The Stormclaw Wilds stretched in every direction... a maze of jagged cliffs and tangled thorns, wind howling through stone arches like the cry of some ancient beast. Thunder cracked overhead, and for once, it wasn't the system's warning Liam feared.
It was the woman stalking him.
Liam crouched near a ridge, boots crunching gravel, eyes scanning the stormlit path ahead. Lightning flashed, illuminating the twisted forest below, where silver eyes watched him from the dark. His grip tightened on his sword.
Nysera was close.
And this time… he wouldn't let her vanish.
---
> [System Alert]
Zone 14 – Stormclaw Wilds
Bond Target: Nysera, Huntress of Shadows – Active
Status: Engaging Trial
Bond Opportunity: Final Phase
Time Limit: 11 Hours
Mission Objective: Break Resistance / Claim Loyalty
Reward: Shadowstep Skill + Clan Alliance Trigger
Warning: Failure = Permanent Bond Loss / System Loyalty Penalty
---
Liam exhaled slowly, breath fogging in the cold. The Wilds weren't like the other zones. They weren't static, weren't mapped. Every trail shifted. Every path twisted back on itself.
Because Nysera willed it.
He moved downhill, the ground slick beneath his boots. Thorns snagged at his coat, drawing thin lines of blood. The storm above wasn't natural... lightning danced with unnatural rhythm, flashes revealing fleeting shadows that vanished before he could react.
A whisper drifted through the trees.
"You're late, Overlord."
He froze, sword up.
Nothing.
His pulse pounded, breath coming fast. The air felt alive, charged with something ancient and hungry. He knew this wasn't just a test. Nysera wasn't like the others. She didn't want to be claimed.
She wanted to be conquered.
Liam pushed forward, heart racing. He wasn't just walking into a trial. He was walking into her lair.
Branches snapped above him. A shape moved... fast, silent. He turned, too slow. Claws brushed his coat. A laugh followed, low and mocking.
"Catch me, Liam. If you can."
He ran.
---
She was fast. Not just beastkin fast... Nysera moved like shadow given form, darting through trees, leaping over gaps. Liam followed, breath burning, sword ready. The storm roared around them, wind tearing at his clothes, but he didn't slow.
He wouldn't lose her again.
The path narrowed, cliffs rising on either side. Lightning struck close, deafening. For a heartbeat, Nysera appeared ahead... silhouette framed in light, tail flicking, claws gleaming.
Then she vanished.
Liam reached the clearing where she'd stood. Nothing but storm and thorns. He spun, senses flaring. Where?
A low growl behind him.
He turned... too late.
Nysera slammed into him, driving him to the ground. Her weight pinned him, claws at his throat, eyes glowing silver in the dark.
"You're slower than I expected," she purred.
Liam gritted his teeth. "I'm not here to chase. I'm here to claim."
Nysera leaned close, breath hot against his ear. "Then do it. If you can."
He surged up, forcing her back. She rolled, agile, landing in a crouch.
Lightning cracked again.
The hunt wasn't over.
It was just beginning.
---
> [System Notice]
Trial Update: Bond Target Engaged
Dominance Challenge Initiated – Status: In Progress
Condition: Break Nysera's Resistance
Bonus Reward: Clan Loyalty Unlock
Time Remaining: 9 Hours 47 Minutes
---
Liam wiped blood from his lip, eyes locked on her. Nysera stood tall, breathing hard, her form barely outlined by the flickering stormlight. Her body was perfect... sleek muscle, shadowed curves, and the air of a predator who had never bowed.
"You're not like the others," she said. "They wanted power. You want control."
Liam stepped forward.
"I want loyalty. From you."
She bared her teeth. "Then take it.
The wind howled louder now, a living force that tore at Liam's coat and lashed cold rain against his skin. Nysera didn't run this time. She stood firm, claws flexing, tail low, eyes gleaming with challenge.
"You think this storm frightens me?" she said, stepping closer.
Liam didn't answer. He stepped forward, sword sheathed. This wasn't a fight of blades. It was a fight of will.
She noticed.
"No weapon? You want to fight me bare? Foolish."
He raised his hands, palms open. "You said to take you. I don't need steel to do that."
Nysera snarled and lunged.
They collided hard, bodies slamming into the mud and rock, grappling, twisting. Liam moved on instinct, catching her wrists, forcing her back. She bucked, slashed, trying to find leverage. He didn't give her any. He stayed low, tight, unyielding.
Her breath was ragged.
"You won't win this. I don't break."
Liam didn't speak. He didn't need to. His grip tightened. His body pressed her into the ground, strength meeting strength.
Nysera hissed, struggling harder. Rain poured down, soaking them both, thunder shaking the cliffs.
"Say it," he growled. "You're mine."
She fought him like a wild thing, limbs straining, tail whipping.
Then her breath caught. Her muscles trembled.
Not in fear.
In surrender.
Her claws slid into the dirt. Her eyes, wide with fury, narrowed to slits of reluctant respect.
"You… you are strong," she whispered. "Stronger than I thought."
Liam didn't release her. "Say it."
Nysera growled low, teeth bared… then she stilled.
"I yield."
The system pulsed.
> [System Update] Bond Secured – Nysera, Huntress of Shadows Buff Unlocked: Shadowstep – Short-Range Teleport / Evasion Boost Clan Loyalty: Initiated – Beastkin Alliance Triggered Bond Count: 12 / 99 Loyalty Sync: 87% – Stable Territory Expanded: Stormclaw Wilds Secured
Nysera rose slowly, eyes still glowing, chest heaving. She didn't look defeated. She looked… changed.
"You hunted me," she said. "And I let you win."
Liam shook his head. "You didn't let me. You chose me."
She stepped closer, clawed fingers trailing his jaw.
"Then lead me. Overlord."
The storm broke overhead, rain turning to mist, and far beyond the cliffs, the system marked a new zone on his map.
Zone Fifteen.
And another bond waited.
Nysera smiled, wicked and perfect.
"Let's see if she's as hard to catch."
Liam stared into the storm.
"Let her try."