The celebration of Aiko's triumph over the Gemini Twins was short-lived.
The coliseum floor still shimmered with the remnants of her overwhelming climax, the scent of sex and power thick in the air, but the crowd's cheers died suddenly—replaced by murmurs of confusion and fear.
High above, the skies had darkened, not with clouds but with presence. A pulsing dome of crimson energy locked over the arena, cutting off all light beyond its blood-colored hue.
Aiko turned, instinct flaring.
Kael was gone.
So was Vorik.
Only Lys remained beside her, one hand on her dagger, the other clutching the shimmering sigil of her bonded link with Kael.
It was broken. Severed.
And the look on Lys's face said what Aiko feared most: betrayal.
---
[==== SYSTEM NOTICE ====]
New Quest Triggered: "Chains of the Rebellious Beast"
Objective: Confront the corrupted champion, Vorik.
Warning: Bond disruption detected. Partner Kael has been captured.
Time Limit: 6 in-world hours before full corruption of bonded soul.
[============================]
---
A tremor rumbled through the ground. From the arena's far gate, the iron doors were torn open—not opened, but ripped—their hinges screaming in agony.
And there stood Vorik.
Not the gruff, golden-eyed wolf of her first conquest. No… this was something else. His muscles pulsed with black veins, his once-wild mane now braided in chains, eyes burning red with unnatural fury. Upon his chest, a glowing mark writhed—a crimson brand with a twisting sigil Aiko recognized from forbidden tomes.
The Mark of the Betrayer.
And in his left hand, Kael dangled by the throat.
Alive, but unconscious.
"Return her to her rightful form," Vorik growled, voice layered with something inhuman. "Before she burns this world from her loins outward."
The crowd scattered. Even the other champions fled.
Only Aiko and Lys remained in the blood-soaked ring.
---
Aiko stepped forward.
"Vorik," she said softly, "who did this to you?"
He dropped Kael like discarded cloth, cracking the marble beneath him.
"You did," Vorik snarled. "You broke the chain. You turned me into prey."
"I set you free."
"No." His voice fractured. "You made me crave. That was never the way of beasts. We take. We don't need."
Aiko's heart cracked.
Then it hardened.
She reached behind her back and unclipped the flamebrand—a whip forged from her will and desire, the same one that had tamed Vorik the first time.
"Then let me tame you again."
---
[==== SYSTEM NOTICE ====]
System Lock Engaged: Corrupted Bonded Partner Detected
Restriction Lifted: Full Sensory Combat Mode Enabled
Bonus Objective: Awaken Vorik's True Nature — Beast King's Core
[============================]
---
The battle began like a storm.
Vorik charged, claws unsheathed, his movements nothing like before. This was no longer the proud Alpha who bowed to her pleasure. This was a ravager, a creature of carnality twisted by corruption.
He struck with brute force, tearing through stone, lashing chains of dark magic toward her.
Aiko danced through the chaos, whip in hand, striking only when it mattered. Each blow cracked not only flesh but memory—and she could feel it. Deep inside, his soul remembered.
---
Between dodges, Aiko let herself fall back into their first union—how his growl turned to a purr when she had kissed the hollow behind his ear, how he had trembled when her thigh pressed into his scarred flank.
She used those memories as weapons.
A strike across his ribs, followed by a soft moan.
A twist of her hips mid-air, channeling her Lust Aura into a sonic pulse.
A whisper, barely audible through the clash: "You wanted me to break you…"
Vorik roared. The chains tightened around his torso, glowing brighter.
But then he hesitated.
---
[==== SYSTEM NOTICE ====]
Bonded Memory Reactivation: 43%
Warning: Full corruption at 78%
System Suggestion: Initiate Rebonding Sequence
[============================]
---
She had one chance.
Aiko dropped her whip and strode into Vorik's charge.
His claws should've gutted her. Instead, they trembled inches from her face.
She kissed him.
Full, wet, and possessive.
Her tongue found his. Her hand traced his pulse. Her hips rolled against his iron body, and she commanded his desire like a priestess invoking flame.
"Let go," she whispered against his lips. "You don't need to be a beast for me. You just need to be mine."
Vorik's body convulsed.
Then the chains exploded outward in a burst of golden light.
---
[==== SYSTEM NOTICE ====]
Rebonding Successful: Vorik's Core Restored
Unique Trait Gained: Beast King's Loyalty (Only You May Command His Instincts)
Partner Skill Unlocked: Pack Howl (Summons primal spirits to aid in battle)
Level Up: 15 → 18
Kael's Status: Stable. Awakening in progress.
[============================]
---
Vorik dropped to his knees.
Naked, sweating, panting—and free.
His head bowed. "I belong to you, Flame Queen."
Aiko knelt before him, brushing hair from his eyes. "You always did."
Behind them, Kael stirred, groaning.
And from the shadows of the broken arena, a slow, taunting clap echoed.
Lys stepped forward, the wind lifting her cloak.
But it wasn't Lys's voice that spoke—it was someone using it.
"Well done, Heroine," it crooned. "You passed the test. Shall we see how you fare when it's Kael who turns against you?"
The system stuttered. A flicker of static echoed in Aiko's mind.
A third corruption… had already begun.