Chapter 22: Bond in Battle

The fight began the moment Arden stepped forward. The basilisk didn't hesitate, its tail lashed out, fast enough to blur. Arden shifted back, sliding across the stone floor as the strike slammed into where he'd stood, shattering rock and kicking up dust. Shadows clung to the air like smoke that didn't want to leave. He rushed in, feet grinding for traction before his body vanished in motion. Phantom Vein Drift triggered, and three ghostly afterimages scattered across the cave walls. The basilisk turned sharply, snapping toward the wrong one. Arden appeared at its flank, with blades drawn. His first slash carved across thick hide, scraping sparks, but it barely bit through. The beast let out a guttural hiss, and the wound leaked shadows like steam from a cracked pipe. Then the miasma rolled out. A dark, creeping fog spread from the creature's body, heavy and wrong. It dragged at Arden's senses, not just blinding him but digging into him, trying to slip past his skin and crawl into his veins. His jaw tightened, and he moved, sharp and fast, cutting the fog off before it could settle. Static Edge Bloom built up in his limbs as he ducked, spun, dodged, and on the fifth motion, the charge was ready. His next strike sparked with stored lightning, and as his blade sank into the beast's side again, a flash of energy surged through the wound. The shadows recoiled violently with a shriek. Then came the eyes. It was too late for Arden to look away. The basilisk's gaze caught his, just for a breath, and that was enough. His body locked, frozen for a second that felt too long. The tail came crashing. But before the blow could land, a violet blur slammed into him from the side, knocking him clear. Zephyra. She shot forward in the same breath, claws crackling with elemental charge as she lunged at the basilisk's head. Her speed was untouchable, her movement fluid, dancing between the monster's attempts to bite or crush her. She slashed at its eyes and nostrils, driving it back with relentless aggression. "You good?" she barked, still in motion. Arden caught his breath, already getting back on his feet. He could feel her worry humming through the bond. "Yeah. Thanks," he coughed, brushing dust from his shoulder. "It's fast for something that ugly. And It smells bad also, Let's finish it together." While she kept the beast pinned down, Arden let his core surge. Life energy rushed to his limbs. Ignition Tremor Chain flared beneath his feet, and on the third strike, the ground buckled under the force. A ripple of heat and pressure burst outward, and everywhere he moved, ash and flame trailed behind. The basilisk twisted and lunged again, but Arden met it head-on. Stonepulse Reflex activated just before impact. A protective pulse of energy hardened across his shoulder, catching the blow. The pain still flared, but it was manageable. More than that, clarity bloomed in the back of his mind. He could see it now, the beat of the tail, the blink before its gaze locked, the opening after each breath. Everything slowed. He dropped low, blades flashing, launching into a precise rhythm of attacks. Slashes flowed one into the next, powered by pressure and fire. Zephyra roared behind him, her flare and wind merging into blasts that drove deeper into the wound he'd just opened. The basilisk howled. It thrashed, body convulsing as the combined damage tore through muscle and scale. Arden didn't let up, he struck again and again, until one final leap brought him straight down on its skull. Bone cracked. The shadows fell apart. And the fog began to lift. The basilisk gave one last twitch, then went still. For a moment, the cave was silent. Then, a rush of energy surged through Arden's core. warm, wild, alive. He felt it flow through the bond as well, and Zephyra straightened with a sharp breath, and her eyes wide. The interface pulsed softly in his mind. Life Signature Absorbed Shared Energy Distribution: Companion-linked Bond Upgrade Achieved Resonance Level: Basic → Proficient Effect: Emotional feedback deepens. Bonded companion now able to share thoughts through the link in clear words. Arden raised an eyebrow, glancing toward Zephyra. That's... new, her voice echoed in his head—faint, uncertain, but there. He blinked, then chuckled softly. "This might be the best thing we've gotten so far." Zephyra walked up beside him, tail twitching, eyes narrowing at the dead basilisk. You're insane, her voice said again, though there was no heat in it. You know that, right? "Probably," Arden replied out loud, still grinning as he slid his blades back into their sheath. He turned to her, smirk growing. "But you're still here with me, so what does that say about you?" She snorted, but didn't deny it. Together, they stood in the quiet aftermath, light from the basilisk's broken body flickering on the walls. And in that stillness, Arden could already feel it this place had more to offer. But for now, they had earned their breath. Another prompt flickered in his mind. The one he'd been waiting for. Life Energy Absorbed New Life Signature Acquired: Dreadcoil Pulse Effect: Stores latent tension during movement. On trigger, releases a sudden coiled burst in any direction, briefly stunning nearby enemies. Grants temporary resistance to paralysis or binding effects. He felt the signature settle into him, like a coiled spring buried in his muscles. It was a good addition, fast, sharp, and useful for close-quarters pressure. Still, he didn't linger on it. Now wasn't the time. A faint glow pulsed deeper in the cave. Arden glanced up, eyes narrowing. A crystal-like formation, soft and steady, was tucked into the far wall. It shimmered with an energy that didn't belong in a cave like this. "That thing might've been guarding something," he muttered. Zephyra followed his gaze, her head tilting slightly. Her thoughts came through the link now, no longer just instinct or emotion. Want me to scout ahead? Arden shook his head, already stepping forward. "No. We'll go together. Let's not get careless right after a fight like that." He paused, then turned his eyes back toward the cave's mouth. Nyra would still be waiting outside. "We'll bring her in too," he said. "If there's something useful down here, she should be part of it." Zephyra didn't argue, just strode beside him as they moved toward the light. And even with the weight of exhaustion in his limbs, Arden couldn't help but feel something shift. A step deeper into the unknown—this time, together. A/N Please Send Powerstones, and Engage, by leaving comments and Reviews if you loved the upgrade. Thanks for the support thus far.