The convoy arrived at the school as darkness fell.
Guards opened the gates, expressions shifting from wariness to relief as they recognized the trucks. Word had spread about the rescue mission. People had been waiting, hoping for good news.
The news was mixed. Nineteen survivors rescued. But the cost was written on everyone's faces. Blood-stained clothes, haunted eyes, the weight of lost friends heavy on slumped shoulders.
Mei Ling met them at the courtyard. "Medical station is prepped. We have beds ready."
"Good." Sarnav helped unload the wounded. "Three critical cases, five moderate. They need priority."
[FACTION UPDATE]
[HARMONY SECT - POPULATION: 194 (+19)]
[AWAKENED: 26 (+4)]
[TERRITORY: STABLE]
The organized chaos of integration began. Survivors were processed, fed, assigned housing. The school absorbed nineteen new residents with remarkable efficiency.
Sarnav observed the process, making mental notes. Four new awakened was significant. Especially Ishani, whose light abilities would be valuable against void creatures.
He spotted her near one of the trucks, bandaged arm visible, talking quietly with two of her people. Even exhausted, even injured, she carried herself with a poise that spoke of years in front of cameras.
She caught him looking. Their eyes met.
Ishani smiled. Not shy. Not just grateful. Something warmer.
[ISHANI SUPPIAH]
[INTEREST LEVEL: HIGH]
[COMPATIBILITY: 94%]
[BOND POTENTIAL: WIFE #6]
Sarnav held her gaze for a long moment before turning back to his duties. No rush. She wasn't going anywhere.
Nisha found him an hour later.
The chaos had settled. Survivors were housed. Guards were posted. The immediate crisis was handled.
"She keeps looking at you," Nisha said, her voice carefully neutral.
"I noticed."
"Doesn't that bother you?"
"Should it?" Sarnav turned to face her. "A beautiful woman finds me attractive. I'm not going to pretend that's a problem."
Nisha's expression flickered. "And what about us?"
"What about us?" He stepped closer, his hand finding her waist, pulling her against him. "You're my woman, Nisha. That hasn't changed."
"But she wants you."
"Probably." He shrugged. "Doesn't mean anything happens."
"And if it does? If something happens?"
Sarnav studied her face. The fear underneath the careful neutrality. The jealousy she was trying to hide.
"Then we'll deal with it when we get there." He kissed her forehead. "Stop borrowing trouble. Right now, all I want is to finish up here and take you to bed."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only answer I have tonight." His grip on her waist tightened. "You want me to lie? Tell you I'll never look at another woman? I won't do that. But I also won't let you drive yourself crazy over something that hasn't happened."
Nisha was quiet for a moment. Then she leaned into him, some of the tension leaving her body.
"I hate feeling like this," she admitted. "Jealous and insecure. It's not who I want to be."
"Then don't be. Trust me."
"I'm trying."
"Try harder." He kissed her, brief but firm. "Give me an hour to finish up. Then I'm yours for the night."
Day 15 Post-Impact
Morning brought clarity.
Sarnav woke with Nisha pressed against him, her body soft and satisfied. Last night had been good. He'd taken his time with her, made her forget about Ishani, made her remember exactly why she was in his bed.
[BOND STATUS - NISHA RAMACHANDRAN]
[RELATIONSHIP: SOULBOUND]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: REASSURED]
[LOYALTY: ABSOLUTE]
[ESSENCE GAINED (OVERNIGHT): +8,500]
[CURRENT PROGRESS: 37,700 / 50,000 TO CORE FORMATION]
Nisha stirred against him.
"Morning," she murmured.
"Morning."
"Last night was..." She stretched, wincing slightly. "Needed."
"Good."
She was quiet for a moment, tracing patterns on his chest.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," she said. "Being weird about Ishani. I know I was being insecure."
"You were being human."
"Still." She looked up at him. "I trust you, Sarnav. Whatever happens, I trust you."
"I know." He kissed her softly. "Now come on. We've got work to do."
Breakfast was crowded.
The new survivors had integrated overnight, joining the meal rotation. Sarnav sat with Nisha and the leadership council, reviewing the day's priorities.
Across the cafeteria, Ishani sat with her people.
She looked better this morning. Rested. Someone had found her clothes that fit properly. A simple blouse and pants that somehow looked elegant on her model's frame.
She caught him looking and smiled.
Nisha noticed. Her hand found his under the table, squeezing once.
Not possessive. Just present. Reminding herself of the connection.
Sarnav squeezed back.
The council meeting happened mid-morning.
Ishani attended as her group's representative. Professional, focused, her earlier warmth replaced by competence.
"We have three awakened besides myself," she reported. "Two E-rank, one F-rank. All combat capable. Baseline survivors include a nurse, two mechanics, and a teacher."
"Good skills," Chen Wei nodded. "We need mechanics."
"What about you?" Encik Rahman asked. "Your abilities?"
"Light manipulation. Offense, defense, illumination." She paused. "E-plus rank. Close to breakthrough, though yesterday set me back."
[ISHANI SUPPIAH - CULTIVATION ANALYSIS]
[CURRENT: E+ RANK]
[BREAKTHROUGH POTENTIAL: D-RANK WITHIN 2 WEEKS]
[ABILITY SYNERGY WITH HOST: HIGH]
The meeting continued. Supply allocations, patrol schedules, integration protocols.
As it wound down, Ishani spoke up.
"One more thing. I want to formally thank this community. And Sarnav specifically." She met his eyes. "You came when no one else would."
"Anyone would have done the same."
"No. They wouldn't." Her gaze was steady. "You're different. I knew it the moment I saw you in that warehouse."
"We help each other here," Sarnav said simply. "That's how we survive."
"Humble too." She smiled. "I like that."
The meeting adjourned.
Ishani intercepted him at the door. "Can we talk? Privately?"
Sarnav felt Nisha's presence behind him. "The courtyard. Two o'clock."
"I'll be there."
She walked away. Sarnav watched her go without hiding his appreciation.
When he turned, Nisha was there.
"The courtyard at two?" she asked.
"Just to talk."
"Mmm." She stepped closer, her hand on his chest. "Have your talk."
She kissed his cheek and walked away. No accusations. No drama. Just quiet trust.
Good.
The courtyard meeting happened at two.
Ishani was waiting, wearing a sundress that was slightly too tight across the chest. She knew exactly what she was doing.
"You came," she said.
"I said I would."
"Most men make promises they don't keep." She gestured to the wall beside her. "Sit?"
He sat. She turned to face him.
"I wanted to thank you properly," she said. "Without an audience. You saved my life. That means something to me."
"There's no debt."
"There is to me." She studied him openly. "I've met a lot of men. Before the apocalypse, after. Most of them wanted something from me. My body, my fame, my connections. You saved nineteen people without asking for anything."
"I'm not asking now either."
"I know. That's what makes you interesting." She tilted her head. "You have a girlfriend. Nisha. She made that clear at breakfast."
"We're together."
"She's sweet. Territorial, but sweet." Ishani smiled. "I respect that she staked her claim. Shows she knows what she has."
"And what does she have?"
"Someone worth fighting for." Ishani's eyes held his. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal you. I'm just... curious."
"Curious about what?"
"About you. About what makes you different." She leaned closer, not quite touching. "I've been around powerful men before. They all have the same energy. Arrogance, entitlement, the assumption that they deserve whatever they want."
"And me?"
"You're powerful. I felt it when you fought those raiders. But you don't have that arrogance." She paused. "Or maybe you do, and you just hide it better."
Sarnav smiled. "Maybe I'm just better at pretending."
"Maybe." She returned the smile. "I'd like to find out."
"Find out what, exactly?"
"Who you really are. Underneath the hero act." She rose, smoothing her dress. "I'm patient, Sarnav. I can wait."
"Wait for what?"
"For you to show me." She stepped close, rising on her toes. For a moment, he thought she might kiss him.
Instead, she pressed her lips to his cheek. Lingering. Warm.
"I'll see you around," she whispered against his skin.
She walked away, hips swaying, not looking back.
[ISHANI SUPPIAH - STATUS UPDATE]
[INTEREST: VERY HIGH]
[APPROACH: PATIENT, INTRIGUED]
[ATTRACTION: CONFIRMED]
Sarnav watched her go.
She was smart. Confident. She'd made her interest clear without being desperate. No pressure, no demands. Just an open door.
He appreciated that.
Nisha was in their room when he returned.
She looked up as he entered. "How was your talk?"
"Interesting."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the answer I have." He crossed to the bed, sitting beside her. "She thanked me for saving her people. We talked. That's all."
"She's interested in you."
"Probably."
Nisha was quiet for a moment. "And you? Are you interested in her?"
Sarnav considered the question. He could lie. Reassure her. Tell her what she wanted to hear.
But that wasn't who he was.
"She's beautiful," he said honestly. "She's smart. She's powerful. Any man would be interested."
Nisha's expression tightened. "So that's a yes."
"That's a 'she's attractive and I noticed.'" He took her hand. "Noticing isn't acting, Nisha. I'm not doing anything about it."
"But you might. Someday."
"Maybe. I don't know." He met her eyes. "I won't lie to you. I won't make promises I might not keep. What I can tell you is that right now, tonight, you're the only woman I want in my bed."
"And tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow I'll probably want the same thing." He pulled her closer. "Stop trying to predict the future. We don't know what's coming. All we have is right now."
She leaned into him, some of the tension leaving her body.
"I hate that she's beautiful," she muttered.
"Can't do anything about that."
"I hate that she looks at you like she wants to eat you alive."
"Can't do much about that either."
"I hate—" She stopped, sighing. "I hate feeling like this."
"Then stop." He tilted her chin up. "You're mine, Nisha. I chose you. I'm still choosing you. Stop waiting for me to change my mind."
"Is that an order?"
"If it needs to be."
She almost smiled. "Bossy."
"You like it."
"Maybe." She kissed him softly. "Fine. I'll try to stop being crazy."
"Good." He deepened the kiss. "Now let me distract you from your crazy thoughts."
She laughed against his mouth. "That's your solution? Sex?"
"You have a better one?"
"No." She pulled him down onto the bed. "No, I really don't."
[DAILY CULTIVATION SUMMARY]
[INTIMATE ACTIVITIES: +11,000]
[LEADERSHIP BONUSES: +600]
[COMBAT (PREVIOUS DAY): +2,000]
[TOTAL PROGRESS: 51,300 / 50,000]
[BREAKTHROUGH AVAILABLE: CORE FORMATION REALM]
[BOND STATUS - NISHA RAMACHANDRAN]
[RELATIONSHIP: SOULBOUND]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: UNCERTAIN BUT TRUSTING]
[LOYALTY: ABSOLUTE]
[PROSPECTIVE BOND - ISHANI SUPPIAH]
[COMPATIBILITY: 94%]
[INTEREST: VERY HIGH]
[STATUS: INTRIGUED, WAITING]