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The wind screamed across the ridgelines of the Elemental Trial zone.
Squad 7 had held position at Emberroot Cliff for two days. They had fended off beasts of fire and storms, endured poisoned fogs, and scouted half of the broken terrain.
But now… the sky itself had turned.
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⚡ The Storm Roc Descends
It came with no warning.
One moment, Fuyue was gathering frost crystals near the canyon's edge. The next, a column of lightning smashed down like a divine blade, splitting the stone beside her.
She spun back in a flash, her Phoenix rising with a defensive shriek.
"Kiyanotoka!" she shouted.
But he had already seen it.
High above them, its wings spreading wider than the ridge itself, descended the beast he had been waiting for:
A Storm Roc, lightning incarnate—feathers made of skyfire, eyes pulsing violet with storm energy, talons like blades of steel.
> [ SYSTEM: Beast Identified – Storm Roc (SS-Rank) ]
Bond Eligibility: Denied. Aggression Level: Hostile.
Override Protocol: "Command Test" unlocked.
WARNING: Fatal if failed.
> ...Let's begin, then.
---
🛡️ Tactical Response
Riku stepped forward. "It's targeting us!"
"No," Kiyanotoka said, voice low. "It's targeting me."
He stepped between the squad and the Roc.
Maya shouted, "Are you insane?! We can't fight that!"
Fuyue narrowed her eyes. "You planned for this…"
He didn't respond.
Because the Roc had already dove.
Lightning cracked. The ground shattered.
Thamuz exploded from the rock like a comet of flame, intercepting the Roc's claw with a flaming upper strike.
> "Hold formation!" Kiyanotoka ordered.
Fuyue's Phoenix froze the air. Maya's wind spiraled into cutting arcs. Riku tried to draw the Roc's attention—but it ignored them all.
It only had eyes for Kiyanotoka.
> Just like the system said. It knows.
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🔥 Duel of the Skyfire
The clash was elemental chaos.
Flame versus thunder.
Thamuz roared, circling with explosive spirals, pushing the Roc back inch by inch. But the Roc was faster—smarter.
It dodged a head-on attack, dived beneath, and slammed Thamuz into the canyon wall.
Blood hit the stones.
> "No—!" Kiyanotoka stepped forward, hand raised.
> [ SYSTEM: Trial Protocol Engaged – Soul Command Override Ready. ]
Would you like to attempt Full Synchronization?
YES / NO
> I didn't come this far to hesitate.
> YES.
A ring of blue-gold light erupted beneath Kiyanotoka's feet. His hair whipped in the rising wind. The Sylph-Hare appeared beside him, ears glowing with moonlight.
> "Thamuz! With me!"
Their bond flared.
A pulse went out—not just a signal… a command.
The Roc paused in mid-air.
Its head tilted.
And for one impossible second… it stopped attacking.
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⚡ The Bond That Shouldn't Exist
The system spoke again—quieter than usual.
> [ Synchronization Achieved – Storm Roc Recognizes Command Authority. ]
Bond not complete. Loyalty test pending.
Requirement: Take damage in beast's place and survive.
Warning: Fatal probability – 84%.
> So be it.
The Roc struck again.
Not toward Thamuz this time.
Toward Kiyanotoka.
He didn't dodge.
He raised one hand—bare.
The lightning tore into him.
Every muscle screamed. His vision blurred white. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
He collapsed to one knee.
But he didn't fall.
He stared up at the Roc… and said three words, with nothing but will:
> "You. Are. Mine."
---
🌩️ A New Command
The Roc stopped mid-flight.
It let out a sharp cry—not a beast's roar, but something else.
Recognition.
It bowed its head—just once.
And the sky went still.
> [ BOND ESTABLISHED: STORM ROC (SS-RANK) ]
Sync Thread Formed. Loyalty Level: 10% (Neutral / Obedient)
Commander's Domain: UNLOCKED.
New Skill Tree Unlocked: Authority of the Skyflame.
Trait: Triple Link – Activated.
Kiyanotoka collapsed.
And for the first time, his squad rushed forward in absolute silence—stunned.
Maya looked at the Storm Roc, hovering silently above them like a god's shadow.
Fuyue whispered, "That… shouldn't be possible."
Riku stood frozen.
None of them understood what they had witnessed.
Not yet.
---
🌙 Side Story: Thamuz – Flames That Serve
Deep in his core, Thamuz watched his master take lightning to the chest.
And for the first time since hatching, the fire dragon felt something unfamiliar.
> Fear.
Not for himself.
But for the boy who had raised him from nothing. Fought for him. Bled with him.
> If you had died, I would have burned this sky to ash.
Thamuz stepped forward, laying his head beside Kiyanotoka's unconscious body.
The Storm Roc lowered its wings in silent acknowledgment.
Two beasts who would have once torn each other apart…
Now waiting for his word.
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📘 End of Chapter 11
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