As Nerina's words settled in the air, her subtle bow marking the beginning of something profound between us, I caught a glimmer of interest in Valendra's eyes. Elowen, though ever the quiet observer, seemed no less intrigued. The curiosity in the air was almost palpable, the weight of what I had just agreed to with Nerina undoubtedly sparking something deeper in both of them.
Valendra, who had thus far remained composed, now leaned forward slightly, her usual sharpness tempered by a softer curiosity. "This bond you speak of... it's not something I've heard much about," she began, her voice carrying a note of hesitation, but also an underlying fascination.
Elowen, though silent, shifted in her seat. I could feel her attention on me, her gaze almost searching. The way she looked at me, it wasn't just curiosity. It was deeper—a need to understand, to know what this bond meant, and perhaps... whether it was something she, too, desired.
I took a moment, letting the silence stretch, feeling the weight of their gazes on me before finally breaking it. "An eternal bond," I started, my voice calm yet carrying the weight of something ancient, "isn't just a promise or a simple connection. It's a bond between two souls—one that links us in ways even words struggle to capture."
Both women watched me closely, their attention unwavering, drawn in by the gravity of what I was saying.
"When you form such a bond," I continued, "it's more than just a pact. It's a sharing of life force, of strength, of growth. Our souls become connected, intertwined. As I grow stronger, so too do those who are bonded to me. Their essence, their power, becomes a part of mine—and in turn, they benefit from the same."
Elowen's eyes flickered with something unreadable—a mix of awe and contemplation. "So, if someone were to bond with you," she asked softly, her voice as melodic as ever, "their strength would be tied to yours?"
I nodded, my gaze meeting hers. "Exactly. My growth becomes their growth. Their power, their skills—they will develop in ways far beyond what they could on their own. And as we both grow stronger, so too does the bond between us, becoming an unbreakable force."
Valendra was silent for a moment, absorbing what I'd said. Her gaze turned thoughtful, but there was something deeper—an unspoken desire, a curiosity that seemed to stir from within her. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady yet laced with intrigue. "And this bond… it's eternal? There's no way to break it once formed?"
I nodded. "Once the bond is formed, it's forever. It cannot be broken, not by time or distance. It links us together, soul to soul, and our destinies become entwined."
Valendra's expression shifted slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That sounds... powerful. Dangerous, even."
I couldn't help but smirk at her response. "It can be. But that's part of what makes it so unique. It's a connection like no other. And the benefits of it far outweigh the risks. Imagine being able to grow in ways you never thought possible—your abilities enhanced, your strength multiplied, simply by being connected to me."
Elowen remained quiet, but her eyes told me everything I needed to know. There was a spark there, something growing beneath the surface. She didn't need to say it aloud for me to understand—she was intrigued, captivated by the idea of such a bond.
Valendra, however, was more direct. "And if someone were to... say, want this bond with you," she asked, her voice now laced with a quiet intensity, "what would they need to do?"
I leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze directly. "It's simple, really. You would need to swear an oath—an absolute promise to never betray the bond. And once the bond is forged, there's no going back. You become part of my essence, and I become part of yours."
Valendra's smile deepened, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and mischief. "And what if I'm not one for oaths?"
I chuckled softly, enjoying the playful challenge in her tone. "You'd still have to swear it, Valendra. There's no other way to form the bond. But once you do, you'll understand just how powerful it truly is."
Elowen finally spoke, her voice gentle but filled with a quiet determination. "And what if someone wanted that bond... for more than just strength?"
Her words hung in the air, and I turned to look at her, meeting her gaze fully. Her question was more layered than it appeared, and I could feel the depth of what she was truly asking. She wasn't just interested in the power the bond could offer—she was seeking something far more profound, something that went beyond simple strength.
"The bond," I said slowly, "is not just about power. It's about connection. A deep, unwavering connection that links us on every level—physical, emotional, spiritual. If someone sought that bond for more than just strength... it would become something far greater."
Elowen's expression softened, her gaze lingering on me. "So it's more than just power. It's... everything."
I nodded, letting the truth of my words sink in. "Yes. It's everything."
As the conversation unfolded, I felt the weight of the moment grow. Elowen's gaze was thoughtful, her earlier curiosity evolving into a deeper understanding.
"The bond," I said slowly, "is not just about power. It's about connection. A deep, unwavering connection that links us on every level—physical, emotional, spiritual. If someone sought that bond for more than just strength... it would become something far greater."
Elowen's expression softened, her luminous eyes lingering on me as the gravity of my words took hold. "So it's more than just power. It's... everything."
I nodded, letting her absorb the truth. "Yes. It's everything."
Elowen tilted her head, her curiosity renewed. "So it's like a bond between us and the beasts we tame?"
I smiled. "Yes, but on a more profound and celestial level. Think of it as a connection that transcends just survival or utility, though the foundation is similar."
Her eyes sparkled with interest as she asked, "How do you forge a bond with the beasts you tame, and how does that help you grow?"
"We forge a bond through our blood," she began, her tone confident. "The beasts we tame help us grow stronger. The higher the level of the beast, the more strength we gain from them. Outside the Zestia Forest, people rely heavily on these beasts for all tasks, from battle to daily life."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's amazing. So what kind of beasts have you bonded with, and how many can you forge this blood bond with?"
Valendra and Elowen exchanged a glance, and then, with a flourish, Valendra stepped forward. From a burst of emerald light, a majestic creature emerged.
The **Thunderclaw Panther** stood tall, its sleek, black fur marked with glowing, lightning-blue stripes that crackled with electric energy. Its eyes glowed, and its claws emitted faint arcs of electricity, the air around it humming with static.
"This is my bonded beast," Valendra said proudly.
The panther prowled forward, exuding an aura of raw power.
- **Thunderclaw Panther**:
- **Storm Pounce**: A swift, electrified leap that delivers a stunning shock to its target.
- **Lightning Cloak**: A protective shield of lightning that can envelop both Valendra and the panther, repelling attacks and electrifying enemies nearby.
- **Thunderous Roar**: A deafening roar that disorients foes and calls down a localized lightning strike.
Not to be outdone, Elowen smiled and summoned her own beast. From a soft glow of silvery light, a majestic **Moonshadow Stag** appeared. Its coat shimmered like moonlight, and its glowing antlers were adorned with gentle, pulsing runes. Its eyes, deep pools of midnight blue, reflected the starry sky above, and stardust trailed behind its every step.
"This is mine," Elowen said with a soft, almost reverent tone.
- **Moonshadow Stag**:
- **Lunar Veil**: A cloak of moonlight that can render Elowen and the stag nearly invisible in darkness.
- **Celestial Charge**: A powerful charge attack that releases a wave of moonlight energy, disorienting and damaging enemies.
- **Moonlit Guidance**: Enhanced navigation and senses, allowing Elowen to detect hidden paths and entities in the darkness.
As I admired their bond with the beasts, Nerina stood beside me, still adjusting to the deep, overwhelming power flowing through her after our recent Eternal Bond. The surge of pure Lumera within her was vast, far more than any Lumera had ever experienced. **Autum**, who had been my bond for a few days already, stood by, helping Nerina stabilize the powerful energy coursing through her.
Unlike me, who held the primal energies deep within my soul, my bonds couldn't come into direct contact with those energies without the risk of death. To help them, I had transformed the purified sin energy inside me into pure Liquid Lumera and transferred it into each of my bonds, constantly guiding them to new heights. The process was delicate and required precision, but it was the only way to ensure their survival and growth.
Nerina, her usual calm demeanor now slightly shaken by the immensity of the energy, shot me a glance. "I can feel it. The Lumera... it's coursing through me, more powerful than I've ever imagined."
Autum chuckled softly, her voice warm and teasing. "Oh, trust me, it takes time to adjust. I had a head start, but I know exactly what you're feeling right now. But don't worry, I'll help you find balance. Rose is good at pushing us to our limits."
I grinned at her. "I have to ensure you can keep up with me, after all."
Autum smirked. "Or is it that you're just collecting more hearts, Rosé? You've already made quite an impression."
Nerina's eyes sparkled with amusement despite the intensity of the moment. "He does seem to have a way of binding people to him, doesn't he? Quite the irresistible force."
I laughed, feeling their teasing as a light-hearted contrast to the gravity of our bonds. "It's not intentional, I assure you."
"Sure it isn't," Autum teased, nudging me lightly. "We know how you work, Rosé. One by one, you're gathering us all. And we're all too happy to fall in line."
Nerina's gaze softened, her earlier tension melting away. "It's not just the bond, though. There's something more... something deeper. I feel it, like a connection to something far beyond strength. It's like a piece of your soul has intertwined with mine."
Autum nodded. "That's what the Eternal Bond is. It's not just power. It's everything, just as Rosé said earlier."
I felt the weight of their words settle over me. The bonds I had forged were more than just ties to strength or power. They were connections that ran deeper than I had ever anticipated, binding us all in ways that defied the usual rules of this world.
I glanced at the two of them, my heart swelling with a quiet sense of pride and gratitude. "You're both extraordinary, you know that? And with every step we take together, we only grow stronger."
Valendra and Elowen, who had been observing the interplay between us with curious smiles, exchanged knowing glances. Elowen stepped forward, her voice filled with warmth. "You've made these bonds something more than just a tool for survival, Rosé. I can see it in how Nerina and Autum look at you... the way their strength grows because of it."
Valendra chimed in with a playful grin. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You do have a knack for making connections that go far beyond the surface. But if you think we're just going to sit back and let you get all the attention, you're mistaken."
I chuckled, the warmth of their camaraderie wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As the Thunderclaw Panther prowled and the Moonshadow Stag shimmered under the starlight, I knew that my journey was only beginning. The bonds I'd forged would guide me forward, each step bringing us closer to something greater than any of us could imagine.
And as I glanced at Autum and Nerina, their eyes reflecting the strength of our connection, I realized that this wasn't just about power or survival.
This was about the family we were becoming.
**A family bound by eternity.**