Chapter 45: Not Another Chain

"Calm down, Elise," I said, using a low and calm tone. "There is an explanation. I promise. But please, calm down."

Still tugging at the collar, she shouted, "Why did this appear around my neck? Why can’t I take it off?"

Damara wrapped an arm around her trembling shoulders, gently prying Elise’s fingers away from the obsidian band. With Elise physically grounded, I launched into a heavily abridged explanation of my life over the past few weeks.

Skipping the minor details, I laid out the raw facts about the celestial interface living inside my phone. Breaking down the unique party mechanics, the bizarre quests, and the rigid rules governing my specific class took a few minutes.

I made sure to emphasize that the collar was not a restraint or a punishment. It was simply a physical manifestation of our new system-based bond, triggered the moment she accepted my protection back at the clinic.

Damara nodded along the entire time, offering silent confirmation of my impossible story. The magic tied our party together, offering unique protections and shared benefits, proving she was finally safe.

"So I can just stay here now?" she asked suspiciously, one eyebrow raising as our eyes met. "You understand how crazy all of this sounds, right?"

"Here, let me show you. But first, how is your stomach? Still hungry?"

She nodded. I opened the Celestial Market app and ordered her a cheeseburger. The wrapped item dropped out of literally nowhere into my hand, still steaming. Unwrapping it, I handed it to Elise.

"Eat this and tell me I’m making it all up," I said triumphantly, flashing her a playful smirk. "Nobody can turn down a cheeseburger."

She took the burger with both hands, making them look small. She stared down at the melted cheese as if expecting some sort of trick.

The smell of hot beef eventually broke through her hesitation, and she took a small bite.

Her jaw stopped moving for a split second. Her eyes went wide before she leaned forward and took a much larger bite, letting out a soft hum of approval.

I watched the rigid tension finally drain out of her shoulders. The hollow stare she carried since we pulled her from the cavern slowly faded away. A genuine spark of light returned to her eyes as the warm meal grounded her in the present moment.

For the first time since we met, she did not look like a prisoner bracing for pain. She just looked like a normal girl enjoying dinner.

"Good, huh?" I asked, turning to the others afterward. The looks on their faces said it all. Quickly, I ordered four more burgers, giving one to everyone. "Sorry," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "I should have known to order one for everyone."

Like a light switch being turned on, Elise began to notice the trinkets and such I had gotten off the market. Her mouth fell open when she spotted the TV. She jumped behind the couch when I turned it on, peeking only a tiny bit after.

"Rather than explain, I think we should show you," I mentioned, looking toward Damara. "Movie Night Part Two?"

"Sounds great. Later though..." Damara trailed off, nodding in Elise’s direction. "I think Elise would probably benefit most from a hot bath right about now."

"Duh," I shot back, facepalming. "Sarah, do you have the hot springs ready?"

Zipping up to meet my gaze, she replied, "It’s the same as it ever is. Hurry up here," she called, flying up the stairs and into her room.

"Hot springs?" Elise said, tilting her head. "It’s dark, though..."

"You may have to learn to not question things too much. Takes the fun out of it," I used my thumb to point to the stairs. "Uhh. I guess follow us."

"She’ll need some swimming clothes, Sam," Katrina mentioned, placing her foot on the top step.

"Something must be wrong with me tonight," I said, pulling my phone out. A minute later, a small parcel appeared. "Shoot! I hope you like the color."

Elise grabbed the package from me. "This box is for me?" she asked, lifting it up slightly.

"Technically, what’s in the box is yours," I corrected her. "Open it."

Elise pulled the folded tab on the edge of the parcel. The cardboard fell open to reveal a simple navy blue one-piece swimsuit resting inside.

She ran her pale fingers over the smooth spandex material, her eyes tracing the clean stitching along the neckline.

After wearing torn and bloody rags, locked away in some torture cell, holding brand-new clothes seemed to leave her completely speechless. She just stood on the bottom step and held the soft fabric close to her chest.

"It is perfect," Damara said, stepping up beside her. She placed a guiding hand on Elise’s shoulder and nudged her toward the hallway. "Come on. Let us get you out of those awful things."

Katrina fell into step right behind them, her tail swishing with excitement for the hot springs. Before Elise could even process what was happening, the two girls pulled her into Damara’s bedroom and shut the heavy wooden door tight.

They returned shortly after, all wearing their swimsuits. My face warmed at the sight. Elise was smiling and talking naturally. She truly fit in already.

"Come on. Sarah’s waiting for us."

Opening the door to the hot springs, a wave of warm, humid air hit us. Stepping through the doorway, the familiar scent of minerals and cedar filled my lungs. The massive stone pool steamed invitingly under the artificial twilight of the room.

Water splashed loudly near the center. A full-sized Sarah breached the surface, her wet hair sticking to her shoulders.

"Finally!" Sarah cheered, waving her arms. "I thought you guys forgot about me. It feels like forever since we actually hung out in here."

Elise froze on the tiled edge. Her eyes darted from the tall fairy back to my shoulder where Micro-Sarah usually sat.

"It is just a perk of the room," I explained, nudging Elise forward gently. "Go on in."

Damara and Katrina did not wait. They slipped right into the steaming water with contented sighs. Elise slowly lowered herself onto the top stone step, letting the warm water swallow her legs. She wrapped her arms around her knees and stared down into the calm surface.

The rippling water mirrored her tired face. Her pale fingers drifted up to her neck, slowly tracing the smooth obsidian band of her new collar as she stared blankly at her own reflection.