The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 80: Winner

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Winner

Helen sat beside Ava on the couch, then gently reached out and held her hand. Tilting her head with a pout, she looked up into Ava’s cold eyes.

"Sister, why are you ignoring me again?" she asked in a soft, wounded tone.

Ava’s brows furrowed slightly as she glanced down at Helen’s small hand holding hers. She looked ready to pull away—habitually avoiding touch—but paused when she saw Helen’s innocent pout.

"...I’m not ignoring you, Helen," Ava replied after a beat. "The meeting was cancelled, so I came here when I heard Carter had returned."

Helen’s pout eased into a small smile, and she leaned closer. Ava’s fingers twitched slightly but she didn’t move her hand away.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, interrupting the moment. All three of them turned toward the door.

A mature woman in her early forties entered, wearing glasses and an apron. Her expression was sharp but not unkind. The moment her eyes landed on Carter sprawled on the bed, she sighed and crossed her arms.

"Oh, madam—you finally decided to show up," she said dryly. "And how exactly did you get into the house? The front door was locked."

Carter grinned, stood up, and walked over to her. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around the woman in a hug.

"Mom, why are you scolding me? I just got back! I used the ninja way to get in—you wouldn’t understand," she said playfully.

Their mother shook her head, the corners of her lips twitching despite herself.

Their mother placed a finger on Carter’s forehead and pushed her back with a light sigh.

"I don’t understand, huh? Fine, if you don’t want to explain, then don’t. Anyway, dinner is ready. Be at the table in five minutes."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room. Carter watched her disappear, then let herself fall back onto the bed dramatically.

She turned her head toward Helen."So, Helen, how’s life going as an idol?"

Helen blinked, then pouted."Sister! I’m not an idol yet. I’m just a trainee right now. Aishhh..."

Carter tilted her head in confusion."Aren’t they basically the same thing?"

Helen put a hand to her forehead like she was physically pained."Oh my god... Sister, what era do you live in? You don’t even know the difference between an idol and a trainee?"

Ava, still sitting with a cool expression, chimed in calmly."She’s right. Everyone knows trainees work under idols they are their assistants."

Carter nodded slowly, pretending she had just had an epiphany."Ah... I see, I see..."

Helen looked between the two and let out a long sigh, staring at the floor in defeat."Ahhh... How can both my sisters be this backward?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

System Space – Unknown Coordinates

In a softly glowing control room filled with floating screens and stardust-colored data streams, Meow turned her head away from a monitor where some vintage drama was playing. Her gaze drifted toward Fluff, who sat atop a plush orb with his tiny paws on his head, muttering anxiously.

"How can Host not sign in until now?" Fluff whined, his whiskers drooping. "Did she forget me? I want to go scold her right now..."

With a gentle swoosh, Meow floated over and landed beside him, patting his back lightly.

"Fluff, calm down. She just entered a realm far from Elarion. and you know she already left vampire realm that is near Elarion, now they should be in realm far from Elarion, That’s why she isn’t showing up on the main screen,"

Meow explained patiently. "She’s probably busy that’s why she dint sign in. now Stop sobbing like a newly activated system, okay?"

Fluff turned toward her, eyes shimmering with worry.

"But Meow, if she doesn’t sign in... she won’t gain strength. And if she’s not strong, then—then Boss will definitely scold us if he finds out!"

Meow’s ears perked up in alarm, her expression stiffening.

"Wait—you’re right!" she gasped.

She looked back at the blank corner of the screen where Zara’s signature should’ve been glowing.

"Yeah... I should be worried too."

The two systems stared at the void together, dread slowly pooling between their fluffy forms.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Omar snapped out of his stunned state, his body suddenly glowing as a white aura burst forth, enveloping him like a burning flame.

"Tch... guess it’s time to fight at full strength," he muttered, his voice deepening with intensity.

In a blur that normal eyes couldn’t follow, he lunged toward Zara with incredible speed.

Zara’s eyes narrowed. Anticipating his approach, she raised her sword and slashed precisely at the incoming strike, meeting his clawed hand mid-air. Sparks flew as steel clashed against supernatural nails.

The impact forced both of them to take a step back, skidding slightly on the stage.

A smirk tugged at Zara’s lips. Her sword began to hum, glowing faintly with her aura. Then, without hesitation, she dug her left hand into her palm, her sharp nails drawing blood. With swift motion, the crimson drops extended out like threads, swirling around her arm with a dangerous glint.

From the balcony, Frances leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. As Omar’s aura intensified, she arched a brow, lips curling into a half-smile.

"Oh? Now it’s getting interesting."

Jane, who had been confidently expecting Omar’s easy victory, crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the stage, her focus sharpening.

"How is she able to make make Omar use his aura in fight...?" she muttered under her breath, disbelief creeping in.

Meanwhile, Lilith—seated beside Grace—couldn’t hide the smug grin on her face. She nudged Grace’s arm, practically glowing with pride.

"See that? Jane really thought our wife would lose. But look—Zara’s going toe-to-toe with him!"

Grace nodded slowly, her gaze locked on the stage. Her fingers twitched, itching with the desire to spar again.

Lilith, not getting a verbal reply, turned her head curiously toward her—only to freeze.

Grace was grinning... but not just any grin. It was wild. Her eyes gleamed with something dangerous as she stared at Zara, a low mutter slipping from her lips.

"Hehe... when this fight ends, I’m kidnapping my wife straight to the bedroom."

Lilith blinked, stunned silent for a moment before she whispered,

"I also wanted to..." Lilith muttered under her breath, barely audible—even to herself.

But Grace suddenly turned to her, blinking in confusion.

"Hm? Sister, did you just say something?"

Lilith froze for a split second, then casually leaned back with an innocent shrug, pretending to adjust her sleeve.

"Huh? Oh, no, nothing. Must’ve been the wind."

On the stage, Zara lunged forward, her fist aimed directly at Omar’s chest.

Omar narrowed his eyes, his hands shifting into a claw stance, ready to intercept. But just as her punch neared—

Snap!

Dozens of crimson threads erupted from her hand, wrapping tightly around his arms like steel wires forged from blood.

"Tch—!" Omar growled, trying to rip the threads apart, but before he could break free, Zara’s blade flashed.

With a sharp, clean motion, she brought her glowing sword to his neck, the edge humming with restrained power.

Omar froze.

For a moment, silence reigned. Then Omar slowly blinked and let out a heavy sigh.

"You’re... really powerful," he said, his voice steady but sincere. "I accept my defeat."

Zara gave a small smile, her eyes still sharp as she released the blood bindings. They dissolved into the air like red mist.

In the balcony, Lilith jumped to her feet with a grin, barely containing her excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Jane and began making smug little hand gestures.

A pointed finger at Zara.A thumbs-up.A victorious smirk.Then—a very exaggerated loser sign made with her fingers and aimed directly at Jane.

"See? SEE?" the gestures screamed. "My wife won. I told you. Now accept your defeat, peasant."

Jane, still stunned that Omar had actually lost, blinked. Her mouth opened a bit, then closed. She turned to Lilith, who was now practically vibrating with pride.

Hmph.

She crossed her arms and turned away with a flick of her hair, clearly annoyed—but her ears were a little red.

Valer, watching from the balcony, leaned forward with a grin spreading across his face as Omar admitted defeat.

Hahaha! He actually lost! That means I get to fight with her now, right? She’s strong—not as strong as me, of course—but still, this will be fun!

Just as he was imagining the thrilling clash of power, he suddenly felt a sharp pinch at his waist.

"Ow—!" he looked down, seeing Margaret glaring at him, her fingers still pinching.

He quickly changed his tune, clutching his side dramatically."A-ah! Wife! It hurts! Please, have mercy!"

Margaret let go with a huff, arms crossed."Stop thinking about fighting. You’re way stronger than her. so Absolutely not."

Valer blinked innocently."How do you even know what I was thinking?"

Margaret sighed and shook her head."You’re ridiculously easy to read. I’ve told you this a thousand times."