Chapter 80: Leaving

Morning came quietly.

Zarek opened his eyes and found Elsa sleeping beside him, her head resting against his chest. One arm was draped over his stomach, and her hair had fallen across his shoulder.

He stayed still for a moment.

The previous night had left them both exhausted. Even now, Elsa seemed unwilling to let go of him, her fingers loosely curled against his skin.

He brushed a few strands of hair away from her face before carefully moving her arm aside. She stirred but didn’t wake.

After getting dressed, he left the bedroom.

Ayesha was already awake, sitting near the window with her rifle resting across her lap.

He walked toward the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

There was something he had been considering for a while. With the immediate problems inside the building dealt with, staying here indefinitely would accomplish very little.

He had already secured a place for himself, gathered useful people, and obtained several resources. The old man’s story had also given him a better understanding of some of the changes happening around them.

There was still plenty he didn’t know, but he wasn’t particularly interested in spending the next few weeks sitting around and waiting for answers to come to him.

More importantly, he had an unused bond slot.

Three had been available from the beginning. Elsa and Ayesha occupied two of them, leaving one.

He had considered Mara before. She was capable, practical, and had proven that she could manage a group of survivors even when everything around her was falling apart.

But that wasn’t enough. He wanted someone with considerably greater potential. Someone whose growth could bring him better returns.

Mara could remain useful without becoming his third bonded woman. The decision was simple.

Zarek finished his water and returned to the bedroom. Elsa had woken up by then and was sitting on the edge of the bed, fixing her messy hair.

"You’re up," she said.

"Couldn’t sleep forever."

She gave him a faint smile before reaching for her clothes.

Zarek opened the System Space, and a crystal appeared in his hand. Its surface caught the light as he held it between his fingers.

Elsa’s eyes widened slightly. Even though she had seen him retrieve things that way before, the sight still caught her attention, especially when the item was something as valuable as a crystal.

"Another one?"

"There’s no reason to keep it stored away."

He placed it in her palm.

She examined the crystal, turning it slightly. "You’re giving me this?"

"Unless you know someone more deserving."

Elsa looked at him, then closed her fingers around it. "I’ll put it to good use."

"That’s what I expect."

He watched her slip the crystal into a safe place. She already understood what it could do, so there was no need to repeat the explanation.

"If it improves your strength, keep training. Don’t waste the opportunity."

"I won’t."

Zarek gave her a satisfied look before leaving the bedroom with her following behind.

Ayesha was still near the window. Her attention shifted toward Elsa’s hand when she noticed the crystal, but she didn’t comment. Elsa simply tucked it away and joined them.

They had spent enough time together for the two women to understand that Zarek’s decisions weren’t always accompanied by explanations.

He picked up a bag he had prepared earlier and placed it near the entrance.

"Where are you going?" Elsa asked.

"Outside."

"For how long?"

"Not sure yet."

Her expression changed slightly. Ayesha also turned toward him.

Zarek leaned against the nearby table. "I’m leaving the building. There’s no reason for me to stay here when there are better opportunities elsewhere."

Elsa looked at him for a moment. "You’re going alone?"

"That’s the plan."

Ayesha lowered her rifle. "What about us?"

"You two stay here. Keep training and make sure the survivors don’t become a problem."

"I’ll leave some supplies behind for you two," Zarek said. "Use them as you see fit."

Elsa looked at him. "What about everyone else?"

"They’re not my responsibility." Zarek shrugged. "Mara can manage them. If they want to eat, they’ll have to find food outside."

Elsa gave a small nod. Ayesha remained quiet, but she understood.

Before departing, there was one more person he needed to see.

Mara was in the common area, speaking with a few survivors when Zarek approached. She noticed him and excused herself before walking over.

"You’re leaving?" she asked.

"I’m heading outside. Don’t know when I’ll be back."

Mara glanced toward the entrance. "You’re going alone?"

"Wouldn’t be much of a trip if I needed someone to hold my hand."

She gave him a brief look but didn’t argue.

"What about the people here?" she asked.

"That’s your responsibility now. Keep them under control. If they want to eat, they’ll have to find food outside."

Mara looked toward the survivors behind her. "Some of them might not be able to handle that."

"Then they’ll have to learn." Zarek showed no concern. "I’m not staying here to feed them."

He opened his System Space, and a crystal appeared in his hand.

Mara’s eyes settled on it. Surprise crossed her face as she recognized what he was holding.

"What’s that?"

"A crystal. Eat it, and you’ll become stronger."

He placed it in front of her.

Mara stared at it for a moment before looking up. "You’re giving this to me?"

"Don’t misunderstand." Zarek’s lips curved slightly. "You’re my property. Don’t forget that."

Her expression stiffened, but she picked up the crystal.

"I expect you to become more capable," he continued. "I didn’t give you this so you could keep relying on others. If you’re going to manage this place, you need enough strength to handle trouble yourself."

Mara closed her fingers around it. "I understand."

"Good. Keep things running while I’m gone. And make sure the survivors don’t cause trouble for Elsa and Ayesha."

"I’ll handle it."

Zarek gave her one last glance before turning away.

Mara remained in the common area, holding the crystal. She looked down at it for a moment before returning her attention to the survivors.

Zarek had already moved on.