[Description: User can bond with submissive Arcana, sharing all effects the user suffers with the bonded partner. Reverse also applies.]
Romantic!
"There is a thin arcana thread connecting both of your hearts…" Vanitas said in thought.
Alya's lips parted. My eyes narrowed at the red screen with a bright expression, so when I was healed, she was too. This could be very useful. Like, I could be fighting while she just drank blood somewhere far away. I could basically become immortal!
"It's sharing all conditions with the other. It has become so deep that if one of you were to die, the other would too."
"Th—That's Bloodright Resonance definitely," Alya said, turning to me, her expression complex. Must be the term for whatever awakening we went through. But what's wrong with her now? Isn't this a great power?
"By the way, this thing does seem to have other abilities than just this one. They will probably awaken when you have more Arcana in your body." Vanitas said, finally withdrawing the purple light as I fell into Alya's arms.
She didn't say anything, just staring silently before suddenly pulling me in a tight hug, burying my face in her breasts covered by a soft silk robe.
"Alya?" As much as I liked the warmth and softness, Vanitas staring at us like a night owl made it a bit awkward, though I still rubbed my face and returned the hug shamelessly.
"You really did change, huh…" She said while rubbing my head, "I am glad. I promise, I won't ever die… I can't let you die after all."
Was she reading my emotions? I chuckled. The previous Lucien might've been really disappointed if his special ability made his life dependent on his maid, I guess.
"That's my line. Let's get out of here…" I said with a smile as she brought her red lips closer to mine, her warm breath hitting my face.
Can I kiss them? I closed in even more, only an inch away from them.
"Cough, cough!"
We both immediately stood upright, a meter away from each other, at Vanitas's cough.
"Didn't mean to intrude on the moment, but they are just fifty meters away. I want you to take care of the two at the rear while I handle the rest." Vanitas said, biting his lip while his fist clenched. He clearly meant to intrude and couldn't endure a couple like the old me.
"Alright, alright." We both turned on [Eye of Sanguine], splitting the two targets.
…
The thick scent of burning lanterns filled our nostrils as we carefully stood beside the heavy metal door. Five guards, all in brown leather armor with small swords on their hips and torches in hand, checked the ceiling carefully.
Apparently, the ones in those silver armors were official holy knights from the church, while these, guards hired by this organization called Mari Swan.
The one leading them was barely twenty, while the rest were young teens. But their faces looked hardened, and their eyes sharp.
"Lucien, do you want me to heal you two before the fight?" Vanitas asked, to which I obviously nodded. Alya mimicked my nod.
He placed his hands on each of our backs, and almost instantly, warmth surged through our bodies.
[Vitality: 80/80]
[Strength: 15/15]
[Agility: 10/10]
[Dexterity: 10/10]
[Intelligence: 20/20]
[Arcane: XXX]
[Charisma: 25/25]
[Stealth: 7/7]
All my stats recovered to prime without delay. My body felt much lighter than before. The blood quantity in my body also rose considerably. His healing wasn't something normal; it was miraculous. I really wanted him in my party now!
But the 'I have something I have to do,' he said, sounded absolute, so there's probably no chance.
"It's open!!" The leading guard shouted.
"What?!" The one at the rear yelled, pulling out a bright grey sphere with runic writings.
Just as he was about to clench it, I leapt across the narrow hallway, passing through the four bewildered guards in a flash. Grabbing his wrist, I twisted it lightly as he cried in horror. I pulled away the sphere before headbutting him unconscious.
Four swords immediately rushed at me as I let go of the wrist, the guard falling on his back without resistance. I paid them no heed, just checking the grey sphere in my hand with curiosity.
"This the vampire! Be careful. Attack him at the same time!"
Vanitas's figure vanished in a blur before two of the four swords rushing at me froze, their holders falling lifelessly at the brick ground around his bare feet.
Their shocked leader fanatically looked around, only to hit the ground too.
The guard beside me froze, pulling out an identical grey sphere while swinging his long sword maniacally all around with trembling pupils.
Alya casually pulled out a black brick from the wall. Aiming it perfectly, she hit him right on the head, before the poor guard even registered what was happening, he fell face-first, the grey sphere caught by me before it could fall. We could probably sell them for high price.
…
"That works." Vanitas nodded to my plan. He wasn't in the plain T-shirt any longer, but a linen white shirt, black leather pants that barely reached his calves, and a thick leather chest plate that had a swan made on a shield logo.
I nodded, settling the long sword on my hip properly. I was in the same outfit.
"Though… can you even open other cells without something like our nails?" I asked in thought.
"Are you still underestimating me?" He asked smugly. I nodded.
He sighed, "Trust me, I can handle it just fine. I didn't have my powers while in cuffs, you know." He shook his head.
He pointed at the stone ground with his index finger, "I will handle that side. You both hand this. We will meet here." He moved it clearly on the hand-drawn map.
To be fair, I was just pulling his leg before. This guy shot literal lasers from his finger and drew a full map of this facility in seconds. He had to have gotten his hands on this himself, then memorized it so well. He was truly capable.
I was confident my photographic memory would remember every nook of it.
Just as we confirmed the details, Vanitas's cell door swung open. What it revealed made my eyes almost pop out of my sockets.
Alya had gone there to change her clothes as well in the disguise that those guards provided.
The tight linen shirt embraced her upper body perfectly, buttons at the center unable to be closed as her plump breasts tried to burst out. Leather pants were even tighter, showing how perfect her curves actually were.
She brushed her long white hair neatly, spreading it in two halves over her shoulders while the ones at behind flowed freely with her every moment.
"I tied them in the cell. We can move now," She said through a tilted head as I kept staring so profusely at her.
Vanitas gave me a long side glance before nodding to Alya. He flicked his finger twice, once each at both of us. Our bodies glowed bright gold as warmth surged through my muscles, brightening the entire narrow hallway.
"Should we leave, too?" Alya asked softly, closing in on me in a catwalk, every step making her ass and breasts jiggle.
I nodded with a blank look as Vanitas had already vanished with a blinding purple arc.