Silence settled over the room after Aren left, but Elena's heartbeat refused to calm.
Everything felt too loud—
the thrum of energy in the walls,
the distant hum of the Valley's towers,
the faint warmth lingering where Aren's hands had touched her.
She curled her fingers over her racing heart.
"Breathe," she whispered to herself.
But how could she?
She had woken in another era, bound to a man she didn't know, claimed by destiny she never believed in.
She lay back on the pillows, staring at the ceiling's glowing stones.
Minutes passed.
Maybe an hour.
Eventually, exhaustion tugged her into a light sleep.
---
THE CORE THAT WOULDN'T SLEEP
Soft light flickered behind her eyelids.
Elena stirred, half-dreaming, half-awake—
and felt something strange within her.
A pulse.
Warm. Rhythmic. Alive.
Her wrist tingled lightly.
Her chest buzzed faintly.
Her entire body felt as if a soft current of energy was flowing through her veins like a second heartbeat.
She sat up abruptly.
"System…?" she whispered.
The voice responded at once:
> [Core activity rising.]
[Your bond has stabilized temporarily.]
[Physical enhancement: Stage One complete.]
"What… kind of enhancement?" Elena asked nervously.
Her vision sharpened.
Her hearing deepened—she could hear faint footsteps echoing far down the corridor.
Her skin felt softer, more sensitive; her lips warmer.
Even her breathing felt smoother.
She stood and walked to the mirror.
The moment she saw herself, her breath caught.
Her face still looked like hers… but brighter. Alive.
Her skin glowed subtly, as if kissed by soft light.
Her eyes held a faint green shimmer.
Her lips looked like they had been brushed with natural rosy tint.
And her body—
Inside the thin gown, her curves looked more defined—her waist delicate, her hips fuller, her posture straighter.
She touched her reflection.
"What… happened to me?"
> [Mating resonance.]
[Your Core synchronized with Commander Aren's during your awakening.]
[His energy influenced your physical form.]
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
"He—I— We didn't even—"
> [Physical contact not required. Core contact is enough.]
Elena groaned quietly.
If just being near him caused this much change…
What would happen if—
She stopped the thought instantly, face warming even more.
The System continued:
> [Healers adapt faster when bonded to a strong partner. Your changes will stabilize soon.]
She sighed, unsure if she was relieved or even more terrified.
---
THE HUNGER OF A NEW CORE
Her stomach growled suddenly.
Loudly.
Elena froze in embarrassment.
"I guess… I need food."
She walked to the door and hesitated.
Would Aren be there?
What would she even say to him?
Before she could decide, the door slid open—reacting to her presence—and a familiar bright face popped in.
"Elena! You're awake!" Clara beamed. "I brought food."
The girl hurried inside with a large tray full of colorful dishes—greens, golden bread, vibrant fruit, steaming broth.
"Come sit!" Clara said, dragging a small table closer to the bed. "Valley food is all plant-based, but trust me—it's delicious."
Elena sat hesitantly. "You don't eat meat here?"
Clara giggled. "Of course not. The animals here have elemental cores too. They work with us to protect the Valley!"
Elena blinked. "Animals… with powers?"
Clara nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Cats, dogs, deer—they have frozen cores. Good for low-level people. Lions, wolves, cheetahs—fire cores! They protect towns."
Elena stared at the food in shock.
"So the animals are… evolved too."
"Exactly!" Clara said happily, handing her a bowl. "Eat!"
Elena took a bite—
and froze.
It was the best thing she had ever tasted.
Fresh, rich, flavorful—almost addictive.
"It's… amazing," she breathed.
Clara puffed proudly. "Of course! Our crops grow under energy fields. They're bigger, sweeter, more nutrient-dense."
As Elena ate, Clara watched her carefully.
"You look… different," Clara said gently. "Your glow changed."
Elena nearly choked. "Glow?"
Clara pointed at her cheek. "Your aura is brighter. It happens to bonded pairs."
Heat flooded Elena's face.
Clara giggled. "Aren's aura changed too after he felt your awakening."
Elena stared at her bowl.
"What… does a bond really mean?"
Clara's tone softened.
"Oh, Elena. Bonded Cores are rare. It means your energy matches his perfectly. You can't lie to each other. You can feel each other's emotions faintly. And… well—"
She blushed.
"—when you get close, the pull is very strong."
Elena froze, spoon halfway to her lips.
Clara leaned closer. "Elena… do you feel anything when Aren is near?"
Elena didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Her silence was answer enough.
---
THE AURA THAT FEELS HIM
Suddenly—
A strange prickling raced across Elena's skin.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Her wrist burned faintly.
Her breath caught.
Clara's eyes widened. "Oh! He's coming."
Elena's bones turned to water. "Who?"
Clara blinked. "Aren. Can't you feel him?"
Elena felt it—
A deep, warm pulse inside her chest.
Like a signature energy drawing closer.
Like the echo of a heartbeat not her own.
Footsteps sounded down the corridor—slow, strong, steady.
Clara jumped up. "Quick! Wipe your mouth!"
Elena barely had time to react before the door slid open—
And Aren stepped inside.
Freshly washed.
Hair damp.
Still dressed in loose black pants, no armor, no shirt.
Her breath vanished.
He looked even more powerful without it—broad chest marked by faint energy lines glowing beneath his skin.
He scanned the room until his eyes landed on her.
The air tightened.
"Elena," he said softly, his voice low and warm.
"As I thought… you're hungry."
Clara immediately bowed. "Commander! I— I brought her—"
"Good," Aren replied without taking his eyes off Elena. "Leave us."
Clara hurried out, barely containing her grin.
Aren walked toward Elena, each step measured.
Her bond mark pulsed.
His eyes lowered to her lips.
"You look better," he murmured.
Her heart thundered.
"I… feel different," she whispered.
Aren reached her slowly, lifting his hand to her cheek—
But then paused.
"May I?" he asked softly.
The gentleness broke something inside her chest.
Elena nodded.
His palm cupped her cheek, warm and steady.
His thumb stroked lightly, sending shivers down her spine.
His eyes softened.
"It's been a long time since I last touched you," he whispered.
Her lips parted, breath trembling.
Aren dropped his forehead gently to hers.
"Your Core is waking," he murmured. "And I will be here for every moment of it."
She closed her eyes.
And for the first time since arriving in this world—
She wasn't afraid.