Chapter 128:Awake
Ank suddenly woke up.
His eyes opened slowly.
His body felt different.
Heavy but stable.
His body had already adapted to his unsealed power.
Not fully.
But enough to make him awake from his coma state.
He could feel it.
Her new strength.
Her new weakness.
Both at the same time.
But the first thing he saw…
Was something completely unexpected.
He was surrounded.
By four girls.
Four girls…
Sleeping around him.
One on his left.
One on his right.
One holding his leg.
And one…
Sleeping while holding his other leg tightly.
"What…?"
Ank said in his mind.
His brain froze for a moment.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Trying to understand what he was seeing.
How…
Did he end up like this?
He clearly remembered.
Falling and how his body crashed on the ground.
How he lost all his strength.
And now…
He was lying on a bed.
Surrounded by girls.
Sleeping peacefully.
Like this was normal.
Ank slowly tried to move.
Just a little.
But then.
He stopped.
His eyes shifted.
Toward the left.
Maya.
Sleeping peacefully.
Her expression calm.
No anger.
No irritation.
Just peace.
Her hand lightly held his arm.
As if she was afraid he would disappear.
He still remembers how Maya forced him to agree to her request.
When she saved her from the stone plant prince attack.
Then.
He looked at the other side.
Freya.
Her face was close to his shoulder.
Her breathing is soft and gentle.
Her grip was slightly tighter.
As if she would not let go.
No matter what he does.
Ank froze.
He did not move.
He did not dare to move.
Then.
He looked down.
Celestia.
Holding his leg like a child.
Her expression relaxed.
A faint smile on her lips.
Even in sleep.
And the last seraphina.
She was slightly away.
But still close enough.
As if she had forced herself to keep distance but could not go far.
Ank closed his eyes.
Slowly.
He did not want to disturb them.
Not now.
Not like this.
He wanted to check the system.
He really wanted to know his condition.
To understand what had happened.
But he stopped himself.
He knew the moment he opened it.
Trouble would follow.
So he ignored it for now.
He stayed still.
Completely still.
Not moving even slightly.
It was awkward.
Very awkward.
His body was trapped.
His hands.
His legs.
Everything.
But he could not do anything.
He did not want to wake them.
Not like this.
He tried to sleep again.
Closed his eyes.
Tried to relax.
But he failed.
His mind was active.
Too active.
Questions.
Thoughts.
Memories.
Everything rushed in.
But slowly his breathing calmed.
His thoughts slowed.
And in the end he slept again.
Morning came.
Soft light entered the room.
Golden, warm and peaceful.
The first light of the sun fell on Freya's face.
Her eyelashes trembled.
Her eyes slowly opened.
She blinked.
Once.
Then realized she was still holding Ank.
Her face turned slightly red.
But she did not move.
She did not leave.
Her grip tightened slightly.
Maya woke up next.
Her eyes opened sharply.
She immediately looked around.
Then at Ank.
Still there.
Still safe.
A small relief passed through her eyes.
Then she noticed Freya.
Still holding him.
Maya narrowed her eyes.
She did not move.
She was waiting.
Waiting for Freya to leave first.
Seraphina opened her eyes.
Slowly and calmly.
Her gaze moved first to Ank.
Then to the others.
She could feel it.
The tension even without words.
Even without movement.
The rivalry.
Silent but strong.
And inside she also did not want to leave.
But she stayed still.
Holding herself back.
At last Celestia woke up.
She stretched slightly.
Then looked around.
And smiled.
Seeing everyone like this.
Then she stood up.
Slowly and carefully.
She stepped away from the bed.
And looked at Maya and Freya.
Her eyes slightly narrowed.
"Now you can leave Ank."
She said casually.
But no one replied.
Maya stayed still.
Freya stayed still.
Neither moved.
Celestia raised an eyebrow.
Then she smiled.
A mischievous smile.
Without hesitation.
She moved forward.
And suddenly she hugged Ank tightly.
"Ank…"
Her voice trembled.
"You finally woke up…"
Tears formed in her eyes.
Slowly and Falling.
Warm and Real.
Ank did not react.
He was already awake.
But he did not move.
Maya froze.
Freya froze.
For a moment they just stared.
Then both of them moved.
At the same time.
They quickly sat up and hugged Ank.
From both sides tightly.
Their hands trembled.
Their breathing is uneven.
Tears filled their eyes.
And slowly.
They started crying.
Ank's mind went blank.
He did not know what to do.
What to say.
He had no experience in this.
None.
He stayed still.
Awkward.
Confused.
Trapped.
Seraphina stood up slowly.
She stepped away from the bed.
She did not want to disturb them.
But the truth was she was holding herself back.
Forcing herself.
Not to move forward.
Not to hug him like the others.
Her fists clenched slightly.
But she remained silent.
Ank finally spoke.
"Alright… girls…"
His voice was weak and soft.
"Can you leave me now?"
Silence with No response.
They were still crying.
Still holding him.
As if letting go would make him disappear.
Celestia tightened her grip slightly.
Her voice broke.
"I won't leave you."
Tears continued to fall.
Her hands trembled.
Maya shook her head slightly.
Her voice is low.
"I thought…"
"You would not wake up…"
Her words broke halfway.
Freya did not speak.
She just held him tighter.
Her tears fell silently.
Her heart
was racing.
Ank closed his eyes again.
Not from sleep.
But from helplessness.
For the first time the First Emperor of the Universe…
He did not know what to do.
And somewhere deep inside a strange feeling appeared.
Warm and familiar.
A faded memory of a woman that had only the right to hold him like them.
He fought many wars but this war was not for power.
This was not a war for destruction.
This war is of the heart.
And Ank was standing at its center.