The morning sun painted the Wildscourge in hues of gold, the air buzzing with the hum of life and Etherion. Eragon stood by the remains of their campsite, his pack now heavier with the spoils of their battles. Beside him, Lunara stretched, her golden eyes glinting with anticipation.
"You ready for the city?" she asked, her tone casual.
Eragon adjusted his pack, the system interface flickering in his peripheral vision. "As ready as I'll ever be. What should I expect?"
Lunara smirked. "Think chaos, greed, and danger wrapped in a shiny package. The city's where you'll find everything from powerful allies to people who'd sell your soul for a handful of Etherion crystals."
"Sounds... welcoming," Eragon said dryly.
"Don't worry," Lunara said, patting his shoulder. "You've got me."
Despite her teasing tone, Eragon felt reassured. Together, they began their journey toward the city, their path winding through the dense forest.
They had traveled for only a few hours when the forest changed. The air grew colder, the vibrant colors of the Wildscourge fading into muted tones. The hum of Etherion grew louder, more discordant.
Lunara stopped abruptly, her ears twitching. "Something's wrong."
Eragon followed her gaze to a swirling distortion in the air ahead. It shimmered like liquid silver, pulsating with an otherworldly rhythm.
"What is that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"A portal," Lunara said grimly. "But not a natural one. Someone—or something—put this here."
Before they could react, the portal expanded, its pull irresistible. Eragon felt the ground vanish beneath his feet as he was yanked into the void, Lunara's shout echoing in his ears.
They landed hard on cold stone, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and Etherion. Eragon groaned, pushing himself to his feet. The room they were in was vast and dimly lit, the walls carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly.
Lunara was already on her feet, her claws extended and her posture tense. "We're in a dungeon," she said, her voice low.
"A dungeon?" Eragon echoed, his heart sinking.
"Think of it as a pocket dimension," Lunara explained. "Created by Etherion surges or ancient magic. It's a trap. And judging by the energy here, a deadly one."
A low growl interrupted them, and Eragon turned to see a massive beast emerge from the shadows. It was a hulking, four-legged creature with scales as black as obsidian and eyes that glowed with malevolent intelligence.
"Shadowfang," Lunara muttered, her claws glowing with Etherion. "High-tier. This won't be easy."
The Shadowfang lunged, its massive claws tearing through the air. Lunara met it head-on, her movements a blur of Etherion-infused strikes. Sparks flew as her claws clashed with its scales, the air crackling with energy.
Eragon tried to join the fight, channeling Etherion into his knife. But the Shadowfang was faster, its tail whipping toward him with lethal precision. He barely managed to dodge, the tip of the tail grazing his arm.
"Stay back!" Lunara shouted, her voice sharp. "This one's out of your league."
Frustration surged through Eragon, but he obeyed, watching as Lunara fought with a ferocity he hadn't seen before. Despite her strength, the Shadowfang was relentless, its attacks growing more aggressive with each passing moment.
"Lunara, behind you!" Eragon yelled as a second Shadowfang emerged from the darkness.
Lunara spun, her claws slashing through the new threat. But the effort left her vulnerable, and the first Shadowfang seized the opportunity, ramming into her with its massive frame. She hit the ground hard, a pained growl escaping her lips.
"Lunara!" Eragon shouted, rushing to her side.
Unleashing the Etherion Bond
The mark on Eragon's chest burned, the system interface flashing urgently.
[System Alert: Partner in Critical Condition]
Etherion Bond Amplification Available.
Activate? Y/N.
Without hesitation, Eragon chose Y.
A surge of energy flooded his body, the Etherion flowing into Lunara as well. She gasped, her wounds healing rapidly as her form glowed with renewed power.
"What...?" she began, her eyes wide.
"No time," Eragon said, stepping forward. The energy flowing through him was unlike anything he'd felt before—intense, overwhelming, but exhilarating.
Together, they faced the Shadowfangs. Lunara's strikes became faster, more precise, while Eragon found himself moving with an agility and strength he hadn't known he possessed.
Their combined efforts overwhelmed the beasts, and with a final, coordinated attack, they brought both Shadowfangs down.
The room fell silent, save for the sound of their heavy breathing. The Shadowfangs dissolved into Etherion wisps, their essence absorbed by the dungeon.
"Nice work," Lunara said, her voice hoarse but laced with approval.
"You too," Eragon replied, his chest still glowing faintly from the amplified bond.
As they caught their breath, the runes on the walls flared brighter, and a doorway appeared at the far end of the room.
"Looks like this place isn't done with us yet," Lunara said, her expression grim.
Eragon nodded, tightening his grip on his knife. "Let's see what's next."
Together, they stepped through the doorway, their bond stronger than ever.