Day 94 Post-Impact - Late Morning
The training yard had been cleared for Sarnav's experiments.
Word had spread quickly after the tribulation, the massive sky-darkening event that had announced his breakthrough to anyone within fifty kilometers. Now the compound's residents gave the training area a wide berth, watching from windows and doorways as their leader tested powers that most of them couldn't begin to comprehend.
[HOST: ACCESSING ALL TEN ABILITIES SIMULTANEOUSLY]
[RECOMMENDATION: PROCEED WITH CAUTION]
This seems excessive, the system added. But please, continue showing off.
Sarnav smiled at the system's dry commentary. He'd missed the personality, the snarky observations that had been absent during the long grind to S-rank. Now that he'd broken through, the system seemed more... present. More conversational.
"I want to see what I can do," he murmured.
For yourself, or for the ten women watching from the edge of the yard? A pause. Showing off for your wives, then. Noted.
He didn't dignify that with a response, partly because it was accurate.
The ten wives had gathered at the edge of the yard, watching through both physical eyes and the network bond. Through that connection, he felt their collective attention: Nisha's warm encouragement, Ishani's competitive interest, Jade's analytical assessment, Jiyeon's calculating observation, Elena's predatory appreciation.
He started with the basics. Light manipulation from Ishani, summoning a blade of condensed luminescence. It formed instantly, brighter and more stable than he'd ever managed before. Then shadow arts from Elena, darkness coiling around his other hand in perfect complement.
"Eclipse Strike," he murmured, bringing the two together.
The techniques merged, light and shadow intertwining into something new. A blade that existed in both spectrums simultaneously, cutting through reality itself. He swung it at a training dummy and the dummy simply... ceased to exist where the blade passed. No burning, no dissolution. Just absence.
[TECHNIQUE SYNERGY: CONFIRMED]
[ECLIPSE STRIKE: REGISTERED]
That dummy cost 200 essence to construct, the system observed. You're welcome for the feedback.
"Noted."
He released the Eclipse Strike and shifted to movement. Elena's shadow arts included Void Step, the ability to move through darkness itself. At A-rank, it had been limited to short distances, requiring visible shadows. At S-rank...
He stepped into his own shadow and emerged on the other side of the training yard, a hundred meters away. The transition was instantaneous, disorienting even to him. Through the network, he felt Minji's excited gasp.
"That's so OP!" she called across the distance. "Do it again!"
He obliged, Void Stepping back to his original position, then behind her, then to the rooftop of the command center. Each transition was effortless, the shadow dimension opening to him like a second home.
[HOST MOBILITY: SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED]
[VOID STEP RANGE: APPROXIMATELY 500 METERS]
Recommend not showing off too much, the system added. Your mother is watching.
Sarnav paused mid-step, following the system's observation to where Mythili stood at the edge of the training yard.
She'd approached silently during his demonstration, datapad clutched to her chest, her expression carefully neutral. But her eyes... her eyes tracked his movements with an intensity that went beyond maternal concern. She'd been there since the tribulation began yesterday, he realized. Had watched the sky darken, had felt the power surge, had known immediately that something profound was happening to her son.
"Ma." He Void Stepped to stand before her, and she didn't flinch at the sudden appearance. "I didn't see you arrive."
"You were busy." Her voice was steady, professional. The Head of Civilian Affairs addressing the faction leader. "The tribulation was visible from three sectors. People are asking questions. The Malaysian Emergency Council has already sent two inquiries."
"Inquiries about what?"
"About the S-rank awakened who just announced himself to the entire region with a light show visible from space." A hint of something crept into her tone. Pride? Fear? Both? "You're not hidden anymore, Sarnav. Everyone knows what you are now."
Through the network, he felt his wives go still, recognizing the weight of this conversation.
"I wasn't hidden before."
"You were A-rank before. Strong, yes. Notable, yes. But A-ranks exist. They can be... managed." Mythili's composure cracked slightly. "S-ranks don't get managed. They get courted, or feared, or eliminated. The regional powers will take notice. The international awakened community will take notice. Everything changes now."
"I know."
"Do you?" She stepped closer, and for a moment, the professional mask slipped entirely. He saw his mother underneath, the woman who had held him after nightmares, who had bandaged scraped knees, who had watched her son become something beyond human comprehension. "I'm proud of you. God help me, I'm so proud of you it hurts. But I'm also terrified."
Her hand reached up, adjusting his collar unnecessarily, fingers lingering on the fabric. The touch was longer than it needed to be. More intimate than professional.
"Ma..."
"You have ten wives now." The words came out strained. "Ten women who love you. Ten women bound to you forever. And you're only twenty-two years old with power that most awakened never achieve in a lifetime."
"Is that a problem?"
"It's reality." She pulled her hand back, composure reasserting itself. "I just... I need you to be careful. Not just physically. Everything you do now has consequences beyond this compound. Beyond Malaysia. You're playing on a stage you can't even see yet."
Observation: Maternal concern detected, the system noted. Also: something else. System chooses not to elaborate.
Sarnav ignored the system's unhelpful commentary, focusing on his mother. "I'll be careful. I promise."
"You promised to come home from university for Deepavali, too." A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "And then an asteroid hit."
"That wasn't exactly my fault."
"I know. I know." She took a breath, visibly collecting herself. "The council meeting is in an hour. Chen Wei has reports on Ascendancy movements. Serena's Singapore contacts have intelligence to share. And apparently, someone from the Japanese government wants to establish contact."
That was new. "Japanese government?"
"They have very few awakened. Even fewer above B-rank." Mythili's professional mode was fully engaged now, whatever had passed between them carefully shelved. "An S-rank in the region is significant to them. Expect diplomatic overtures."
She turned to leave, then paused.
"The celebration last night," she said without looking back. "The whole compound could hear it. Just... perhaps consider soundproofing in the future."
She walked away before he could respond, her back perfectly straight, her pace measured and controlled. But through the network, he felt Elena's observation: She was trembling.
Awkward conversation concluded, the system observed. Recommend focusing on ability testing. Less emotionally complex.
For once, Sarnav agreed with the system entirely.
The council chamber had been expanded since the population boom, now accommodating the growing leadership structure of Harmony Safe Zone. Chen Wei presided from his customary position, but the power dynamics had shifted. Everyone knew who really led this faction.
"Population as of this morning: twelve hundred sixty-five," Chen Wei began, pulling up displays. "The western expansion completed yesterday, giving us full capacity in all three sectors. Resource stockpiles are at seventy-three percent optimal. Training programs are producing new D-rank awakened at a rate of approximately three per week."
Through the bond, Sarnav felt Jade's satisfaction. The infrastructure had been her project, her systems managing logistics that would have been impossible otherwise.
"Ascendancy status?" Sarnav asked.
"Fragmented but not eliminated." Chen Wei's expression darkened. "The Herald's death shattered their central leadership, but cells remain active throughout the peninsula. Our intelligence suggests at least three major remnant groups, each claiming to be the true successor."
"Let them fight each other," Ishani suggested. "Saves us the trouble."
"The concern," Serena interjected, "is what they're fighting over." Her Singlish was notably absent when she spoke in official capacity, replaced by crisp professionalism. "My contacts in Singapore have intercepted communications. The remnants aren't just fighting for leadership. They're fighting for access."
"Access to what?"
"The sealed rift." She pulled up a map, marking a location northeast of their position. "The S-plus entity. The Herald believed it was calling to her, remember? The remnant factions believe the same thing. They think whoever reaches it first, whoever breaks the seal, will inherit her power. Or worse."
The room went quiet.
[SEAL INTEGRITY: 94.2%]
[DEGRADATION RATE: ACCELERATING]
[NOTE: ASCENDANCY ACTIVITIES NEAR SEAL MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO INSTABILITY]
"How long until they reach it?" Sarnav asked.
"Unknown. The largest remnant faction is moving cautiously, probably aware that we eliminated the Herald. The smaller groups are more reckless but less capable." Serena pulled up additional intelligence. "Best estimate: three to six weeks before any of them attempt the seal."
"Then we have three to six weeks to stop them."
"Or to reinforce the seal ourselves," Jade added. "I've been running calculations. If we can access the site, my abilities might be able to stabilize the digital-reality interface. Buy us more time."
"How much more time?"
"Depends on how degraded it already is. Could be months. Could be years. Could be nothing if it's too far gone."
Jade's assessment is accurate but optimistic, the system observed. The entity within is patient. It has waited before. It can wait again. Unless someone accelerates the timeline.
The meeting continued for another hour, covering logistics, diplomacy, and threats both immediate and distant. The Japanese inquiry was discussed, with consensus that Serena would handle initial contact given her diplomatic experience. The Malaysian Emergency Council's concerns were addressed with carefully worded reassurances. The Singapore alliance was formalized with trade agreements and mutual defense provisions.
Through it all, Sarnav felt his wives' presence in the network, their thoughts and emotions coloring his perception. Nisha's quiet support. Ishani's aggressive confidence. Jade's cold analysis. Jiyeon's political calculation. Sana's gentle concern. Minji's restless energy. Ananya's peaceful acceptance. Serena's pragmatic focus. Zara's military discipline. Elena's predatory vigilance.
Ten women. Ten perspectives. One unified purpose.
[HARMONY FORMATION: OPTIMAL]
[HOST SYNERGY WITH NETWORK: 94.7%]
That's the highest recorded synergy for a ten-wife configuration, the system noted. You're welcome.
"One more item," Chen Wei said as the meeting wound down. "We've received a... unusual communication. From Japan. Not the government. An individual."
"Who?"
"She wouldn't give her full name. Just a title." Chen Wei looked uncomfortable. "She calls herself the 'Ice Princess of Tokyo.' Claims to have information about dimensional rifts that we need. Says she'll only share it in person."
Serena frowned. "I'll have my contacts verify her identity."
"She anticipated that." Chen Wei pulled up the message. "She included a demonstration. A formula for predicting rift stability that our science team says is decades ahead of current research."
[FORMULA: VERIFIED]
[ACCURACY: 99.7%]
Interesting, the system observed. Very interesting.
"How old is this Ice Princess?" Jiyeon asked, her idol instincts apparently triggered by the dramatic title.
"Twenty-one, according to preliminary data. A university student in Tokyo before the impact. Awakened with ice manipulation abilities. Apparently quite powerful."
Twenty-one. A genius capable of producing research decades ahead of current understanding. Ice abilities. Something tickled at Sarnav's memory, something from the wife profiles he'd reviewed...
Tanaka Yuki, the system supplied. Age 21. Japanese. Ice Magic. Compatibility rating: 89%. She appears to be ahead of schedule.
Sarnav kept his expression neutral. "Tell her we're interested in meeting. But on our terms, at our location."
"Understood." Chen Wei made a note. "I'll relay the response."
The meeting adjourned, and the council members filed out. Sarnav remained seated, processing everything they'd discussed. The Ascendancy remnants. The sealed entity. International attention. And now a mysterious genius reaching out from Japan.
Everything was accelerating.
Through the network, Nisha sent a pulse of warmth. You're thinking too hard. Come eat dinner. The worrying will still be there tomorrow.
She was right, of course. She usually was.
First wife wisdom: validated, the system observed. Recommend following her advice. Also recommend reviewing the Harmony Exchange. The Harmony Bed remains unpurchased. Just saying.
Sarnav laughed, earning curious looks from the wives still present.
Some things, at least, never changed.
Evening, Private Quarters
The ten wives had claimed the common room of Sarnav's expanded quarters, sprawled across furniture in various states of relaxation. The massive celebration bed had been disassembled (for now), replaced by a more practical arrangement that could still accommodate everyone if needed.
"The Ice Princess," Minji said, sprawled upside down on a couch with her legs over the back. "That's such a chuuni title. I love it."
"It's theatrical," Jiyeon agreed. "Good branding, actually. Memorable. Creates mystique."
"You would know about branding," Jade muttered.
"I would. And I'm saying it's effective." Jiyeon stretched elegantly, every movement unconsciously practiced. "A twenty-one-year-old genius who calls herself the Ice Princess and produces research that shouldn't exist? She knows exactly what she's doing."
"And what is she doing?" Elena's voice was quiet, watchful. She was still adjusting to the network, still learning to parse the constant flow of emotion and thought. "Coming to us. Why?"
"Because we have an S-rank," Serena said pragmatically. "Because we're the strongest faction in the region. Because whatever information she has, she thinks we're the ones who can use it."
"Or because she wants something from us," Elena countered. "In my experience, people with valuable information always want something in return."
Elena's paranoia is warranted, the system observed. The Ice Princess has ulterior motives. All intelligent beings do. The question is whether her motives align with Host's interests.
"We'll find out when she arrives," Sarnav said. "For now, we prepare. The Ascendancy remnants are the immediate threat. Everything else is secondary."
"Not everything." Nisha's voice was soft but firm. She'd been quiet most of the evening, content to observe, but now she spoke with first wife authority. "Your mother came to see you today. How was that?"
The room went still. Even Minji stopped fidgeting.
"It was... complicated." Sarnav chose his words carefully. "She's worried. About the attention S-rank will bring. About what it means for the faction. For me."
"Just worried?" Ishani's question was pointed. "Because the way she looked at you during the demonstration..."
"Ishani." Nisha's tone carried warning.
"What? I'm just saying what everyone felt through the network. The way she watched him. The way she touched his collar. That wasn't just maternal concern."
Recommend changing subject, the system observed. This conversation is above system's pay grade.
"She's processing a lot," Sarnav said firmly. "Her husband died in the impact. Her son became something superhuman. Her world ended and reformed around a faction led by her own child. Give her space to adjust."
The words were reasonable. Rational. They also carefully avoided addressing what Ishani had actually implied.
Nisha's eyes met his across the room, and he felt her understanding through the bond. She knew. They all knew, probably. But some things weren't ready to be spoken aloud.
Not yet.
"The seal," Elena said, deliberately redirecting the conversation. "How do we approach it without triggering the Ascendancy remnants?"
The discussion shifted to tactics, to strategy, to the practical matters of survival and dominance. But underneath the planning, underneath the bond that connected them all, something had been acknowledged.
Something that would eventually have to be addressed.
Plot thread flagged, the system noted. Estimated resolution: many chapters distant. Patience, Host. Some stories take time.
For once, Sarnav found the system's observation comforting rather than annoying.
Some stories did take time.
And this one was only beginning.
[DAY 94]
[SARNAV: S-RANK (HARMONY SOVEREIGN - FIRST STAGE)] [PROGRESS TO SECOND STAGE: 3%]
[WIFE CULTIVATION STATUS] [1. NISHA - C | 2. ISHANI - D+ | 3. ANANYA - C] [4. MINJI - D | 5. JADE - D+ | 6. SANA - C] [7. JIYEON - C | 8. SERENA - C | 9. ZARA - C] [10. ELENA - S]
[HARMONY SAFE ZONE: 1,265 SURVIVORS | 3 SECTORS] [WESTERN EXPANSION: 100% COMPLETE]
[NEW CONTACT: TANAKA YUKI ("ICE PRINCESS OF TOKYO")] [THREAT LEVEL: UNKNOWN | INTEREST LEVEL: HIGH]
[ASCENDANCY REMNANTS: 3 MAJOR FACTIONS IDENTIFIED] [SEAL INTEGRITY: 94.2% (DEGRADING)]
[WIVES BONDED: 10/32]