The King and The Deliverer

Chapter 2

Poor Levy had spent hours weeping, her heart heavy with despair, while Gajeel fervently prayed for a solution. Yet, it seemed that no answer would come—not in words, at least. Determined to protect their unborn child from a grim fate, Gajeel and Levy realized that their only option was to flee Egypt before the baby arrived. They were not alone in this desperate thought; many slaves harbored the same dream of escape. However, nearly every attempt had ended in tragedy, with escapees either killed or recaptured. The risk was immense, but the alternative—staying and facing the death of their child—was far worse.

For six long months, they meticulously planned their escape, stealthily gathering supplies to sustain them until they could find fertile land. They collected food, water, a couple of weapons, and a basket that would serve as a cradle for their infant. They were also careful to hide Levy's pregnancy, ensuring that no one noticed her growing belly. Finally, after amassing enough supplies and learning of a night when the guards would be few, Gajeel and Levy felt ready to embark on their perilous journey.

Fate can be incredibly cruel. Just as they were preparing to leave, their child was ready to enter the world. Levy endured the agonies of labor that stretched long into the night, yet she remained silent, knowing that any sound could alert the soldiers nearby. In the early hours of the morning, she finally brought forth a healthy baby boy, but by then, she was far too weak to embark on their escape, forcing them to delay their plans.

As she recuperated, both Levy and her husband did everything in their power to keep their son hidden from prying eyes. He was seen by no one but them, and whenever he cried, a loyal friend would create loud distractions to mask the infant's wails. Meanwhile, his parents would soothe him with gentle lullabies and soft music. Oh, how they hoped this would work until they could finally escape and find safety far from Egypt.

"Do you have everything?" Levy asked her husband on the day of their second escape attempt.

"Yes." He replied, double-checking the satchel of supplies he had packed. "But we must hurry. I think one of the soldiers heard him crying last night."

"Alright." Levy gently lifted their baby from the cradle, swaddling him in her shawl and holding him close.

"Is he calm?" Gajeel inquired.

"He's been fed, so he should be content for a while," Levy assured him. "But Gajeel, where shall we go? The only thing out there is desert."

"I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard of a place called Midian. The people there are God-fearing like us. Maybe they'll help us; maybe they won't. But any place is better than here."

With determination, Levy grabbed the woven basket and, alongside her husband, slipped out of their hut as quietly as possible. They moved swiftly and silently, staying close to the shadows and doing their best to remain unseen. However, one particularly vigilant soldier spotted them and deemed their actions suspicious.

"Halt!" he shouted. "What are you doing? Why are you carrying so much?"

"Run, Levy," Gajeel urged. "I'll hold them off while you escape."

"But Gajeel—"

"If we are both captured, our son is as good as dead! There's no argument!"

Though reluctant to leave her husband behind, Levy knew the truth in his words. With a heavy heart, she turned and ran, trusting him to keep the soldiers at bay.

"Stop that woman!" a soldier shouted. "She's trying to escape!"

Gajeel was strong, and Levy was fast, but the sheer number of soldiers overwhelmed them. Eventually, she would be captured, and the thought filled her with dread.