Chapter 68: A Warm Awakening- End of the Volume 1: Awakening

When Summer opened her eyes, the cold, freezing air of the Seattle River bed was gone.

She was lying on a soft, clean cot inside a spacious, warm military tent. Sunlight filtered softly through the thick canvas overhead, casting a gentle golden glow over the room.

The sharp smell of antiseptic, clean cotton, and faint lavender filled her nose, replacing the suffocating stench of blood and scorched stone.

Summer blinked slowly, her crimson eyes adjusting to the light.

Sitting right beside the cot, holding her small hand tightly in both of her own, was Salma. The terrifying combat armor was gone, replaced by a simple, comfortable dark tunic.

Her long hair was tied back, and though dark circles shadowed her eyes from exhaustion, her face was softer than Summer had ever seen it.

The moment Summer stirred, Salma’s eyes snapped open.

"Summer!" Salma gasped softly, her voice trembling as she immediately leaned forward, gently cupping Summer’s cheek. "You’re awake... Thank God, you’re awake."

Summer didn’t pull away. The familiar, soothing warmth radiated from Salma’s hand, flowing gently into her skin. Inside her mind, the constant battle instincts that had kept her on edge for days remained completely quiet.

"Where... are we?" Summer asked, her voice small and slightly raspy.

"We are in the medical command tent of the Northern Settlement," Salma explained softly, her thumb gently stroking Summer’s cheek. "You fell asleep at the river bed. You were so tired, baby."

Summer looked at her silently for a long moment. The memories of her violent fights, her bloodline transformation, and her time in the underground cavern flashed through her mind.

Then she remembered the overwhelming warmth she had felt when this woman hugged her.

"Who are you?" Summer asked quietly, though deep down, her soul already knew the answer.

Salma’s eyes welled with fresh tears, but a warm, brilliant smile spread across her face. "I am your mother, Summer. I am your mom."

Summer tilted her head, processing the words. Mother.

That word felt so alien to her. But there was a warmth when she heard that word.

No wonder she had felt such a strong, undeniable connection when she first saw her. No wonder her shadow bloodline resonated so deeply with Salma’s presence.

A strange, warm feeling bloomed inside Summer’s chest, making her dark core feel lighter than before.

But then, Summer’s brows furrowed into a tiny, serious frown.

"Why didn’t you say that before?" Summer asked, her tone slightly accusing as she crossed her small arms over her chest. "When we met in the city, you didn’t tell me."

Salma let out a soft, regretful sigh, her expression turning gentle and solemn. "Because back then, there were bad people watching us, baby. Powerful, dangerous people who want to hurt you because of who you are. If I had claimed you as my daughter out in the open, they would have targeted you immediately. Mom had to hide it to keep you safe."

Summer listened carefully to her explanation. She remembered the arrogant humans, the Seven Palaces, and the hunters who had tried to corner her in the subterranean sectors.

Instead of showing fear, Summer raised her chin proudly.

"Don’t worry," Summer said in a surprisingly grand and serious voice, her small chest puffing out beneath her tunic. "I will protect you now. I am very strong."

Salma froze for a microsecond, looking at the tiny girl who appeared to be eight or nine sitting on the cot, speaking so earnestly about protecting her.

The sight was simply too cute and funny to handle.

Salma couldn’t hold back a warm laugh. She leaned forward and gently pinched both of Summer’s soft, chubby cheeks, wiggling them slightly back and forth.

"Oh, baby... you are so cute!" Salma giggled happily, her heart melting into complete mush. "You look just like a little duck when you puff your cheeks out like that!"

"Hey! I am not a duck!" Summer protested, her words slightly muffled as her cheeks were being squished, though her crimson eyes sparkled with pure, quiet happiness. "I am the Heir of -"

[Don’t ever do that...] the system stopped her from completing the sentence. Summer instantly sealed her mouth shut.

’Why?’

[Just don’t.]

"Yes, yes, my strong little duckling," Salma teased lovingly, finally letting go of her cheeks and kissing Summer’s forehead softly.

Just as Summer was about to defend her grand title further, the heavy flap of the tent was suddenly pushed open.

"Commander Salma! Is the young lass awake—"

Derrick stepped into the tent first, carrying a stack of medical reports, but he stopped dead in his tracks the moment he saw Summer sitting up.

Right behind him, four familiar figures pushed their way into the room, their faces pale with anxiety until their eyes landed on the small girl on the cot.

It was Professor, Ilas, Ella, and Angela.

"Summer!" Ella squealed first, completely ignoring military protocol as she rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.

Professor let out a long, heavy breath of utter relief, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his round glasses. Ilas leaned against the wooden support pillar of the tent, a wide, exhausted grin breaking across her bruised face.

Angela stood right behind them, her jaw practically dropping to the floor as she stared at Summer’s new form.

"She really turned into a kid!" Angela gasped in utter shock, pointing a finger at Summer. "How is that even possible?! She was taller than me three days ago!"

"Language, Angela," Professor scolded softly, though his own eyes were shining with overwhelming emotion as he looked at Summer. "It doesn’t matter what form she takes. What matters is that she returned to us alive."

Ella dropped to her knees right beside the cot, carefully reaching out to grab Summer’s tiny hand. "We were so worried about you! When all the portals exploded, we thought... we thought we lost you forever!"

Ilas walked over, crossing her arms with a chuckle. "Yeah, little boss. You really gave us a heart attack. The military had already marked your portal as a total loss."

Summer looked at the four human friends who had fought alongside her in the city. Seeing their genuine concern and bright smiles warmed her heart even further.

After all, not all humans were bad...

"I am fine," Summer said smoothly, giving them a small, reassuring nod. "I killed the bad monsters and cleared the dungeon."

"We heard," Derrick chimed in with an amazed shake of his head, walking closer to Salma’s side. "The energy reading from that core room was massive. Whatever was down there, you completely erased it."

"She is my daughter, of course she did," Salma said proudly, wrapping her arm gently around Summer’s shoulders and pulling her close.

Professor, Ilas, Ella, and Angela all blinked in utter surprise, glancing between Salma and Summer. They had suspected a connection before, but hearing the Rogue leader state it so openly confirmed everything.

"Wait..." Angela’s eyes widened even further as the realization hit her. "So... our little zombie boss is actually Commander Salma’s daughter?!"

"She is not just a zombie," Ella corrected firmly, looking up at Angela with a pout before turning back to Summer with a bright smile. "She is Summer!"

Summer nodded in deep agreement with Ella’s words. She looked around the warm tent, seeing her mother holding her tight and her friends standing around her cot, safe and alive.

"Yes," Summer said softly, a small, genuine smile finally gracing her pale face. "I am Summer."