The air was tense.
Liam walked at the front of the group, eyes on the distant horizon where Zone Seven waited. Behind him, footsteps echoed unevenly across the stone... some light, some heavy, none friendly. Five bonded wives followed, and not one of them was at ease.
Rena moved just behind Liam, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. She didn't speak, but the way she stayed close said everything.
Kaelyn walked on the other side, silent as always, but her eyes flicked to Rena, then to Liam, then to Vexa with a look that wasn't quite a glare... not yet.
Sarya didn't bother hiding her annoyance.
"Do we always walk this slow after a bond? Or is it just because someone bruised his ribs playing berserker wrestling?"
She didn't look at anyone in particular, but her tone was sharp.
Vexa didn't flinch. She walked tall, every step loud with confidence, her eyes steady on Liam's back.
"Jealousy's not a good look," she said, voice low and amused.
Rena turned sharply.
"You think this is a game?"
Kaelyn chuckled under her breath.
"To her, it was."
Before Sarya could fire back, frost crept across the ground beneath their feet.
A figure appeared in the distance, gliding over the stone with slow, measured grace.
Ice Queen.
She moved like mist over snow, untouched by the dust, her white robes flowing behind her. Her eyes locked onto Liam... then shifted coldly to the others.
"I leave you alone for one bond, and this is the result?"
Vexa didn't stop walking.
"You missed a good fight."
Ice Queen raised a single brow, her voice calm, even.
"I do not fight for entertainment."
She looked at Liam again.
"You are unbalanced. Your bonds are unstable."
The system pulsed.
> [System Alert]
Bond Sync Tension: High
Conflict Detected Among Bonded Wives
Loyalty Stability: 61%
Recommendation: Stabilize Immediately – Trial Zone Approaching
Target Class: Mystic – High Charm Signature
Warning: New Bond May Destabilize Existing Loyalty
Liam stopped walking.
"We deal with this now."
The others paused, some glaring, some wary.
He turned to face them.
"You've all fought. All earned your place. But this path only works if you follow me... not if you fight each other."
Kaelyn crossed her arms.
"Some of us follow. Some of us mark territory."
Her gaze flicked to Vexa.
Sarya stepped forward.
"We're not a harem. We're soldiers."
Vexa grinned.
"Speak for yourself."
Rena stared at Liam.
"What are we, then?"
Ice Queen's voice cut through the tension.
"Power. That is what we are. That is why we are here."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And if we cannot move as one, we will fall."
The silence stretched. Then Liam stepped between them all.
"We move together. No more infighting."
Vexa smirked but nodded.
Kaelyn gave a single shrug.
Sarya rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
Rena just watched Liam, silent, unreadable.
The system pulsed again.
> Bond Sync Stabilizing… 75%
Proximity Alert – Target Approaching
Class: Mystic
Charm Index: High
Mental Resistance Required: Moderate
Trial Imminent
Ahead, the stone gave way to soft grass, unnatural in this barren world. Flowers bloomed in waves of violet and blue, and a soft, sweet scent filled the air.
A woman waited at the center of the field, cloaked in flowing silks, her eyes glowing softly.
Her voice carried like music.
"I've been waiting, Liam."
Ice Queen's eyes narrowed.
"She's dangerous."
Liam stepped forward.
"I'll handle it."
Liam stepped into the clearing.
The strange grass beneath his boots felt too soft, too warm, like it didn't belong here. Flowers bloomed everywhere... violet, crimson, silver... and the scent was dizzying, sweet and thick like perfume. The air shimmered faintly with heat.
She stood in the center, waiting.
The Mystic.
She wore a flowing dress of pale gold, the fabric sheer in places, clinging to her curves as if designed to catch the eye. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes… they weren't just glowing. They shimmered like molten silver, reflecting Liam's every step.
"You came," she said, her voice a soft purr.
Liam didn't stop.
"You're the bond target."
She smiled.
"I'm whoever you want me to be."
Behind him, the others stood at the edge of the field. Rena's hand gripped her sword. Kaelyn had one dagger in hand, ready. Sarya frowned deeply, and Vexa simply crossed her arms, eyes narrowed.
Ice Queen didn't move, but frost curled beneath her feet.
The Mystic stepped closer, slow and deliberate.
"Your system seeks control. But you, Liam… you seek more than power, don't you?"
She circled him, fingertips grazing his arm lightly.
"You want loyalty. Submission. Connection."
Her touch was warm. Too warm.
Liam didn't move.
"I want strength. I want bonds that last."
She paused behind him, her breath brushing his neck.
"Then claim me. If you can."
The system pulsed hard.
> [System Alert]
Trial Initiated: Mystic Bond
Name: Elyra – Siren of the Veil
Trial Type: Temptation and Control
Objective: Resist Charm, Prove Dominance
Warning: Mental Resistance Test Active
Buff Available: Veil's Insight – Enhanced Perception
Bond Condition: Do Not Submit
Liam turned to face her.
"I don't submit."
Elyra smiled again, stepping even closer.
"Then prove it."
Her hands slid along his chest, eyes locking onto his. Her power wasn't brute force like Vexa's. It was slow, creeping, seeping into his thoughts. For a moment, everything outside this field faded. The scent, her touch, her eyes... all drew him in.
"Stay with me," she whispered. "Let the others go. You don't need them. Just me."
> [System Warning]
Charm Influence Rising – 47%
Bond Sync Disruption – Loyalty Link Faltering
Ice Queen Alert – Interference Possible
Cold air slammed into the field.
Ice Queen stepped forward, frost swirling in her wake. Her voice rang clear.
"Enough."
Elyra flinched slightly, stepping back.
"You don't belong here," Ice Queen said, eyes sharp.
Elyra smirked.
"He called me."
"I will unmake you."
Liam raised his hand.
"No."
Both stopped.
"I make the choice."
He stepped to Elyra, eyes hard.
"I lead. You follow."
Elyra's eyes narrowed.
"And if I refuse?"
Liam moved fast, grabbing her wrists, pinning her hands.
"You won't."
> [System Update]
Domination Confirmed
Bond Seal Ready – Verbal Claim Required
Buff Gained: Veil's Insight
Effect: Enhanced Awareness, Charm Immunity
Total Bonds: 6 / 99
Elyra's voice was lower now.
"You've passed."
Liam released her.
"Then you're mine."
She bowed her head, just slightly.
"For now."
Back at the edge of the field, Rena stepped away.
Kaelyn shook her head.
Sarya muttered something under her breath.
Ice Queen stared at Liam, cold as ever.
"You will lose control," she said softly.
Liam looked at them all.
"Not today."