Chapter 13 First Blood Bond
The smoky ruins of the old cathedral stretched before us like a broken tomb. Cracked stained-glass windows cast shattered rainbow patterns on the rubble-strewn floor. My boots crunched on broken marble as I fell into step beside Vali Lucifer—no longer merely "that silver-haired rival," but my partner in this deadly dance.
Azazel's grinning silhouette melted into shadow at the far end of the nave. "Don't die," he called casually. "Would be rude."
I glanced at Vali. Her ice-blue eyes reflected flickers of torchlight. Her tight battle suit clung to every curve—slender waist flaring into powerful hips, athletic thighs that promised lightning-fast kicks, and a modest but firm chest that made my pulse stutter. Even after weeks of missions, my transmigrator instincts still betrayed me at the sight. I cleared my throat. "Ready?"
Vali nodded once—icy determination etched on her features. "Let's finish this."
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1. Enter the Cult
We advanced through the nave, weapons drawn. The air smelled of damp stone and old blood. In the center chamber, hooded figures chanted around a black altar. A pale, gaunt man lay chained atop it—an ex-devil turned cult leader. With a flick, he raised his head, smoldering hatred in his eyes.
Before he could shriek, Vali unleashed a cone of frost from her palm. The cultists shrieked as their robes crystallized. I sprang forward, summoning a rapier from my Gate of Babylon. Silver light danced down its blade as I cut through the nearest acolyte's magic circle—disrupting their ritual.
> Inner Monologue: "First real mission with Vali. No pressure. Just the fate of dozens of souls—and my own neck—on the line."
A roar shook the chamber as shadowy beasts—twisted familiars—emerged from the broken floor. Black fur, red eyes, claws that dripped with dark magic. The cult leader laughed, raising his arms. "Feed them!"
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2. Kai & Vali Sync Up
Vali was a whirlwind. She sprinted forward, fists crackling with ice-enchanted Haki, punching a familiar's head clean off its shoulders. I backed her up, summoning ice spears that pinned other beasts to the walls. Our attacks dovetailed—her brutal melee and my ranged precision.
> Inner Monologue: "We actually… work together. Her ice bursts and my Gate barrages sync almost perfectly. This is what Azazel meant by 'partners.'"
A massive familiar lunged at me—jaws wide. I ducked, my cloak whipping, and planted a frost field beneath it. The ground turned to slick glass; the creature slipped and crashed into a pillar. I finished it with a quick slash.
Vali watched, breathing hard, then smirked. "Not bad."
> Inner Monologue: "Hearing praise from the Ice Empress herself… surreal. My body's buzzing."
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3. Cult Leader's Last Stand
The cult leader chanted a final incantation. The chains binding him shattered. Black runes glowed on his skin. He surged upward—wings of shadow erupting from his back.
"Exorcist King's Wrath!" he bellowed, slamming the floor. A shockwave of dark energy rippled outward.
Vali and I were thrown back. Stone cracked under the force. I speared a gargoyle-like familiar out of the air, but more cultists appeared from hidden alcoves.
> Inner Monologue: "Of course they saved the boss for last. Why would anything be easy?"
Vali narrowed her eyes. She stretched out a hand and whispered, "Frost Tyranny."
An enormous ice dragon head formed behind her, roaring as it unleashed a blast of crystalline breath. The dark shockwave shattered against it, freezing into jagged stalagmites that impaled several cultists.
I seized the moment. Summoning my Minor Treasury Form, dozens of weapons surrounded me in a rotating sphere. Each swung out in deadly arcs, cutting down the remaining enemies in a storm of steel and ice.
The cult leader staggered, eyes wide. I stepped forward, raising my rapier. "This ends now."
With a single precise strike—ice-coated blade piercing through shadow and bone—he fell silent.
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4. Aftermath & Unspoken Bonds
Silence reclaimed the cathedral. Torch flames flickered on frozen blood and shattered masonry. Vali wiped her fist on her sleeve, turning to me. "Not bad for a pawn."
I offered her a rare, genuine grin. "Not bad for a queen."
She blinked, expression softening for a heartbeat. Then turned away, gathering her cloak.
> Inner Monologue: "There it is—the crack in her armor. I saw it. She cares… a little. Good. I'll nurture that."
Azazel descended, clapping slowly. "Bravo, you two. Now that's teamwork."
Vali shrugged, indifferent again. "Next."
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5. Quiet Reflection
Later, I found a ruined pew and sat alone. My body ached—ice mist curled from bruised skin—but my mind raced.
> Inner Monologue:
"Kai, you nitwit, you just fought beside a future Dragon Emperor and didn't die. That's progress."
"Vali… she's more than a rival. I can see it now. We push each other."
"And soon, Rias and the others will see I'm not just her pawn. I'm forging my own path."
I touched the dragon earring. Glacieria's warmth pulsed faintly.
> Glacieria's Whisper: "Well done, my King. This bond… it will temper you into a true sovereign."
I closed my eyes.
> "We've taken the first step."
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End of Chapter 13