After the ordeal in the Mirror Sanctum, the group settled near a valley untouched by the Shatter—a rare patch of calm. Takeshi built a temporary outpost, both for strategic rest and much-needed healing.
For the first time in weeks, there was peace.
As the moon rose, Elira approached Takeshi by the fire.
"You never stop writing," she said, watching him scribble in the Codex.
"It keeps me centered."
She sat beside him, her tone soft. "You risked everything in that sanctum. For all of us."
He looked at her. "I couldn't let anyone fade. Not you."
Elira's hand brushed his. A quiet moment passed—until Fyria landed from above, her wings sizzling against the night air.
"Interrupting something?" she asked with a smirk.
Takeshi chuckled nervously. "Just… notes."
Fyria's gaze softened. "You were willing to forget everything just to keep our bonds. That means something to me."
Elira raised a brow, then leaned against Takeshi. "To both of us."
Later that night, Selene arrived with supplies—and stayed longer than necessary. She lingered by the fire, quietly studying Takeshi.
"You see us," she said, "Not as tools. Not as soldiers. As people."
Takeshi looked between the three women who had each stood by him in death and danger.
"I'm not good at this," he admitted.
"You're good at everything that matters," Elira whispered.
Fyria snorted. "And bad at picking up signals."
Selene laughed quietly, "We'll make sure you learn."
As the stars spun above, Takeshi felt something new forming—delicate and uncertain, yet real. Not a harem of possession, but a bond of hearts earned through fire.
The Codex flickered with a new entry:
[Unique Trait Evolved: Heart of Many – Trust Deepened]
But below it, another message appeared:
[Warning: Final Guardian Detected – Category: Unknown]
The fourth god stirred.