The cavern trembled as the Shadow Beast swelled with cursed mana, its body warping into a grotesque monstrosity. Horns jutted from its head, and its claws elongated like scythes. Its aura pressed down on Andy and Nia like a crushing weight, suffocating and cold.
[Warning: Guardian Transformation Complete.]
[Danger Level: Extreme.]
Andy's breath came ragged, his wounds burning with pain, but his grip on Nia's hand never loosened. "This thing… it won't let us leave alive."
Nia steadied her staff in her free hand, sweat beading on her brow. She looked at Andy, voice trembling but resolute. "Then we'll prove it wrong."
The Shadow Beast lunged, faster than before. Andy's instincts screamed—he pulled Nia with him, barely avoiding the swipe that shattered the cavern floor. Dust and shards of stone filled the air.
"Stay close!" Andy shouted.
"I don't exactly have a choice while you're holding me like this!" she snapped back, her cheeks flushed.
Andy almost laughed despite the chaos. She's right… but maybe that's what's keeping me standing.
The beast roared, releasing a wave of shadow spikes across the cavern. Andy raised his blades, fire and water spiraling as he invoked—
"Elemental Flow – Twin Surge!"
Streams of fire and water burst forth, colliding into a wall of steam that shattered the spikes mid-flight. The cavern lit up with the clash of elements, illuminating their determined faces.
Nia gasped softly at the display, but quickly lifted her staff. "Andy—your left flank!"
He pivoted. With her mana coursing through him, his blade struck true, carving into the beast's leg. It howled, stumbling.
For a moment, victory felt close. But then—
The beast's body split. A second head emerged, its aura doubling in fury. The ground quaked, stalactites falling from above.
Andy cursed. "Seriously?! It still has more left in it?!"
The pressure mounted. His knees nearly buckled. Fear gnawed at him—but then, Nia's hand tightened in his.
Her voice, soft but unwavering, cut through the chaos. "Andy… don't give up. Not while I'm here."
He turned, meeting her eyes. In that instant, the world seemed to slow. Her cheeks burned red, but her gaze was firm, steady, and filled with something more than fear.
The System's chime echoed:
[Bond Progression: 65%.]
[Skill Enhancement Activated – Dual Synchronization: Mana Resonance.]
Andy felt it—a flood of power, not just his, but theirs. Their mana intertwined completely, his flames feeding her light, her calm feeding his storm.
His blades glowed brighter than ever, wreathed in fire and water that pulsed with Nia's radiance.
Andy smirked. "Guess it's time we finish this."
Together, they surged forward. The Shadow Beast struck with both heads, jaws snapping—but Andy's blades slashed in perfect harmony, one fiery arc burning through its chest, the other freezing its limbs.
Nia's staff glowed brilliantly, amplifying his strike. "Andy—now!"
"Elemental Flow: Final Resonance!"
The cavern exploded in light. Flames roared, water surged, steam enveloped everything. The Shadow Beast let out a final, anguished shriek before its massive body dissolved into fragments of shadow, dispersing into nothingness.
Silence.
Andy dropped to one knee, panting, blades trembling in his hands. Nia staggered, almost collapsing, but Andy caught her with his free arm, pulling her close.
For a moment, they stayed like that, chests heaving, her head resting against his shoulder. Heat rose in both their faces.
"…You're warm," Nia whispered unconsciously.
Andy blinked, startled—but before he could reply, the System's cold, monotone voice filled the cavern.
[Guardian Defeated.]
[Arc 1 Complete: Trial of the Forgotten Cave.]
[Bond Level: 70%.]
[Rewards Granted:]
– Dual Synchronization Skill: Mana Resonance
– New System Feature Unlocked: Shared Inventory
– Hidden Reward: Unknown Key Fragment (Sealed)]
Andy's eyes widened. "Shared inventory? That… could be useful."
Nia, still pressed against him, glanced up with flushed cheeks. "Just… don't put anything weird in there."
He chuckled weakly. "No promises."
Despite the exhaustion, despite the blood and wounds, both of them smiled faintly in the aftermath of battle.
For the first time, it felt less like two strangers bound by fate—
—and more like partners.