CHAPTER 272: 272: EMBERS BENEATH THE STARS

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Vel ignored them both. She had opened her scroll again, scanning Kai’s aura pattern. What she saw made her freeze.

Naaro noticed it. "What is it?"

Vel whispered, "His soul has grown."

"From the battle?"

"Not just that. His spiritual threads are denser. He... he consumed something more than just energy. He devoured a concept. Authority."

Akayoroi, now seated in silent prayer, did not open her eyes. "He has stepped onto a new road. One walked by kings of ruin. And kings of order."

"You’re being vague again," Azhara said.

"Good."

Vel leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "You mean godhood."

Akayoroi did not deny it.

Sha exhaled. "Well. That complicates things."

Then. Kai twitched. Everyone stilled.

His hand rose slightly. His fingers curled. The cracks in his chitin began to glow faintly. His lips parted. "It... hurts."

Azhara gasped. "He is alright."

Kai blinked open one eye. It was dim, flickering, but filled with familiar weight. He looked around. "What... happened..."

Azhara pressed his head against her chest like a protective cocoon. "You saved the sky. You punched a living monster in the teeth. You fell dramatically. And I caught your body with my love."

Kai groaned.

Vel stepped forward. "You won. But we have little time. Others might have sensed the battle. You need to rest. We will defend this place."

Kai’s eyes flickered again. "No. Not yet."

Sha growled. "You cannot move."

"I will not. But I need... to know." He coughed. "Did... did I scream something cool when I attacked it?"

Everyone stared at him. Vel coughed into her sleeve. Naaro looked away. Azhara said gently, "You did, sir."

Sha shook her head. "He did not."

Kai smiled faintly. "Perfect." His head slumped back. This time, he slept. Not unconscious. Just asleep. He was resting.

The girls surrounded him in a protective circle. No more words were spoken. Only the low hum of the caves, the slow return of the king’s breath, and the faint shimmer of starlight on the ceiling above them.

Far away, beyond the mountains and ridges, beyond the fractured clouds, in places that feared even their own names— Creatures stirred. Eyes opened.

One of them whispered: "He is rising. The false crown giver returns."

But in the mirror caves, protected by beauties, Kai did not hear them. He dreamed... He dreamed of ants. Of wings. Of climbing higher. Of piercing the sky again. And this time, never falling.

A few moments later...

Kai awoke slowly, his body stiff and heavy, as if he had been buried beneath the sky itself. Each breath scraped his lungs like he had swallowed stone dust, and his eyes twitched with residual static from the battle. His chest ached. His legs throbbed. His jaw felt like he had chewed on a forge brick.

But he was alive and well.

The stars blinked above, gentle and patient, as if pretending they had not just watched the most violent sky duel in a century. Around him, the mountain air had fallen into a hush, broken only by the quiet scuff of feet and rustle of feathers.

Azhara was the first to notice. She gasped, flung aside a half-eaten fruit, and skidded to his side with the grace of a penguin trying ballet.

"He’s awake, again!" she shrieked. "He lives! My lord! My warlord! My mildly conscious idol!"

Sha swatted her. "Give him space, pervert clown."

"I am not a pervert clown. I am performance art."

Alka chirped and leaned her massive beak down, nuzzling Kai’s shoulder with surprising gentleness for a creature that had recently outraced the embodiment of cosmic secrets. Her feathers were ragged, her left wing scorched with an aura burn that pulsed faintly, but her eyes were soft.

Kai grunted, trying to sit. Akayoroi appeared behind him and pushed him back down with a clawed hand.

"You are not rising yet," she said firmly. "Your aura veins are frayed. One more stunt and your soul will start leaking like broken eggs."

"Can I at least blink?" Kai rasped.

"No," Akayoroi replied. "Rest. Blink later."

Vel approached with a bottle of something glowing. "Here. Liquid herbs restoration. Solar variant. Side effects include temporary arrogance, photonic hiccups, and the urge to punch frogs."

Kai took it. He drank. The burn was instant. So was the hiccup. "Frogs beware," he joked to cheer up the girls.

The others gathered slowly. Naaro crossed her arms but stayed close. Sha leaned her dagger nearby and settled down with a grunt. Even Azhara quieted as they all sat together.

They stayed like that for a while. Together. Breathing. Healing. Until Vel broke the silence. "We nearly died."

"Yes," Akayoroi said.

"And somehow, we lived. Because of him."

Kai shifted. "Not just me. All of you fought. I am proud of you all."

Azhara grinned. "Still. You were the bombastic finale. Like dessert after ten rounds of flaming appetizers."

Sha rolled her eyes. "We need training. Real training."

"I want a good weapon," said Naaro.

"I want a bath," Azhara sighed.

"You want to bathe with sir Kai’s?" Vel muttered.

"Semantics."

Kai watched them argue. His girls. His warriors. His strange, deadly, stubborn, brilliant concubines. He smiled, just slightly.

Meanwhile the girls continue...

Sha knelt beside them, "He is vulnerable like this. We must guard him."

"I can guard his lips," Azhara offered, puckering dramatically.

"No one touches his lips but me," Vel said, in a sharp tone.

"Too late," Azhara whispered. She stuck her tongue out at Vel.

Naaro rolled her eyes, arms folded. "You both are ridiculous."

Then came Akayoroi, solemn and graceful, her antennae twitching with soft vibrations. "This is not just a man," she said. "He is a king. Our love. We owe him not only our gratitude but our hearts. Stop the argument."

Vel’s cheeks warmed. "He has those already..."

"And more," Azhara added, winking.

Akayoroi leaned down and gently touched her forehead to Kai’s. A pulse of blue aura passed between them — a quiet prayer, a bond sealed in soul resonance. Her voice dropped. "You are the storm. And I... I am your blade."

Kai stirred, eyelids twitching. "Storm... is tired..."

Azhara grinned. "Then I will give you a shoulder massage."