Chapter 6: Her Name
The first rays of sunlight crept into the cave, painting the walls gold. The night had been long, filled with danger, but the morning felt like a gentle breath after drowning.
Arjun sat at the cave's mouth, his sword resting across his knees. His body was sore from every clash, but at least he was alive. His eyes watched the sky, slowly brightening with streaks of pink and orange.
Behind him, the girl stirred. She groaned softly, sitting up with one hand pressed to her forehead. The marks on her wrists still glowed faintly, like embers that refused to die.
Arjun turned his head. "Morning. Or… whatever counts as morning here."
She gave him a small nod, her expression calm but tired. "You did not sleep."
"Didn't dare," Arjun admitted with a laugh. "Who knows what else would crawl out of the forest if we both passed out?"
She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers slowly. "The chains… I thought they were gone forever. But they answered me when I needed them most."
Arjun leaned back against the wall. "Looked pretty badass to me. You saved both our lives last night."
A faint blush touched her pale cheeks. She lowered her eyes. "I only remembered because of you."
Arjun blinked. "Because of me?"
Her lips curved into the smallest smile. "When you stood against those wolves… even when you knew you were weaker… it awakened something inside me. Courage I thought I had lost."
Arjun rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly embarrassed. "Don't give me too much credit. I was terrified the whole time. Honestly, I'm still terrified."
She chuckled softly, the sound light and fragile like glass. Then silence settled again, broken only by the calls of birds outside the cave.
After a while, Arjun sighed. "You know… I still don't even know your name. We've been through hell together, and I've been calling you 'maiden' in my head like some bad novel character."
She looked up, her eyes shimmering like deep water. For a moment she hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak. But then she placed her hand gently over her chest.
"My name is Seris," she said quietly. "Seris Aelyra."
Arjun repeated it softly. "Seris… That suits you."
The system chimed in his head.
[Bond Update: Partner's True Name Revealed.]
[Affinity +5.]
Arjun rolled his eyes at the glowing panel only he could see. "Of course the system cares about names too."
Seris tilted her head curiously. "System?"
"Uh…" Arjun coughed. "Complicated. Think of it as… my guide. It keeps throwing missions and rewards at me. Basically bossing me around."
Seris studied him carefully, but didn't press further. Instead, she pulled her knees close to her chest, her chains fading completely now. "You asked about my past, didn't you?"
Arjun nodded slowly. "Only if you're ready to talk about it."
She drew in a shaky breath. "I was born in the capital of Azure Sky. My family… the Aelyra clan… we were guardians of the Eternal Chains. A sacred power said to bind even demons."
Arjun's eyebrows rose. "So that's what those glowing chains are?"
"Yes," she whispered. "But the power is dangerous. My clan swore to use it only to protect the world, never for selfish gain. Yet… some did not agree. There was betrayal. My clan was slaughtered."
Her voice cracked at the end, though her face stayed calm. Arjun felt his chest tighten.
"And you?" he asked softly.
"I was the last one," Seris said. Her eyes stared at the cave floor, unfocused. "They captured me, sealed my chains, and left me to die in the wilderness. But… I survived. Somehow."
Arjun clenched his fists. "That's… that's awful. I'm sorry."
She shook her head gently. "Do not pity me. I am alive. And now, my chains answer again. Perhaps that means my duty is not finished."
The system's voice echoed faintly in Arjun's mind.
[Partner Questline Unlocked: Seris of the Chains.]
[First Objective: Help Seris recover her full power.]
Arjun groaned inwardly. "Figures. More quests."
Seris lifted her eyes to him, curious. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Arjun said quickly. "Just… thinking. If your clan's power was that important, then whoever destroyed it must still be out there, right?"
Her eyes darkened. "Yes. And if they know I live… they will come for me again."
Arjun exhaled, leaning back. "Great. As if wolves weren't enough, now we've got human enemies too."
For a long moment, neither spoke. Then Arjun gave her a lopsided smile. "Well, bad luck for them. Because you're not alone this time."
Seris blinked. "Not alone?"
"Yeah," Arjun said firmly. "I may not know what I'm doing, but I'm not letting you face this world alone. We'll get stronger together. We'll survive. And if anyone comes for you…" He raised his sword. "They'll have to go through me."
Seris stared at him, her lips parting slightly. For a second, the calm mask she always wore cracked, and real emotion showed through. Gratitude. Warmth. A spark of something she hadn't felt in a long time.
The system chimed again.
[Bond Growth +15.]
[Charm Bonus Activated.]
Arjun ignored it this time. He only focused on Seris, who whispered, almost too softly to hear:
"Thank you… Arjun."
The sound of his name on her lips made something in his chest stir. He quickly looked away, cheeks warming. "Don't mention it."
Outside the cave, the morning grew brighter. Birds sang. The air smelled fresh, filled with the scent of wildflowers carried by the breeze. For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Arjun felt like maybe, just maybe, he wasn't completely doomed.
Still, the glowing system panel reminded him of reality.
[Main Quest: Survive for 24 Hours.]
[Time Remaining: 16 hours, 12 minutes.]
Arjun sighed. "Sixteen more hours to go. And who knows what else will come after us."
Seris stood slowly, brushing dust from her clothes. Her legs were still weak, but her eyes shone with quiet determination. "Then we should not stay here. The cave is no longer safe. We must move."
Arjun stood beside her, tightening his grip on his sword. "Yeah. Let's find a better place. Somewhere open, where we can see the enemies before they see us."
Together, they stepped out of the cave. The forest below stretched endlessly, sunlight breaking through the mist between the trees. The world was beautiful… and dangerous.
Arjun glanced at Seris, walking just a step behind him, her long hair swaying in the breeze. For the first time since arriving, he didn't feel like a stranger here.
Maybe this world was insane. Maybe the system was cruel. But he wasn't alone anymore.
And that made all the difference.