After a few moments, when Cobra managed to compose herself and sit straight, Eira started to stroke her hair. With a warm expression, she said: "Are you okay now?"
Cobra nodded and said: "Thanks for everything, and yes, I am okay." (Then she looked down at her feet, curling her toes for a moment.)
Dariush's expression softened, and he said: "Very well, Eira. Let's help her get up."
Both husband and wife stood up and suddenly gripped Cobra by her elbows. She leaned back slightly, not wanting to get up yet.
Eira asked: "What happened? Stand up. This is a moment you might not get again."
Cobra looked up at them with vulnerability and said: "What if... I fall again?... I am scared."
Eira, Dariush, and Kian exchanged glances. Then Kian, with a low yet soft voice, said: "Then we will help you get up again."
Determination replaced Cobra's vulnerability. Then she nodded with a smile, looking at Dariush, Eira, and Kian with a needful gaze—perhaps hope, or just determination. Maybe both, or even more.
After that, with the support of Dariush and Eira, she started to get up. Her legs were bare and wobbled slightly as she finally stood up, and she yelped slightly. Still leaning on Dariush and Eira for support, she took her first step. Then another, and again and again. With each step, her confidence and smile grew brighter.
Then finally, they let go of Cobra. She stumbled slightly but managed to keep her balance. After that, she looked back at the others with a smile. Then she whispered: "I... I managed to stand up again." (Her voice cracked with each word.)
Eira's expression softened. Kian's expression softened too, mixed with something like care or admiration.
Dariush's expression showed admiration and respect. Then he said: "Yes, you did. Good job, Cobra. I am already proud of you."
Cobra walked back to them. Her movement was still stiff. Then she cupped Dariush's hands in hers, fell to her knees, looked down at the ground, and said with a trembling voice: "Thank you, milord. Because of you... after five years of that hell... I managed to escape it and get a new life. I will repay everything with my life... my loyalty, and everything else you might need. I will never betray you, no matter what. I swear on my life, my soul, my family, and everything I have."
Kian and Eira were visibly stunned by this statement, but they kept looking at Dariush for his reaction and response.
Dariush's expression softened. Then he knelt in front of Cobra and said with a low voice: "I know you will. And I will believe you, Cobra. Now get up. You aren't a broken lioness anymore. You are healed, and we can call you lioness."
Dariush got up and pulled Cobra up with him. Cobra gradually let go of Dariush's hands and said: "Thank you, milord. I will never forget what you did for me. Never. I promise you."
Dariush nodded with admiration on his face. Then Eira clapped excitedly. Kian stood up from his seat on the couch and said: "Mrs. Cobra, I know you are a great Phase user. Why don't you try it, especially now that you are healed?"
Cobra hesitated and said: "Well... that's not a bad idea. But I haven't used my Phase and Nexus for five years."
Eira stepped beside her and slapped her ass lightly, making her gasp softly and blush deeply. Then Eira, with encouragement and playfulness, said: "It's okay. Besides, you need to move this body anyway, so why not use your Phase and Nexus?"
Cobra, still blushing, said: "Then I will try. But with... these clothes?" (She cast a glance at her own attire.)
Dariush, after a moment, said: "I think I have something for you..."
.
.
.
30 minutes later.
Kian, Dariush, Eira, and Cobra were in the front yard of the mansion.
Cobra was now wearing black leather light armor that covered her chest, her ankles and thighs, and her forearms and biceps.
About Tetramor: The black leather in the world of Tetramor isn't normal leather. This leather comes from hellish bulls. The black leather is lightweight yet strong and durable as silver. More importantly, the black leather gives the user the power to channel the nether in their body even better and provides better endurance to temperatures, both hot and cold. That's why black leather is used in anything, sometimes even as rings.
Author's note: From now on, I will explain things like this. Now back to the moment.
Cobra was in front, and the others were behind her.
Cobra turned to Dariush and said with gratitude: "Milord... Thanks for this armor."
Dariush chuckled lightly and said: "No problem. For now, use this. Later, I will order a better one, and I will ask for your opinion."
Cobra nodded with a slight smile on her lips. Then she turned away.
Author's note: While reading this scene, I recommend you listen to "Luz Roja (slowed)" by bxkq.
Cobra got into a running stance. She took a deep breath and felt a wave in her body. Then she felt something like a ding—a signal that came frantically from her heart and brain. These signals hit different parts of her body, like veins, muscles, and her bones. These signals started to quicken with each passing second. Her muscles began throbbing visibly with her heartbeat.
Before she bolted away, for a moment, the world seemed to slow down for her. Then she bolted away, frantically jumping from building to building across the city. Each time she jumped, a little harmless yet visible shockwave created beneath her feet. After 20 seconds of doing this, she jumped out of the city to where there was a large, green plain with a forest about one kilometer further away—yet she was still near the city and its walls.
She didn't stop even for a second after she landed on the plain. She turned quickly with precision and flexibility and, using her arms and legs, chose to run around the city.
Her speed was wonderful and lightning-like, but it seemed the world had slowed down for her, yet she was still running at lightning speed. After each step she took, her muscles throbbed painfully, yet it seemed she loved it. After each step, a sun-like, fiery armor started to form on her current armor, covering every part of her body except the lower part of her face. More importantly, her steps were long and stretched out.
After the armor completely formed, she felt like the world around her slowed down again. Wherever she took her steps, the ground started to burn. Around her, there was a noticeable heat like a barrier. Then suddenly, something happened... She smiled—a full-blown smile that made her teeth visible. But it wasn't a normal smile... It was a smile of pleasure... a smile that came from bloodlust and obsession with battle. At the same time, her eyes started to glow brightly—not green, but orange-yellow.
Then, before the world returned to its normal speed for her, she took a long step, leaned heavily into it, and bolted forward with incredible lightning speed. She ran around the city more than ten times in just a few seconds, and it almost created a tornado.
After that, she jumped again. This time, she hovered above the city for a single moment. Then she didn't waste time; she started running around the city through every single street and alley with the same speed. The people watched with different types of expressions.
After doing this for a few seconds, she slid to a stop in front of Dariush, Eira, and Kian, who all looked surprised. She stopped in front of them at the same place where she had started. More importantly, all of this happened in only 1 minute and 42 seconds—about the time the song almost ended.
She was panting heavily and looked happy. Her fiery armor started to vanish. Then she collapsed backward onto the ground, and no one caught her.
She was smiling and looked absolutely happy, yet she was panting heavily and covered in sweat.
Author's note: This is the end of this chapter. And more importantly, I want to say... I don't want to hold back.