As blood gushed from his severed stump and each heartbeat pumped more agony into his head, Connor's eyesight faltered. Although it did little to lessen the pain, the improvised zip tie spell pressed down securely, halting the blood. Moments before collapsing, his body shook, and Jacob's unconscious weight pulled at his side like an anchor.
Gritting his teeth, Connor refused to die here—not like this. He stole a glance at Jacob's still form. His twin looked almost peaceful, as if asleep. But Connor knew better. Their soul link wasn't severed, but it was faint, as if Jacob were drifting through a fog.
The battle raged on in the distance.
The adventurers clashed with the beast in a frantic, deadly rhythm. Their weapons struck true, landing solid hits, but none deep enough to bring the monster down. The beast vanished and reappeared between attacks, slipping through shadows like liquid night. Its black fur shimmered with blood and magic, emerald eyes glowing with hateful intelligence. It wasn't retreating. It was hunting.
Connor's pulse quickened. If they fall… it'll come back to finish us.
He checked their mana bar—3 MP left. Barely enough for a single cast. And with their shared body crippled, he had no mobility. Most of their higher-level spells required both of them conscious, synchronized.
"Think, damn it. Think."
The beast circled again, baring its fangs. The adventurers were running out of stamina. He could see it in the way they hesitated, their attacks a hair slower than before. If it took down even one more of them, the tide could turn fast.
Connor clenched his fists. He couldn't let this happen. Not with Jacob down.
Then, like a dying ember flickering back to life, a thought sparked in his mind—the bond.
Even unconscious, Jacob's soul was still there, buried deep. Maybe… just maybe… if Connor could reach him, they could ignite something together. One final spell.
Eyes fluttering closed, Connor pushed past the pain and exhaustion. He reached inward, slipping into the dim, shared space between their minds.
"Jacob…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Come on, wake up."
Silence.
Then—faint and distant—a flicker. A heartbeat.
"Jacob. I need you," he said, louder now, desperate. "We can't do this without you."
Another moment passed. Then, like a flickering candle in the wind, Jacob stirred.
"…what's happening?" Jacob's voice came, distant and weak.
"You passed out," Connor answered. "The beast is still alive. It's going to kill them—and us. But if we act together, we've still got a shot."
Jacob's presence grew stronger, steadier. "How's our mana?"
"Three points on my end," Connor said. "What about you?"
"Fifteen." A pause. "Still intact. Just… scattered."
Connor exhaled sharply. "That's enough. We can combine it. Just focus."
A wave of warmth passed between them as their minds synced. The pain dulled. The fear receded. For a fleeting second, they were whole again.
Then, the system chimed in.
Skill Activation: Soul Flame – Eternal Link
The notification echoed in their minds, but neither flinched.
The beast lunged again—its claws narrowly missing an adventurer, who countered with a desperate blast of fire. The beast howled, but didn't fall. Not yet.
Connor and Jacob didn't hesitate.
They pulled from their bond, directing every drop of remaining energy into a final cast. It wasn't flashy—it didn't need to be. Just strong enough to hold.
"Steel Bind," they said in unison, voices layered in perfect harmony.
A silver magic circle erupted beneath the battlefield. Glowing chains of reinforced steel burst from the earth and lashed out, wrapping around the beast's legs, torso, even its throat. The monster screamed, thrashing violently—but the links held, powered by their combined will.
Skill Unlocked: Steel Bind (Common)
"NOW!" Connor roared, voice cracking.
The adventurers didn't waste a second.
Bolts of lightning, arrows, flame, and magic slammed into the restrained beast. It wailed in agony as blow after blow hammered it down. Its eyes, once bright with fury, began to dim. Blood poured from its wounds. Its strength faltered.
The creature collapsed, muscles twitching, breathing shallow. The fight was over.
Connor's body slumped, exhaustion flooding in like a tidal wave. The pain returned in full force. His vision blurred again. But the battlefield was silent, save for the ragged breathing of the survivors.
Jacob's presence started to fade—not disappearing this time, but slipping back into unconsciousness.
"We did it," Connor whispered, eyes closing. "We actually—"
Darkness took him before he could finish the thought.