The spiral staircase creaked and glimmered beneath their feet. Made entirely of crystalline stone, each step emitted faint pulses of blue light as Kael and his group descended into the depths. The narrow shaft wrapped around a hollow core filled with rotating arcane rings—like a massive ancient timepiece buried beneath the sand.
Nira walked just behind Kael, clutching his cloak with one hand while the Wraith Zephyr silently slithered along the walls like a shadow tethered to her heartbeat.
Every few meters, a pulse of necrotic wind whispered past them, singing like ghostly chimes. The walls told stories in runes: forgotten wars, lords turned mad by ambition, and fusion experiments that defied the boundaries of life and death.
At last, they reached the bottom.
A colossal chamber awaited them, supported by obsidian columns covered in glowing runic script. At the center stood a pedestal, and above it—a sealed crystalline pod suspended mid-air. Something was inside.
"Powerful," Sera whispered, eyes narrowed. "I can sense both elemental chaos and necrotic balance… It's a living contradiction."
Kael stepped forward. "The Hidden Companion."
The moment he neared the pedestal, the System flared to life.
[System Alert: Fusion Seal Detected!]Object:Stasis Cocoon – Type: Fusion Construct | Subject: Unknown EntityRequirements to Unseal:
One Tier 1 Fusion Entity
Minimum Affection Score: 80 (Nearby Kin)
Fusion-Compatible Host PresentCompatible Candidates Found:
Nira [Affection: 100]
Kael [Lord Class: Abyssal Sovereign]Initiating Ritual Synchronization...Warning: All nearby allies will be exposed to Ancient Fusion Energy. Stability Check Required.Proceed? [Yes] | [No]
Kael exchanged a glance with Nira. She nodded firmly.
"I can feel her calling," she whispered. "She's… sad. Alone."
Kael selected [Yes].
Immediately, the runes exploded with brilliance. The Wraith Zephyr floated toward the cocoon, then shattered into motes of wind and death. Nira gasped but didn't resist. Her body glowed silver-blue as the fusion linked directly to her aura.
The entire chamber shook.
Cracks spread across the stasis pod.
From within, a soft wail echoed—a cry, not of pain, but of awakening.
Then the pod burst open.
A girl—around Nira's age, with flowing teal hair and translucent wings like folded mist—descended gently. Her eyes were closed as though still dreaming.
But the moment her feet touched the platform, her eyes opened—and they were a pure, glowing white.
[System Alert: Fusion Companion Unlocked!]Name:LyssaRace:Elemental-Necrotic HybridClass:Windsoul Arcanist (Unique-Class)Bonded To:Nira – Fusion Link CompleteAffinity: 95 | Loyalty: 100%Growth Trait:Symbiotic Evolution – Gains strength based on Nira's emotional state and combat performance.Special Skill:Storm of Souls – Summons a vortex of spectral wind blades that feed on mana and hatred.Fusion Tier: IIStatus:Awakened | Stable
Lyssa collapsed, but Nira caught her mid-air. The two girls stared at each other, connected without a word.
"I… I remember," Lyssa said softly. "I've waited so long… for someone like you."
The ritual complete, the chamber's light dimmed.
Kael opened his interface to check the party status.
[System Update: Companion Slot 5 Filled – Lyssa Added]Party Bonus Activated:
Elemental Necrosis Affinity: +15%
Group Fusion Options Unlocked (Tier II)Team EXP Distributed: +1500Kael EXP: +1500Skill Progression Unlocked:
Passive: Aura of Dominion – Undead and Elementals summoned within a 50m radius gain +5% efficiency.
Active: Sovereign's Grasp – Channel energy to forcibly stabilize unstable fusion entities.
Passive: Charisma of the Abyss – Romance Affinity Increase +20% with Fusion-type Entities.
As the System closed, Sera looked around warily.
"That kind of energy doesn't go unnoticed."
She was right.
Alarms began flashing across Kael's interface. One of their outposts was under attack.
[Emergency Alert: Lord's Territory Breached!]Location:Iron Fang Outpost – Western BorderHostile Lord Identified:
Name: Zerek
Class: Plague Prophet (Random-Class)
Troop Type: Undead Plagueborn + Corrupted InsectsObjective: Reinforce Outpost or Abandon TerritoryTime Remaining: 1 Hour
Kael clenched his fist.
"Then this will be Lyssa's trial by fire."
He turned to his companions. "We teleport to the outpost. Prepare the troops."
Aria's voice echoed from the shadows. "I've already poisoned his scouts."
Kael smirked.
It was time to show the world that Blackstone Haven didn't just birth lords.
It forged Sovereigns.