As I stepped into the hall after hours of intense Elantra, the world around me seemed to have shifted. It was already afternoon, and the soft light of the sun filtered through the windows, casting long, warm shadows across the room. My body felt different—more powerful, more defined. I took a moment to admire the changes I had undergone, glancing down at myself.
The intricate bioluminescent tattoos that adorned my arms and hands had now expanded, covering my entire torso in glowing patterns. They pulsed softly, radiating a quiet strength that filled the room. I had reached the Archon rank, a level of mastery that placed me two ranks above the rest of my family. I was now truly a giant among the Lumera race, standing tall at an imposing 9'2. My muscles were lean but incredibly well-defined, with not an ounce of fat on my body. Every inch of me exuded strength, power, and an undeniable presence.
My hair had grown longer, cascading down my back in flowing waves, and my aura—intense and captivating—seemed to fill the entire space. I could feel my senses extending far beyond the confines of the hall, spreading out to encompass the entire village and beyond. If I wished, I could perceive every detail, from the flutter of a leaf in the wind to the distant hum of voices.
As I reveled in the changes, I heard soft footsteps approaching. Turning, I saw Aunt Ayla entering the hall. The moment she laid eyes on me, she froze in place, her eyes widening in shock and awe. She looked at me as though seeing me for the first time, her gaze traveling up my towering frame and lingering on my tattoos, my well-built physique, and the undeniable power that radiated from me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Ayla's breath seemed to catch in her throat as she took in the sight before her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she managed to find her voice, though it was a little shaky.
"Wow, Rosé," she breathed, her eyes still glued to me. "You've… grown taller. And more attractive… since just a week ago."
I laughed softly at her words, the sound deep and rich as it echoed through the hall. I leaned against the wall casually, flashing her a teasing smile. "I didn't know you were keeping such a close eye on me, Aunt Ayla. But I'm glad you like what you see."
Ayla blushed slightly, her cheeks turning a soft pink, but she didn't shy away. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes flickering between my face and the now much broader expanse of my chest. "It's hard not to notice, Rosé. You've always had an aura about you, but this… this is something else."
I smirked, reaching out to gently brush a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Careful now, Auntie, I might start thinking you're interested in more than just my growth."
Her breath hitched slightly at the gesture, her blush deepening, but she smiled back at me, playful and bold. "Oh, I'm definitely interested… in seeing just how far you've come."
We exchanged a few more flirtatious remarks, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. Ayla's eyes never left mine, and I could tell she was struggling to keep her composure around me. Her aura was radiating a mixture of curiosity, excitement, and something else—something more primal.
Eventually, she cleared her throat, trying to shift the conversation. "Where's your mother? I was supposed to talk to her about something." Her voice was steady, though her gaze still lingered on my body.
"They're in the room," I replied with a smirk. "You'll find them there. Though… maybe you should brace yourself before you go in."
Ayla shot me a confused look but shrugged it off and walked past me, her presence lingering for a moment before she disappeared down the hall. I watched her go, the sway of her hips catching my attention before I leaned back and crossed my arms, waiting for her to return.
It didn't take long. When Ayla reappeared, her face was flushed, and her breathing was quick, as if she'd just run a great distance. She avoided my gaze at first, her expression one of embarrassment mixed with something else—something more heated.
I raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across my lips. "Everything alright in there?"
Ayla blinked a few times, trying to compose herself, but her cheeks remained bright red. "I-I didn't expect… them to be so… uh, occupied," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
I chuckled softly, stepping closer to her. "I did try to warn you," I teased, leaning down slightly to meet her gaze. "You didn't take my advice, though."
She bit her lip, clearly flustered, but there was a spark of playfulness in her eyes. "You could've been a little more specific," she muttered, still avoiding my gaze but not stepping away from me. "That was… something."
I took a step even closer, our bodies almost touching now, and tilted her chin up gently so that she had no choice but to look at me. "If I'd been more specific, you wouldn't have gone in, and I would've missed out on seeing you like this." My voice was low, almost a purr.
Ayla's breath hitched again, her eyes locking onto mine. There was a moment of silence, thick with anticipation, before she finally managed to speak. "You're impossible, Rosé."
I leaned in closer, my lips just inches from hers, my voice a soft murmur. "Only with you, Auntie."
The heat between us was palpable, and for a moment, it felt as though the world around us had disappeared. Ayla's lips parted slightly, and I could see the internal struggle in her eyes—the conflict between propriety and desire. But before she could make a decision, I pulled back slightly, offering her a teasing grin.
"Don't worry," I whispered, brushing a thumb across her cheek. "We'll save that for later."
Ayla exhaled slowly, her body relaxing slightly, though the tension between us didn't fade. She gave me a playful shove, though the tension was clear.
I watched Ayla try to regain her composure after our teasing exchange. Her breathing had steadied, but the flush on her cheeks remained, and her eyes still sparkled with that playful glint. I couldn't resist pushing her buttons just a little more, leaning in close enough that my presence was unmistakable, but not touching her. The tension hung between us like a fine thread, and I could feel her wavering between amusement and something deeper.
"You know," I said with a smirk, my voice low and teasing, "for someone who's always so composed, you're finding it pretty hard to hide how much you're enjoying this."
She shot me a sideways glance, clearly flustered but unwilling to back down. "And you're finding it hard to resist making every conversation a game," she shot back, though her voice had softened, almost playful.
I chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "Is it a game if we both enjoy it?"
Ayla crossed her arms, trying to feign exasperation, though the smile on her lips betrayed her. "You're impossible, Rosé. You're lucky you're family. Anyone else would've been thrown out by now."
I moved even closer, my height looming over her, though I kept my touch light as I trailed a finger gently down her arm. "Lucky for me, huh?" I murmured, letting the flirtation hang in the air. "Maybe you should stop pretending like I don't drive you crazy."
Ayla met my eyes, her breath catching just a little at my touch, but she stood her ground. "Careful," she whispered, her voice suddenly more serious, though still laced with amusement. "You might start believing your own charm."
I gave her a crooked grin, leaning back slightly but still maintaining the closeness between us. "Oh, I don't need to believe it. It's written all over your face."
For a moment, we just stood there, locked in a silent exchange of glances and smiles, the weight of the unspoken between us creating a charged atmosphere. Then, Ayla let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"You've grown in more ways than one," she said with a wink, turning to walk toward the door. As she passed, she shot me one last, lingering look. "But don't let it go to your head, Rosé. There's always someone watching."
With that, she disappeared down the hall, leaving me standing there with a satisfied grin on my face. I couldn't help but chuckle, watching her retreat. "Don't worry, Aunt Ayla," I called after her, loud enough for her to hear but not to startle anyone else. "I'm just getting started."