Day 74-75 Post-Impact
The celebration had ended, but the recovery had just begun.
Sarnav walked through the medical wing as dawn broke over Harmony, observing the rows of wounded soldiers being tended by healers. The Holy Light users worked alongside conventional medics, their golden energy knitting flesh and bone while bandages and antiseptic handled what magic couldn't. The smell of blood and healing herbs filled the air, mixing with the softer scent of Sana's signature lavender cleansing spell.
Forty-three dead. One hundred seventeen wounded. The price of defeating an S-rank.
He paused at a bed where a young woman lay with her arm in a splint, her face pale but peaceful in sleep. She'd been part of Nisha's element, one of the nature magic users who'd held the eastern flank against overwhelming numbers. According to the reports, she'd taken down six converts before a binding ability shattered her arm.
"She'll make a full recovery," a healer said, noticing his attention. "Another week of treatment and she'll be back on duty."
"Make sure she gets whatever she needs. All of them."
"Yes, sir."
The title still felt strange. He was twenty-three years old, barely past university age, and people called him sir. They saluted him. They followed him into battle and died for him.
The weight of that responsibility pressed down harder with every name on the casualty list.
"The critical cases are stable," Chen Wei reported, falling into step beside him as he continued his rounds. "Sana worked through the night on the worst of them. We had to physically carry her to bed an hour ago. She was still trying to heal people while we moved her."
"That sounds like Sana."
"She saved at least a dozen lives that conventional medicine would have lost. Her Holy Light is remarkable. I've never seen a healer with her stamina or precision."
Sarnav felt a swell of pride through the network, though Sana was too deeply asleep to receive it consciously. His wife. His healer. The woman who poured herself empty to save others.
He paused at another bed where a young soldier lay unconscious, his chest wrapped in bandages, a faint golden glow still lingering over his skin from Sana's recent ministrations.
"He was in the eastern assault, wasn't he?"
"Private Lee. Took a hit meant for Nisha." Chen Wei's voice carried respect. "A B-rank fire user aimed a killing blow at her back. Lee saw it coming and stepped in front. Would have died if Sana hadn't reached him within minutes."
"Make sure his family knows what he did. And when he wakes, tell him I want to speak with him personally."
Chen Wei nodded, making a note on his tablet. "There's something else. Communication came through this morning. Official channels. The Malaysian Emergency Council wants to send representatives."
Sarnav had expected this. You didn't kill an S-rank awakener without attracting attention. The political implications were as significant as the military ones. "When?"
"They're requesting permission to arrive within forty-eight hours. Diplomatic language, formal courtesies, but the undertone is clear. They want to know who we are and what we're capable of. A faction that can take down an S-rank changes the balance of power in the region."
"Tell them we'll receive them. But on our terms, our schedule. We just fought a war. We don't jump for politicians who spent the battle safe in their bunkers."
"I'll draft a response. Firm but diplomatic."
"Good."
Sarnav continued his rounds, checking on the wounded, speaking with healers, making his presence known. Leadership meant being visible, especially in the aftermath of loss. These people had fought for him, bled for him, died for him. The least he could do was look them in the eye.
He was examining supply reports when a familiar voice called his name.
"Sarnav."
His mother stood in the doorway of the medical wing, dressed in the simple practical clothes she'd adopted since taking over civilian affairs. Her hair was pulled back, her face composed, but there was something in her eyes that made his chest tighten.
"Mom." He set down the reports. "Is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing's wrong." She stepped closer, her gaze moving over him, cataloging injuries he'd tried to hide. "I just wanted to see you. Make sure you were really home. Really safe."
"I'm fine. A few scratches."
"A few scratches." Her voice carried a note of disbelief. "You fought an S-rank awakener. You led an army into battle. You came home covered in blood that wasn't entirely other people's." She reached out, her fingers brushing a cut on his cheek that Sana's healing had reduced to a pink line. "These aren't scratches, baby."
The childhood endearment slipped out, and something flickered in her expression. She withdrew her hand quickly, as if surprised by her own action.
"I'm proud of you," she said, her voice steadier now. "You've become someone I barely recognize. Someone who leads, who protects, who inspires. That's what a mother wants for her son."
"Thank you."
"But it also terrifies me." She met his eyes, and for a moment, he saw past the composed exterior to something raw beneath. "When you were fighting out there, I couldn't sleep. Couldn't eat. Every report that came in, I was certain it would be the one telling me you were dead."
"I had my wives with me. The network. We protect each other."
"I know." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Your wives. You've built something remarkable with them. Something I don't fully understand, but I can see how much they love you. How much you love them."
There was something in her tone he couldn't identify. Not disapproval, exactly. Not jealousy. Something more complex.
"Are you okay, Mom? With everything that's happened?"
"I'm fine." The mask slipped back into place, professional and composed. "I should let you rest. The Council representatives will be here soon, and you'll need your strength for the political games ahead."
She turned to leave, then paused.
"Sarnav?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you came home." Her voice was soft, almost vulnerable. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you too."
She left before he could respond, and he stood in the empty doorway, trying to understand the weight of her words.
The government's message arrived formally an hour later.
Jade projected the communication onto the war room's main screen, her expression carefully neutral in that way she had when she was analyzing something dangerous. Jiyeon sat beside her, already running political calculations behind her sharp eyes. Serena had insisted on attending despite her exhaustion, her probability sense reaching out to assess the political landscape even as she fought to stay awake.
Nisha and Ishani flanked Sarnav, their presence a quiet reminder that his wives were always with him. Through the network, he felt the others listening too. Sana, half-asleep but monitoring. Minji, still tired from their activities but alert for anything important.
"The Malaysian Emergency Council formally requests an audience with the leadership of the Harmony Safe Zone," Jade read, her voice flat and professional. "They wish to discuss the recent military engagement with Ascendancy forces, the current security situation in the region, and potential frameworks for cooperation."
"Cooperation," Jiyeon repeated, her tone dry. "That's diplomatic speak for 'we want to control you.' They see a rising power and they want to claim it before someone else does."
"Or recruit us," Serena offered, her Singlish slipping slightly in her exhaustion. "A faction capable of killing an S-rank is damn valuable lah. They'll want us on their side before another faction claims us. Probably offering protection, resources, legitimacy."
"In exchange for our autonomy," Ishani said. Her light flickered around her hands, a sign of agitation. "We didn't fight for freedom just to hand it to a different master."
"What do we know about the Council?" Sarnav asked.
Jade pulled up files she'd compiled, data streams flowing across the screen. "Remnants of the federal government, operating out of Putrajaya. They've consolidated control over most of the Klang Valley, but their authority is contested outside their core territory. Several other factions claim legitimacy. The Ascendancy was one of their biggest external threats."
"Which we just eliminated for them," Nisha observed. "They owe us."
"Exactly. They owe us, and they know it. But politicians don't like owing people. They'll still try to assert dominance, frame it as them bringing us into the fold rather than acknowledging we did them a favor."
Jiyeon leaned forward, her strategic mind fully engaged. "We should approach this from a position of strength. Agree to the meeting, but make it absolutely clear we're partners, not subordinates. The victory over the Herald gives us leverage we need to use before it fades from memory."
"They're sending a military liaison along with the diplomatic team," Jade added, pulling up a personnel file. "Captain Zara Hassan. Malaysian Armed Forces, special operations background, decorated officer. Survived the initial impact and has been the Council's primary enforcer since. She'll be evaluating our capabilities while the diplomats handle the political theater."
The image showed a stern-faced woman in military dress, hijab framing sharp features and harder eyes. She looked like someone who had seen combat and hadn't flinched.
"She's dangerous," Ishani said, studying the image. "I can see it in her posture. This is someone who knows how to kill."
"Which is why she's coming," Serena said. "The diplomats will talk. She'll watch. And she'll report back on whether we're a threat or an asset."
Sarnav filed the name and face away. Captain Zara Hassan. Another variable in an increasingly complex equation.
"Fine. We'll receive them in forty-eight hours. Jiyeon, prepare our negotiating position. I want clear lines on what we're willing to discuss and what's non-negotiable. Jade, I want everything you can find on this Captain Hassan. Personal history, combat record, psychological profile if you can get it. Serena, what do your probabilities say?"
Serena closed her eyes briefly, her ability reaching out into the web of possibility. "Sixty-three percent chance this leads to a beneficial alliance. Twenty-two percent chance of attempted subordination that we can resist. Twelve percent chance of conflict." She paused. "Three percent... other."
"Other?"
"Variables I can't calculate yet. New factors that haven't emerged. The future isn't fixed, especially when dealing with politicians." She opened her eyes. "But the odds favor cooperation. For now."
"Good enough. Let's prepare for guests."
He found Sana in his quarters, waiting for him.
She'd changed from her healer's robes into a simple yukata, her dark hair loose around her shoulders. The exhaustion from her all-night healing session showed in the shadows under her eyes, but she stood when he entered, her expression determined.
"Sarnav-kun." She moved toward him, her hands reaching for the cuts and bruises he'd been ignoring. "You've been avoiding the healers."
"I'm fine. Others needed attention more than me."
"That's not how this works." Her Holy Light activated, golden warmth spreading from her palms as she pressed them to his chest. "You lead. You protect. But you also need to let someone take care of you."
The healing energy sank into his body, finding the dozen small wounds he'd accumulated during the battle. Cuts sealed. Bruises faded. The deep ache in his muscles eased.
"There," she said softly. "That's better."
"Thank you, Sana."
She didn't step back. Her hands remained on his chest, her Holy Light still glowing faintly, and he noticed her cheeks had flushed pink.
"Sarnav-kun... could you..." She hesitated, biting her lip. "Could you touch me while I heal you? It helps me focus."
He raised an eyebrow. "Does it?"
The flush deepened. "Maybe. A little. I just..." She looked up at him, her brown eyes earnest and slightly embarrassed. "I was so scared when you were fighting. I could feel everything through the network. Every hit you took, every moment of danger. I need to feel you now. Feel that you're safe. That you're real."
He understood. The network carried everything, including fear. She'd experienced his battle secondhand, helpless to do anything but wait and worry.
"Come here."
He pulled her close, and she melted against him with a soft sigh. Her Holy Light continued to pulse, healing the last of his minor wounds, but her attention had shifted. Her head rested against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"I love you," she whispered. "I know you have other wives, and I love them too, but right now, I need it to just be us. Is that selfish?"
"It's not selfish." He tilted her chin up, kissing her gently. "It's human."
The kiss deepened, her hands sliding up to wrap around his neck. She pressed closer, her soft curves molding against him, and he felt her nipples harden through the thin fabric of her yukata.
"Sarnav-kun..." She gasped as his hands found her waist, sliding the yukata open to reveal the swell of her breasts. "Kimochi ii..."
He cupped her breasts, feeling their weight, running his thumbs over her sensitive nipples. She shuddered, a whimper escaping her lips.
"You're so sensitive here," he murmured.
"Hai... yes..." Her hips rocked against him involuntarily. "It's embarrassing, but when you touch them, I feel it everywhere..."
He lowered his head, taking one nipple into his mouth, and she cried out. Her hands fisted in his hair, holding him there as he licked and sucked. The Holy Light around her hands flickered erratically, healing energy mixing with arousal.
"Motto... more..." She was panting now, her body trembling. "I'm going to... just from this..."
He switched to her other breast, giving it the same attention, while his hand slid down her stomach. She was wet, soaked through her underwear, her body responding to nothing but breast play.
"Sarnav-kun!" Her back arched as he pinched one nipple while sucking the other. "I'm... I'm going to...!"
She came with a cry, her whole body shaking, her Holy Light flaring bright enough to illuminate the room. He held her through it, feeling her pleasure echo through the network, letting her ride out the waves against him.
When she finally stilled, she looked up at him with dazed, satisfied eyes.
"Sugoi..." she breathed. "That was... I didn't even..."
"You didn't even need me inside you."
Her blush returned full force. "It's embarrassing! No one else is this sensitive!"
"I think it's beautiful." He kissed her forehead. "And there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
She was quiet for a moment, then: "Sarnav-kun? Could we... could we do more? I want to feel you. All of you."
"Are you sure? You were healing all night. You need rest."
"I need you more." She looked up at him, and beneath the sweetness was something hungrier. Something that hadn't been there before. "Please?"
He carried her to the bed.
Later, with Sana curled against him in satisfied sleep, Sarnav stared at the ceiling and thought about everything that had changed.
An S-rank defeated. A government taking notice. His mother looking at him with something he couldn't name. A wife whose hidden depths were slowly revealing themselves.
And somewhere out there, the Ascendancy was licking its wounds, plotting revenge.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. Politicians to manage. Defenses to rebuild. An entity sealed beneath the earth, waiting.
But tonight, he had this. Peace. Safety. A woman who loved him sleeping in his arms.
It would have to be enough.
[DAY 75]
[WIFE COUNT: 7/32]
[ESSENCE: 759,100 / 1,000,000]
[HP: 12,847]
[HARMONY SAFE ZONE STATUS][POPULATION: 935][FULL INFRASTRUCTURE: OPERATIONAL]
[GOVERNMENT: INCOMING (48 HOURS)]
[MYTHILI: SEEDS PLANTED]
[SANA: PERVERTED SIDE EMERGING]
[NEXT: POLITICS]