Echoes of the Selarans

Cradle of Grief

The agora was grand, a space where life unfolded in all its controlled beauty. The transparent walls of the massive structure gleamed under the artificial lunar light, casting long shadows over the gathered crowd. It was a place of spectacle, of perfection. Every birth was an event-a calculated, choreographed display of the future Selaran elite. Today, Ari Elyx stood in the center, her heart pounding with anticipation and nervousness.

The agora's tiers were filled with onlookers, high-status families and curious spectators. This was supposed to be Ari's moment. The birth of her baby, the culmination of years of study, training, and careful genetic planning. As a resident neonatologist, Ari had assisted in the birth of many children, but this time was different. This time, the baby was hers.

She stepped into the center of the agora, her long auburn hair swaying slightly as she moved, her green eyes scanning the gathered faces, all expectant, all eager to see the next perfect creation. The transparent artificial womb that held her baby was suspended in the air, bathed in a soft glow. Everything was set. Today was meant to be a celebration, a triumph.

Ari glanced at Lyran, her robotic partner, standing nearby. He had been silent, his silver eyes watching her every move, as usual. But there was something in his gaze-something more than just observation. His presence was a comfort, steady and constant, even though she knew he couldn't truly feel the emotions swirling inside her. Or could he?

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. This was her moment, and everything had to be perfect. The baby's form inside the womb was delicate, small, but perfect in every way. Ari's heart swelled with pride as she watched the vital signs flash on the monitor beside her.

"Everything is proceeding as expected," she whispered to herself, though the words felt hollow in her chest. The weight of the spectators' eyes was suffocating. She tried to block them out, to focus only on the birth, the miracle of creation happening before her.

But then, something shifted.

A sharp beep echoed through the agora, and Ari's eyes snapped to the monitor. The baby's vitals were faltering. Her heart jumped into her throat as panic surged through her body. She quickly adjusted the controls, her hands shaking as she tried to stabilize the baby's heartbeat. But nothing happened. The baby's condition was deteriorating, fast.

"No, no, no," Ari whispered, her breath quickening as she worked. Her fingers flew over the controls, adjusting the artificial environment, trying everything she knew to save her child.

Another sharp alarm blared, louder this time, and the murmurs from the crowd began to grow. Ari's chest tightened as the reality of the situation began to sink in. The baby was slipping away.

She hesitated for a moment, the weight of her decision heavy in her chest. She needed help. She couldn't do this alone.

Ari activated the emergency protocol, summoning her senior. The crowd's whispers grew louder as her mentor, an experienced neonatologist, strode into the agora with an air of authority. He barely glanced at Ari before focusing on the task at hand, his face cold and composed.

Together, they worked to stabilize the baby. The senior moved with practiced precision, adjusting the controls, injecting the necessary solutions into the artificial womb. Ari followed his lead, her heart pounding in her ears, her hands trembling. She couldn't lose this child. Not here, not now, not in front of everyone.

Minutes passed, but the baby's vitals continued to drop. Ari's stomach twisted with fear, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The crowd had fallen silent now, all eyes fixed on the drama unfolding in front of them. She could feel their anticipation, their eagerness for a spectacle.