A loud rupture tore through the sky like a scream from the void. Just as Veer and Aarya's duel settled into silence, a dimensional crack split open in the sacred sky dome above Kashi Gurukul.
From the rift poured a stench of decay and corruption—then came the beast.
Massive. Twisted. Its body resembled that of a tiger, but its head shifted between serpent and wolf, with red-black fur that seemed to rot and regenerate at once. Its eyes glowed violet, filled with an ancient madness.
"A corrupt beast… from beyond the PatalLok," Master Shivraj gasped.
Before anyone could react, the creature unleashed a piercing shriek. Dozens of disciples were thrown back, unconscious. Protective seals began shattering. Even Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva, radiated his divine energy to stabilize the land.
Veer, barely conscious, saw Raghav's shadow move—but it never approached. This was Veer's trial.
With one desperate push, Veer leapt. The creature's claw ripped across his chest. Blood sprayed across the Shivling. Time slowed.
Within the blood, the Bond Seed awakened.
Golden chains burst from Veer's heart. A radiant beast—a fusion of serpent, lion, and falcon—descended in a spiral of divine light.
Veer had awakened Bond Integration.