For three full days, Elias and Ivy remained inside Riven's underground hideout. The place was secure, full of high-tech security, stocked with strange weapons and newer gear they'd never seen before. It had everything they needed: food, water, not like they even needed, training rooms, and even working showers. It was like a secret base from one of those futuristic war movies.
They did nothing exciting. Most of the time, they slept, ate, or worked out. Elias spent hours lifting heavy weights and punching reinforced training dummies that didn't break no matter how hard he hit them. Ivy often trained with him, focusing on her speed and aim. They were both restless, especially Elias.
He needed action. He needed to increase his stats and get stronger.
But Riven wouldn't allow it.
"You're not leaving this base," she said again that morning, arms crossed while sipping black coffee. "The cops are still searching. If they catch you, it's over."
"I could wear a wig," Elias muttered.
"No."
"A hoodie?"
"Still no."
She dropped the cup on the counter and pointed at him. "And don't act dumb. I know something's up. The number of infected in the city has gone up since you got here. Coincidence? I don't think so."
Elias narrowed his eyes. He didn't like being blamed, but she had a point. His presence seemed to be attracting more zombies. The system had even notified him that stronger cores had been appearing nearby, yet he wasn't allowed to harvest them.
He had to evolve to Tier 5 soon, or the next time he faced a Tier 4 or worse, he might not survive.
"I need to fight," he growled one night, pacing in the hallway.
"You need to not die," Riven shot back. "And I need to not be caught hiding two strangers in my home. So stop whining."
He growled again and walked off.
.
.
That night, while Elias was doing pushups in the dim training room, he smelled it.
Blood.
His nose twitched.
It was faint, but it was close.
He stood up immediately and followed the scent down the hallway. His steps were silent, his muscles tight. The smell led him to a locked door.
Riven's room.
Without hesitation, he twisted the handle. Locked. He didn't care.
With a swift kick, the lock broke open. The door flew inward.
Inside, Riven was standing in front of her mirror, wearing only a black bra and a short pair of dark shorts. Her long white-blonde hair was messy, her back was slightly scratched, and her right thigh was bleeding. She was trying to clean a wound using one of her energy daggers, which glowed faint blue.
She turned around sharply, eyes wide. A dagger flew straight at his face.
He caught it.
"Damn it!" she cursed, reaching for her gun.
Elias smirked. "Nice aim. But you're bleeding, sweetheart."
"Get. Out."
He walked in instead, flipping the dagger in his hand like it was a toy.
"You shouldn't treat deep wounds alone," he said. "Might get infected. Or leave a scar. Wouldn't want to ruin all that nice skin, would you?"
Riven grabbed her gun. "One more step and I shoot."
He took another step.
"Bang," he whispered with a grin.
Her hands trembled. Not with fear. With something else.
She had never been seen like this before. She lived alone. She was always in control. Always strong. No one had ever walked into her space like this. Seen her body like this. The heat in her cheeks wasn't from anger.
System Notification:
[Target: Riven Solara | Lust Level: 21% | Loyalty Level: 8%]
Elias saw the stats in his mind and chuckled softly. "Wow... Twenty-one per cent? That was so totally unexpected,"
Riven narrowed her eyes, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her. Her breathing was faster now.
"You're insane," she muttered.
"Maybe," Elias said, stepping closer. "But I'm also helpful. Sit down and let me clean that up."
"I already did."
"With a glowing knife? That's your medical tool of choice?"
She didn't answer.
He knelt in front of her, examining the wound on her thigh. It was deep but clean. She must have fought something big out there. Her body was covered in sweat and small scratches.
She turned her face away from him, trying to hide the red that spread across her face. His fingers were already pulling out a cloth and a small bottle from the med kit he had picked up on his way in.
"You don't have to do this," she whispered.
"I want to," he replied.
Their eyes met.
For the first time since they met, Riven didn't look like a fighter or any city protector. She looked like a woman. A tired, wounded and guarded woman.
Elias felt something shift.
It was definitely not pity.
Desire? Probably. That should be it.
Or maybe, it could be something deeper. But he wasn't ready to admit that yet.
System Notification:
[Target: Riven Solara | Lust Level: 28% | Loyalty Level: 10%]
He smirked.
"Your stats are going up fast," he teased.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused.
He shook his head. "Nothing. Just a stupid joke."
She didn't push. Instead, she stayed still and let him touch her. Her muscles tensed under his fingers as he cleaned the blood, wiped the dirt, and gently wrapped the wound with a bandage.
"I don't trust people," she said after a long pause.
"Good," Elias replied. "Because I'm not people."
That made her laugh. A quiet, breathy laugh.
It was the first time he heard her laugh. It was nice.
Too nice and... feminine.
He stood up, his body towering over her. Her head tilted back to meet his eyes. The tension between them was thick now.
System Notification:
[Target: Riven Solara | Lust Level: 33% | Loyalty Level: 11%]
Elias leaned closer. His face inches from hers.
"You gonna throw another dagger?" he whispered.
She stared at his lips. "Maybe."
The moment was perfect. Perfect for Elias to increase her loyalty level.
Just then, a loud clang echoed from the hallway. Both of them froze.
Someone was moving around the hideout.
Elias immediately turned toward the door, pulling a blade from his back. Riven grabbed her gun and moved behind him.
"You expecting anyone?" he asked.
"No," she said, voice suddenly cold.
System Notification:
Warning: Unknown presence detected. Proximity: Close. Status: Alert.
The broken door creaked slowly as dark energy seeped into the room.
Elias and Riven raised their weapons, ready to fight whatever stranger was going to enter the room.
Then--
Blackout.
All the lights in the hideout went out. The room was swallowed by darkness.
And from somewhere deep inside the shadows, a low growl echoed.
[END OF CHAPTER TWENTY THREE]