The moment the Shadow Beast pounced, time itself seemed to shatter into fragments. Andy swung both swords, sparks flying as steel clashed against claw. Nia raised her staff, light bursting out in desperate waves. Yet every movement of the beast was faster, heavier, merciless.
"Andy!" Nia's voice rang out as one of the clones crashed down, forcing her shield to splinter again.
"I've got it—!" Andy grunted, twisting into a counterstrike. His crimson blade carved through shadow, dispersing one clone, but two more immediately closed in. He barely had time to breathe.
The cavern roared with chaos. Claws, fangs, and bursts of mana filled the darkness. Andy's arms screamed with pain, blood from his shoulder wound dripping down his arm, but he refused to back down.
Then—
[Warning: Insufficient Synchronization Detected.]
[Directive: Bond Synchronization Required.]
[Condition: Maintain Physical Contact – Hand Holding.]
Both Andy and Nia froze for a second as the System's cold voice rang in their heads.
"…What?" Andy muttered in disbelief.
Nia's face flushed crimson, even amidst the chaos. "It's saying we… we have to… hold hands?!"
"This is not the time to be shy!" Andy barked, deflecting another claw swipe. "Just—grab my hand!"
Her fingers trembled, but when the Shadow Beast lunged again, she instinctively reached out. Their hands locked together, warm and tight, as if anchoring each other against the darkness.
The System chimed again:
[Bond Synchronization Established.]
[Current Bond Level: 40%.]
[Skill Enhancement Unlocked – Elemental Flow.]
Andy felt it instantly. Mana surged between them—fiery heat from his left sword, cool serenity from his right. The conflicting forces of fire and water didn't clash. Instead, they swirled together, flowing seamlessly.
"Elemental… Flow…" Andy whispered, the words forming naturally.
His blades ignited, streams of flame and water intertwining along the steel like dancing ribbons. The cavern lit up with their brilliance, reflecting in Nia's wide, astonished eyes.
The Shadow Beast recoiled, growling as if recognizing true danger for the first time.
Andy tightened his grip on her hand. "Nia, lend me your mana. Just a little more."
She nodded, face burning red but determination firm. "Take whatever you need."
Together, their mana surged. Andy dashed forward, dual blades blazing with molten steam. The first swing tore through a clone like paper, evaporating it in an instant. The second strike carved across the main beast's flank, burning and freezing its flesh simultaneously.
The Shadow Beast shrieked, staggering for the first time.
Andy's chest heaved, sweat dripping down his face. He felt her hand still gripping his, grounding him. He glanced back just for a second—Nia's cheeks flushed, but her eyes shone with trust.
The System chimed:
[Bond Progression: 50%.]
[Reward Pending: Dual Synchronization Skill.]
Andy smirked despite his exhaustion. "Looks like we're finally turning this around."
But the Shadow Beast wasn't done. Its body rippled with cursed mana, growing larger, darker, more monstrous. The cavern quaked as its aura suffocated them.
Andy grit his teeth. "It's getting serious now…"
Nia squeezed his hand, her voice steady even as she trembled. "Then we'll fight serious too. Together."
The Shadow Beast roared, shaking the cave—fangs bared for the true battle to begin.
—
To Be Continued…