"Now for you, my little Star. I must say, I'm impressed, but you're still too hasty and radical. Please heal me a bit."
She placed her hand on me and I felt as if I was burning alive, while my injuries disappeared.
"What will we do now?"
"We? No, you're leaving too," I stated.
"No! I will stay. You have already done enough!" She tried to stand up but slumped back down.
I kneeled in front of her and spoke softly.
"How could I bear to leave you here alone? You know, in the beginning, I only teased you to help you become more comfortable around people. But as I got to know you better, my feelings started to change. I couldn't take my eyes off you—your strong will fascinated me. Before I even realized it, I was thinking about you every day."
"When I learned everything about your time in the Dark City, I was stunned. I knew you were ambitious, but I underestimated your resolve. So I swore I would help you—so you wouldn't walk headfirst into dangers you could avoid."
"And before long, I started to care about you."
I reached out, touching her cheek, then gently pulled her closer until our foreheads touched. Then, without another word, I scooped her up into a princess carry and started walking toward the gateway.
"No, put me down!" she protested weakly.
I placed her in the center of the gateway and slowly backed away.
"You know, I think I'm in love with you. That's why I'll come back—stronger than ever—and help you achieve whatever you want. So don't forget me." I stepped outside the gateway.
"Noooo!" she screamed, a tear slipping down her cheek before she vanished.
"Haaa... now that everything is done, I need to get out of here before this place collapses."
Just then, a wave of notifications hit me, along with unbearable pain.
[You have been acknowledged by Awakened human Gunlaug.]
[You have been granted a tribute.]
[You have been acknowledged by Awakened human...]
.
.
.
[Your soul grows stronger.]
[Your soul is overflowing with power.]
[A new core is being formed.]
Name: Christopher
True Name: King of Men
Rank: Sleeper
Soul Core: Devil
Soul Fragments: [3592/4000]
Memories: [Veil of the Sovereign's Sight],[Casket of Forgotten Threads],[Death trap],[Azure sword],[Azure Light armor],[Endless Spring]
Echoes: -
Attributes: [Mind-Body mastery], [Enhanced senses], [Master of the Chi-You]
Aspect: [Sovereign's Edict]
Aspect rank: Divine
Innate ability: [Sovereign's Tribute]
Aspect ability: [Heavenly Gaze]
Flaw: [Mirror Touch Synesthesia]
After being transferred to the waking world, Nephis immediately rushed out of her room, grabbed a random worker, and demanded, "Where is Sleeper Christopher's room?!"
When she burst inside, she saw me sleeping peacefully in the pod. Slumping to her knees, she let a single tear fall and whispered, "I won't forget."
After apologizing to the poor worker, she left to find the others.
"So, he sent you out too," Sunny said, appearing out of nowhere.
Nephis hummed in response, sadness in her eyes.
"Do you think he'll make it?"
"He will. And even if he doesn't... I'll go through the Hollow Mountains and bring him back myself."
They left and found the rest of the sleeper army. Around two third of them died in the siege, but those who survived were stronger then any other Awakened. When they gathered Cassie was relieved and stumbled towards Nephis and said.
"You came back, what happen..."
Before she could finish her sentence a loud shout came from the crowd from a rather handsome bearded, blond haired man in his late twenties.
"Where is he ? Did he make it ? You were the last to come out."
To this Nephis just stood there gritted her teeth.