Love Resurrected:
(Earth #8193, 1990, Lothrin-Industries Max-Sec Residence Tower, The Narrows, New-Alexandria)
Narrator
Chapter 31 = Love Resurrected.... Lothrin-Industries Max-Sec Residence Tower in the Narrows District of New-Alexandria, 1990 on Earth #8193… Gwen half‑carries, half‑drags the weak and delirious Emilia through the tenement lobby, ignoring the stares of the night clerk and the flickering security light overhead. The girl is trembling, muttering half‑formed words, her eyes darting like a cornered animal. Gwen's heart pounds as she fumbles with her keys. She eventually manages to get the door open, guiding the young girl into the dimly lit apartment. The door slams shut behind them
The sound detonates in Emilia's mind like a gunshot. She screams frantically, thrashing in Gwen's arms, her eyes wide with terror as the echo of Ice‑Heart exploding in her face rips through her skull and the phantom searing pain of her flesh melting down to her charred bones floods her system.
Gwen pulls the girl in close holding her tight as her body convulses, hands clawing and scratching. Her breath comes in ragged gasps, her screams slowly giving way to sobbing.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"Emilia! Look at me. It's me Gwen, You're home, You're with me. You're safe. Breathe with me, just breathe."
Narrator
Gwen places gentle kisses on the girl's head as she holds her close, grounding her, pulling her close until Emilia's forehead presses against her collarbone. Gwen rocks her gently, whispering steady words. Emilia's trembling eases. Her sobs soften and her fists unclench. She clings to Gwen's coat like a frightened child, her body still taut with fear but no longer fighting.
Only when Gwen feels her breathing steady does she guide Emilia down the hall, murmuring reassurance with every step. The bathroom light flickers on, and Gwen kneels to start the water, steam rising into the air. Emilia follows, dazed, her eyes still darting as though expecting another explosion.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"It's alright. You're safe now. I've got you. Just breathe with me."
Narrator
Emilia's clothes are stiff with dirt and damp with sweat. Gwen kneels down before her resurrected love, helping her peel off her torn defiled clothes, layer by layer, each garment heavy with the stench of earth and the wretched rot of the Narrows. The naked Emilia shivers, arms crossed over her chest, but she doesn't resist.
Narrator
The bathwater runs hot, steam curling into the air. Gwen eases the girl in. Gwen cups water into her hands, gently pouring it over Emilia's shoulders, her hair, her face. Grime streaks away in rivulets, revealing Emilia's beautiful pale skin beneath. Gwen's fingers tremble as she works, but she keeps her voice calm, murmuring reassurances.
She takes Emilia's hands in hers. They are caked in blood, the nails broken and black with soil. But the skin beneath, though raw and filthy, is uncut. No torn flesh, no open wounds. Gwen frowns, confused, but says nothing. She simply takes a washcloth and begins to scrub, slow and careful, until the blood fades and the hands look almost new.
Gwendolyn Valentine
How is that possible? She was nothing but a scorched skeleton when we put her in the ground.
Narrator
Emilia whimpers, eyes glassy, but she lets Gwen work. The water turns murky, the tub ringed with dirt and blood. Gwen brushes the wet hair back from Emilia's face, and for the first time, Emilia's gaze meets hers. Recognition flickers there, confused, fragile, but real.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"It's me. I'm here. You're safe."
Narrator
For a moment, the world fades to the sound of water dripping, the warmth of the steam, and the impossible truth of the woman Gwen thought she had lost, alive again in her arms. Time stops as their lips touch, both of them momentarily lost in the sensation. Motion returns to the world as the two slowly pull away from the kiss, smiling lovingly at one another.
Gwendolyn Valentine
'I've missed you so much, every night my heart cried out to you?"
Emilia
'I know, I heard it, somehow I heard it."
Gwendolyn Valentine
"How is this possible? You died, I buried you. I mourned you"
Emilia
"I don't know… wait, I do, I do know… Ice Heart, it has to be Ice Heart"
Gwendolyn Valentine
"What?"
Narrator
Gwen's phone buzzes sharply on the counter. The sound cuts through the fragile silence like a blade. Her stomach knots as she reaches for it. One new message. The sender: Anya Lothrin.
Text Message (on screen)
I see you. A car will be picking you both up first thing in the morning. We need to talk. Tell Emilia, I'm glad she found her way back.
Narrator
Gwen's breath catches. Her hand trembles as she lowers the phone. The walls feel closer, the air heavier.
Gwendolyn Valentine
"No… no, she can't know. She's watching us. She's always watching. We can't go to her, Emilia. We can't."
Narrator
Her voice rises, panic spilling out, the fragile calm of the bath unravelling. She clutches the phone like it's a weapon, her chest tightening with dread.
Emilia
"Gwen. Look at me." (soft but firm)
Narrator
Emilia's voice is steadier than her body, her eyes still glassy but her tone clear. She takes Gwen's hand, grounding her.
Emilia
"She's right. We need to go. Whatever Project Ice‑Heart did to me… It's not normal. It's not survivable. And yet here I am. Anya will know what it means. She'll know what to do next."
Narrator
Gwen shakes her head, tears threatening again, but Emilia squeezes her hand tighter.
Emilia
"Hey, hey, Gwen, sweetie. I love you, so trust me, okay. It's going to be okay. Anya's right. Meeting her in the morning is the right thing to do, and don't forget she does technically own us" [sarcastic joking tone on that last part, followed by the sound of both of them nervously laughing a little]
Narrator
Gwen exhales shakily, her panic ebbing under Emilia's calm insistence. She nods, though her heart still pounds. The phone screen glows between them, Anya's words burning like a brand.