What they saw was completely beyond their expectations.
They had never seen a body of water this large before after the apocalypse. Steam rose gently from the pool, warm against their skin, carrying a fresh scent of citrus and oak that felt almost unreal.
In front of them stood a wide window overlooking a garden bathed in moonlight. A crescent moon hung in the sky, beautiful and haunting, making it feel as though they had stepped into a different world entirely.
Summer stepped forward first, but the floor was slick. She nearly slipped, only to be caught by Freya, who let out a small laugh.
"I can't believe you're this excited," Freya said. "You're like a child."
Summer turned to her, steadying herself. Her eyes were wide as she grabbed Freya by the shoulders and shook her slightly.
"Do you even know what this is?" she whispered urgently. "This is a bath. A real one. A giant bathroom that only billionaires used to have!"
Freya froze.
When the apocalypse happened, she had only been eight. The vague memory of what a bathroom was supposed to be finally resurfaced.
What they used now barely counted. A small room, a low stool, a cloth, and a bucket of water taken from an Aberrant corpse. That was all they had ever known.
"Sh-should we tell Mom?" Freya whispered. "This place… it shouldn't exist."
Summer scoffed. "Are you kidding? Mom would never let us use this."
"I know, but what if it's dangerous?" Freya hesitated. "What if it's some kind of illusion? I heard there are Aberrants that can do that."
Summer rolled her eyes. "You sound just like Mom." She smirked. "This has to be Gideon's doing. I knew he was special the moment I saw him."
Before Freya could respond, Summer walked toward the pool and started pulling off her clothes, leaving only the thin layers covering her chest and hips.
"Summer, are you insane?!" Freya grabbed her arm, but Summer slapped her hand away.
"Screw it. I'm going in," Summer said with a grin. "I'll make sure Gideon stays on our side."
She leapt into the water with a loud splash.
"Summer!"
Freya rushed forward, panic seizing her when she couldn't see her sister's head above the surface. The water swallowed her completely.
"Summer! Where are you?! Answer me!"
Then something grabbed her ankle.
She screamed as she was dragged under, the sound cut off as water rushed in. She kicked and struggled, eyes squeezed shut, until hands clasped hers.
She opened her eyes.
Summer was right there, smirking.
Bubbles burst from her mouth as she laughed underwater, and a second later they both surfaced.
"I can't believe you fell for that," Summer laughed, her voice echoing through the room.
Freya sputtered and pouted, her face burning with anger and embarrassment. "You're insane."
Summer has always been like this. Acting first, thinking later.
"Do you have any idea how scared I was?!" Freya snapped. "Do you even know what 'the boy who cried wolf' means?!"
Summer groaned. "Looks like Mom's stories finally got into your head." She splashed water at Freya playfully.
Freya splashed back, harder this time.
"Of course her story finally clicked, Summer. She is right!" her voice cracked. "I almost got raped. I was trying to help fight an Aberrant, and they—"
Her words broke off.
Her hands clenched, trembling, as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes but she held it in tight, not letting anyone see the vulnerable side more than they were supposed to see.
Right now, she wasn't just afraid for herself anymore.
She was terrified that her sister's carelessness would one day lead her down the same path.
The smile faded from Summer's face as she gently brushed Freya's back.
"Oh… I'm really sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't know that happened. You must have been terrified."
Freya nodded. "That's why you need to be careful."
Her gaze drifted back to the water. "If you're right and Gideon is behind this… then let's pretend nothing happened. Just this once. As repayment for saving me."
"I get it." Summer pulled her into a gentle hug. "Come here. No one's going to hurt you anymore."
The only sound left in the room was the soft flow of water spilling from the dragon statues, steady and calm as the sisters remained in each other's arms.
Slowly, Freya felt her breathing even out. The fear and bitterness from earlier loosened their grip, washed away by warmth that was familiar and safe. In her sister's embrace, the memory of what had happened finally began to fade.
"I'll take your hunting shift for the next two days," Summer added casually. "You need a vacation because of those jerks."
She gritted her teeth, "Just tell me their name and appearance, Freya. I will kill them all!"
Freya's eyes widened as she pulled back. "R-Really?! Yes! I can finally rest! Also, you don't have to worry about them, Gideon killed them already."
Summer smiled, but then something clicked.
Her sister was never this generous. Sure, Freya had been through something horrible, but taking over her shift? From someone who hated work more than anything?
Freya narrowed her eyes slowly. "You… you just want to spend more time with Gideon, don't you?"
Gideon had already promised to hunt tomorrow. This had to be it.
Summer shrugged. "So what? You said you weren't that interested in him."
"I never said that!"
"Well, I had to drag you up here just now. That already proves I'm more interested."
"That's bullshit!" Freya snapped, her face turning red. "I just don't want to be inappropriate. Sneaking into a man's place in the middle of the night feels… cheap."
Her mother's warnings echoed in her mind: 'Do not trust men easily. Do not believe sweet words. Do not give yourself away so freely.'
Summer groaned loudly. "See? You're not just a coward, you're a total mommy's girl."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Now stop overthinking and enjoy the bath."
Then she raised her voice suddenly.
"And Gideon, come out already. I know you're here somewhere!"
Behind one of the massive columns, Gideon froze.
He had barely managed to hide in time when they barged in. His heart was pounding. This should have been the perfect moment to step in, flirt a little, maybe let the system push things forward.
In theory. In reality, it was terrifying. If he showed himself now, questions would follow.
Why was there a giant bathroom here?
Did he summon it?
Who was he really?
Every answer would only make him more suspicious. And yet, the system would not give him peace.
[Summer Miller shows strong interest in you.]
[Do you want to mark her as a harem member?]
The message repeated again and again, practically blocking his vision.
"Fine," Gideon whispered under his breath. "I'll mark her."
Taking a deep breath, he finally stepped out from behind the column.