Beginning Of Multiverse Saga

Chapter 227: Jean - The Mysterious Girl

She looked young—no more than twenty. But the way she carried herself... it was as though a storm lived beneath her skin.

"That’s her," someone whispered behind Sharky. "The one born of flame. The reason the Sekharii fear."

Sharky’s gaze met hers.

For a moment, the fire in the hut dimmed, as though all heat and light had gathered around her.

Rosie’s breath caught. Sophia leaned forward slightly.

And Sharky... he narrowed his eyes, sensing something. A strange familiarity, from her energy, but I wasn’t able to guess what it.

The girl stepped closer.

She didn’t smile, but simply looked at them, her eyes calm, curious, yet watchful.

"You’re not from here," she said softly, her voice smooth and low.

Sharky nodded slowly. "No. We’re not.."

The girl tilted her head, studying him for a heartbeat longer... then turned toward the elder.

She looked at the elder standing nearby. "You let strangers into the Flame Beasts Tribe?"

"They’re not Sekharii," he answered.

She turned back to Sharky, eyes glowing.

"I know," she said. "The fire told me."

"I am Jean Vaelaria," she introduced herself.

She tilted her head slightly. "You came far... strangers. Why?"

Sharky took a step forward. Rosie and Sophia stood by his side.

"I’m Sharky Valor," he said, simply. "And these are my wives, Rosie and Sophia Alexander."

Rosie gave a polite nod. Sophia crossed her arms, watching silently.

"I came because I wanted to see this land—Savroth," Sharky continued. "The rest of the world believes no humans live here. Only beasts. Even the Etherbon Council believed it."

Jean raised an eyebrow. "And now you know that’s not true."

"Yes," Sharky said, smiling slightly. "Now I know better."

One of the younger warriors near the door frowned. "How did you even reach this place? Even the Bloodthirsty Lion Tribe guards the outer rim like death itself. And the Scarlett Mind Scorpion Nest eats memories before bones."

Sharky nodded. "I walked past the Bloodthirsty Lions. They circled me, but didn’t attack. Just watched."

Rosie spoke up next. "And we met the Scarlet Mind Scorpions too. They tried to mess with our heads..."

"...But Sharky burned their illusion away," Sophia finished, her tone cool and proud.

Murmurs broke out across the hut.

A warrior whispered, "No one crosses both... and lives."

An older woman clutched a necklace carved from bone. "They must have been guided by flame spirits."

Jean’s eyes never left Sharky. "You passed through death and shadow... and came in peace."

She stepped closer. The heat around her grew stronger, but still gentle.

She tilted her head, golden eyes glowing slightly brighter.

"Then maybe you’re worth talking to."

She turned to the elder.

"Prepare the inner chamber. They may rest and eat. And at dawn... I’ll take them to the Sacred Fire Circle myself."

The elder bowed slightly. "As you say, Flameborn."

Jean looked back at Sharky one last time.

"I want to see what brought you here," she said softly. "And I want to know why the flame reacts to you... as if it already knows your name."

---

That night, after the dance and fire celebration, Sharky, Rosie, and Sophia were invited to the inner chamber of the Flame Beasts Tribe.

The chamber was warm and full of glowing light from small flame stones hanging on the walls. The floor was covered in red and brown cloth made from beast hide, and there was a low table in the middle.

Servants brought plates made of flat stone, filled with roasted meat, spicy roots, steamed fruits, and fireleaf broth. The smell was strong and delicious.

Sharky sat at the center with Rosie and Sophia beside him. Jean sat across from them, her golden eyes still glowing slightly.

She took a sip from her wooden cup, then looked at Sharky seriously.

"How did you control the fire earlier?" she asked. "That’s not something I’ve seen before."

Sharky wiped his hand with a leaf napkin and looked at her.

"I’m an Etherbon," he said calmly. "I awakened fire abilities... SS Rank."

Jean’s eyes widened just a little. Even the older warriors nearby looked at each other with surprise.

"That explains it," the elder Ghorzan nodded. "Makazi Bheka told us stories about Etherbon ranks. He mentioned the top fighters from other lands. You must be one of them."

Sharky only gave a small smile. He didn’t say more. He had no plan to reveal the full truth of his power.

Jean nodded slowly. "Still... I’ve never seen anyone absorb the trail fire so easily. It usually resists. You didn’t even flinch."

She looked at Sharky again. Her voice was softer now.

"I was born from flame... but I’ve never met someone like you."

Sharky glanced at her. "Maybe we’re not so different."

For a moment, their eyes held each other’s.

They continued eating. The tribe’s people shared stories of past hunts, beast bonding, and how Makazi Bheka once trained among them. They even showed a wall painting of Makazi standing beside a giant fire lion.

Later, the fire in the chamber grew softer. The sounds of the jungle outside were quiet now, just the soft humming of insects and distant roars.

Jean stood and walked toward the doorway, then looked back.

"Sharky," she said, "after this... will you still explore more of Savroth?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Then... maybe tomorrow, I can guide you part of the way. There’s a cliff not far that shows half the jungle. It’s where I go when I need to think."

"I’d like that," Sharky said.

Jean smiled before walking out.

Rosie leaned toward Sharky with a teasing grin. "Well, she likes you."

Sophia nodded. "Yes. She does."

Sharky took a deep breath and stared at the flickering flame in front of him.

"Maybe."

---

The next morning, inside the Flame Beasts Tribe, the villagers were already moving about—tending to beasts, preparing breakfast, and cleaning ash from the ground.

The scent of roasted roots and sweet herbs floated through the air.

Sharky stepped out of the hut, his long coat fluttering behind him. Rosie and Sophia were still inside, talking to the elder woman about fire medicine and beast-bonding traditions.

He looked around.

Jean was waiting near the village gate, standing beside a fire deer—its body thin and graceful, with flames dancing along its antlers.

Her hair was tied back today, and she wore a simple red wrap with gold stitching along the edges. Her glowing eyes looked brighter under the morning sun.

"You’re ready?" she asked.

Sharky nodded. "Let’s go."

Jean climbed onto the fire deer’s back with ease. The flames along its body calmed as she touched it. She looked back at Sharky.

He stepped forward and climbed up behind her, settling in close. His arms wrapped gently around her waist, steadying himself as the fire deer began to move. Jean didn’t say anything—but her posture tensed slightly at first, then relaxed as they rode into the jungle together.

At the same time she also feels heat from his body, and due to only wearing a robe, she can feel his whole body through her back.

She also feels something poking on the downside, and has become a little shy.

They go through thick trees, following a narrow path made of scorched roots and blackened leaves.

Jean spoke first. "Not many outsiders come here. You’re the first in a long time who’s been welcomed into the tribe."

"Really?" Sharky smiled.

Jean nodded her head.

They kept going. The path rose upward, turning into rocky steps. They passed a group of fire monkeys swinging through trees, and a group of ember owls sleeping upside down with smoke drifting from their feathers.

Soon, they reached a wide cliff covered in moss and black stone. From there, the jungle stretched out far and wide. Rivers twisted through the trees. Beasts flew through the air or stomped across the lands below.

Jean sat down at the edge, legs crossed.

"I used to come here as a child," she said quietly. "When I was scared of my own flames."

Sharky sat beside her. "What are you scared of now?"

She was silent for a moment.

"Sometimes I feel like there’s something inside me... something too big. Something burning that doesn’t stop."

Sharky looked at her, his arms still around her waist.

Jean continued, not turning back to him.

"It’s not just fire. Everyone thinks I was born with a flame, but... it’s more than that. Sometimes I hear voices. Thoughts that aren’t mine. I can feel things—people’s pain, their fear, even what they’re hiding. And sometimes... the world bends when I feel too much. Rocks float. Trees shake. The sky goes quiet."

She took a shaky breath.

"It’s like... my mind grabs onto everything around me. And if I’m not careful, I crush it without meaning to. Fire is just one part of it. I can move things, lift them, break them—without touching. And when I sleep... sometimes, I see stars exploding."

Sharky stayed silent, listening.

"I don’t use it," she whispered. "Not unless I have to. Because if I lose control... I’m scared I won’t stop. I’ll burn down the whole village. The people I grew up with. The ones I love."

Her voice broke slightly, just above a whisper.

Sharky gently reached forward and took her hand, warm and tense in his.

"You won’t lose control," he said. "You’re stronger than you think. You don’t have to be afraid of what’s inside you."

Jean shook her head, eyes lowered. "You don’t know how strong it is. I feel like... I’m holding a storm in my chest. And if I open the door, even a little—"

Sharky leaned closer, his voice steady. "Then I’ll be there to help you close it."

She didn’t speak.

So he moved his hand to her chin, gently lifting her face toward him.

Their eyes met—gold and blue—and in that silence, something unspoken passed between them.

Their lips met—gentle at first, unsure, like a question neither of them had asked before. But in that moment, the world around them felt quiet.

Jean’s fingers curled gently around Sharky’s hand on her waist, pulling it slightly closer. She didn’t speak, but the closeness between them grew warmer—deeper—like a flicker of flame catching wind.

Sharky leaned forward a little more, pressing a kiss to her cheek, then down along her jaw. Jean’s breath hitched—just slightly—but she didn’t pull away.

Instead, she rested her head back against his shoulder, her golden eyes half-lidded, soft.

"I’ve never let anyone get this close," she whispered.

"You’ve always been holding back," Sharky murmured. "Maybe it’s time someone reminded you... you don’t have to."

Her hand lifted to touch his cheek—slow, delicate fingers tracing along his jawline. She turned just enough to kiss him again, deeper this time. Not rushed, not wild. Just slow and steady, like the rhythm of their breath.

Their bodies leaned together, and they climbed back on the fire deer, while fire deer carried them forward, its flaming hooves silent on the mossy trail.

For a while, neither of them said anything. They just stayed like that—arms wrapped around each other, hearts steady.

And then, as the village gates slowly came into view, Jean spoke again, her voice barely above the wind.

"Thank you... for not being afraid of me."

Sharky smiled against her temple. "You don’t scare me, Jean. Not even close."

She turned, giving him one last soft kiss before the fire deer stopped at the village gate.