years ago. You're much older now. Logically speaking, I don't know much your body can take-"

Nadia rolled her eyes as she spoke again. "This might be our only chance to give Paige a life that she deserves. One where she's happy and not judged for something that wasn't her fault to begin with. She can be normal." She stated. Yara folded her arms, looking away from her, jaw clenching once more as Nadia placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yara, I got this. I promise."

"Like your girlfriend said." She smirked playfully, as Yara gave a sideways glance.

"She's not my girlfriend, Nadia. Be mature. Yara turned to her as she narrowed her eyes. But, the look that usually sends chills down most people's spines, didn't faze Nadia one bit. In fact, she responded with a sharp laugh.

"Oh, right, because she's just your "friend- slash-coworker" that you regularly take on dates and share a bed with every once and a while." She challenged, a smirk still spread on her face.

Just then, Nazir peeked her head out of the viewing room, waving and signaling at Yara and Nadia to hurry up. They both waved back and Yara began to walk away from Nadia as she spoke.

"It still baffles me how I've known you forever, and you still manage to act like a child every time." She said to her.

"Bye, Yara!" Nadia sang teasingly.

"Screw you, Nadia." She said back with a forced smile.

"And don't overexert yourself anymore than you have to!" She added.

"Okay, okay." Nadia waved a dismissive hand as she turned away to tighten her gear and prepare for the ritual.

Yara, Nazir and Finn are all gathered into the viewing room and the sound Nadia could hear was her own footsteps as her boots clonked and squeaked against the floor. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and she rolled up her sleeves, proceeded to give thumbs up to the group, signaling that she was ready.

The room became darker as Yara ordered the guards to cease the generators on her radio. Soon the room was pitch black, the only light coming from the crystals that hummed with life. Their bright light almost blinded Nadia as she approached the altar looking at Paige fast asleep as blue lights glowed on her tiny face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "No doubting, clear your mind..." She mumbled to herself, as she exhaled. She opened her eyes and they began to glow with the same light as the shards displayed.

"Astaáh..." Her voice was clear as she chanted, celestial magic swirled through her fingertips and she gracefully waved across Paige, constructing a barrier of magical energy around her. Nadia's eyes never left the newborn as she slowly backed away, giving herself space to fully initiate the ritual.

Her eyes only wavered for a second, when she looked at Finn through the darkness with the little light that she had. He gave a supportive nod, and she cautiously nodded back to him and turned her attention back to Paige.

It was time.

She couldn't back out now. This needed to be done. For Yara. And For Reyna.

She inhaled deeply, straightening her form as her eyes glowed blue once again. Her expression was dark and stoic as she opened her mouth. Her voice rang through the chamber as she chanted.

Vimerah! Ìchyroté daitú, bélasyaa tou dynimisád, dékhathariste anum chriidé, phisyté e ganaan!

[Vimera, the mightiest of gods, lend me your power, to cleanse and tame your child's heart and soul.]

The room began to rumble as power crackled from the crystals in front of her. The energy around her became heavier. The pulsating light glowed brighter. It was starting, but this wasn't enough. Not enough for her to complete the ritual. "Just a little more..." She thought, as she started to chant louder over the loud sounding crackles.

Vimerah! Ìchyroté daitú, bélasyaa tou dynimisád, dékhathariste anum chriidé, phisyté e ganaan!

She could feel the power of the crystals with every crackle. It was like a magnetic pull, and she needed her thirst for power to be stronger, almost insatiable to succeed. She opened her arms, hands, even the pores of her skin to accept Vimera's power for what it was.

It was pure, and it was heavy. Dripping with the intent for good and evil, the highest peaks of happiness, determination, love, nurture. And then the lowest peaks of pain, grief, betrayal, hopelessness, hatred, resentment, regret. It was too much to bear.

But she needed to push forward. She needed more...

"Vimerah!" She bellowed. Emotions that she had pushed down from long ago, began to seep into her resounding voice. Desperation, anger, the smell of burning wood, large beautiful trees being engulfed in hot flames, the sound of screaming. The sound of her screams. But she was persistent, she had moved on from that. Or at least she made herself think that was ready to move on from losing so much.

Stay focused...

"Ìchyroté daitú!" She shouted. A large crackle came from the crystal on the right and with another crackle, the crystal sent a sparking beam of energy to Nadia. Her instincts were unbeatable as she reached out to absorb it, traveling through her fingertips and up to the remainder of her body. Sweat drenched her forehead as she focused with a clenched jaw and scrunched up face. The chamber rumbled once more, nearly making everyone lose their balance.

"Bélasyaa tou dynimisád!" She roared once more. And her eyes quickly followed the next crackling crystal as it let out a deafening booming sound as she reached out to absorb its energy. More. More.

"More...", She thought. It was all she could think about to stay sane. The power sizzling through her already was more than she could take, but she pushed forward one last time. She bared her teeth to prepare herself. She couldn't hear a thing around her. She couldn't see or feel anything but the energy coursing through her veins, rearranging every cell in her body, trying to find a place to call home. She inhaled as deeply as she could and screamed over the sound of droning, crackling, rumbling and whirring. So loud that it almost tore her vocal chords to shreds.

"Dékhathariste anum chriidé, phisyté e ganaan!" She let out a bloodcurdling scream as she absorbed the final shard's energy. She was drenched in her own sweat, hair clinging to her forehead as her hands positioned themselves into claw-like shapes. She gritted her teeth, determination overwhelming her bones as she absorbed the last of the power and finally snatched her hands away.

The room instantly became silent and the crystals cease to beam their pulsing lights. Nadia could feel herself being torn apart from the inside as her body crackled with immense power. Her vision was blurry and she could stand up, and barely breathe.

"Nadia!" Finn cried out to her in concern, but Yara and Nazir grabbed him just in time to stop him. But, hearing his voice made all the difference. She needed to survive this. She needed to push for him...

Push. Push. Push it out!

She aimed her shaking hands towards the center altar without hesitation. And she bellowed once more.

Écanám! [Release!]

Beams of powerful energy shot her from her hands, aiming true as they hit against the protection shield that held Paige inside. She was asleep and couldn't hear anything, but the shield was made just for that. Little did she know that Nadia was risking her life to guarantee that she had a normal one. She wouldn't have to live her life feeling alone and unloved. She'll have people around her that will cherish her and love her whether she was a hybrid or simply just human.

Nadia let out the last of her power as it seeped into the magical dome around Paige and into her soft beautiful brown skin. Nadia could feel the world begin to blacken around her as the lights came back on and Finn was instantly by her side to catch her from falling onto the hard floor. Yara and Nazir ran up behind in concern. "Is she okay?!" Nazir asked with wide eyes.

Finn quickly laid Nadia gently onto the floor, hovering over her, eyes wide with desperation as he checked her breathing. "Oh, thank God!" He breathed out shakily.

Yara and Nazir sighed in relief. "Oh, Vimera. Thank you." Nazir sighed as she quickly blinked back tears from her stinging eyes. She reached out of Yara's hand in comfort and she obliged, rubbing a thumb over her knuckles. "I'll go check on Paige." Yara offered with a small smile, as Nazir gave her quick nod, turning away from her to collect herself.

"Finn." Nadia mumbled from under him, as she opened her eyes, completely exhausted from the completion of the ritual. Finn jumped at the sound of her voice and caressed her cheek with one hand. "I'm right here, baby. I'm right here." He sniffled with tears in his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere." He said through gritted teeth as he reached for her hand, pressing his forehead against hers, regardless of the sweat. Nadia captured his lips into a quivering kiss. "I love you." She choked out, as tears brimmed her eyes. "I love you too. I love you so fucking much..." He whimpered.

Yara looked over Paige with a thin, bittersweet smile as she slept soundly, the power from the deactivation enchantment was being absorbed into her body little by little. She could already see that she resembled Reyna, and it hurt her

to her very core that she was partly responsible for the fact that she will have to go through this life without her sweet, beautiful mother.

"I hope we did the right thing for you, little one..."