The wet sensation pulled me from the depths of unconsciousness.
A cool wetness tracing a path down my cheek, accompanied by a soft, insistent voice that wrapped around my fading thoughts.
It was distant at first, muffled by the haze in my mind, but it grew clearer, more urgent, laced with a tremor that tugged at something deep within me.
"..oah... Noah, please wake up. Don't leave me like this."
My eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion, but I forced them open, blinking against the dim light that filtered into whatever space I occupied.
The first thing that registered was her face—framed by cascading white hair that shimmered like fresh snow, and those elegant, small horns curving gracefully from her forehead.
Golden eyes, wide with worry, locked onto mine, brimming with unshed tears.
"Nyxiana...?"
For a heartbeat, my disoriented mind conjured an image from the watery realm. Nyxiana, her presence both commanding and tender.
But as clarity sharpened my vision, the illusion shattered.
This wasn't her.
This was Leyina.
My fiancée.
Leyina Bloodrose
I shifted slightly, realizing then that I was cradled in her lap.
Her thighs soft and warm beneath my head.
The cave around us was cool and shadowed, rough stone walls curving overhead, etched with faint luminous crystal that caught the sparse light from a small blue fire nearby.
"Leyina,"
I murmured, my voice rough and cracked, barely above a whisper.
I pushed myself up slowly, muscles protesting with a dull ache that spread through my limbs.
Fatigue caught me, but she supported me with her tender hands.
She didn't respond at first. Instead, her delicate fingers brushed across her cheek, wiping away the tear that had fallen— the source of the wetness on my skin.
Her golden eyes, so vibrant and full of life, softened with relief, but the vulnerability in them made my chest tighten.
Before I could say more, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a fierce hug.
Her body pressed against mine, warm and trembling, her white hair spilling over my shoulder.
"Baka," she whispered against my neck, her voice muffled but thick with emotion.
The word was affectionate, laced with that mommy-like scolding she always reserved for me, despite being only a year my senior. It was her way—pampering, protective, as if I were the most precious thing in her world.
"You almost died back there. Don't ever scare me like that again."
I returned her embrace, my arms encircling her waist, feeling the subtle curve of her form through the soft fabric of her dress.
Her horns brushed lightly against my temple, a gentle reminder of her demonic heritage, yet there was nothing fearsome about it.
To me, they were just part of her elegance, part of the woman who loved me with an obsession that both humbled and warmed me.
"Leyina... what happened? I can't... I don't remember much. What happened back there."
She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, her hands lingering on my shoulders, thumbs tracing small, soothing circles.
"We were traveling together," she began, her voice steadying as she spoke, though her fingers tightened slightly on my arms.
"Heading to the Stygian Dukedom, remember? The carriage was flying smoothly over the Woods when those cursed elves attacked out of nowhere. Arrows rained down, and... we crashed starlight into the ground.The impact threw us clear, but they didn't stop.
They descended like shadows, intent on finishing us off. You... you fought them, Noah. Something awakened in you right then—power I hadn't seen before. You held them back long enough for us to escape."
"Yeah... I remember that part," I said, nodding slowly as I pieced it together.
"The awakening was like fire in my veins. But after... I collapsed, didn't I? Everything went dark."
Leyina's expression softened further, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips despite the shadows under her eyes.
She cupped my cheek, her touch light yet possessive, as if afraid I might vanish if she let go.
"You did. You were so brave, pushing yourself like that for me. But yes, you collapsed right after the elf fell."
"So how did we get here?"
" I couldn't leave you there. So, I used my stealth magic—wrapped us both in shadows and carried you away. We hid in this cave near the Styx River. It's safe for now, but we can't stay long."
I glanced around properly then, taking in the cavern's confines.
The entrance was partially obscured by hanging vines and jagged rocks, a faint glow from the river outside casting eerie blue hues across the floor.
The Styx river..... it had really chaotic currents, but that's not the main part.
Its waters had.... Immense concentration of mana... Is that what led to my awakening?'
The realization brought a wave of thirst crashing over me, my throat parched and burning.
I swallowed dryly, wincing at the discomfort.
"Leyina... water. Do you have any? I'm really thirsty."
Her eyes widened with concern, that protective instinct flaring instantly.
She nodded, shifting to rummage through the bracelet on her wrist—a simple silver band that belied its subspace storage, a gift from her family.
"Of course, my love. Hold on."
With a soft glow from the bracelet, she pulled out a ornate flask, its surface etched with swirling patterns that caught the firelight.
But as she did, something else tumbled free—a handkerchief, stained with dark crimson. It landed on the cave floor with a soft thud, the blood still faintly damp.
My heart clenched, concern flooding me as I reached for it.
"Leyina, are you alright? That's blood—did they hurt you?"
She snatched the handkerchief quickly, stuffing it back into her subspace with a forced smile, but her golden eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.
She leaned in, her free hand gently tilting my chin up to inspect my face.
"I'm totally fine, Noah. So are you. That blood... it's from one of those elves you fought. It got on your face during the battle. I wiped it off while you were out, but I must have missed a spot or two. See? Nothing to worry about. You're the one who needs tending to now."
Relief washed over me, easing the knot in my chest. I let out a long sigh, my shoulders slumping as I accepted the flask from her.
"I'm glad. I couldn't bear it if you were hurt because of me."
Her smile turned genuine then, warm and affectionate, as she watched me open the flask.
The scent of fresh orange juice wafted up—sweet and citrusy, a small luxury in this dire moment.
I tilted it back and drank deeply, the cool liquid sliding down my throat in refreshing gulps.
It was blissful, quenching the surface dryness, but as I drained the entire flask, a deeper burning lingered, an unnatural thirst that clawed at my insides.
Perhaps it was the awakening's toll, or the strain of reincarnation echoing through this new body.
I set the empty flask down, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Thank you," I said softly, meeting her gaze.
She always pampered me like this, treating me as if I were fragile despite my efforts to protect her.
It kind of reminded me of Lia...
Leyina reached out, brushing a stray lock of my black hair from my forehead, her touch lingering.
"Anything for you, Noah. Now, rest a bit more if you need—"
I shook my head, pushing myself to my feet despite the lingering dizziness.
"No, I can't. How long has it been? Since the crash?"
She rose with me, graceful as ever, her hand slipping into mine to give support. Her fingers intertwined with mine.
"Almost an hour. Not too long, but the elves... they might still be searching. We might need to move soon, toward the Styx. It's our best chance to lose them in the mists."
As she spoke, a sudden flash pierced the dimness—a vibrant purple screen materializing before my eyes, hovering like a spectral window.
It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, words scrolling across it in elegant, glowing script. My breath caught, the system's interface...
[Quest Activated]
Objective: Survive the pursuing elves and reach the banks of the Styx River with Leyina intact.
Success: You and Leyina escape to safety,
Failure: Death claims you; Leyina falls into ruin
Rewards:
Enhanced awakening abilities,
Leyina's deepened bond,
+1 Primordial Grade Wepon
Time Limit: Before the elven hunters close in—approximately 2 hours.
The screen faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving me staring at the empty air, my mind racing.
This was no game anymore; the stakes were etched with the weight of real lives—mine, hers, and the echoes of Elena and Lia waiting somewhere in this world.
Leyina's hand squeezed mine, pulling me back to the present.
"Noah? What is it? Are you looking at something in the air?"
I turned to her, the quest's gravity settling over me.
"We don't have much time, they are closing in, Move."
She nodded, her expression shifting to one of quiet determination, though the pampering softness remained in the way she adjusted my cloak around my shoulders.
"Stay close," she murmured, her voice a gentle command.
I nodded, falling into step beside her, our pace deliberate to conserve energy.
The thirst still gnawed at me, a persistent reminder of my body's limits in this new form, but I pushed it aside and moved on.