Day 15 Post-Impact - Evening
The essence was there. Waiting.
Sarnav sat cross-legged in his room, eyes closed, feeling the energy coiled at his core. Fifty-one thousand essence, more than enough to break through to Core Formation.
[BREAKTHROUGH AVAILABLE]
[FOUNDATION REALM → CORE FORMATION REALM]
[REQUIREMENTS: 50,000 ESSENCE - MET]
[WARNING: BREAKTHROUGH PROCESS WILL TAKE 2-4 HOURS]
[WARNING: HOST WILL BE VULNERABLE DURING PROCESS]
[RECOMMEND SECURE LOCATION AND GUARD]
[PROCEED?]
A knock at the door.
"Sarnav?" Nisha's voice. "Dinner's ready."
"Come in."
She entered, finding him on the floor. Concern crossed her features.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm about to break through." He opened his eyes. "Core Formation. It'll take a few hours."
"Now?"
"No better time." He rose. "I need someone to guard the door. Make sure I'm not disturbed."
"I can do that." She moved closer, taking his hand. "Is it dangerous?"
"Shouldn't be. But I'll be vulnerable during the process."
"Then I'll make sure nothing happens." Her grip tightened. "Do what you need to do."
He kissed her softly. "Thank you."
The breakthrough began.
Sarnav settled into his meditative position, turning his focus inward. The essence responded immediately, churning, eager.
[INITIATING BREAKTHROUGH]
[COMPRESSING ESSENCE...]
[FORMING CORE...]
Pain came with it. Sharp, insistent. The breakthrough was reshaping him on a fundamental level.
[CORE FORMATION: 10%]
[ESTIMATED TIME: 3 HOURS 42 MINUTES]
Outside the door, he sensed Nisha's presence. Steady. Watchful.
Hours passed. The pain ebbed and flowed. At some point, he became aware of movement outside.
"Is he okay?" Ishani's voice.
"He's breaking through." Nisha, steady. "He'll be fine."
"Can I wait with you?"
A pause. Then: "If you want."
A second presence settled in the hallway. Neither woman spoke.
Interesting.
[CORE FORMATION: 89%]
[FINAL COMPRESSION INITIATING]
[WARNING: INTENSE PAIN EXPECTED]
Agony ripped through him. His jaw clenched, body rigid. The essence compressed to a critical point.
Then something clicked.
Power flooded through his meridians. His senses sharpened. His body felt lighter, stronger.
[BREAKTHROUGH COMPLETE]
[WELCOME TO CORE FORMATION REALM]
[RANK: C]
[NEW ABILITIES UNLOCKED:]
[- DUAL ABILITY USAGE (2 WIFE ABILITIES, 30 MIN)]
[- ENHANCED PHYSICAL STATS (+50% BASE)]
[- ESSENCE SENSITIVITY (500M RADIUS)]
[- CORE RESONANCE (+25% BOND EFFICIENCY)]
[DAILY ESSENCE CAP: 50,000]
[CURRENT ESSENCE: 1,300 / 100,000 TO NASCENT SOUL]
Sarnav opened his eyes.
The world looked different. Sharper. He could see dust motes in the air, feel the energy signatures of both women outside.
He stood. His body responded with unnatural fluidity.
This was power.
The door opened. Both women rose.
"Sarnav." Nisha reached him first, hands checking for injury. "Are you okay?"
"Better than okay." He pulled her close, kissing her hard. When he released her, she looked dazed. "Much better."
"You feel different." She was staring. "Stronger."
"Core Formation. C-rank now." He looked at Ishani. "Thank you for waiting."
"I wanted to make sure you were alright." Her eyes traced over him. "You were in there for four hours."
"Side effect of the process." He rolled his shoulders. "What time is it?"
"Past midnight," Nisha said. "You should rest."
"I've never felt more awake." Energy hummed through him. The breakthrough had left him charged, not drained. "But you should sleep. Both of you."
"I'm fine," Nisha said.
"So am I," Ishani added.
They looked at each other. Something passed between them.
"Well." Sarnav glanced between them. "If neither of you is sleeping, I could use food."
"Kitchen's closed," Nisha said. "But I can find something."
"I'll help," Ishani offered.
Another exchanged look. Then Nisha nodded.
"Fine. Come on."
The kitchen was dark.
Nisha found the lights while Ishani located leftover rice. They worked in uncomfortable silence while Sarnav observed.
"I'm not trying to take him from you," Ishani said finally. "Whatever you're thinking."
"I'm not thinking anything."
"Yes, you are." Ishani set down her knife. "I'm attracted to him. I won't pretend otherwise. But I'm not stupid enough to try stealing another woman's man."
Nisha studied her. Then some tension left her shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I've been unfair."
"You've been protective. There's a difference." Ishani returned to cutting. "I'd react the same way."
They finished preparing the meal together. Not friends. But something closer to understanding.
Sarnav ate while the women picked at small portions.
"Core Formation," Ishani said. "What does that mean exactly?"
"Stronger. Faster. Better senses." He took another bite. "C-rank now."
"That's impressive. Most awakened take months."
"Special cultivation method."
"How special?"
"Ishani." Nisha's voice held warning.
"What? I'm curious."
"Maybe someday," Sarnav said. "When I know you better."
Challenge flickered in Ishani's eyes. "Fair enough. I can be patient."
"Good quality."
"I have lots of good qualities." She smiled. "You'll discover them eventually."
Nisha's chopsticks clicked harder than necessary.
They parted in the hallway.
Ishani said goodnight with a lingering look at Sarnav, a polite nod to Nisha, and disappeared.
"She's bold," Nisha said once she was gone.
"She's confident."
"She basically told you she's interested while I was sitting right there."
"Jealous?"
"Yes." Nisha took his hand. "A little."
They reached their room. Sarnav closed the door behind them, locking it.
Nisha started toward the bed. "I'm tired. Can we just—"
He caught her wrist, spinning her around, pulling her against him.
"Sarnav?"
"I just broke through to C-rank." His voice was low, rough. "I've got more energy than I know what to do with. And you want to sleep?"
Her breath caught. "I thought you might need rest."
"What I need is you." He walked her backward until her shoulders hit the wall. "What I need is to feel my power inside you. To remind both of us who you belong to."
Her pupils dilated. "We just... with Ishani waiting outside earlier..."
"She's gone now." He pinned her wrists above her head with one hand. "It's just us."
"Sarnav..."
"Tell me to stop and I will." He leaned close, lips brushing her ear. "But I can feel your heartbeat, Nisha. I can sense everything now. And your body is telling me you don't want me to stop."
She shivered. "That's cheating."
"That's power." He bit her earlobe, felt her gasp. "Now answer me. Do you want me to stop?"
"No." The word came out breathless. "No, I don't want you to stop."
"Good girl."
He kissed her. Hard, demanding, his tongue claiming her mouth. She moaned against him, body arching into his grip. He could feel her pulse racing, smell the arousal beginning to build.
His free hand found the hem of her shirt, sliding underneath, tracing up her stomach to cup her breast. She wasn't wearing a bra. His thumb found her nipple already hard.
"You were waiting for this," he accused.
"I'm always waiting for you."
He released her wrists to strip her shirt over her head. Her pants followed, then her underwear, until she stood naked against the wall, chest heaving.
"Beautiful." He stepped back to look at her. "Every time I see you like this, I wonder how I got so lucky."
"Less talking." She reached for him. "More touching."
"Demanding."
"You like it."
He did.
He lifted her easily, his enhanced strength making her weight nothing. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed, dropping her onto the mattress.
"Don't move."
She stayed where she fell, watching as he stripped. When his cock sprang free, already hard, her eyes widened.
"You're... bigger?"
"Breakthrough enhanced everything." He climbed over her. "Let's see if you can handle it."
He didn't give her time to respond. His mouth found her breast, sucking hard on her nipple while his hand slid between her thighs. She was already wet, her body ready for him.
"Sarnav..." She gasped as his fingers found her clit. "Oh god..."
He worked her with practiced efficiency, his enhanced senses reading every reaction. When her breathing quickened, he slowed down. When she started to relax, he intensified. Keeping her on the edge.
"Please," she begged. "Please, I need..."
"What do you need?"
"You. Inside me. Please."
He positioned himself at her entrance, the head of his cock pressing against her slick heat.
"Who do you belong to?"
"You."
"Say my name."
"Sarnav. I belong to Sarnav."
He thrust home in one smooth stroke.
Nisha screamed. Her back arched off the bed, hands clawing at his shoulders. He was deeper than he'd ever been, filling her completely.
"Fuck." She was shaking. "You're so deep. So big. I can feel you everywhere."
"And you're going to feel me even more."
He started to move. Not gentle. Not slow. Hard, powerful thrusts that used every ounce of his enhanced strength. The bed frame slammed against the wall. Nisha's cries filled the room.
"Yes! Yes, Sarnav, just like that! Don't stop!"
He had no intention of stopping. The power coursing through him demanded release, and Nisha was the perfect vessel for it. He pounded into her with relentless intensity, watching her face contort with pleasure.
"You feel incredible," he growled. "So tight. So wet. Made for my cock."
"Only yours. Only ever yours."
"That's right." He shifted angles, hitting a spot that made her scream louder. "This pussy belongs to me. No one else touches you. No one else makes you feel this way."
"Never. I swear. Only you."
Her walls clenched around him, her body building toward climax. He could sense it now, feel the energy coiling inside her.
"Come for me," he commanded. "Come on my cock like a good girl."
She shattered. Her orgasm ripped through her, her pussy spasming around him, milking his length. She screamed his name, tears leaking from her eyes at the intensity.
Sarnav didn't slow down. He fucked her through it, extending the pleasure, pushing her higher.
"Again."
"I can't—"
"You can." He reached between them, finding her clit, rubbing in tight circles. "Give me another one."
"Oh god. Oh god, Sarnav, I'm going to—"
She came again, harder than before. This time he let himself follow, burying himself deep, flooding her with his release. The pleasure was blinding, amplified by his new power, every nerve ending on fire.
When it was over, they collapsed together, breathing hard.
"Holy shit," Nisha whispered.
"Mmm."
"That was... I've never..." She laughed weakly. "I think you broke me."
"Just getting started." He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. "Give me ten minutes."
"Ten minutes? Sarnav, I can barely feel my legs."
"Then I'll do all the work."
True to his word, ten minutes later he was hard again, and Nisha found herself on her hands and knees, face pressed into the pillow, screaming through her third orgasm of the night.
They finally stopped somewhere around 3 AM.
Nisha was a mess. Sweaty, satisfied, utterly spent. She could barely keep her eyes open.
"No more," she mumbled. "I surrender. You win."
"I always win."
"Arrogant."
"Confident." He pulled her against his chest. "Sleep now."
"Couldn't stay awake if I tried."
She was unconscious within seconds.
Sarnav held her, still energized, mind racing with possibilities. The breakthrough had changed everything. His power, his senses, his stamina. If this was Core Formation, he could only imagine what higher realms would bring.
Eventually, he closed his eyes. Not to sleep, but to meditate. To process the changes.
The night passed quietly.
Day 16 Post-Impact
Sarnav woke before dawn.
His enhanced senses detected the school stirring. Guards changing shifts. Early risers moving about. The pulse of community life.
Beside him, Nisha slept deeply. He could feel her heartbeat, slow and steady. She'd be sore today. He hadn't held back last night.
Good. She'd needed the reminder.
He slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her. His body felt perfect. Rested despite minimal sleep. Another benefit of Core Formation.
The bathroom was small but functional. He washed quickly, then returned to find Nisha stirring.
"Morning," she mumbled.
"Morning."
"What time is it?"
"Early. Before six."
She groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. "Too early. Come back to bed."
"Duties to attend to."
"Duties can wait." Her hand emerged from the blanket, patting the mattress. "Bed. Now."
Sarnav smiled. He should check in with Chen Wei, review the patrol reports, plan the day's training. Responsible leader things.
But Nisha was naked under those blankets. Warm and soft and still his.
Responsibilities could wait an hour.
He climbed back into bed, and she immediately curled against him.
"Better," she murmured.
"I thought you were tired."
"I am tired." Her hand traced down his stomach, finding him already half-hard. "But apparently you're not."
"Enhancement has its benefits."
"I noticed. Several times." Her fingers wrapped around his cock, stroking slowly. "Is this going to be a regular thing? You waking up ready to go?"
"Probably."
"I might need to start doing stretches." She threw a leg over his hip, rising up to straddle him. "Good thing I like mornings."
She sank down onto him slowly, both of them groaning at the connection. She was still wet from last night, her body accepting him easily despite the soreness.
"God," she breathed. "I'm going to feel this all day."
"That's the idea."
She started to move, rolling her hips in a lazy rhythm. No urgency this time. Just slow, deep pleasure.
Sarnav watched her ride him, appreciating the view. Her breasts bouncing gently. Her face soft with pleasure. The morning light catching the sheen of sweat on her skin.
"Beautiful," he said.
"Flattery won't make me go faster."
"Wasn't trying to." He gripped her hips, helping her maintain the pace. "I like watching you take what you need."
"What I need is you." She leaned down, kissing him softly. "Always you."
They moved together without speaking. The silence comfortable. Intimate. Two people who knew each other's bodies perfectly.
Nisha's breathing quickened. Her rhythm faltered.
"Close," she whispered.
"Take your time."
"I want you to come with me."
"I will."
She sat up straight, grinding down harder, chasing her pleasure. Sarnav thrust up to meet her, hitting the spot that made her gasp.
"There. Right there. Don't stop."
He didn't stop. He fucked up into her with steady precision, watching her face, feeling her body tighten around him.
"Sarnav... I'm going to..."
"Do it. Come for me, Nisha."
She cried out, her orgasm crashing through her. Her pussy clenched around him, and Sarnav let himself follow, spilling inside her with a groan.
Nisha collapsed onto his chest, breathing hard.
"Okay," she said eventually. "Now I'm really tired."
"Then sleep."
"Can't. You said duties." She lifted her head, smiling. "Besides, someone has to make sure you eat breakfast."
"I could eat you for breakfast."
"Tempting. But I need to be able to walk today." She climbed off him, wincing slightly. "See? Already sore."
"Worth it?"
"Always." She kissed him quickly. "Now come on. Shower, food, whatever world-saving you have planned."
Breakfast brought news.
Chen Wei approached their table with a grim expression.
"We have a problem."
"What kind?"
"Scouts found something. Three kilometers west." He sat, voice low. "A nest. Void creatures. Dozens, maybe more."
[THREAT DETECTED]
[VOID CREATURE NEST - 3KM WEST]
[ESTIMATED POPULATION: 50-100]
[THREAT LEVEL: SIGNIFICANT]
"How long has it been there?" Sarnav asked.
"Unknown. But it's fresh. If we leave it, they'll multiply. Hundreds within a week."
"Then we don't leave it." Sarnav's mind was already calculating. "My breakthrough changes things. With C-rank abilities, I can handle threats that would have overwhelmed us before."
"One C-rank against a hundred creatures?"
"Not alone. As a spearhead." He looked at Chen Wei. "How soon can we organize?"
"Tomorrow morning, earliest."
"Then we prepare today and strike at dawn." Sarnav stood. "Gather the awakened. Full briefing in one hour. This nest dies tomorrow."
Chen Wei left to spread the word.
Nisha stared at him. "You're really going to attack a nest?"
"We're going to attack a nest." He met her eyes. "They're building an army three kilometers away. Would you rather wait until they come to us?"
She had no answer.
"One hour," Sarnav said. "Get ready."
[DAILY CULTIVATION SUMMARY]
[BREAKTHROUGH BONUS: +5,000 (ONE-TIME)]
[INTIMATE ACTIVITIES (NIGHT): +9,000]
[INTIMATE ACTIVITIES (MORNING): +4,500]
[CURRENT ESSENCE: 19,800 / 100,000 TO NASCENT SOUL]
[NEW RANK: C (CORE FORMATION)]
[COMBAT OPERATION SCHEDULED: TOMORROW DAWN]
[BOND STATUS - NISHA RAMACHANDRAN]
[RELATIONSHIP: SOULBOUND]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: SATISFIED, CONCERNED]
[PHYSICAL STATE: PLEASANTLY SORE]
[LOYALTY: ABSOLUTE]
[PROSPECTIVE BOND - ISHANI SUPPIAH]
[COMPATIBILITY: 94%]
[INTEREST: VERY HIGH]
[STATUS: PATIENT, INTRIGUED]