For the first time in a long while, Tobias felt like he was floating. Not only in this cool water beneath the sun, surrounded by nature. But within as well. He turned his head, letting the water deafen in him one ear, seeing Kip standing at the shore of the lake. She was wearing her underclothes and she eased her way in. It had been a long journey with her. Their child was almost ready to enter the world. They had all made it.

Perhaps the Kingdom wouldn't give up the search. Perhaps Kiya would be ruthless in her duties. But Tobias had to hold on to hope. Somehow... somehow he had to believe in something higher. He had to trust that the voice he heard that day was truly a gift from another power, greater than theirs. Something divine.

But, for now, he trusted in his own strength. In Kip's strength. And in those who were still on their side.

"Skipper," Tobias said calmly. "It's been so long since I've floated in water. This is incredible."

"I think this far is just fine," she said, stopping in her tracks.

"No. No, no, no. Come on, all the way."

"It's cold," she complained, with a smile.

"Yeah, well," he swam closer to her, "The road ahead will be hot. Trust me, you'll wish you had enjoyed the water while you could."

"You know, we shouldn't even be enjoying ourselves this much. We have somewhere to be. Plus, it just feels wrong. I've gotten so used to hard work lately."

Tobias stood and took her hands. "Me too."

Kip blushed a little and felt his wet palms and fingers. "So many calluses and blisters. Maybe you do deserve to float for a while."

Tobias shook his head. Kip, for as much as she taught him to give himself a break, saying he had to stop being so hard on himself, was just as awful with herself. "Kip, you're so humble it pains me. You're so humble, it makes me want to become a narcissist in rebellion of you." He gently guided her further in. "Take your own advice. Let yourself rest. Allow yourself peace of mind sometimes."

"Tobias," she said, "How dare you let myself relax."

"Eh, put a sword in me," he said. "Don't actually put a sword in me though," he continued quickly, giving her a look.

Kip shuddered in breaths and laughed as the water rose up her body until she was a floating head. She was smiling. Laughing. Good. This journey ahead would be rough but overall easy. It was the final stretch. Regrouping with Tat in the Scarred Lands for their papers before finally making their journey into the Republic. They had departed Chamson very early. So, coming across this opening in the trees, where they could dip their bodies into cool water and enjoy the world awhile was a chance he couldn't pass up.

The clearing was a haven for sore feet and heavy minds. He could feel Kip relax into the waters. The pool of water was massive. A waterfall filled it from above a nearby cliff and water ran out of the pool, down, back the way they came through the forests.

Tobias and Kip both ducked their heads under. And time vanished for a while. They held hands, submerged, for what felt like forever. In this moment, he reflected on so much of his life. He allowed himself to let go of the family he had met in the Bronze District. He released the pains of abandoning his closest friends. He forgave himself for all that he felt he had done to bring them to where they are now. Because, despite the hardship and suffering, they were alive and healthy. For the first time in his life, he heard the closest thing there was to a divine voice. Perhaps this was the path for them.

However, when they both came up for air, the weight of things creeped back into his skull. Mainly, the rest of the people in his life he cared about. Stephon. He'd never forget the way his best friend looked at him that day. Believing he was a soulless sinner. He was glad he got to see Warren smiling the last time he saw him. But still, Warren has been living on, believing Tobias to be evil.

And Cade... Tobias would never forget the first time he met the old man. It was the first time he had met Kip too. Forever entwined, the three of them, ever since. Cade would be fine, he was sure of it. But Tobias hated the idea of never seeing him again. The man that changed everything for him. More than once.

"I still miss it," Tobias said, running a hand through his wet hair. Kip tilted her head. "I miss home, Kip. I always will. Despite the filth of the place... it's been our home for our entire lives. Our livelihoods were built there. Our friendships. It's where we grew up."

"I know," she said, somberly. "You're not alone there."

"I'm just glad I'm not alone at all."

They drew closer.

"Starting over isn't so bad," she said. "Somewhere we can be free of oppression and restrictive laws. The world is big. There are still places for us. The Kingdom doesn't rule it all."

Just then, something fluttered next to them. Tobias flinched but Kip remained steady, smiling at it. As Tobias recognized what it was he truly couldn't believe his eyes.

It was a Nadian Monarch butterfly. A large one. Its blue wings were bright and it hovered just above the water.

"I haven't seen one of those in ages," Tobias said. He did his best to remain still. Nadian Monarchs were rare insects. Apparently the continent used to be full of them. Talks of some cataclysm long ago drove them, as well as many other creatures, away from Nadi. But there were still some around.

"Even nature blesses us," Kip smiled. "These are so rare."

"They bring good luck to those fortunate enough to see one," Tobias said. "At least that's what people say."

Then, to their right there was another. They were both silent, breathing slowly. The only sounds were of the roaring waterfall, but even that noise seemed dampened by the magic before them. They fluttered their way over to the shore. Where there were dozens.

"Wow," Kip said. "Come on." She swam and Tobias followed, out of the water. They moved slowly so as to not scare any of them off.

They stepped onto the grass, their bodies warmed by the sun. The temperature was not humid but rather an all-encompassing dry heat. It felt wonderful, at least for now, feeling their bodies become comfortable and dry. And they were surrounded by so many Nadian Monarchs... varying in size, all of them conglomerating in this one spot.

Kip stepped forward and none of the butterflies were scared off. They all remained stationary for the most part. Tobias followed and looked around.

"What... is this? Why are they doing this?" Tobias raised a finger to one but it backed away slightly. He turned to Kip and they did the same to her.

"Maybe it's just the sunlight. Warming themselves? Do butterflies do that?" She smiled at him.

"Who knows," Tobias said. They faced one another and he caressed her cheek. They were both surrounded by the gorgeous blue wings.

"We've kissed beneath the stars," Kip said softly. "And that enormous full moon before you joined the Knights Academy..." She placed her hands on his chest. "Beneath the waterfall in the Bright River..."

"And now, surrounded by so many of the rarest butterflies in the world," Tobias said. He leaned in and time stopped for them. Just being with her, taking her in, felt like the purest peace. And it gave him the strength needed to keep going. As he opened his eyes, the butterflies were rotating around them.

Slowly, they pulled away. He felt something brush up against his stomach. There was a butterfly on Kip's belly. Kip laughed, leaped a little in surprise.

"Oh, hello," she said. They still held each other's hands. As, one by one, butterflies landed on Kip's body. Mostly on her belly. Some on her back, shoulders, upon her arms. "T-Tobias..."

"What in the world..."

They looked at each other. Kip looked like she wanted to cry but with a large smile on her face. Tobias certainly didn't know what was up with these butterflies. But such a rarity... such an unimaginable thing... such a strange thing for insects to do. And, because they were Nadian Monarch's he couldn't help but feel blessed. As if, just like when they plummeted over the falls, escaping from the Kingdom, and he heard that woman's voice in his head, this was a sign. That things were going to be okay.

Kip was laughing, looking down at herself.

And moments after Tobias had entered that moment of peace, he felt a force nearly knock him over. It made his entire body shake. The feeling came from Kip, surging outward. All of the butterflies flew away from Kip. Everything felt cold.

Kip screamed and nearly fell to her knees.

"Hey!" Tobias lunged for her, catching her arms and steadying her. "Hey, what's wrong?"

She was suddenly covered in sweat. Her face grimaced and she was groaning.

"I think... I think..." She wailed again, squeezing his shirt so hard.

Gods, was she going into labor? He looked down. Her water hadn't broken. But maybe it would shortly. She was in pain, that's all he knew. Tobias was filled with fear. But he swallowed. Tensed himself. Stayed strong.

"I don't... I don't think the baby is coming," she struggled to say. "But..." she teared up. "Something's wrong. Something feels wrong, Tobias."

Tobias nodded. Took in deeper and deeper breaths. He knelt with her and held her face as she clenched his shirt.

"Look at me, Skipper." He smiled but looked at her intently. "Just look at me." She did so. "We've come so far. Because of your strength. We wouldn't be here right now without you."

She kept looking. Her breaths were staggered.

"We're going to walk, Kip. I'm going to help you put your boots and clothes on. And then we're going to move."

She shook her head when they tried to stand up. "Ah! It... hurts... I don't think I can..."

Tobias shook his head as well. "That's not true, Kip. We haven't come this far to give up, have we?"

She heaved in breaths for a while. Then said, "No."

"That's right. You're stronger than this pain, Kip. You can move. I know you can. It'll hurt. I don't know what hurts or what's wrong. But it's only pain. It will be relieved. We're so close to the next town. There will be Herbalists there. Maybe even an Alchemist. But the only way is to move."

Kip clenched her teeth and pressed her head into Tobias. "You're right... you're right."

"I know I'm right," he laughed slightly.

"Tobias!"

"Up we go, Kip. You can do this."

The pain seemed to come and go. But it was still present. Despite his fears, Kip didn't seem to be going into labor. At least not yet. He helped her put on some clothes and her boots so she could travel easier and more comfortably. And then they walked. It was slow and steady but they moved.

Tobias kept reminding her to breathe. He resisted tears. He didn't know why they would come this far... hear something Divine... see those butterflies... only for something bad to happen to her.

So he couldn't believe that's what was happening. They would make it to a town. And figure out what's wrong.

Every time Kip stumbled, Tobias held her tight and reminded her of who she was. Someone who survived the odds. And this wouldn't beat her down. And then she would stand and move again.

Every time she and Kip stumbled throughout the years that was always what he reminded himself. That they were fighters. That they would survive the odds. He would pick her up and carry her through all the miles if he had to.

But for now, he kept reminding her to fight on. Because that's all they could do.