Kota stared up at the golden ceiling, his chest rising with slow, heavy breaths.
He'd carried the weight of command, borne pain, doubt, lust, and rage through the dungeon's trials.
But this—this warmth, this peace—was new, a quiet anchor in the storm of their survival.
He brought his arms up, pulling all three closer, their bare bodies pressing against his scarred, sweat-slicked frame.
"You're not going anywhere without me," he said, his voice low but resolute, a promise forged in their shared trials. "Any of you."
Aika tucked her head under his chin, her breath warm against his neck, her fingers lingering on his chest.
Reina lay back beside him, her hand finding his, her fingers intertwining with a quiet strength.
Miki sighed, nuzzling closer, her body soft and warm against his, her breath steadying as she relaxed into him.
They didn't say anything more.
There was nothing left to say.
