The sun rose reluctantly, casting faint rays over the ruined landscape as Selene and Marcus pushed forward. The survivor camp had offered little respite; her thoughts were a whirlwind of unanswered questions and haunting warnings.
Selene's grip on her weapon tightened as they approached a crumbling overpass. Below, the husks of abandoned cars lined the streets, and the eerie silence was broken only by the occasional distant growl of a demon.
"Something's wrong," Marcus muttered, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.
Selene felt it too—a heaviness in the air, like the calm before a storm. She glanced at Marcus. "What do you think it is?"
"Could be an ambush. Or worse." His hand rested on his sword, ready for anything.
The ground beneath them trembled slightly, a faint vibration that grew stronger with every passing second.
"What the—" Selene began, but her words were cut off as the pavement cracked and buckled.
A massive fissure tore through the ground ahead of them, releasing a wave of scorching heat and sulfuric stench. From the depths of the earth emerged a creature unlike any they had encountered before—towering, with molten skin that glowed like embers and horns spiraling from its skull.
"WARNING: High-tier demon detected. Lust energy reserves insufficient for sustained combat."
Selene froze as the system's voice echoed in her mind. The demon roared, its fiery breath igniting the air around it.
"Run!" Marcus shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her back as the creature slammed a clawed hand down where they had just stood.
"No! We can't just run!" Selene argued, her instincts screaming to fight.
"Not like this," Marcus growled. "We're not equipped to take it down!"
The demon advanced, each step shaking the ground. Selene's heart pounded as she frantically searched for a plan.
"Emergency Protocol Activated: Lust Bonding Required for Power Surge."
The system's words sent a chill through her. "What does that even mean?!" she hissed under her breath.
"Selene, move!" Marcus's shout snapped her back to reality as the demon lunged.
They darted into the remnants of an old building, its walls barely holding together. The demon's roar shook the structure, debris falling around them as they took cover.
"We're trapped," Marcus said grimly, wiping sweat from his brow.
"No," Selene said, her mind racing. "There has to be a way. The system—it said something about a power surge."
"What are you talking about?" Marcus asked, his confusion evident.
"I don't have time to explain," Selene said, her voice shaky but determined. She closed her eyes, focusing inward. "System, what do I need to do?"
"Physical bonding with compatible partner will trigger energy surge. Enhanced abilities will last for 10 minutes."
Her eyes snapped open, her cheeks burning. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Selene, what's going on?" Marcus pressed.
She hesitated, her gaze meeting his. Could she really ask this of him? The demon's roar reminded her that hesitation would get them both killed.
"Marcus, trust me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to… to help me."
"Help you how?" he asked, still confused but willing to listen.
Before she could answer, the demon struck again, tearing through the wall and sending them tumbling to the ground.
"Selene!" Marcus shouted, pulling her up as the demon loomed over them.
Her decision was made for her. Grabbing Marcus by the collar, she pulled him into a desperate kiss.
At first, he froze, but then a strange energy surged between them, crackling like electricity. Selene felt the power flood her veins, her body humming with newfound strength and agility.
Marcus pulled back, stunned. "What the hell was that?"
"No time to explain," she said, her voice firm. She turned to face the demon, her iron rod glowing faintly in her hands.
The fight was brutal, but this time, Selene was faster, stronger. She dodged the demon's fiery attacks with ease, landing blow after blow until it let out a deafening roar and crumbled into ash.
As the dust settled, Selene collapsed to her knees, exhaustion washing over her.
Marcus knelt beside her, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief. "Selene… what just happened?"
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I'll tell you everything. But first, we need to move before more show up."
The system chimed softly in her mind: "Energy reserves replenished. Compatibility confirmed."
Selene shivered, realizing the system wasn't just a tool—it had its own agenda.