The hunt became their rhythm. Wake, track, fight, kill, then cultivate in the quiet hours of dusk. The days blurred, but the difference in their bodies was undeniable. Nyra's spells snapped sharper, Rael's strikes landed heavier, and Arden could feel his own core pressing against the ceiling of his realm. Every kill left more life energy churning inside him, and through their bond, Zephyra drank from it as well.

Nyra stretched after one long session, sweat glistening on her forehead. "At this rate, even a realm above won't scare us."

Rael smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Won't scare you, maybe. I plan on flattening them."

Arden didn't look up from where he sat cross-legged. "Confidence's good. Overconfidence gets you buried."

They laughed, but they knew he meant it.

By the fifth evening, Arden decided it was time to push higher.

After a round of cultivation, he drew out four small bottles from his pack. The glass caught the firelight, crimson liquid swirling thick like molten gems.

Both Nyra and Rael froze. They recognized the elixir immediately.

"…You're not serious," Rael muttered, his voice low.

Arden's gaze stayed calm. "Crimson Aether Lotus. I didn't risk trading with Boro's people just to stare at it. Drink it, or watch Zephyra leave you behind."

Zephyra's growl carried through the camp, low but impatient.

The intent rolled through the bond, sharp and certain. She would take it first. Arden understood. He uncorked the lid. A sharp pop hissed as faint smoke curled out, the scent sweet and dangerous.

Nyra and Rael swallowed hard, eyes locked on the beast. Even Arden felt the weight of hesitation press against his chest, but Zephyra's will pushed harder.

Without another word, he tilted the bottle and poured the shimmering liquid into her maw.

The change came swift. Her body shuddered once, then stilled, her cerulean flames flaring out in a halo that rippled the grass flat. The fire didn't consume but bloomed, petals of blue light unfurling before shrinking back into her fur. Her frame seemed to stretch taller, leaner, the hard muscle beneath her coat carved sharper. The beast that once looked like raw ferocity now carried a majesty that couldn't be ignored.

Her presence held the same crushing strength, yet there was something refined in the way she stood, almost regal, though still untamed.

Arden's eyes narrowed. "Beautiful, and deadly. That's a perfect description."

The system confirmed what his eyes already told him.

[Companion Enhancement Acquired]

Zephyra has consumed the Crimson Lotus Elixir.

Physical Enhancements:

Vital Surge: Body pulses with vitality, increasing stamina and resilience.

Lotus Regeneration: Wounds seal faster, deeper injuries recover swiftly.

Tempered Form: Muscles refined, agility and striking power boosted.

Affinity Evolutions:

Cerulean Lotusflame: Flames burn hotter and brighter. New lotus bloom effect — strikes erupt outward in petal-like bursts, scorching a wider area before retracting.

Wind Infusion: Wind fuels the lotusflame, extending its reach and slicing through defenses.

New Skill Gained – Crimson Bloom Strike

Zephyra channels her lotusflame into claws or fangs, releasing a slash or bite that explodes in a lotus-shaped burst on impact. The petals spread fire outward, punishing multiple foes at once].

Nyra exhaled in awe. "She looks… different. Like the same Zephyra but—"

"—the upgraded version," Rael finished, though his eyes gleamed with excitement more than fear.

Zephyra's growl echoed, not just sound but intent, a playful challenge wrapped in fire. She had grown, and she knew it.

Arden scratched her side, his voice calm but proud. "You always did like stealing the spotlight."

The campfire cracked between them, but the heat they felt now came from the beast whose flames burned hotter than ever.

Rael's eyes were still on Zephyra when he suddenly stood, pushing aside his hesitation with a sharp grin.

"My turn," he said, not waiting for anyone to argue. He popped the lid, tilted his head back, and downed the elixir in one gulp.

Nyra raised a brow. "You could at least pretend to think first."

Rael wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Thinking's for you. Watch me grow stronger."

The effect hit almost immediately. His veins throbbed as if fire itself coursed through him, and he flexed his arms with a loud grunt, shoulders bulking up as though he'd just trained for hours in seconds. His breathing deepened, chest expanding like it couldn't hold the rush. The others could see it too, his features sharpened, skin glowing with a vitality that made him look younger, stronger, almost radiant.

He laughed, pumping a fist into the air. "This… this is it! I'm ready to tear something apart."

Arden leaned back slightly, unimpressed. "Before you go looking for something to tear, why don't you explain how it feels?"

Rael smirked, a faint arc of lightning snapping across his arm. "I'll only know by using it."

"Fine by me." Arden cracked his knuckles, then threw an empty punch across the space.

The blow whistled, carrying a faint weight of life energy, but Rael's body moved before he could think, darting out of the way with speed he'd never possessed before.

Arden dropped his hand with a calm nod. "Not bad. That would've floored the old you."

Rael's grin widened, electricity gathering around his arms. "Then let's see how much better I am now. I'm going all out."

Arden's eyes lit with amusement. "Bring it on."

"Brutes," Nyra muttered, shaking her head. She shifted closer to Zephyra, who sat low to the ground, flames licking faintly around her claws. Her eyes never left the two men, unblinking and sharp.

Rael charged, his lightning bursting bright as his ice traced a jagged path underfoot. Arden parried the first strike easily, but the follow-up came faster, Rael's lightning lancing into his ice, intertwining and snapping with violent precision.

Arden sidestepped, his voice calm even in motion. "Your channels are cleaner. Ice and lightning aren't clashing anymore."

Rael swung again, arcs dancing across his arms. The strike hit Arden's block, a shockwave rattling the campfire.

Arden tilted his head. "Amplified discharge. You're compressing it tighter than before."

Rael gritted his teeth, shifting his weight and slamming a fist down. The ground iced over in an instant, a jagged spike rising with lightning crawling through it.

Arden slid back a step, watching the crackle. " Frost slows… Surge explodes. You're actually chaining them cleanly."

Rael roared, both affinities colliding in his arms before he released them in a whip-like strike.

A stream of crackling ice and lightning lashed forward, snapping against Arden's defense like a living chain.

Arden blocked, the impact pushing dust across the ground. He shook out his hand, a faint smirk tugging his lips. "A new skill… not bad."

Rael's chest heaved, sweat dripping but his grin wild. "So? How'd I do?"

Arden brushed dirt off his sleeve like it was nothing. "Good warm-up. You'll need a thousand more like that before I break a sweat."

Nyra clapped slowly. "Two brutes, one smarter than the other. Guess which one."

Rael barked a laugh, still flushed with power. "Call me what you want. I feel unstoppable."

Zephyra growled low, flames rippling at her jaws as if mocking his claim. Rael raised a brow at her.

"Oh, you too? Fine. Line up after him."

Arden chuckled, folding his arms. "Careful, Rael. Zephyra doesn't play fair."

The beast's flames flared, almost like she agreed.

A/N:

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