Chapter 68: Rather Be A God

[SYSTEM LOG][VITAE ABSORPTION DETECTED]

► Source: Marceline Noctis - Tier: Unknown. Abilities: Unknown

​► Method: Intimate Contact (Kiss, Embrace)

​► Status: Successful - Partial Vitae signature absorbed.

​► Vitae Reserves Increased: +25 points

​[VITAE ABSORPTION DETECTED]

​► Source: Ravena Noctis - Tier: Unknown. Abilities: Unknown

​► Method: Sustained Physical Contact (Hug, Embrace)

​► Status: Fluctuating...

​► Initial Absorption: +15 Vitae points.

​[BOND STABILITY WARNING: Emotional distress from target detected. Vitae link weakening. -10 points]

Zaeryn paused, frowning as he saw that.

"What does this mean?" he murmured, puzzled. Then it clicked, the fluctuations were caused by Ravena’s emotional distress. If his partners became emotionally unstable or hurt before he finished copying their signatures, the vital link between them would weaken, and his power would decline. Only after he completed the mimicry would their emotional state no longer matter.

Right now, Ravena’s turmoil was directly interfering with his ability to absorb her Vitae, weakening their connection and costing him 10 points.

​"Okay, that happened. I’ll need to be careful, and not upset my..." he trailed off, realizing the implications. It wasn’t just about seducing women and adding them to a roster. It was about nurturing those connections, genuinely caring for them. He couldn’t just brush off their feelings or act carelessly.

If he was a careless bastard, not only would he lose allies and potential lovers, but he’d lose power. He was not just a lone wolf; his strength was tied to the emotional well-being of the women around him.

He remembered Astraea explaining something similar—that these women wouldn’t be mere flings, but a permanent part of his life.

He ran a hand through his hair, a humorless smirk twisting his lips. In truth, that was the part that annoyed him most. Did that mean, he was going to have to pass on some girls?

How much simpler would it be if he could just take the powers of his enemies without having to... you know, like them? For example, if he were to try and mimic Zia’s powers, did that mean he would have to like her?

Then, what was the point of having her as an enemy, if he couldn’t just get her vitae signature.

He continued slimming through his stats and frowned, a new question forming. "System, why don’t I have their Vitae signatures yet? On top of that I can’t see their Tiers. Why’s that? I’d say we have a pretty strong bond."

[SYSTEM RESPONSE]

Your pre-existing emotional bonds with Marceline Noctis and Ravena Noctis are strong. However, the Eros Engine was dormant until its recent activation.

’But that doesn’t make sense. How come I had Ysmeines vitae signature even before the soul sync system was activated?’ he questioned.

The system responded.

[Your bond with Ysmeine Noctis is a foundational link, passively established over eighteen years, which is why her strength is already a permanent part of you.

Now that the system is active, it requires a catalyst, a significant moment of new intimate or physical contact—to initiate a synchronization process with each bond. The recent contact with Marceline Noctis and Ravena Noctis has initiated this process, resulting in the absorption of a partial Signature]

Okay.’ Already got it,’Zaeryn thought to himself. A slow smirk spread across his face as he considered everything.

He was a little disappointed he didn’t have Marceline’s and Ravena’s vitae signatures yet, but that was also a powerful motivation to keep going. It was a ridiculous, almost laughably easy way to get stronger, and he loved it.

​He thought back to his first time gaining a Vitae signature through sex with the chief scientist. The steamy moments with Daphne, the way her body had melded with his on the lab desk.

The thrill of it, amplified by the raw Vitae coursing through him, was more intoxicating than any drug. He just might get addicted, if he was not careful. But maybe he wouldn’t mind that.

A few minutes passed and Zaeryn just lay there in bed looking at his stats and thinking of how to get stronger.

The system notifications faded, but the implications still buzzed in Zaeryn’s mind. He was just about to dive back into the stat sheets when a soft knock, little more than a tap of knuckles on his door, pulled him back to reality.

He didn’t even have time to call out before the door hissed open.

Ravena leaned against the frame, her green eyes carrying that stormy edge she thought she hid so well. She had swapped her traveling leathers for a tank top and shorts, casual clothes that did nothing to soften the sharp lines of her athletic figure.

"Plotting global domination already?" she asked, her tone balancing sarcasm with a softness she couldn’t quite smother.

Zaeryn smirked. "Why would I want to dominate the world?"

She tilted her head, lips curving. "Why wouldn’t you? You’ve got the kind of potential most people would burn kingdoms for. No rules. No one will be able to stop you."

Tempted?" Ravena asked.

"By what?" Zaeryn’s eyes traced her form. She looked undeniably alluring in her casual clothes, but he knew that wasn’t what she meant.

Ravena smirked. "The possibility of power."

"Bad news, Ravena. I like peace. Or at least, not being the guy everyone wants to overthrow," Zaeryn replied. World domination wasn’t exactly on his to-do list.

Plus... he couldn’t even begin to imagine how disappointed Ysmeine would be if he went down that path.

Her smile widened, "Boring. I thought you wanted to be a king."

"Nah. If I were to be anything, I’d rather be a god," Zaeryn quipped, his gaze lingering on her. "You know, the kind with a peaceful throne and a loyal, beautiful queen."

Ravena’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she tilted her head, "Bad news, my lord. I’m far too disloyal for peace. But if you change your mind, I’d make an excellent queen. And you," she teased, "would really enjoy bending me to your will. Wouldn’t you?"

Zaeryn just chuckled.

She didn’t wait for a response, instead stepping fully into the room and moving into the room.

She perched on the edge of his gaming chair, spinning it slowly to face him. Her gaze swept over his room, then landed on him, sharp and assessing. "Now," she began, her tone carefully neutral. "Your girlfriend. Sage."

Zaeryn braced himself. "What about her?"

"She’s... logical," Ravena said, the word rolling off her tongue like it didn’t belong there. "And confident. Too confident." Her gaze flicked over him, then lingered. "She seems to think the two of us can just... share you. No problem."

’So, that’s what Sage told her.’ Zaeryn thought. But he doubted that alone was enough to calm Ravena down.

"She’s also smarter than both of us combined, so I’d trust her math," he quipped.

Ravena’s smile didn’t waver, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "She thinks I can just... slot into this little ’arrangement’ like I’m applying for a position." She leaned forward slightly, her scent—sweet, floral, and sharp—drifting into the space between them. "Are you really going to let that happen, Zaeryn? I don’t mind sharing; I’ve been used to it. But are you going to let Sage be number one, while I settle for second? She doesn’t even know us. Does our promise even mean anything to you?"

"We were kids, Ravena," he said, keeping his tone reasonable. But the fact that she was bringing this up again made it clear—though she had forgiven him, she was still far from over it.

"Were we?" She stood and crossed the few feet between them, her movements fluid and deliberate. She sat on the bed, much closer than he’d expected, their knees brushing. "I remember a promise. I remember you holding my hand and saying you’d wait."

"I think you were the one who said I’d wait," he corrected gently, his heart thumping a little faster. "I was probably too busy trying to figure out how to climb that ridiculously tall tree by the lake."

She laughed, a genuine, warm sound that made the tension ease. "You never did make it to the top of that tree." Her hand found his, her fingers lacing through his with familiar ease. "I missed you, Zaeryn. Three years is a long time."

"I missed you too," he admitted, his voice softer than he intended.

Her gaze dropped to his lips. "Good."

She leaned in, and this time she kissed him. The kiss was slow, questioning at first, then deepening with years of unspoken feelings. It was different from Marceline’s bold claim; this was a rediscovery, a mix of old comfort and new fire.

When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled like she had just discovered a new feeling.

"Okay," she whispered, a little breathless. "Maybe Sage has a point. But I’m not sharing you because she said I could. I’m going to share because I want to, and I know you need it to get stronger," Her grip on his hand tightened, a silent, possessive claim. "Just so we’re clear."

Before Zaeryn could answer her, a notification, unseen by her, flickered in his vision.

[SYSTEM LOG]

[BOND STRENGTHENING: Ravena Noctis]

► Catalyst: Intimate Contact & Emotional Reaffirmation

► Status: Synchronization advancing... Full signature mapping at 45%

► Vitae Reserves Increased: +50 points

[CURRENT VITAE: 3100/3100]

Zaeryn just smiled, squeezing her hand back. "Crystal clear." He responded.

Ravena’s playful mood lingered, a soft smile on her lips as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Her hand, still entwined with his, tightened gently. "Good," she murmured. "I don’t like losing. And with Sage around... I’d have to up my game."

Her comment brought a fresh wave of amusement to Zaeryn’s face.

He could already picture the delightful chaos of these two brilliant, confident women competing for his attention. It wasn’t just a fantasy anymore; it was a core part of his survival. He couldn’t afford a breakup, a bitter argument, or a wounded heart. His power was literally tied to their emotional well-being.

"I don’t think you have to worry about losing," he said, his voice soft, almost a whisper against her hair. "You’re both in a league of your own." He reached over and captured her lips again.

He cherished the quiet moment, the feeling of her soft lips on his. It was moments like these that made the cosmic nonsense of his new life worthwhile. He could feel the influx of power from their renewed connection, a quiet hum that settled deep in his core.

But reality had no patience for quiet. At that exact moment, the door hissed open—and Ysmeine stepped in.

"Zaeryn!" Her voice rang out, then faltered as she took in the sight of him and Ravena on the bed with a look of casualness. This was hardly a surprise in this family.

When Zaeryn and Ravena noticed her, they paused turning to her.

"Is something wrong, Ysmeine?" Zaeryn asked.

Ysmeine met his gaze. "Your professor just called, honey. She says you’re in trouble."