[Chapter 256: Chris Awakens]
The next morning, Daniel went to Scarlett's villa. Scarlett was sitting on the living room terrace, sipping coffee.
She wore a loose tunic, with her sunglasses pushed up onto her head, but she couldn't hide the loneliness in her eyes.
The complete failure of The Island had hit her harder than anyone expected.
When she saw Daniel arrive, Scarlett stood up, her gaze conflicted.
"Amanda's movie has set its release date, and Rachel's role is already being booked for Oscar nominations," she said.
She stepped closer, voice low. "I thought I was ahead, but in the blink of an eye, I've fallen behind."
Daniel looked at her but stayed silent.
Scarlett grabbed his hand, urgency in her tone. "You were right about The Island back then. Damn it! I want your advice. How should I move forward with my career? What movie should I take?"
She paused, eyes burning. "Or... do you have any projects lined up?"
Daniel withdrew his hand and walked over to the railing, staring out at the distant mountains.
Scarlett's foundation was solid now. Her height had increased, her skin improved, and thanks to the Elixirs, her fitness level was on par with a stunt actress. What she lacked was a role to elevate her name into a global icon -- a role that was originally meant for her.
"I am preparing some things on my end," Daniel said, turning back to her. "But that role requires some waiting."
Scarlett replied eagerly, "I can wait as long as it takes."
Daniel was quiet for a moment. "This might take a while. Give me some time, and I'll find you a transitional role in the meantime."
"Okay, I'll wait," Scarlett said, nodding vigorously. Then, a little embarrassed, she added, "Will you stay tonight?"
Daniel smiled and didn't refuse.
---
Three days later, early in the morning.
Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling window, spilling onto the mahogany desk in the study.
The phone, usually shrouded in a faint pink light mist, suddenly intensified its glow.
Daniel sat in his swivel chair, setting down the ancient book in his hand, watching quietly.
Buzz--
The pink mist condensed in midair, projected down onto the floor, and transformed into a tangible human form.
Chris slowly landed on the carpet.
She still possessed that peerless beauty that could drive any man mad. But now, her aura had undergone an earth-shattering transformation.
Her skin wasn't just fair anymore -- it had a cold, crystal-like texture. Her deep black eyes occasionally flashed with dark red streams of light.
"Master, I have returned," Chris said, her voice echoing softly in the room.
She walked up to Daniel and hooked her arm naturally through his.
Daniel tilted his head slightly. "Has the evolution been completed?"
"Mhm," Chris smiled brilliantly.
She opened her arms and spun around lightly. "Not only has my mental energy skyrocketed, but this body is completely stable now. No matter how intense my emotions get, I won't revert to that bloody appearance I had before."
She stopped, pride shining in her eyes. "Moreover, my information-processing ability now rivals a supercomputer. As long as I'm connected to the internet, I can go anywhere and leave no trace."
She extended a slender finger and gently tapped Daniel's forehead. "If I want, I can instantly capture the negative emotions of everyone within a mile. That feeling is incredible."
Daniel sensed the aura around her; she was indeed much stronger than before.
"Not bad," Daniel commented lightly.
Chris wasn't satisfied with such a mild appraisal. She slipped into Daniel's embrace, arms wrapping around his neck, her breath warm against his skin.
"Master, I was stuck in darkness for a long time, digesting all that power. I am... very alive now."
As she spoke, her hands skillfully began undoing the buttons of Daniel's shirt.
"Last time, I was afraid of scaring you. But now, you can try anything you want."
Daniel looked at the alluring Chris in his arms, feeling the genuine warmth of her touch, brows knitting slightly.
He reached out, pressed gently on her shoulders, and eased her away.
"Wait a little longer," Daniel said calmly. "I haven't fully adjusted to your current state yet."
Chris froze for a moment, a shadow of resentment flickering in her eyes, but then she obediently released him, licking her red lips with a low, hoarse voice.
"Very well, Master. I will wait until the day you 'adapt'."
With that, her form turned into specks of pink light, vanishing into the study.
...
Late that night, the quiet of Beverly Hills was broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.
Daniel filled the bathtub with hot water, the warm current enveloping his body.
Mist thickened the bathroom air. Outside the frosted glass door, a faint pink afterimage suddenly flickered past.
Daniel didn't open his eyes, but his spiritual sense detected the movement.
Splash--
The sound of water rippling gently.
Daniel smelled an intensely rich, subtle fragrance that instantly overpowered the steam in the room.
Suddenly, a cool, smooth body pressed tightly against him from behind, with slender arms wrapping around his neck.
Daniel opened his eyes.
In the mist, Chris's face -- one that could unleash desire in anyone -- was inches from his.
Her body was no longer an illusory projection. Every inch of her skin radiated breathtaking beauty. Reflected in the water's sheen, she was stunning enough to take one's breath away.
"Master, have you... 'adapted' now?" Chris whispered softly into Daniel's ear, her voice dripping with seductive magnetism.
Daniel's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
He knew the Succubus hadn't cast charm magic on him. Even so, she naturally possessed this power.
In any case, the Succubus had fully submitted. Her body was now completely stable. And he would suffer no loss.
Daniel muttered this to himself, convincing his mind, and let go of his restraint.
He turned, grabbed Chris by the waist, and pulled her fully into the water.
The temperature rose several degrees instantly, thick pink spiritual mist enveloping the two.
The water, already hot, seemed to boil as Chris sank beneath the surface with him. The pink mist didn't just surround them; it clung to their skin like a second, shimmering layer of silk, amplifying every sensation.
As Daniel pulled her deep into the tub, the buoyancy of the water made her body feel weightless yet oppressive, her breasts crushing against his chest. He could feel the frantic beat of her heart hammering against his own ribs.
Chris let out a muffled, liquid gasp, her legs winding tightly around his waist, locking him into her heat.
He didn't waste time. His hand slid down the slick curve of her spine, the water acting as a natural lubricant, until he found the swell of her backside. He squeezed firmly, pulling her pelvis flush against his. He was already hard, a rigid pillar of heat pressing into the soft, wet cleft of her thighs.
Chris arched her back, her head lolling back into the water, a low moan escaping her lips as she felt the thickness of him. She reached down, her slender fingers brushing past the water's resistance to find him, her grip firm and demanding. She guided him upward, the friction of their wet skin creating an electric current that made Daniel growl.
He shifted his grip, lifting her slightly so he could slide inside her. He entered her in one slow, deliberate surge, the water cushioning the impact but intensifying the feeling of being enveloped.
Chris's eyes flew open, pupils blown wide with pleasure, as she felt him fill her completely. The mist thickened, swirling around them in rhythmic pulses that mirrored the cadence of their breathing.
Daniel began to move, his thrusts powerful and deep, driving her back against the porcelain edge of the tub.
Each impact sent a ripple through the water, the splashing sound drowned out by the wet, rhythmic slapping of their bodies meeting. He could feel the internal walls of her gripping him, pulsing in time with the spiritual energy coursing through the room.
Chris's fingers dug into his shoulders, her nails leaving red crescents on his skin. She leaned in, her lips finding his in a desperate, hungry kiss, her tongue dancing with his as she chased the peak.
"More," she whimpered against his mouth, her voice a ragged edge of desire. "Harder, Master."
He complied, his pace becoming frantic, the water churning around them. He could feel the build-up, a tightening in his gut that coincided with the shimmering pink light reaching a blinding intensity.
With one final, deep plunge that left them both breathless, he let out a guttural shout, filling her as the mist exploded outward in a wave of heat, leaving them both gasping and clinging to each other.
...
After a long time, the water's sound gradually softened to silence.
Daniel leaned against the edge of the tub, his chest rising and falling lightly.
Opposite him, Chris radiated an almost sacred brilliance.
Having absorbed Daniel's pure, vast, and magic-enhanced life aura, her soul body -- stabilized by evolution -- underwent a profound transformation once more.
A faint golden-pink halo shimmered just beneath her skin's surface.
The dark red flames in her eyes deepened into a starry, profound violet.
She lifted her hand, barely flicking her finger, and the surrounding space trembled subtly.
"Oh my Lord..." Chris stared at Daniel, astonished by the power surging within her. "Master, your power is immense. Just this one time has raised my strength another notch. I feel like I can instantly control the entire communication network of Los Angeles without anyone noticing."
Daniel studied her carefully.
Her current appearance had reached the pinnacle of human beauty.
The allure radiating from within her made Daniel, even as a Higher Ascendant Order, momentarily lose himself.
*****
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