Chapter 38: Sinborne Echoes
Dawn crept over the mountains in hues of violet and ash, casting a quiet stillness over the aftermath of battle. The camp reeked of blood and scorched earth, but Kael and his companions stood alive—and victorious, for now.
Nysera sat beside Kael, wrapping a bandage around his forearm as he winced. "You almost lost your arm again."
Kael chuckled weakly. "Would've been the third time this month."
Thalaria huffed, tossing a smoldering log back into the fire pit. "We shouldn't stay here long. Malgareth won't give us breathing room."
Selene stirred the herb mix for their wounds, her eyes heavy but determined. "Not just Malgareth. The Rooted One's cult will send more. Stronger."
Valeria stood on the hill overlooking their camp, her long hair swaying with the morning wind. She seemed troubled.
"We were targeted specifically," she said. "Not just for the Crown… but for the resonance. Someone knew we were bonded."
Kael looked to the horizon. "Then we follow the thread. Malgareth escaped—but not without bleeding."
[Quest Line Updated: Crimson Collapse Arc]
New Objective: Track Malgareth to the Umbral Vault
Optional Objective: Discover the traitor leaking your coordinates
Bonus Reward: Sin Fragment (Rare), Bloodline Surge Crystal
[Companion Bond Perk Unlocked — Harem Core Telepathy]
All bonded partners may now communicate mentally across any distance.
[Harem Feature — Secret Channel Enabled]
Partners may share thoughts with one another without alerting Kael.
Selene blinked as her mind suddenly echoed with Valeria's calm voice. Testing... It works.
Thalaria smirked. Finally. I can roast you all without Kael hearing.
Valeria replied dryly. I heard that.
Nysera's voice slipped in like silk. Let's not start a civil war in our heads, shall we?
Kael, unaware, grinned as he felt their warmth nearby. "You all seem unusually quiet. Planning my demise?"
Selene leaned in with a sly smile. "Only if you stop making us fall harder for you."
The group shared a rare, quiet laugh—until Nysera tensed.
"They're tracking him. I can feel the tether. Malgareth is retreating south, into the Umbral Caverns."
Kael stood, stretching. "Then we move."
As they packed, Selene brushed her lips against Kael's ear. "Tonight. Before battle. We bond again."
Kael's breath hitched. "Sacred union?"
"More than that," she whispered. "This time… we take the next step. All of us."
Kael turned to see Thalaria, Valeria, and Nysera already watching him, expressions bold and inviting.
His heart thundered—not with fear, but with longing.
That evening, while Kael wandered alone near the edge of their forest camp to reflect, a system chime echoed in his mind.
[Quest Completed: Vault of the Forsaken Flame]
Reward: Sin Fragment x1, Affinity Shard x1, Access to Crown Lottery Draw
[System Lottery: Crown Spin Initiated]
Spinning...
🎉 [Congratulations! You have won: Sacred Dimension Pearl (Mythic Tier)]
A sphere of radiant violet light materialized mid-air and gently descended into Kael's open hands. Intricate runes glowed faintly across its surface.
[System Item Acquired: Sacred Dimension Pearl]
Function: Creates a private cultivation realm. Time Flow: 1 day outside = 10 years inside.
Entry Limit: Bearer and Bonded Partners only.
Note: Realm is concealed from all external detection methods, including gods and fate readers.
Kael blinked. "Well... luck's finally looking up."
The system chimed again.
[Hidden Prompt: The Sacred Dimension Pearl is a Legacy Item of the One Who Waits. Your possession of it has triggered latent bloodline echoes. Fate threads rerouted.]
He stared at the pearl, a chill running down his spine. "Another legacy?"
When he returned to camp and explained what had happened, Selene's eyes widened. "A dimension of our own?"
Valeria murmured, "We can train, heal… even explore possibilities we don't dare outside."
Thalaria grinned, "Or do a lot of... other things uninterrupted."
Nysera licked her lips. "Now that's a dangerous gift."
Kael nodded, locking eyes with them. "Let's make it our sanctuary."
To be continued in Chapter 39