Chapter 45: Finally Awake

Chapter 45

Meanwhile, the anomaly they ranked as a greater threat than the Guardians themselves lay fast asleep.

Far, far away.

Back to the Kingdom of Ardentia.

Somewhere within its vast lands, a couple drifted slowly across the water in a small boat made from hastily fashioned wood and thick bark. On the woman’s back was a baby, sleeping soundly despite the exhaustion etched deep into both parents’ eyes.

They had been traveling for weeks.

And yet, they had not seen another kingdom. Not a city. Not even a sign of one.

They believed they were lost.

They had no map. They had never left the Rugriay Kingdom before the incident. That alone was enough to doom their sense of direction.

Still, they held on to hope.

Hope that they would find a way soon.

Hope that was all they had left.

Callack slowed the fragile boat and turned to look at his wife. She looked more worried than tired now, her gaze locked onto the child resting in her arms.

“Callack,” she asked softly, her voice trembling. “Do you think he will wake up soon?”

Callack did not answer right away.

He searched for words. Any words that could make her feel better.

But saying everything is fine would no longer work.

Rayden had been sleeping ever since that dreadful night. The night they had nearly died. Weeks had passed. And not once had the child stirred.

Not even a little.

Even Callack, the stronger of the two, felt it now. The creeping terror. The helpless fear of being on the verge of losing a child.

He did not want to lose his son.

And deep inside, he was breaking.

This was not normal.

What kind of sleep lasted more than three weeks?

Something was wrong.

Serene looked up just then and saw the guilt in her husband’s eyes. Her world shattered in that instant.

That was it.

Her child was in danger.

Was he going to die?

No.

That thought alone was too much to bear.

She had likely lost her entire family in the fall of Rugriay. She could not lose her only child too.

She closed her eyes, trying to stop herself from crying.

She failed.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

Callack could not hold it anymore. He dropped beside her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close.

“Everything will be fine,” he said, forcing the words out. “I am sure he will wake up soon.”

But the tears gathering in his own eyes betrayed him.

Far away from their fear, Rayden felt something stir.

A deep heaviness pressed against him as consciousness slowly returned. His mind was foggy. Everything hurt, like he had been slammed by something massive.

Like a trailer.

What is a trailer?

The thought was strange. Wrong. Maybe some terrifying primordial beast.

Yes. That sounded right.

The drowsiness did not last long.

Something wet splashed against his face.

Then more.

And more.

Rain?

He opened his mouth instinctively.

And instantly regretted it.

He tasted salt.

That was the first thing Vastro realized.

Salty water filled his mouth, sharp and unpleasant.

No. This is not salt water.

His eyes snapped open.

Two humans were crying right in front of him.

Why are they sad?

That question barely finished forming before a more urgent one followed.

Why are they crushing me to death?

Their arms were wrapped around each other far too tightly, and he was caught right between them. Reckless humans. Absolute idiots. They were going to suffocate him.

He tried to roar in fury.

What came out was a string of weak, broken babbles.

The sound cut through the crying.

The couple froze.

Slowly, both turned their swollen, red eyes toward the noise.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Then their eyes widened.

For a moment, they thought they were imagining it.

Rayden was looking at them.

Awake.

Alert.

Smiling.

Vastro, meanwhile, was staring at them with pure disdain. Unfortunately, in the body of a baby, disdain apparently looked adorable.

“He’s awake,” Selene whispered, as if afraid the words would break reality.

“Yes,” Callack said, voice shaking. “He’s awake.”

They cried again.

And hugged him even tighter.

Vastro’s body stiffened.

Didn’t I just mentally scold you idiots?

This was exactly what he told them not to do.

He gasped, finally getting a sliver of air as their grip loosened. The torture ended quickly, thankfully. Their tears turned into laughter, their faces lit up with joy as they stared at him with that look again.

That look.

Do these two have nothing better to do than stare at me?

Cringey.

He turned his head away, hoping they would finally focus on something useful. Like surviving. Or getting off this endless stretch of water they were clearly trapped on.

“Is he angry at us?” Selene asked, startled by his unusual behavior.

Callack thought for a moment.

“Well,” he said slowly, “that is reasonable.”

He turned to his wife with sudden confidence.

“He must be angry because you haven’t fed him in a long time.”

Selene stared at him.

“I feed him regularly,” she said, confused. “Even with how little food we have.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Callack replied quickly. “He was asleep before. Now he’s awake. You should feed him now.”

Selene paused.

Then nodded, finally understanding.

She carefully lifted Vastro, supporting him as she settled him properly in her arms. The motion was gentle, practiced, instinctive.

Vastro’s expression changed instantly.

No.

No no no.

They are not expecting me to drink that.

Blood from several titans would be preferable to this.

Milk is disgusting. Do not bring it closer.

He tried to shout his refusal.

What came out were baby sounds.

Selene smiled softly. “I’m sorry for not realizing sooner. Drink until you’re full.”

Vastro screamed internally.

Get that away from my face.

Before he could finish his mental rant, something touched his lips. Warm liquid filled his mouth.

His body reacted before his mind could.

The rejection vanished.

Every instinct screaming resistance collapsed in an instant.

His thoughts stalled.

Actually…

This is not terrible.

He froze, horrified by his own realization.

What is happening to me?

To be continued.

Author’s Note:

Alright, warriors of the story, this is where I need you to step up. Every vote, every review, every little bit of support isn’t just a number, it fuels the chaos, the battles, the explosions, and every insane twist you love.

Here’s the deal: 200 power stones unlock an extra Chapter. Yes, you read that right—an extra Chapter packed with carnage, revelations, and jaw-dropping moments just for you. 100 collections? That’s another extra Chapter. And those reviews? Every 10 reviews give you one extra Chapter. Every comment, every thumbs-up… it all matters.

So if you want the next Chapter to come faster, with more action, more tension, more of that raw, unfiltered intensity you crave, this is your moment. Don’t just sit there… vote, review, collect, and make your mark. Your energy becomes mine, and together, we push the story further than anyone could imagine.

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