CHAPTER 68: SERAPHINA WAKES UP

"What’s up, Cherry?" Ace asked as his little pet rolled into the room.

He’d left them with Alex and Mercer, but Cherry was small and clever enough to slip past them. Cherry flapped their wings to launch into Ace’s arms, but failed again. Instead, the little one jumped up and barreled straight into Ace’s chest, then climbed to his head.

"Hungry? I thought you felt the fight and worried about me," Ace said, chuckling.

Chaewon also smiled. "Such a mood lifter."

"Yeah... let’s see," Ace said.

Cherry’s best food was blood.

He could feed them his blood or maybe even Chaewon’s, but another idea quickly came to him.

He turned to the sleeping Seraphina. She now carried the Immolated Bloodline. Given Cherry’s origin, his idea could be dangerous or helpful.

"First, draw out Seraphina’s bloodline. Then the Immolated Bloodline. We’ll store it in you and see if we can help her tame it, same as me," Ace said.

"It’s a good idea, but risky. Cherry, be careful, okay?" Chaewon said.

With a happy squeal, Cherry hopped off Ace’s head and jumped to Seraphina’s bed. Curling up, they perched themself over the fire chasm within Seraphina’s ashen skin. Crimson tendrils coalesced from their front and slipped into that chasm.

Ouch!

The flames bit back. Even so, Cherry didn’t let it get to them and kept pushing their tendrils straight into Seraphina’s flesh.

Soon, Cherry started extracting Seraphina’s blood, then moved on to the Immolated Bloodline. Watching his companion, Ace noticed a small orange spark appear inside Cherry. It sank into their unique blood mass and evaporated.

Did Cherry absorb that bloodline for real?

Delicious!

Cherry’s whimper pulled Ace from his focus. He quickly pulled Cherry away from Seraphina, lest they drain so much blood it threatened Seraphina’s life. The little one thrashed in Ace’s hand, but his grip held.

"You did well. Thanks. Let’s see if we can use that spark in the future."

—

By early morning, people woke from the nightmare and returned to their new lives. After Heaven Village’s heavy losses, every Ranker had a job. Gathering wood and edible plants was the main task. Skilled Rankers teamed with weaker Rankers to help them avoid the threat of monsters, using information gathered at the Tavern to stay alive.

Teamwork bloomed across this harsh hierarchy of strength.

Tyler’s store was packed. People needed his weapons and temporary buffs, so he was back in business.

Upstairs, Seraphina woke to Ace and Chaewon at her bedside, watching her with warm eyes. Cherry slept on Ace.

"Why?" Seraphina asked, her voice low and sad. "You could have killed me and avoided all this mess. You’ve made enemies for a lost cause: me... There’s no future in me, Ace Avalanche. Gesta can take me over at any moment. She will not hesitate to kill you."

She’d taken Gesta’s offer to save herself. In her battle with Ace, Seraphina couldn’t do much and was at Ace’s mercy. She believed she deserved to die because of that and had nothing to say in the matter.

Ace shook his head. "You took your body back from Gesta. That will to live matters. I want to build on it and on your sword. Join my Sixteen. I’ll do everything I can to help you take the reins of the Immolated’s Path. I’ve got a plan for that, too."

[Ace Avalanche has invited you to his Sixteen.]

[You have joined Ace Avalanche’s Sixteen.]

Ace saw the system window as well.

[Seraphina Griffin has joined your Sixteen.]

In the end, Seraphina wanted to live. Ace was genuine in his attempt to save her and he’d shown it in their battle. He also helped her recall taking control over Gesta, which gave Seraphina hope and courage.

He took the first step, and she wanted to bet on him. Above all, Ace had more control over his Drowned Transformation.

"Does that mean you aren’t a slave to the Drowned?" Seraphina asked.

"Yes."

Seraphina’s heart hammered for a few breaths. Her eyes shimmered, and her lips curved into a beautiful, honest smile.

"Really?" she asked again, as if wanting to hold that warmth.

"Yes," Ace said, nodding.

Slowly, Seraphina warmed to Ace and to her future.

When all formalities were done, Ace eased up. After that, he took a long robe from a closet and handed it to Seraphina.

Better she didn’t show her face in Heaven Village. With that in mind, they would leave soon for the Camp and Ace’s Bank Grotto. She nodded and wrapped herself in the new cloth.

"I also need handcuffs," Seraphina said, raising her hands with her wrists stuck together.

"Will normal cuffs even hold you?" Ace asked.

"...I don’t think so."

"I get why you want them. Still, you need a way to protect yourself if someone tries something. How about this?" Ace said, extending his hand toward Seraphina.

Darkness leaked from his fingertips. His Ink floated over to Seraphina’s neck and wrapped around it, forming a cold collar.

Ace said, "With a thought, I can squeeze your neck and knock you out cold. You mind?"

"No. It’s perfect." Seraphina nodded, tracing the dark line across her neck with slow, gentle taps of her fingers.

Ace nodded. "I’ll call Tyler. You two need a private talk, too."

First to leave, Ace stepped out, leaving Chaewon alone with Seraphina. They stared at each other.

Chaewon recalled Ace’s confession about Seraphina and how guilt forced him to help her beyond easy explanation. His actions changed Seraphina’s future, and now he wanted to fix it. That was his priority, even though he made it seem like he wanted a reliable knight for his Sixteen.

"Let’s spar when you’re better. You’re an awesome swordsman. I’d love to trade pointers," Chaewon said.

"Sure," Seraphina curtly replied.

"If there’s anything bothering you, you can also reach out to me. We’re both girls, so it’s easier."

Seraphina nodded. "Thanks. If this collar fails, don’t hesitate. Put me down, or kill me if you have to. I have hope now, but I also hate being a burden."

Chaewon clenched her fists and gave a single nod.