Chapter127: War of Heart 4
Two more days had now passed.
All the princesses and Maya were filled with hope.
Ank would awake soon.
That was what they believed.
That was what they held onto.
But for two days…
There had not been a single movement from Ank.
Not even the smallest change.
Not even a flicker.
Yet…
They did not lose hope.
Not even a little.
They prayed every day, every moment.
To the gods.
To wake him up as soon as possible.
But they did not know.
Every god in the universe hated him.
They were not listening.
They would never help him.
They were watching.
Watching Ank suffer.
Enjoying this moment.
Their greatest enemy lying helpless and unmoving.
He is now in his weakest state.
Yet they cannot kill him.
Even cannot touch him.
Even they have not courage to attack him.
They all remember how did half of gods in Universe were taken as salve.
Just because one of them insulted Creation.
Ank mother.
If Universe did not interfere that day ,they would die.
This was one of many reason why gods hate Ank.
And unknowns numbers of entities that was obsessed with Ank was protecting him from shadows.
Came and kill anyone that disturb Ank.
So how terrifying Ank was to them.
They would do anything to destroy him.
So their prayers were nothing more than wasted words.
Ank had options to escape from everything.
And to make entire universe under his palms again.
But he refused.
He did not wanted this.
He wanted to achieve everything with his own strength.
Now inside the same wooden house.
Life continued.
Quiet and slow.
Four women moved around.
Doing their work.
Trying to distract themselves.
Trying to hold themselves together.
Princess Seraphina stood in the kitchen.
And cooking food for everyone.
Her movements were precise and disciplined as always.
She like cooking but swords were her first priority.
Even now her expression remained calm.
But her eyes occasionally moved.
Toward the room.
Toward Ank.
Princess Celestia was cleaning the house.
And arranging amd moving things.
Trying to keep everything perfect.
But her movements were faster than usual.
Slightly restless.
As if she was forcing herself to stay busy.
Princess Freya…
And Maya…
Did not leave Ank's side.
Not even once.
They stayed close.
Always.
Watching and waiting.
Breathing with him.
Living with him.
The previous night's quarrels still lingered.
Like smoke invisible but present.
No one spoke about it.
No one mentioned it.
But everyone felt it.
They still fought.
Not with swords.
Not with power.
But with words.
With looks.
With silence.
After finishing their work Seraphina and Celestia returned.
They joined Freya and Maya.
And sat beside Ank.
A silent battle began.
Again.
Without words.
Without sound.
Between Maya…
And Freya.
Every small action carried meaning.
Every movement was a declaration.
"I am the one who belongs here."
"I am the one closest to him."
"I am the one who will stay."
Neither of them wanted to lose.
Not now .
Not ever.
They knew one wrong move everything was finish.
Freya had already made her decision.
Firm and unbreakable.
She would not lose to Maya.
No matter what.
She would do anything.
She could not leave Ank…
In Maya's hands.
Maya, on the other hand…
Had no intention of stepping back.
Not even a little.
She dipped a cloth into a bowl of cool water.
Slowly and carefully.
Then dhe pressed it gently against Ank's forehead.
Her movements were soft.
Controlled and almost delicate.
As if she was afraid that even a small mistake would break him.
Ank's body temperature rose again suddenly.
Like before.
This had been happening repeatedly.
.
So they used water and cloths.
Anything they could.
To cool him down.
To stabilize him.
To keep him alive.
Ank was in his final phase.
His body was changing and adapting.
Becoming capable of holding his power.
Princess Celestia's voice broke the silence.
"You've already done that twice this morning."
She stood up gracefully.
Walking toward them.
"Let me handle it now."
Maya did not move.
Not even slightly.
"No."
Celestia stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"No?"
"I said no."
Maya replied again.
Her voice firm and cold.
She removed the cloth.
Dipped it again.
And placed it back on Ank's forehead.
"I don't need your help."
Celestia smirked.
But her irritation was visible.
In the slight twitch of her fingers.
"You speak as though he belongs only to you."
She stepped closer.
"Careful, Maya."
Her voice became sharper.
"Such delusions…"
"Will only hurt you in the end."
Maya's jaw tightened.
Her grip on the cloth became stronger.
Her eyes turned colder.
She was about to reply.
But before she could speak..
Freya stepped forward silently.
She was holding a small bowl of soup.
Prepared by Seraphina.
.
Steam rising slowly from bowl.
She looked at Seraphina.
"Can I feed him?"
Her voice was calm but serious.
Seraphina paused.
Then nodded.
"Of course."
She smiled slightly.
Then quickly turned.
Moving toward the kitchen.
To bring more things.
Freya stepped closer.
Carefully.
She sat beside Ank.
Holding the bowl with both hands.
The steam rose gently.
Filling the air with a soft fragrance and warm.
.
For a moment.
Freya paused.
Her hand trembled slightly.
This was different.
Very different from what Freya experienced.
She had fought battles.
Killed enemies.
Faced death.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
But this was new.
This was the first time…
She was feeding someone with her own hands.
Her heart beat faster.
She was slightly nervous.
Slightly unsure.
She picked up the spoon.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Maya watched her.
Closely.
Her eyes sharp.
Observing every movement.
Celestia crossed her arms.
Standing beside them.
Watching Freya with smile.
Seraphina returned.
Stopping at the door.
She did not i
nterrupt.
She simply watched.
Freya moved the spoon toward Ank.
Slowly.
As if even time had slowed down.
The moment felt strange.
.
A battlefield of emotions.
Without swords.
Without blood.
Only hearts.
Only feelings.
Only silent war.
And at the center of it all Ank.
Unconscious and unaware.
Yet.
The reason behind everything.
The war continued.
Not outside.
Not in the universe.
But here in this small room.