The Incubus System Chapter 1033. Fragile Angel II

The Incubus System Chapter 1033. Fragile Angel II

“Ethan…” she whispered, her voice hoarse and barely audible. She hadn’t spoken in centuries. The fact she still had her voice was good enough. Her lips trembled as she spoke, and I could see the raw emotion in her eyes, the overwhelming relief and disbelief that she was finally free.

“Yes,” I said, my voice low and gentle. “It’s me.”

Puriel blinked, her eyes welling with tears. She raised a trembling hand to touch my face, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "We… finally meet… in the real world," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. Her tears began to fall, slowly at first, then more steadily, dripping onto my shoulder as she leaned against me. There was something heartbreaking about seeing her like this—so vulnerable, so real.

I didn’t expect it. A part of me had grown used to her playful, almost childish demeanor, the way she always teased and scolded me. She had seemed untouchable in a way like nothing could truly reach her. But now, here she was, crying in my arms, and it hit me just how long she’d been trapped—how much she’d suffered in silence.

“Yes,” I repeated softly, brushing a stray strand of her hair out of her face. "I told you I would set you free, remember? I won’t break my promises."

Puriel looked up at me, her eyes still brimming with tears. Her lips trembled as she struggled to find the words. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

For a moment, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I could feel her body trembling against mine. The centuries of isolation and the hopelessness—it was all crashing down now that she was finally free.

I returned her embrace, holding her close. Despite everything, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief. But I knew we couldn’t linger here forever. She needed more than just my support—she needed food, rest, and time to regain her strength.

“We have to go now,” I whispered softly into her ear. “You need to eat and rest.”

I wasn’t sure if rest would help, considering she had spent all those years trapped in that crystal, unmoving and locked away from the world. Still, her body needed something—some form of recovery after being stuck in that prison for so long. She nodded weakly, though I could tell she wasn’t quite ready to move yet. I glanced at her frail frame and instinctively wanted to carry her out of there. It seemed like the obvious choice.

"I will carry you," I offered gently, already preparing to scoop her up.

But Puriel shook her head, her pride still intact even after all these years. “I can walk on my own,” she said quietly, though her voice lacked its usual strength.

I hesitated, not wanting to push her, so I carefully lowered her down until her feet touched the floor. As soon as my grip loosened, she wobbled. Her legs, weak and unsteady, gave out beneath her, and she immediately collapsed.

Her eyes widened in shock, a brief flash of embarrassment crossing her face as she blinked at the floor. I could tell she hadn’t expected to be so weak. She was a high angel, after all—used to strength, speed, and grace. This frailty was foreign to her.

I took her up by the arm. “Easy,” I said, my voice calm and reassuring. “Even though you might feel like your power is still the same, your physical body is different now. You’ve been trapped in that crystal without moving a muscle for centuries. Let me help you.”

Puriel stared at me, her eyes wide and full of frustration at her own weakness. She was trying so hard to maintain her composure, but it was clear that she wasn’t ready to stand on her own just yet. For a moment, I thought she might argue again, but then she sighed softly, nodding in reluctant acceptance.

“Okay…” she muttered, glancing away. “I didn’t realize I’d be this… weak.”

I smiled, though I kept it gentle. "You’ll get your strength back. It’ll just take some time."

Carefully, I wrapped my arm around her waist, cradling her close as I prepared to lead us out. Puriel's breathing was still shallow, her body trembled slightly against mine. I was about to take the first step when I felt her hand tighten around my arm.

“Wait,” she whispered.

I stopped immediately, turning my head to look down at her. Puriel was staring at the remnants of the shattered crystal. Without another word, she lifted her free hand toward the broken shards.

Her fingers twitched slightly. The air hummed with her power as the scattered pieces of crystal began to levitate, rising slowly from the floor. They shimmered before they started to reassemble themselves, piece by piece until the once-massive crystal was whole again—but this time, much smaller.

Once the crystal was complete, she let out a soft breath, her hand falling to her side. She leaned a little heavier against me, clearly drained by the effort. "That crystal still holds a huge amount of angelic power," she explained quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "They can use it for a while."

I glanced back at the crystal. It was a sign of goodwill—proof that Puriel held no grudge against the Serpent Kingdom, even though they had siphoned her power for centuries.

With a nod, I brought her toward Zalira and Mia. As we approached, I dispelled the barrier with a flick of my wrist, and it shattered into nothingness.

"I will take her home," I said, my voice steady.

Zalira stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You won’t break your promise, will you?" Her tone was calm, but there was an edge of caution in her words. She wasn’t accusing me, but it was a fair question.

I met her gaze evenly. "I won’t," I said firmly. "On the contrary, if there’s anything you need because of this—if any nation tries to take advantage of you, or if any conflict arises because of this situation, tell me. I’ll make sure no harm comes to your people."

For a moment, Zalira said nothing. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice softer now. "We’ll hold you to that."

I gave her a small nod in return. It wasn’t something I took lightly, and I could tell that Zalira wasn’t one to give her trust easily. This agreement wasn’t just about power—it was about ensuring that her people, and Puriel, were protected.

Puriel, still leaning heavily against me, smiled faintly, though her eyes were filled with exhaustion. "Let’s go," she whispered, her voice almost inaudible now.

With a final glance at Zalira and Mia, I used my Portal skills.

[A portal has opened.]

Without another word, I stepped into the portal.