The mall was quiet now.
Outside, the bodies of the Beast Horde still smoldered, blackened and broken, strewn across the ruined courtyard like discarded nightmares. The walls stood... barely... charred, battered, but unbroken. Above them, the sky was still streaked with ash, the scent of smoke clinging to every stone.
Inside, Liam sat at the edge of the wide bed in his private chamber, shirtless, bandages tight across his ribs. His sword lay nearby, untouched, for once. Around him... warmth.
Rena slept at his side, one hand still resting protectively over his chest, as if to guard him even in sleep. Nysera lay curled near the foot of the bed, half-covered in furs, silver eyes shut but ears twitching with every creak of the fortress. Kaelithra leaned against the headboard, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded but alert. Naia was perched by the door, a protective presence, her staff resting across her knees.
The room was dim, lit only by the flicker of system runes glowing faintly along the walls. It wasn't peace, not really. But it was close.
Liam winced as he shifted, pain flaring through his side. The fight had been brutal, but they had won. He had survived.
> [System Alert]
Overlord Vitality: Stabilizing
Bond Synergy Level: 94% (Stable)
Horde Status: Scouting Parties Dispersed
Next Raid Estimated: 21 Hours
Directive: Rest / Prepare Expansion
He exhaled slowly.
Outside, his kingdom stirred. Beastkin patrols from Stormclaw moved silently through the fortress perimeter, loyal now... for as long as he kept their respect. Inside, his wives had reclaimed the fortress. Repairs were underway. Defenses reinforced. And for now... they were all here.
All except one.
A knock echoed at the chamber door.
Elyra entered, cloaked in silk, her presence soft but commanding. Behind her, Sarya followed, crossbow slung over one shoulder, eyes flicking to Liam instantly.
"You're awake," Elyra said, smiling faintly. "We were starting to wonder if you planned to rest forever."
Liam groaned. "Didn't have a choice. Naia drugged me."
Sarya shrugged. "You needed it. Overlord or not, you bleed like anyone else."
Kaelithra smirked. "And snore like a beast."
Nysera growled softly, not quite awake. "He fought for us. Let him rest."
Elyra crossed the room, settling beside him. "Rest's over. The den reports movement in the east. Another horde cluster. Smaller, but fast."
Rena stirred, sitting up, her hand still gripping Liam's. "We'll handle it. Let him recover."
Liam shook his head. "No. I'm done sitting. What's the status?"
> [System Update]
Zone 14: Stable
Mall Fortress Perimeter: 72% Reinforced
Stormclaw Wilds: Patrols Active
Zone 15 Access: Available
Bond Opportunity: Active
Target Class: Tamer-Warlord Hybrid
Liam stood slowly, pain dull but manageable.
"Zone Fifteen," he murmured.
Elyra nodded. "The Desert Spire. The next queen. The system wants her bonded. Soon."
Rena rose beside him. "We go together."
Liam hesitated. "You all just fought. We need time."
Nysera stretched, tail flicking. "We don't have time. The Horde grows bolder every night. And she'll be no easier to claim than I was."
Sarya checked her bolts. "Then we move at first light."
Liam looked around at them... his wives, his strength.
"Together," he said.
And the system pulsed in agreement.
> [System Alert]
Harem Sync: Active
Next Bond Opportunity: 18 Hours
Prepare for Departure
Zone Fifteen Unlocked
The empire was growing.
And Liam Voss would not stop.
The mall was quiet now.
Outside, the bodies of the Beast Horde still smoldered, blackened and broken, strewn across the ruined courtyard like discarded nightmares. The walls stood... charred, battered, but unbroken. Above them, the sky remained streaked with ash, the scent of smoke clinging to every stone.
Inside, Liam sat at the edge of the wide bed in his private chamber, shirtless, bandages tight across his ribs. His sword lay nearby, untouched. Around him... warmth. The lingering touches last night still fresh on his skin. He knew they had probably only done it because of how critical it was...but never less he was grateful it had happened.
Rena rested at his side, her hand curled over his chest even in sleep. Nysera lay near the foot of the bed, wrapped in furs, her silver eyes closed but alert beneath. Kaelithra leaned against the headboard, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded. Naia sat at the door, staff across her knees, watching.
The fortress had held.
So had he.
But only just.
> [System Alert]
Overlord Vitality: 42% – Stabilizing
Bond Synergy Level: 94% – Stable
Horde Status: Scout Clusters Detected – Return in 21 Hours
Directive: Rest / Prepare for Zone Expansion
Liam exhaled, the ache in his side a dull throb. His kingdom stirred beyond these walls. Stormclaw patrols circled the perimeter... loyal for now. Inside, his wives worked. Rebuilding. Defending. But not all were here.
A soft knock sounded.
Elyra entered, draped in silks, followed by Sarya, crossbow slung behind her. Their eyes landed on Liam immediately.
"You're awake," Elyra murmured. "Naia said you'd sleep for hours.... said you used a lot of energy last night..."
"I did," Liam rasped. "She drugged me."
Sarya smirked. "We needed you still. The fight's over. For now."
Kaelithra rose from the bed's edge. "And yet you're already planning the next one."
Nysera stirred but didn't rise. "He has to. Zone 15 waits."
> [System Update]
Zone 15: Desert Spire – Access Unlocked
Target Class: Tamer-Warlord Hybrid
Bond Opportunity: Active – Hostile / Unclaimed
Territory Type: Oasis / Spire Core
Liam swung his legs to the floor, wincing. "We move at dawn."
Elyra approached, her fingers brushing his shoulder. "You're still injured."
"I'm ready."
Rena sat up, eyes sharp. "You're not going alone."
"None of us will," Kaelith said. "We move together."
Nysera's tail flicked. "And she won't come quietly."
Liam looked at them... his wives, his strength... and nodded.
"Then we take Zone 15," he said. "And we claim it all."
> [System Alert]
Harem Sync: Active
Bond Loyalty: 91% – Stable
Next Bond Target: Active – 18 Hours
Prepare for Deployment
Liam Voss would not rest.
Not until every zone, every queen, every beautiful woman around was his bond...