Chapter 207 — The Island's Two Pillars
S.C. 1512 — Afternoon
Hidden Island — Community Square
The children were still playing under the shade of the newly built awnings as Ren crossed the settlement. His gaze drifted over the people—tired faces, hopeful eyes, hands that never stopped working.
Two stood out in the crowd:
Garin Thorne — the quiet, steady-handed carpenter who handled every repair, every beam, every broken structure without complaint.
And Lira Dovemere — who had somehow become the heart of the island. She cooked, healed, soothed crying children, taught basics to young ones, and kept harmony among the refugees.
Ren stopped.
These weren't fighters. These weren't soldiers.
They were anchors.
"Garin. Lira," he called.
Both looked up.
Garin wiped his hands on his work cloth.
Lira smiled softly at the children before walking over.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"I need both of you in the Hive Lab," Ren replied. "Privately."
They exchanged a quiet look.
And followed him without hesitation.
---
Inside Hive Lab – Sector B
The polished workspace glowed under warm crystal lamps. Medical cloths were spread out. Cooling chambers hummed.
Zemo sat by the door, watching with calm alertness.
Ren turned to them.
"I want the two of you to become this island's permanent guardians. The people trust you. I trust you. And the island needs pillars who will always be present when I'm away."
Garin absorbed the words silently. Lira's eyes softened at the responsibility.
Ren opened the cooling chamber.
Inside lay two vials:
Bull Variant — crimson-red
Tauron Variant — pale blue
He faced Garin first.
"The Bull Variant enhances strength, bone density, muscle durability, and stamina. It stabilizes the body and builds long-term growth. Your temperament… fits it."
Garin nodded with quiet acceptance. "I'll take it."
Then Ren turned to Lira.
"The Tauron Variant improves vitality, recovery, and emotional regulation. It enhances nurturing instincts and protective aura. It suits you."
Lira inhaled deeply. "For the children… yes. I'll do it."
Ren nodded.
"Then sit."
---
1. Injection — Calm Before the Change
Garin sat on the reinforced bench. Ren swabbed his shoulder and injected the serum.
Garin's body stiffened—
—but he didn't flinch.
A heavy pulse passed through him. Heat surged along his spine.
Not pain. Not panic.
Just awakening.
Ren checked his vitals.
"Stable. Very stable."
Then Lira sat.
Ren injected the pale-blue serum into her arm.
Her breath hitched.
Her skin warmed.
A soft glow spread down her neck.
Her expression relaxed completely.
"…I feel light," she whispered.
Ren nodded.
"You're compatible."
---
2. Transformation — Slow, Controlled, and Monumental
Garin First
Garin exhaled… and his shoulders expanded.
Muscles compressed and thickened.
His forearms bulged.
His ribcage widened.
His spine lengthened with a deep internal crack.
Ren stepped back, monitoring every shift.
Leo muttered, "He's… growing."
Garin's height quickly surpassed normal human limits:
3 meters…
4 meters…
5 meters…
Finally stabilizing around 6.4 meters, a tower of calm, immovable strength.
His aura remained completely controlled.
Garin looked at his hands—now larger than Ren's torso.
"…I don't feel heavy. I feel… grounded," he said quietly.
Ren nodded.
"You were born for this."
Then Lira
Her transformation was different.
Gentle.
Warm.
Radiant.
Her hair lengthened in waves.
Her skin glowed like soft sunlight.
Her breathing deepened—stable, peaceful.
Then her body began to grow.
Her curves—already generous—expanded naturally, effortlessly.
Her chest grew into an overwhelming maternal fullness, heavy and impossibly soft-looking.
Her hips broadened, giving her a fertile, nurturing silhouette.
Her height rose gradually:
3 meters…
4 meters…
5.2 meters…
5.8 meters…
She stabilized at 5.9 meters, towering yet elegant.
A warm wave of calm radiated from her.
Not seduction born from intention—
—but from instinct.
From her very nature.
Warmth.
Comfort.
Safety.
A motherly charm so strong it made even Zemo whine softly and curl beside her foot.
Lira touched her chest gently, flushing.
"I… didn't expect this," she whispered.
Ren shook his head.
"I didn't design anything like this. The serum only unlocked what was already inside you."
Lira's eyes softened.
"…Then I'm glad I accepted it."
---
3. Returning to the Village
The moment they stepped outside—
Children ran toward Lira, then stopped mid-run, staring up in awe.
"A-Aunt Lira… you're huge!"
One brave little girl touched Lira's warm ankle.
Lira knelt—carefully—and her enormous arms embraced the children with surprising gentleness.
Garin walked past a group of builders, each staring up at him with dropped jaws.
He simply said,
"Let me handle the heavy lifting from now on."
And everyone agreed instantly.
Ren watched from a distance.
Kiro crossed his arms.
"You picked the right two."
Ren exhaled slowly.
"They'll never leave the island. They'll never betray it. And they'll be here when I can't be."
Mira added quietly:
"They're perfect."
Ren nodded.
Two pillars.
One gentle giant of strength.
One nurturing titan of warmth.
The island had found its guardians.
---
End of Chapter 207