Dragon God’s Dominion: Rise of the Apocalypse Sovereign

The return to the apartment was silent, but comforting. The once-hostile, ruined city no longer felt as suffocating as before—not when Selene and Valeria were waiting for him.

Lucien pushed open the door, stepping inside with practiced ease.

Immediately, Selene's voice broke the silence.

"You're back."

She stood near the small, worn-out dining table, her pale blue eyes scanning him for injuries.

Lucien smirked slightly. "I told you I would be."

Selene exhaled softly, relief flashing across her face. She was still adjusting—adjusting to the change in him, to the fact that he was no longer weak.

Valeria sat in her wheelchair nearby, arms crossed, but her sharp violet gaze softened for just a moment as she looked at him.

"Did you bring back anything useful?"

Lucien lifted the bag in his hand, tossing it onto the table. "Supplies. Medicine. Food." His gaze flickered to Eris, who was still resting on the couch, her golden eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

Selene's expression turned gentle. "She's still recovering."

Lucien nodded, stepping forward. Without a word, he reached into the bag, pulling out a small container of medical supplies.

"Let me see your hands."

Selene blinked, startled. "What?"

Lucien took her hand in his, turning it over gently. Her fingertips were slightly raw—from scrubbing, cleaning, doing what she could to maintain their shelter.

She had always cared for him.

Now? He would care for her.

Lucien uncapped a bottle of healing salve, dipping his fingers into the cool substance before massaging it into her skin.

Selene stiffened, her breath catching slightly.

"…Lucien?"

His golden eyes met hers. "I should have done this earlier."

Her lips parted, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. His touch was careful, deliberate, filled with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.

Valeria scoffed, crossing her arms. "Tch. Since when did you get so damn considerate?"

Lucien turned his head slightly, smirking. "Jealous?"

Valeria clicked her tongue, looking away. "As if."

Lucien let out a quiet chuckle before reaching for her hand next.

Valeria blinked. "Wait, what—"

"Your hands," Lucien said simply. "Let me see them."

Valeria hesitated, but after a moment, she slowly extended her hands forward. Her fingers were rough, slightly calloused—a reminder of her past as an adventurer.

Lucien didn't say anything. He simply massaged the healing balm into her skin as well.

Valeria stared at him.

She wasn't used to this. She wasn't used to being cared for.

A small, foreign warmth spread in her chest, making her grip tighten slightly.

"…You're weird," she muttered.

Lucien smirked. "And?"

Valeria's gaze flickered downward, her face faintly red.

Selene, who had been watching, smiled softly.

This was what they had lost.

And Lucien was bringing it back.

---

That night, Lucien sat on the rooftop, staring out at the ruined city. The glow of distant fires flickered in the distance, casting eerie shadows against the crumbling skyline.

His mind wandered back to everything that had changed in just a few days.

He had killed without hesitation. He had claimed what was his.

But above all else… he had begun to rebuild.

Selene. Valeria. Eris.

They were his.

And nothing in this damned world would take them away from him.

Lucien exhaled slowly, closing his golden eyes.

He would destroy anyone who tried.