---
The sanctum that had once trembled with cursed roots and choking void now lay still—quiet, and strangely serene. Light filtered through the broken canopy above, dancing on the stone floor like it hadn't in centuries. The corrupted energy had been purged completely.
The group stood amid the remnants of their final battle, breathing deeply in the blessed silence.
"Well," Lumi said, flopping down onto a mossy rock with a dramatic huff, "I vote we never fight a forest again. Ever."
"Agreed," Elira said, sinking beside her. "Unless it's a forest made of pillows and cake."
"That actually sounds terrifying," Seiris deadpanned, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Yuki sat near the center, gazing at the spot where Thal'Rion had faded. He wasn't exactly sad—but there was something heavy about watching a creature so lost finally find peace. Maybe it reminded him of his own journey. How close he'd come to losing himself.
Aeiris approached quietly and sat beside him, her fingers threading through a lock of her white-blonde hair. "He wasn't evil. Just… consumed. Like I nearly was."
Her voice shook slightly. Sylvaeria moved beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You came back. That matters more."
Aeiris looked up at Yuki, her silver eyes soft. "You didn't give up on me. You didn't have to."
"I wasn't about to let the forest keep another soul prisoner," Yuki said, managing a small smile. "Besides… you're family now."
A soft blush bloomed on Aeiris's cheeks, and Sylvaeria's hand on her shoulder tightened briefly. She glanced at the others—and caught Elira raising an eyebrow. Lumi smirked knowingly.
"Uh-oh," Lumi whispered loudly. "We've got another one falling for Dragon Dad."
"I'm not a dad," Yuki groaned.
"But you *do* breathe fire and keep collecting daughters—*and* we all love you. Sounds suspiciously dad-core to me," Lumi teased, wagging a finger.
Seiris—quiet for most of the day—finally spoke up, voice calm but direct. "If he's a father figure, I might have to rethink some… feelings I've been having."
Lumi *choked*. "Wait—*you too?!*"
Yuki blinked. "Wait, wait—what feelings?!"
"I-I didn't say anything!" Elira snapped, face red as her hat brim shadowed her burning cheeks.
Sylvaeria glanced aside, her usually composed expression cracking. "Don't look at me like that…"
Aeiris lowered her head, cheeks now pink, whispering, "Yuki is… warm."
Lumi looked around at the increasingly flustered girls and threw up her hands. "This harem is getting *dangerously* powerful."
Yuki, stunned into silence, rubbed his temples. "I just saved the world. Why does it feel like I'm the one being hunted now…?"
---
### **Later that Night – Sanctuary Ruins Camp**
They'd made camp just outside the ruins, beneath the open night sky. Stars glistened like flecks of frost, and for the first time in days, there was peace.
The girls gathered around a fire. Elira brewed tea with mana-infused leaves, while Lumi roasted something that might once have been a rabbit—but now looked more like charred regret.
"I call this 'Mystery Meat Meltdown'," Lumi declared proudly. "Guaranteed to be edible. Mostly."
Seiris accepted a skewer with only the faintest hesitation. "You… haven't tried to poison us before."
"Exactly! So you can trust me this once."
Aeiris sat beside Yuki again, her legs tucked under her, looking up at the stars. "Do you think the forest is watching us now?"
"Maybe," Yuki said. "But I think it's smiling this time."
Sylvaeria rested her head on his shoulder, tired but content. "You've grown, Yuki. We all have."
Elira added softly, "We're stronger. Together."
The fire crackled as warmth flowed through the group. Each girl was quiet for a while, content in the silence. Until Lumi ruined it.
"So," she said, eyes gleaming, "since we're all basically married now—who's sleeping next to Yuki tonight?"
Chaos erupted.
---
### **System Notification**
> \[Kindred Bond Progression: Max Level Achieved with All Companions.]
> \[Unlocking Special Passive: *"Heart of the Harem Lord"*]
> \[Effect: Dramatically increases affinity and trust gain from bonded companions. Strengthens group-based combo skills.]
---