A saint is defined simply as someone who is acknowledged as holy or virtuous.

Despite the simple definition, finding someone in this world that fits that description is quite the grueling task.

However, the Withers couple were considered as close to a saint as one could get. They were kindhearted, generous, polite, and devoutly religious. They lived in a small, unmarked town that hardly anyone knew the name of. The town was quiet and simple, but they loved their life there.

They had been a couple for many years before they'd gotten married, but they fell into the roles of husband and wife perfectly.

The only thing they were missing in their otherwise perfect life... Was a child.

For months, they had tried and tried, but nothing ever came of it.

"Toulouse, what did we do to deserve this...?" the young woman asked, her eyes filling with tears. "Haven't we been faithful to our Lord?"

Her husband rushed to her side and sat down next to her, gently stroking her brown locks. "Shh, shh, Amara, you shouldn't cry! We'll find a way to fix this, we always do."

She turned to him, her tears threatening to spill. "How? How could we possibly fix this?"

"I've heard tell of a powerful healer," Toulouse said, gripping her hands. "They say that she lives in the East Forest just outside Magnolia Town. Maybe she'd be able to help us?"

Amara blinked a few times, sniffling loudly. "At this point, I'm willing to try anything."

He leaned their foreheads together. "Then it's settled... We leave for Magnolia tomorrow."

After the couple made it to Maganolia, it didn't take long for them to find the treehouse of the great healer of the Fairy Tail guild.

"Are we sure this is the place..?" Amara asked cautiously.

Toulouse nodded. "It has to be." He chuckled and tapped her nose with his finger. "How many people do you know that live in a treehouse in a Magnolian forest?"

She pouted. "Don't do that, you know I dislike it..."

"Sorry, love," he laughed.

They both jumped, hearing a loud bang from above them.

"I know you're here, I can smell you! Get out of here-I hate humans!" An elderly woman with pink hair leaned out of the window, broomstick in hand, foul look set on her features.

A hopeful look grew on Amara's face. "Are you Porlyusica the Healing Mage?"

She scowled down at them. "And if I am?"

"We need your help," Toulouse called up. "Please, ma'am, we're getting desperate."

Porlyusica scoffed. "And why on earth should I help you?"

"We know you have no obligation to," Amara spoke up. "but we would be very grateful if you would."

Porlyusica would have declined, and perhaps she should have, but looking at the sadness in the couples eyes spoke to just a little part of her. "...Fine," she said curtly. "You may come up." Amara's and Toulouse's faces broke into wide grins. "But only for half an hour! That's how long I'm giving for you to state your case, me to give my opinion, and then you to leave!" She slammed the window shut, scaring a few crows out of the nearby trees.

Once the couple managed to climb into the reclusive house, they sat down across from the woman in two rather uncomfortable chairs.

"So," Porlyusica began. "What's the matter with you both? Is one of you sick?"

Toulouse wrapped an arm around Amara's shoulder. "I think that one of us must be. You see, for months now-"

"Just let me look you two over," the woman interrupted.

Toulouse nodded. "Y-yes, of course, but-"

"Quiet, I don't like the sounds of human's voices."

Amara quirked an eyebrow. "But aren't you human...?"

"Do you want my help, or not?"

She shook her hands fervently. "No, please! We want your help, we need it!"

The mage narrowed her eyes at her. "I don't take kindly to begging."

Amara let out a shaky sigh. "Fine... That's fine, I understand." Toulouse rubbed her back gently. "It's just... These last few months, we're tried so hard to make our family whole, but... Nothing's working." Her green eyes met Porlyusica's red ones. "Are we not able to have children?"

There was a brief moment of silence where Porlyusica just sat there staring at them, her arms crossed, and lips set in a thin line. "Well, I'll look you over, and then we'll find out, won't we?"

Toulouse shot her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Porlyusica ended up running many tests on them, feeding them strange herbs, massaging their stomachs experimentally, and things of the such, but they could tell by the grim look on her face that the news was nothing good.

"Well, aren't you two a match made in heaven," she said, sitting back down in her chair.

"What do you mean by that?" Toulouse asked quietly, grabbing hold of Amara's hand.

The healer sighed. "You're both infertile. I can't say I've ever seen a match like you two. Usually, it's just one side of the couple, but in this case, it's both. Quite the curious case, I must say."

Amara pushed down her building tears. "Is there nothing you can do?"

Porlyusica shook her head. "I can't change what nature has made to be so." She paused. "But perhaps your God can."

Toulouse raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you're both very religious, aren't you?"

He nodded slowly. "We are, but how did you know?"

The woman scoffed. "I can tell by your presence. You're too polite and tidy to be a regular married couple at your tender ages."

Amara looked down, playing with her fingertips. "Yes, I suppose we do stand out quite a bit..." She took a deep breath and lifted her head back up to meet the healer's eyes. "What did you mean by our God helping us?"

She shrugged. "Well, there have been tales of God answering his disciples prayers, and things of the such. If one's ever read the bible, or any of the old scrolls, there have been many instances of miracles being performed." She let out a long sigh as if already regretting what she was about to say. "Perhaps if you pray hard enough, you might get your wish granted. Have you tried that?"

Toulouse's eyes widened, his azure irises drawing Porlyusica in. "You really think it might work?"

"Well, how should I know?" she snapped. "I'm not a very religious person, myself, so I couldn't tell you, but I do tend to believe in records, and there have been plenty of records of unexplained... Things happening."

Toulouse and Amara looked at her with touched expressions.

"Thank you," Amara said, wiping her damp eyes. "I have faith." She leaned her head against Toulouse's shoulder. "We both do."

Porlyusica scoffed at them. "You two are so incredible sappy-worse than regular humans!"

Toulouse chuckled heartily. "Thank you for your help, Porlyusica The Healing Mage."

The woman grabbed her broom. "Yeah, yeah, now get out! I can't stand the smell of you anymore!"

When Amara and Toulouse made it back to their quiet little village, it was a little bit louder than usual.

Most all of their neighbors were gathered in the center of the town, which was really just a small well that everyone considered the local landmark.

"What's going on...?" Amara asked, mostly to herself.

Lyla, a little girl that lived in the village, skipped up to her, her curly hair bouncing as she did. "Ama, Loucey, you're home!"

Toulouse picked her up and spun her around. "Yes, indeed, my dear Lyla, we're home." He glanced at the growing crowd. "Do you mind telling us what has everyone so riled up today?"

Lyla absentmindedly played with Toulouse's bangs. "You really don't know?"

Amara chuckled. "We just go back, Lyla."

"Oooooh, right!" the little girl giggled. She grinned at them. "We have a new neighbor!"

Toulouse set her down. "Really?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "And he's really nice, too!" She grabbed both of their hands, dragging them toward the crowd of townspeople. "Come on, come on, let's go say hi, let's go say hi!"

Amara laughed. "Fine, fine, we'll go." She swept the girl off her feet and set her on Toulouse's broad shoulders. "No pulling, okay? Just show us where to go."

Lyla nodded and smiled shyly. "Okaaaaaay." She pointed through the crowd. "He's over there, right by the well."

Amara and Toulouse gently pushed through the crowd until they met with the sight of a handsome young man. He had long, blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, slightly rusted glasses, brown eyes that spoke volumes, and an enchanting rectangular grin.

Toulouse cleared his throat, gaining the man's attention and pulling him away from a conversation he was having with the town elder. "So, you're the new addition to our lovely, little town?"

The young man gave him a respectful nod. "Yes, I am. And you must be Toulouse Withers."

Toulouse chuckled. "That'd be me. How'd you know?"

He pushed up his glasses. "My employer's told me quite a lot about you and your enchanting wife."

Amara blushed. "Enchanting...?" she mumbled to herself.

"Oi," Toulouse pouting, tapping her nose. "Pure thoughts, love."

The stranger chuckled. "You two are a fine couple indeed."

"Mm," Toulouse hummed. "You mentioned something about your employer. Have we met him before?"

The man nodded. "I'm quite certain you've encountered him a few times in your life."

Amara gently took Lyla from Toulouse's shoulders and set her on the ground. "I see. Is he from your hometown?"

The stranger nodded. "He is, ma'am."

"He's close?"

The stranger laughed. "I'm afraid not, ma'am. My hometown is a many millions miles away."

"Well, then you've travelled far indeed." She thought for a moment. "Would you care to join us for dinner?"

Toulouse's eyes widened. "Huh?"

The stranger gave a gentle smile, the skin at the corner of his eyes crinkling. "I would love to, if your husband doesn't mind."

"I don't mind..." he grumbled. "But I want your name first."

The blonde nodded. "Oh, of course, I understand." He reached his hand out. "Aluciamora." He and Toulouse shook hands, then he reached out towards Amara. She easily took his hand, but shivered when their skin touched.

"Ama, you okay?" Toulouse whispered.

She nodded. "I'm fine, it's just... I felt as if electricity just ran through my body."

"Excuse me?" Toulouse pouted. "You better not be falling for him."

Amara scoffed. "Toulouse, don't be..." She trailed off and started retching.

"Ama?" Toulouse and Lyla asked worriedly.

Amara coughed and tried to spit out a few simple words, but she ended up collapsing to her knees.

"Amara!" Toulouse quickly crouched down by her side. "Are you okay, love?"

She coughed out, "Inside. Loucey, please take me inside."

He nodded and scooped her up, bridal-style.

"I'm beginning to think that tonight wouldn't be a good night for me to dine with you all," Aluciamora said, smile still prominent on his face. "Perhaps another time?"

Toulouse nodded. "Yes, let's." He quickly walked away and brought Amara inside their cozy home. "Ama, are you sure you're okay?" he asked, gently setting her on their shared bed.

"I'm fine," she said, sweat building on her brow. "I'm sure I just caught a bug or sorts while we were in Magnolia."

Toulouse sighed and wiped a few strands of hair out his wife's face. "Let's hope so."

For weeks, the strange sickness remained. Every time they thought she was recovered, she would just relapse the next day; regurgitation, cramps, and fevers becoming a regular occurrence. They finally decided it was time to call the town's doctor.

She had been looking her over for a while, Toulouse standing nervously in the corner, biting his thumbnail.

"So, anything?" the young man asked, coming up by the doctor's side.

She sighed. "Despite how much I don't appreciate you asking every two minutes, I might actually have something this time."

"Really?" Toulouse gasped. Amara let out a sigh of relief.

The doctor's eyes widened. "Amara and Toulouse Withers, I didn't think I'd ever say anything like this to you two, but you two are pregnant!"

Amara's jaw dropped. "Excuse me, what?"

"You two are gonna have a baby!" she laughed, a jovial smile on her face.

Toulouse rushed down and peppered Amara's face with kisses. "A child, Ama, a child!"

Amara laughed and pushed him away. "How long?" she asked the doctor.

"A few weeks, I'd guess. What you've been experiencing is morning sickness." She hummed thoughtfully. "I'm rather kicking myself for not noticing sooner, but it was just so sudden, I guess I didn't even entertain the possibility." She started packing her medical bag. "Any symptoms start in Magnolia?"

Toulouse shook his head. "None. She only started getting sick once we came home."

The doctor sighed and gripped her bag. "Well, I have no way to explain it, but you're pregnant, Amara Withers." She gave the couple a warm smile. "Congratulations."

Amara nodded. "Thank you." She gestured to the door. "Toulouse, could you show her out?"

"Yeah, love," he said, standing up and opening the door for the doctor.

The doctor stopped and spun around. "Oh, oh, oh, one more thing!"

Toulouse raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"You know Aluciamora, right?" The couple nodded. "Well, apparently, he's going traveling, and he's not coming back."

Amara sat up on their bed. "Aluciamora's leaving the town?"

"He is. Tonight, it seems like. Shame," she sighed. "He was handsome." Toulouse and Amara stared at her. "A-and... Kindhearted. Yes, kindhearted. A-anyway," she said, quickly making her way out the door. "Have a pleasant day, Withers!"

Toulouse closed the door behind her, standing there for a moment, trying to calm his growing Cheshire-grin, but he quickly came to the realization that nothing could. He spun around to face his wife, his gummy sunshine smile making a full appearance. "Amara," he said quietly. "We're having a child." He giggled like a little kid.

Amara joined him in the excited laughter. "I know. I know, we are, aren't we?" Toulouse ran to her side and enveloped her in a hug. "Do you think it'll be a girl, or a boy?"

"Oh, girl, clearly."

Toulouse tapped her nose. "And how would you know?"

"I can feel it in my bones," she said, smacking his shoulder playfully. "And stop hitting my nose!"

He chuckled. "Habit, I'm sorry."

That night, while everyone was sleeping, Aluciamora had packed his trunk and readied his horse. He sighed, running a hand through his silky locks, and putting it up into a fresh ponytail.

He hauled himself onto his horse's back when someone grabbed the hem of his shirt. He looked down, his chocolate eyes widening. "Miss Withers," he said. "You're out awfully late."

She retracted her hand. "And you're leaving awfully late." She smiled at him. "I'm pregnant, you know."

Aluciamora chuckled. "Really now? That's grand news."

"I agree." She nodded. She played with a lock of her hair. "That was your doing, wasn't it?"

He let out a surprised choke. "Pardon me?"

"You're a miracle. Aren't you, Aluciamora?" She met his gaze with the most clarity she had ever had.

He sighed with a smile, jumping down from his horse. "How did you know?"

"Well, 'Aluciamora' is a name far too splendorous for our world," Amara laughed. She fiddled with her fingers. "You blessed me, didn't you? Because you're an angel."

The blonde man put a hand on her arm. "I did. Despite how it may seem, my 'employer'," they both chuckled at that. "has heard every single word you spoke. He's heard how you cried, and prayed, and worshipped, so he sent me to come for you. To bless you with the child that you could never have." His smile fell. "However, I hope you're prepared for what's to come."

Amara furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

"Your child won't be like others. They will be special, and different from any other child that they may meet. Some people will fear them, others will envy... Others will covet. It will be your job to protect them, and keep them safe, teaching them how to grow up in a good manner." He rubbed her arm. "Do you think you can do that? You mustn't let yourselves become blinded."

Amara nodded and set her hand atop his. "Toulouse and I can do it. We've wanted a child for as long as I can remember, this is our dream."

Aluciamora smiled. It was a sort of strained smile that planted a seed of doubt in Amara's mind. "I understand and respect your resolve, but I hope you are prepared for the consequences that this blessing may hold."

After that fateful night, Aluciamora was never seen nor heard from again.

Nine months after their parting, the first Withers child was born; a beautiful little girl with brown hair (from her mom's side), blue eyes, and freckles covering her visage, clearly from her father's side.

The family was happy together, for five whole years. But then... She was taken away. She didn't want to go. She didn't want it be taken away from her family. She loved it there, in her quiet, little village.

But they just let her go. They let her go without so much as a goodbye, leaving her with one last tap on her nose.

"Ty..."

"Ty."

"Ty!"

Ty's eyes widened as she was shaken awake, the comfortable position she had of leaning against a tree destroyed.

"Ty, are you okay?" Beth asked, her usually happy face scrunching up in worry.

Ty quickly gained her bearings and grinned. "Me? Yeah, I'm fine. I've just been pretty tired lately, that's all."

"You sure? It looked like you were having a bad dream." She started play connect-the-dots with her friend's freckles. "You're face was all... Bleh."

"My face was 'bleh'?" Ty chuckled, gently moving Beth's hand away from her face. "Really, I'm fine. I was just remembering a few things I'd rather forget, is all."

Beth pouted. "Are you really okay?"

"Really, really," Ty assured her, playfully tapping her nose.

Beth grew a huge grin and hopped up into a standing position, her red pigtails bouncing a little. "All right, then! We have a new mission. Meet us in the guild hall in ten, okay?"

Ty shot her a thumbs-up. "You got it." Once Beth was out of sight, she let out a long sigh. She put her hand on the ground and pushed herself up. "Ouch!" she hissed, her hand moving just wrong and getting sliced on an offended piece of bark. She stared at the Mermaid Heel guild mark imprinted on her hand, now oozing with droplets of blood. "Darn it..." She clicked her tongue and quickly scanned the area for anyone that might be close. She was about to snap her fingers when she heard Kagura yell: "Withers, get in here!"

Ty stopped herself and let her hands drop to her side. She chuckled shakily to herself. "What the hell am I doing...?" she whispered. She gripped her well-toned arms and bent forward slightly. "I'm getting too greedy..."

She quickly shook her head, putting on a bright smile, resolutely walking off towards the guild hall.