The dawn after the forest ambush was quiet, almost unnaturally so. Dew glittered on every leaf, and birdsong threaded softly through the trees. Yet despite the peaceful scenery, Sohag felt something unusual tugging at his senses—something ancient… and awake.
The others were still asleep around the camp, except for Lyra, who insisted on resting with her head on Sohag's lap. She wasn't fully awake, but every time he tried to move, her arms tightened around him like a viper guarding treasure.
She truly was a yandere to the core.
Sohag exhaled quietly and decided not to move.
He closed his eyes—
And the world changed.
---
A booming heartbeat thundered through the air.
A cosmic void opened beneath Sohag's consciousness, pulling him into a star-filled realm, infinite and pulsing with power. Planets drifted like tiny motes of dust. Constellations twisted like serpents. Light and shadow danced as if alive.
And then…
A hand—larger than a mountain—rested gently on Sohag's head.
"My successor… you grow quickly."
Sohag looked up. He was face-to-face with Haleonar, the Primordial Origin, the first will that breathed existence into the universe.
He took the form of a colossal figure of shimmering light, his outline shifting with galaxies and nebulae.
Sohag bowed instinctively.
"Y-You summoned me… suddenly."
His voice cracked. Even as the chosen successor, Sohag couldn't help but be shy in front of such overwhelming presence.
Haleonar chuckled, a sound like suns erupting.
"You're polite even here. Good."
"Your power is awakening faster than expected."
Sohag blinked. "Because I've been… lazy?"
"Precisely."
Sohag's face darkened with embarrassment.
Haleonar continued:
"The less effort you exert, the more the primordial inheritance expands to compensate. But from now on, your powers will begin to attract… attention."
"Attention?" Sohag repeated.
"Yes. From beings who do not wish my successor to ascend."
The cosmic lights dimmed ominously.
"Gods, demons, ancient spirits, and forgotten kings. They will sense you."
"Some will serve you."
"Others will hunt you."
Sohag swallowed.
"Is that why you called me here?"
"Partly."
A sphere of white fire condensed between Haleonar's fingers.
"This is your first true inheritance fragment."
The orb drifted into Sohag's chest—
—and the universe roared.
A surge of power shot through him, enough to crack space itself. Sohag gasped as visions of primordial eras flashed behind his eyelids—worlds forming, collapsing, reborn again; civilizations rising and falling; stars drawn like arrows from Haleonar's fingertips.
When it ended, Sohag felt… different.
Stronger. Vastly stronger.
And strangely… calmer.
Haleonar spoke again:
"I chose you not only for your potential. I chose you because you love."
Sohag froze.
"The way you treat your companions… equally, sincerely, without deceit."
"Even a yandere girl found peace under your affection."
Sohag's cheeks turned red.
"T-That's not… I just…"
"You care," Haleonar interrupted gently.
"And that is why they will follow you forever."
Sohag lowered his gaze, flustered beyond measure.
Then Haleonar's voice deepened:
"But a trial is coming. Prepare yourself—and your twelve destined hearts."
The cosmic realm trembled.
"Your harem is not just romance. It is fate."
Before Sohag could ask more, reality shattered—
And his consciousness returned to the forest.
---
"—Sohag!"
A familiar voice called his name.
He blinked and found Lyra hugging him tightly, eyes wide with panic.
"You fainted! Are you okay? Did someone attack you?! Tell me who! I'll kill them—"
"I'm… fine." Sohag said quietly.
The other girls rushed over—Seraphina with her glowing saintess robes, Ellarin with her elven grace, Anvi with her shy priestess charm, Maya the warrior princess, Rynia the cold mage, and Sylfira the dragon-blooded lady.
All anxious.
All worried.
All deeply in love.
Sohag stood up slowly.
There was something different about him now—
A radiance behind his eyes, a weight in his presence, a subtle aura that made every girl's heart race.
Seraphina whispered:
"I feel… divinity around you."
Sohag nodded.
"I met Haleonar."
The entire camp froze.
Lyra's voice trembled:
"Y-You met the Primordial God himself…?"
"Yes." Sohag answered simply.
No extra words. No exaggeration. Just truth.
Maya took a step closer, eyes shining.
"Did he say anything… about your destiny?"
Sohag hesitated.
Then he looked at all twelve girls.
At their hopeful faces.
At their love.
At their unwavering loyalty.
And for the first time in a long time,
Sohag smiled softly.
"He said… all of you are part of my fate."
Lyra blushed violently.
Seraphina covered her mouth, tears forming.
The elf Ellarin whispered, "So we really are meant for him…"
And the girls closed in around Sohag—
Hugging him, clinging to him, showering him with warmth, affection, and relief.
Sohag turned redder than a burning star.
"I-It's embarrassing…"
The girls only held him tighter.
---
Far above the forest, unseen—
A crack appeared in the sky.
Something… someone… was watching.
And smiling.
The trial had begun.
---