The air around Zane began to ripple, warping as if reality itself were bending to something ancient and unseen. Shadows slithered across the stone floor like smoke, gathering at the center of the chamber in a whirl of darkness.
With a quiet hum, the mass of shadow condensed—forming ears, a sleek tail, and glowing violet eyes that blinked open slowly.
"A... lynx?" Zane blinked.
The creature yawned. A baby Void Lynx, with fur like swirling mist and eyes glowing with eerie calm, curled up in the shadows—snoring.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Pet – Voidbound Companion summoned]
"Let's see what you are…" Zane muttered, activating Void's Eye.
> Name: Ace
Species: Void Lynx (Youngling)
Type: Bound Familiar
Affinity: Void
Traits: Shadowstep (Locked), Empathic Link (Locked), Growth Bonded
Status: Peacefully Sleeping
Bond Strength: Initial
"It's bound to me…" Zane whispered, amazed. "It'll grow as I do…"
Then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Great. First a voice in my head—now a snoring shadow cat. I'm collecting problems like badges."
Nyx made a sound like an offended scoff. "Excuse me?"
Zane grinned. "You're my favorite problem, Nyx. This one's just new. I think I'll call him… Ace."
The Void Lynx's ears twitched as if approving.