The silence was too loud.
Liam stood in the center of the war camp, surrounded by seven bonded wives, each watching him like a weapon about to be drawn. The heat of Zone Nine pressed in from all sides, dry and suffocating, but it wasn't the sun that burned... it was their eyes.
Rena stood just ahead, her sword stabbed into the ground at her feet, hands clenched into fists. Sweat beaded at her temple, not from heat but from holding back words.
"You want loyalty?" she said, voice low. "Earn it."
Kaelith leaned against a jagged stone, flipping a dagger between her fingers, her smirk sharp.
"He already did. Or was that not real?"
Sarya scoffed from where she crouched near the gear cache.
"You don't speak for all of us, blade girl."
Kaelyn didn't speak, but the way she stood between Kaelith and Rena said everything.
Vexa cracked her knuckles.
"This arguing wastes time. Let him lead, or leave."
Elyra stepped behind Liam, one hand sliding across his shoulder, voice a purr.
"They're jealous. They see your power growing and fear they'll be forgotten."
Ice Queen remained silent, standing at the camp's edge, frost curling beneath her bare feet even in this desert zone. She didn't speak. She didn't need to.
The system pulsed.
> [System Alert]
Loyalty Sync: 54% – Danger Threshold
Bond Instability Detected: Rena, Elyra
Tension Event: Risk of Bond Fracture – Moderate
Recommended Action: Assert Control or Sacrifice Bond
Warning: Zone Nine Overlord Contact Imminent – 2 Hours
Objective: Prepare Defense, Stabilize Bond Core
Liam stepped forward, ripping his sword from the ground with one hand.
"I didn't fight for this power to lose it to infighting."
He turned toward Rena first.
"You've been with me from the start. You fought beside me. You bled beside me."
Rena's eyes flashed.
"And now I get to watch her," she jerked her chin toward Elyra, "wrap herself around you like she's won."
Elyra smiled sweetly.
"I did."
Liam turned, hand raised.
"Enough. Both of you."
Elyra stepped back, just enough to let the message settle.
Rena stared at him, jaw tight.
"I follow strength, Liam. Not whispers and charm."
Liam stepped to her, closing the distance.
"Then follow me now. Prove you still believe."
Rena didn't answer at first. Then she turned, walking to the training post. Without a word, she drove her blade into it and began swinging. Over and over. Controlled. Furious.
Vexa watched her, then turned to Liam.
"She wants a reason. Give it."
Sarya checked her bolts, muttering under her breath.
"Or lose her."
Kaelith's laugh was sharp.
"This is fun."
Liam scanned the map overlay in his mind, watching as Zone Nine's border pulsed red.
> [System Notice]
Zone Nine Threat Level: Extreme
Incoming Contact – Unknown Class
Bond Loyalty Impact: Delayed – 12 Hours
Optional Buff Unlock: Rena Loyalty Trial – Personal Duel
Reward: Loyalty Core Stabilized + Territory Defense Boost
Liam turned, sword still in hand.
"Rena. With me."
She stopped mid-strike, turning slowly. Sweat dripped from her jaw, her breath heavy.
"Why?"
Liam stepped forward.
"Because you still follow me."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Prove it."
She dropped her blade. Stepped into the ring.
Bare hands. No fear.
Liam followed.
The others circled, silent.
Elyra's eyes gleamed.
"This will break her."
Kaelith's grin widened.
"Or make her."
Ice Queen didn't speak. But frost curled across her arms.
Rena raised her fists.
"Come on, Overlord. Show me I still matter."
Liam moved.
The fight began.
Liam's boots scraped across the scorched stone as he circled Rena. She didn't flinch, didn't blink. Her eyes stayed locked on his, not like a subordinate, but like a challenger. The others watched from the ring's edge, silent but alert, as if one wrong move might ignite the entire war camp.
Liam's hand twitched.
Rena struck first.
A sharp jab, fast and direct. Liam barely sidestepped, the wind of her fist brushing his cheek. She followed with a kick, spinning low. He blocked it with his forearm, the force of it rattling his bones.
"No hesitation," she snapped. "That's not the man I followed."
Liam ducked a second strike, grabbing her wrist and twisting, forcing her back a step.
"I'm not hesitating," he said.
Rena twisted free, striking his ribs. Pain flared. He grunted.
"You pulled that," she spat.
Liam stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"No. I didn't."
He tackled her.
They hit the ground hard, rolling through the dust. Rena grunted, locking her legs around his waist, trying to flip him. Liam gripped her shoulders, holding her down.
"Say it," he demanded. "Say you still follow."
Rena snarled.
"I followed a leader. Not a man chasing numbers."
Liam's grip tightened.
"I don't chase. I claim."
Rena surged upward, headbutting him. He reeled, and she flipped him onto his back, straddling his chest, fists raised.
"Then prove I'm not just another piece of your system."
Her breath was heavy, her eyes wild, but something else lingered there... hurt.
Liam didn't strike. He didn't resist.
He grabbed her wrists again, slower now.
"You're not."
For a heartbeat, the world froze.
Rena stared at him, and slowly... her fists dropped. She didn't move, didn't rise, just breathed hard against him.
"You were first," Liam said, voice low. "And I won't forget that."
The system pulsed.
> [System Alert]
Loyalty Core Reinforced – Rena
Bond Stability: Restored
New Buff: Duel Guard II – Permanent
Loyalty Sync: 72%
Zone Nine Contact – 90 Minutes
Rena rolled off him, sitting in the dust.
"You better not."
Kaelyn clapped once.
"Well, that was romantic."
Sarya tossed a ration pack at Liam's feet.
"Eat. You'll need it."
Vexa smirked.
"She didn't break you. Good."
Elyra's voice was soft.
"She almost did."
Ice Queen stepped forward, eyes cold.
"Control has been restored. For now."
Liam stood, brushing dust from his coat.
"I didn't come this far to lose control."
The system pinged again.
> Alert: Zone Nine Raid Force Detected
Size: Unknown
Approach Time: 80 Minutes
Recommended Action: Prepare Defense
Optional Objective: Claim Zone Before Enemy Overlord Arrival
Kaelith twirled her dagger.
"Looks like our break's over."
Liam scanned the horizon.
"We move now."
Rena stood, sword in hand.
"We follow."
The others nodded.
For now... unity held.
And the war wasn't waiting.