The courtyard glowed faintly under moonlight, sweat dripping from their skin as fire and light clashed one final time. Andy staggered forward with a reckless lunge, but Nia sidestepped neatly, hooking his wrist with her staff.
Too neat.
He stumbled, momentum carrying him off balance. She gasped as his arm caught her, and in the next heartbeat they both crashed to the floor, tangled limbs and startled laughter echoing in the night.
Andy blinked, finding himself half sprawled over her, their faces inches apart. Her silver eyes widened, cheeks flushing deep red.
"You…" she stammered, voice sharp but trembling, "you did that on purpose!"
Andy grinned sheepishly, breathless. "Would it be such a bad strategy?"
Her staff clattered aside. For a long, charged moment, neither moved. Their breaths mingled, the heat of training mixing with something far more dangerous. Nia swallowed, then shoved him off with a huff, though her blush betrayed her.
"Idiot," she muttered, brushing dust from her dress. "You're lucky I didn't blast you."
Andy chuckled, rising with her. "Then I'd say it was worth the risk."
They didn't stop there. Nia insisted on one last exercise—meditation. She guided him to sit across from her, knees nearly touching. "Close your eyes. Breathe with me. Let our mana flow together."
Andy obeyed, clasping her hands. For a moment, nothing but silence. Then—warmth. Her mana brushed against his, gentle, steady. He let his firestorm soften, let her light guide it.
And suddenly, he heard her. Not words, not exactly—but emotions, impressions. Her fear when she saw Kayla's smile. Her pride when he stood beside her. Her longing.
Nia gasped softly. "You can feel it too, can't you?"
Andy opened his eyes. "Everything."
They didn't let go for a long time.
The System's chime resonated, clearer than before:
> [Bond Progression: 120% → 122%]
New Passive Acquired: Heart Resonance – Bond partners can share fleeting thoughts and emotions during synchronized focus.
Exhaustion eventually claimed them. Andy tried to rise, but his legs wobbled. Nia caught him again, supporting his weight against her shoulder.
"You push too hard," she scolded, though her voice was soft. "Don't think I'll always be here to catch you."
He smiled weakly, leaning into her warmth. "But you are here."
Her cheeks burned, but she didn't let go. "This time."
They limped back toward their chamber, arms still linked. And though their bodies ached, their bond blazed stronger than ever, sharper than steel, brighter than moonlight.
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