The first tremor was light, almost easy to miss. Liam felt it through his boots, a dull vibration in the cracked stone beneath his feet.
The second tremor was louder.
Then came the third... and with it, the sound.
A deep, thunderous pounding echoed across Warpath Ridge, like massive drums slamming against the earth. Stones tumbled from the cliffs above. Dust lifted in the air. Every instinct in Liam's body snapped to alert.
Sarya spun, crouching with her crossbow ready.
"That's not just footsteps."
Kaelyn was already in motion, blades drawn, eyes scanning the cliffs.
"Something huge. Close."
Rena stepped forward, sword held low but tight in her grip.
"She's here."
The system pulsed hard... not a warning, a declaration.
> [System Alert]
Bond Target Detected – Class: Berserker
Name: Vexa, the Breaker
Status: Active Trial Initiated
Combat Type: Strength, Melee, Unarmed
Bond Requirement: Prove Dominance – Physical Trial
Weapons: Prohibited
Warning: Power Surge Detected – Risk of Injury: High
Reward Upon Bond: Unbreakable Core Buff
Effect: +Strength, +Durability (Passive)
Liam lowered his sword slowly.
Kaelyn turned to him sharply.
"You're not seriously thinking about fighting her unarmed."
"I have to," Liam said, calm but focused.
Sarya stepped closer, frowning.
"This is her domain. If you fight on her terms and lose..."
Rena's voice was steady.
"He won't lose."
The pounding stopped.
A figure appeared at the top of the ridge.
She stood tall... easily a head taller than Liam... and all muscle. Her crimson hair was tied high, braided down her back. Her armor was simple but reinforced with bone and steel. Her bare arms were covered in faded scars. Across her shoulder, a massive maul was strapped, but she didn't reach for it.
She didn't need it.
Vexa stepped forward and leapt down.
She landed with a crash, cracking the stone beneath her boots. Dust exploded outward in a wide circle, forcing Liam and the others to brace.
When the dust cleared, she stood alone.
Golden eyes locked on Liam.
"You're the one the system chose?"
Liam met her gaze.
"I am."
Vexa tilted her head slightly.
"You don't look weak. That's something."
Her hands flexed, the sound of her knuckles cracking loud in the quiet.
"The system says I should follow you. Says you're strong. Says you're worthy."
She took a slow step forward.
"But I don't trust systems. I trust fists. Bones. The ground beneath me. You want me to follow? Then take me."
Kaelyn laughed under her breath.
"She's direct."
Rena didn't smile.
"This isn't a duel. It's a test."
Sarya frowned.
"And the cost of failing?"
The system answered before Liam could.
> [System Notice]
Bond Trial: Strength Challenge
Condition: Defeat Vexa or Survive 3 Minutes
Failure Penalty: Bond Opportunity Lost
Optional: Dominant Victory – Bonus Loyalty, Additional Buff Unlocked
Liam removed his sword harness, letting it drop to the stone.
Kaelyn blinked.
"You're serious."
"I have to be."
He stepped forward.
"No weapons. Just me and her."
Vexa smiled.
"There's fire in you. Let's see if it lasts."
She raised her fists.
"I don't want words. I want proof."
Liam nodded once.
"Then come take it."
She charged.
Vexa moved like a force of nature.
Liam barely had time to plant his stance before she was on him, swinging a fist the size of a maul. He ducked under the blow, the wind of her strike brushing past his face. She didn't stop. Her knee came up, aiming for his ribs.
He twisted, grabbing her waist, using her momentum to shift them both sideways. They slammed into the ground hard, dust rising. She rolled with him, muscles flexing beneath his grip.
Liam didn't let go.
Vexa's eyes burned gold as they locked onto his.
"You're quick," she said, voice low, almost amused.
Liam didn't speak. He drove his shoulder into her, forcing her back. She grinned, her breath hot against his face.
"You think you can pin me?"
She flipped him.
Liam hit the ground with a grunt, and before he could rise, she straddled him, both hands pinning his wrists.
Her face hovered close, breath heavy, lips curling into a smirk.
"I could break you right now," she said.
Liam met her eyes.
"You won't."
Her grin widened.
"You sure about that?"
Rena shouted from the sidelines.
"Liam!"
Kaelyn crossed her arms, watching intently.
"Well," she murmured, "this just got interesting."
Sarya didn't speak. She aimed her crossbow, unsure if she was going to fire.
Liam shifted under Vexa, muscles tensing.
"I don't yield."
Vexa leaned in closer.
"Then fight."
He did.
With a sharp surge of strength, Liam twisted again, using her own weight to shift her balance. He rolled them, pinning her beneath him this time, his hands gripping her arms as dust billowed around them.
Her eyes widened for a breath, then narrowed with heat.
"Stronger than you look," she whispered.
Liam leaned closer.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Vexa's legs came up, trying to break his hold, but he held firm. The fight became a test of will, bodies locked, muscles strained, sweat beading along their skin.
Time slowed.
Then the system pulsed hard.
> [System Alert]
Bond Trial – Time Remaining: 30 Seconds
Dominance Achieved – Vexa Restrained
Status: Bond Seal Available – Verbal Claim Required
Reward: Unbreakable Core Buff + Loyalty Boost
Optional: Accept Submission
Vexa's breathing slowed. She stared up at Liam, pinned beneath him, her strength matched, her pride tested.
Her voice was lower now.
"You won."
Liam didn't move.
"Say it."
Vexa's eyes gleamed.
"You're stronger. I yield."
Liam released her slowly, standing over her.
"You're mine now."
Vexa stood too, towering, but no longer challenging. She stepped close, almost touching, her breath warm against his neck.
"Then take me," she said softly. "Lead me."
> [System Update]
Bond Secured – Vexa, the Breaker
Buff Unlocked: Unbreakable Core – Strength + Durability
Total Bonds: 5 / 99
Bond Loyalty: High – Submission Confirmed
Territory Expanded – Ridge Control Boosted
Rena approached, eyes locked on Vexa.
"She's yours?"
Kaelyn smirked.
"Obviously."
Sarya lowered her weapon.
"This is going to be fun."
Liam turned toward the horizon.
"Next zone?"
The system answered.
> Zone Seven Unlocked
Target Class: Mystic
Warning: Bond Loyalty Tension Rising
Liam exhaled.
"Then we move."