The air still smelled like blood.
Liam stood at the edge of the ruined battlefield, staring across the cracked stone and shattered weapons left behind by the fallen. The canyon was quiet now. Raiders dead. Sorek defeated. But victory didn't bring peace.
It brought silence.
Behind him, seven wives moved through the wreckage... gathering supplies, checking for wounded, keeping their distance from one another… and from him.
Rena wiped blood from her sword, face unreadable.
Kaelith crouched by Sorek's body, casually inspecting the rusted chains he'd once wielded like whips.
"Trash," she muttered, kicking the corpse aside.
Vexa sat on a stone nearby, wrapping a bandage around her forearm. She didn't look hurt, but she did it anyway, probably to avoid punching someone.
Sarya perched on the high ridge, crossbow resting across her lap, eyes scanning the horizon.
Kaelyn cleaned her blade in silence, not looking at anyone.
Elyra stood closer, her hand lightly brushing Liam's shoulder again, eyes shining.
"You fought well," she said, voice low. "Strong. Commanding."
Liam didn't answer.
Ice Queen walked slowly past them all, frost curling beneath her feet, her gaze fixed on the sky as if expecting more enemies.
The system pulsed again, sharp and cold.
> [System Alert] Territory Secured: Zone Nine Bond Loyalty: 71% – Stable
Buff Status: Active – Unbreakable Core (Vexa) – Veil's Insight (Elyra) – Frost Dominion (Ice Queen) – Blade Mastery (Kaelith) – Duel Guard II (Rena)
Warning: Zone Ten Signal Detected Enemy Overlord: Unknown Threat Level: Severe
Liam turned to the group.
"We rest for one hour," he said. "Then we move."
Vexa raised an eyebrow. "To where? That was a raid force. You want us to chase them?"
Liam nodded. "Zone Ten. I don't let enemies regroup."
Kaelith stood, stretching.
"Good. I was getting bored."
Sarya sighed. "Of course you were."
Rena wiped sweat from her brow. "We're pushing too fast."
Ice Queen's voice cut through the heat. "Power isn't earned slowly. He knows that."
Liam looked at them all.
"We move together. Or not at all."
Elyra stepped closer, her fingers brushing his jaw.
"We follow. Because you make us want to."
Her eyes locked onto his, silver and hypnotic.
Liam didn't move.
From the ridge, Sarya called out.
"Movement. Zone Ten's border. Another signal coming."
Kaelith's hand went to her dagger. "Already?"
Vexa stood, cracking her knuckles. "They never learn."
The system pulsed again.
> [System Alert] Bond Opportunity Detected Target: Kaelith's Twin – Kaelithra Status: Rogue Bond, Unstable Combat Type: Mirror Blade, Aggression Class
Warning: Duplicate Bond Thread Detected Outcome Uncertain – Proceed with Caution
Liam's eyes narrowed.
Kaelith froze.
"…What?"
The system confirmed.
Her sister.
Kaelithra.
Liam looked at her. "You didn't mention family."
Kaelith's smirk faded.
"I didn't think she survived."
Vexa growled. "Another blade-dancer? Great."
Elyra's voice was soft. "How will you choose?"
Liam's hand tightened around his sword.
"I don't."
He looked toward the horizon.
"She either joins us… or we break her."
Kaelith stared into the distance, silent.
And the war marched on.
The wind changed.
Liam stood at the edge of Zone Ten's border, sword drawn, the air thick with heat and tension. Dust swirled through the narrow canyon ahead, and every instinct told him they were walking into a trap.
Kaelith stood beside him, her usual grin gone. Her blades were ready, but her eyes... hard, sharp... were locked on the figure emerging from the dust.
A woman. Same height. Same red braid. Same twin blades gleaming in her hands.
Kaelithra.
Her smile was wicked.
"Well, sister," Kaelithra called. "Didn't think you'd run with a pack. I always figured you'd die alone."
Kaelith didn't move.
"Not dead. Not alone."
Kaelithra's eyes shifted to Liam.
"You must be the Overlord she bent for."
Elyra smirked. "Careful. He doesn't bend."
Vexa cracked her knuckles. "Let's kill her."
Liam raised a hand. "No."
Kaelith stepped forward.
"This one's mine."
Kaelithra laughed. "Good. I'd hate for your little harem to get in the way."
The system pulsed hard.
> [System Alert] Duel Initiated – Bond Conflict Class Combatants: Kaelith vs Kaelithra
Outcome A: Victory – Bond Loyalty Reinforced, Buff Upgrade Outcome B: Defeat – Bond Loyalty Broken, Buff Loss
Warning: Interference Voids Trial
Liam's jaw tightened.
He couldn't help her.
Kaelith didn't wait. She moved like lightning, blades flashing, her body a blur. Kaelithra met her with equal speed. Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
They fought in perfect rhythm... mirror images. Every strike answered. Every dodge mirrored.
Sarya muttered, "I can't even tell them apart."
Rena's grip tightened on her sword. "She's fighting for more than a win."
Ice Queen's voice was calm. "She's fighting to belong."
Liam said nothing.
He watched.
Kaelith struck low, feinted high, blade slicing air. Kaelithra dodged, cutting close... drawing blood from Kaelith's arm.
"You've gotten soft," Kaelithra whispered.
Kaelith snarled. "I've gotten stronger."
They clashed again.
Kaelithra drove her back, slamming her into the canyon wall.
"You think he'll keep you? He'll toss you aside when he finds better."
Kaelith twisted, slamming her elbow into Kaelithra's jaw.
"He doesn't throw away what's his."
They grappled, blades locked.
Sweat dripped down Kaelith's face.
Blood ran from Kaelithra's nose.
"You still can't beat me," Kaelithra hissed.
Kaelith bared her teeth.
"No. I'll break you instead."
She drove her knee into Kaelithra's stomach, then disarmed her with a sharp twist.
One blade clattered to the stone.
Kaelith flipped her sister, pinning her.
Her dagger pressed to Kaelithra's throat.
"Submit," Kaelith growled.
Kaelithra's breath hitched.
"You're serious."
Kaelith leaned close.
"I follow him. I choose this."
Kaelithra's eyes flicked to Liam… then to the other wives.
"…Then kill me."
Kaelith looked at Liam.
He said nothing.
She pressed harder. Her blade trembled.
Then… she stood.
"Live with losing."
Kaelithra lay in the dust, stunned.
The system flared.
> [System Alert] Duel Outcome: Victory – Kaelith
Buff Upgrade: Blade Mastery II – Bonus Critical Damage
Bond Loyalty: Maximum
Kaelithra Status: Bond Candidate – Unstable
Kaelith turned to Liam.
"She's yours… if you want her."
Kaelithra sat up slowly, bloodied but alive.
"You think I'll follow him?"
Liam stepped forward.
"You'll follow, or you'll fall."
Kaelithra's eyes narrowed.
"…Try me."
Kaelith looked at Liam, breathless.
"Bond her. Or I will."
Elyra stepped forward, eyes gleaming.
"This should be fun."
Rena growled.
"You're kidding."
Liam raised his hand.
"Enough."
He faced Kaelithra.
"I'm not here to play games."
Kaelithra smirked.
"Good. I don't like to lose."
She stepped closer, slow and deliberate.
"Claim me… if you can."
The system pulsed.
> [System Alert] Bond Trial Triggered – Kaelithra Condition: Chain of Command – Physical Submission Required
Reward: Twin Synergy Buff – Speed + Reflex Boost
Warning: Loyalty Tension Imminent
Kaelithra stood close, breath hot.
Liam's hand closed around her wrist.
"You're mine now."
She didn't resist.
"Prove it."