The sound of water was the first thing she heard.
Soft ripples brushed against her skin, the faint warmth grounding her back to reality. The vision of the past — the desert, the soldiers, the towering valley walls — faded like mist until only the quiet hum of the room remained.
Elena blinked slowly. Steam curled around her, the light of the fireplace flickering against marble and glass. She was sitting in the bathtub where she had first lost herself to memory.
For a moment she sat still, her hand resting over the faint glow on her wrist — the bond mark that pulsed in slow rhythm.
She took a shaky breath. "That… was real."
> [Affirmative.]
Flashback complete. Memory sequence: Origin confirmed.]
The familiar voice of the system hummed softly in her mind, calm as always.
Elena leaned back against the edge of the tub. "System… explain. How come my body's here? What really happened to me?"
The air shimmered faintly, and soft blue letters formed above the water.
> [Your body and soul were separated at death in the previous era.]
[Initially, only your consciousness — your soul — was transferred to this realm through Core frequency resonance.]
[After synchronization with Commander Aren Voss, your physical body was reconstructed here through dimensional fusion.]
Elena's brows furrowed. "So… my body came after my death?"
> [Affirmative.]
[The Core used your life signature from the moment of death to restore your physical form. You are now fully integrated — body and soul both present in this world.]
She sank deeper into the water, the warmth soaking into her skin as she whispered, "So this isn't a dream anymore."
> [No. This is your present reality.]
For a while, she listened to the quiet splash of water, trying to let it sink in. The memories — the ceremony, the vow, the energy connection — all of it felt like an echo still vibrating through her veins.
"System," she said after a pause, "this world is… different. Everything looks advanced. I saw that ring communication earlier. What's happening here?"
The blue letters flickered again, rearranging into words:
> [Technology and biology have evolved together in this era.]
[Communication no longer requires devices like phones. Personal rings or core bands connect directly to thought frequency. Individuals can activate a visible projection screen anywhere.]
[Each person has a personal network — a live link to every citizen within the valley's system.]
"So everyone can just… appear as a projection?" she asked.
> [Yes. Public transmissions and private communications use the same system. Physical presence is no longer required.]
Elena sighed softly. "That explains the holograms I saw."
She lifted her wrist, noticing how faint light shimmered from the mark when she focused. "And marriage?" she asked quietly. "It's different here too, isn't it?"
> [Affirmative.]
[Marriage in this era is based on Core Resonance — the synchronization of two energy signatures. Once resonance occurs, the bond is permanent and unbreakable. Only one partner exists per lifetime.]
[The union grants emotional synchronization and shared vitality between partners.]
Elena's gaze softened. Her fingers traced the faint symbol on her skin. "So… Aren and I are permanently connected."
> [Confirmed.]
[The Commander's energy stabilizes yours, and yours balances his.]
She swallowed hard, unsure if she was terrified or moved. Maybe both.
"What about me?" she asked finally. "What's my purpose here? Why am I here?"
There was a faint pulse of light before the system answered.
> [Your core element has awakened.]
"Core element?"
> [This world's people channel elemental currents within their bodies.]
[Five dominant energy types exist: Electric, Fire, Frost, Lightning, and Water.]
[You, however, are different. You carry the Sixth — the Healer Core.]
Elena blinked, stunned. "Healer?"
> [Affirmative. You possess regenerative energy. By touch alone, you can repair tissue, cure toxins, and stabilize weakened cores.]
[However, you are at Level 0 — your power is dormant. You must learn control before it can grow.]
Her heart raced. "So… I can heal?"
> [You can, in time. But healing has limits.]
[You cannot heal monsters — corrupted beings reject the Healer frequency. Your power functions only within living, pure-core organisms.]
She rested her hand against the water's surface, watching faint ripples of light shimmer under her skin. "That explains the warmth."
> [Correct.]
A quiet smile touched her lips for the first time since she had arrived. "A doctor in my world… and a healer in this one. That's not so different, I guess."
> [Purpose synchronized.]
[You are assigned to the Valley as Primary Healer — the only one of your kind.]
Elena nodded slowly. The water's reflection danced across her face, and for a moment, she felt a strange peace.
"System," she said softly, "what about him — my husband? What's his power?"
The answer came instantly, calm and matter-of-fact.
> [Commander Aren Voss is classified as Apex Rank.]
[He holds triple elemental resonance — Electric, Lightning, and Fire.]
[He is the only known person in this era with three simultaneous elemental cores.]
Her eyes widened. "Three? That's… impossible, isn't it?"
> [In theory. Yet he exists. The Core selected him as the Valley's protector.]
Elena leaned back, trying to imagine the kind of strength that took. The image of him standing in the pavilion — eyes glowing, energy swirling — rose in her mind. She understood now why everyone looked at him like he was a legend.
And somehow, she was tied to that legend — the only one whose energy matched his.
The thought made her cheeks warm.
She sighed and rose from the water, feeling steadier than before. The system dimmed its display, returning to silence.
Elena dressed in the soft garments laid out for her — white fabric that shimmered faintly in the light. As she fastened the thin metallic bracelet that served as her identification band, the blue mark on her wrist pulsed once, responding.
"Alright," she whispered. "I guess it's time to learn how to live in tomorrow's world."
Outside, the morning bells of the Valley rang — a sound like wind and thunder mixed with music.
Somewhere far beyond the horizon, her husband was already walking into battle.
And deep inside, for the first time since her death, Elena Carter felt alive again.