Connor's vision wavered as blood pooled from his wound, draining the last remnants of his strength. The world around him blurred into a chaotic smear of shadows and frantic motion. His leg, now a mangled stump, pulsed with searing agony, though the makeshift zip tie holding it together offered brief moments of reprieve. Jacob's unconscious form weighed heavily at his side, dragging at him and restricting his already weakened movements. Gritting his teeth, Connor refused to let this be the end for them. Despite the pain, he stole a glance at Jacob, then shifted his focus to the adventurers in the distance.
The battle raged on, the adventurers locked in a desperate struggle against the beast. Their strikes were powerful, deep, but futile in halting the creature's relentless assault. It slithered through the shadows, striking swiftly before retreating back into the dark. Its blood-drenched fur glowed ominously, eyes burning with murderous fury. The creature's resolve was clear—there would be no retreat. It was a fight to the death.
Connor forced himself to focus, ignoring the agony flooding through his body. He couldn't rely on the adventurers alone to win this fight—not with Jacob unconscious and their shared body too crippled to act. He glanced at their mana bar—three points left. Barely enough to cast a spell, let alone one strong enough to shift the battle. He needed something—anything—to turn the tide.
"Think, damn it, think," he muttered under his breath, heart pounding in his chest. The beast circled, calculating its next attack. Connor knew this time, it wouldn't retreat. It was going for the kill, and the adventurers were barely holding on.
Then, like a fleeting spark in the dark, an idea flashed into his mind. It wasn't much, but it was something—a slim thread of hope. There was a bond between them, a shared power, even with Jacob unconscious. Maybe, just maybe, they could pull off one final move if Connor could tap into Jacob's abilities. Fighting through the pain and exhaustion, Connor closed his eyes, reaching out mentally, desperate to connect.
"Jacob... come on, wake up," Connor whispered, his voice shaking. His mind felt as though it were slipping between worlds, caught in the space between the physical and the astral. He could feel Jacob, deep within their shared consciousness, trapped in a darkness that threatened to pull him under. Connor pushed forward, breaking through the void toward the flicker of his brother's presence.
"Jacob, I need you," he urged, voice filled with desperation. "We have to do this together."
For what felt like an eternity, there was silence. Then, slowly, a faint stir, a pulse of energy—Jacob, still disoriented and confused, yet present.
"What's happening?" Jacob's voice was weak, a confused whisper in the dark.
"You passed out," Connor replied, his heart lifting at the sound of his brother's voice. "But we're not done. We still have to finish this. The beast is still out there."
Jacob's presence strengthened, and he began to pull himself together. "How's our mana?"
"Low," Connor answered, voice strained. "Three points left. But if we combine what we have, we might be able to pull off something big. How much do you have?"
"Fifteen," Jacob replied after a pause.
Connor nodded, feeling a surge of energy between them. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give them a fighting chance. "Okay. Let's do this."
Their minds synced in perfect harmony, and for a fleeting moment, the pain and exhaustion faded. They focused, united in their goal—one final spell to end this, to finish what they had started. A deep sense of unity and purpose flooded them as they pooled their mana. And then, amidst the chaos of battle, a sudden ding echoed in their minds.
Skill activation: Soul Flame - Eternal Link
The notification barely registered. In the heat of the moment, there was no time to think about it. The beast lunged, claws slashing toward the nearest adventurer. The fighter barely dodged, retaliating with a blast of flame that scorched the beast's fur. It howled, but Connor and Jacob's attention was elsewhere.
They had no time to hesitate. They reached deep within, pulling every ounce of strength left. The zip tie spell had bought them some time, but now, they needed something far stronger. Their minds merged, focused entirely on one goal: to stop the beast once and for all.
"Steel Bind," they said in unison, their voices steady, their resolve unwavering.
A magic circle flared to life beneath them, glowing as their combined mana surged into it. The spell took shape, and chains of steel erupted from the earth, wrapping tightly around the beast. It snarled and thrashed, but the chains held firm, draining its strength as it struggled in vain. The creature's energy was spent fighting to break free, leaving it vulnerable.
Another ding rang in their minds.
Skill Unlocked: Steel Bind (Common)
"Now!" Connor shouted, his voice hoarse and strained.
The adventurers didn't hesitate. They took full advantage of the beast's restraint, launching a fierce barrage of attacks—arrows, bolts of lightning, fireballs—all aimed at the trapped creature. The beast, unable to defend itself, could only endure the relentless assault. Its howls of agony filled the air as its health dwindled. The adventurers pushed forward, knowing that this was their only chance.
Connor's vision blurred again, his body trembling with exhaustion. But they had done it. The beast was weakening, its once-mighty form sinking to the ground under the weight of the attacks. Its glowing eyes dimmed, the light fading from them.
It took Connor a long moment to realize that his own exhaustion had caught up with him. Sleep tugged at him, a deep pull he couldn't resist. He hadn't noticed it before, but now, with the beast on the verge of collapse, he could feel Jacob's presence slipping away once again. The battle was over. They had made it.