The Struggle

The secluded training ground was quiet, save for the rhythmic breathing of Ren and his twin brother, Kael. They stood side by side, their eyes locked onto their respective pets—creatures of unimaginable power, yet still silent and unresponsive. Ren's dragon stood tall beside him, its scales shimmering with latent energy, while Kael's pet, a majestic creature that seemed to exist between shadow and light, quietly stood by his side.

Tsukihara and Renshiro, both standing a few paces away, watched intently. Their arms were crossed, expressions unreadable. They had been training the boys relentlessly for days, pushing them to their limits.

"Alright," Tsukihara began, his voice serious, "Today is the day you push further. The 20% Fusion isn't an easy feat, and you both know it. You've barely managed to tap into 10% of the power you can access, but today, we're going to push you past your limits."

Ren wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart racing. "This isn't easy, Master. Even at 10%, it feels like my body is about to tear apart."

Kael nodded in agreement, his face showing the strain of the effort. "My pet… it's not responding like I thought it would. We're supposed to be partners, but it feels like we're miles apart."

Renshiro, the True Master, stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on both of their shoulders. "You both have what it takes. Your bond with your pets is deeper than you realize. The challenge is understanding each other, not just through strength, but through trust. Right now, your pets can't speak to you, but that doesn't mean they aren't trying to communicate. You have to listen with more than just your ears."

Ren glanced at his pet, a dragon whose eyes burned with untapped power. His body had been straining with the effort of the fusion, and yet, he still couldn't break through the barrier. "I can feel the power inside of him. It's there, but it feels… locked away."

Kael clenched his fists, his eyes on his shadowed pet. "It's like I'm reaching out for something, but every time I get close, it slips away."

Tsukihara gave them both a long, thoughtful look. "That's because the bond isn't one-sided. Right now, you're both trying to push the fusion without truly understanding the essence of your pets. You must match their rhythm—body, mind, and soul. The moment you synchronize, you'll break through."

Ren inhaled deeply. "Synchronization…"

"Exactly," Renshiro said with a nod. "It's not just about your strength, Ren. Or Kael. It's about your spirits intertwining. You have to become one with them."

The twins exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. They had come this far. They couldn't afford to fail now.

The Struggle for Synchronization

The twins closed their eyes, taking deep breaths, feeling the pulse of the world around them. Ren focused on his dragon, the deep, steady rhythm of its breathing. Kael, on the other hand, tried to connect with his pet's shifting, almost intangible presence.

"Focus," Tsukihara instructed. "Feel the heartbeat of your pet. Let your energy flow together."

Ren extended his hand, his palm resting on the dragon's scales. He could feel its energy flowing through him, but it was erratic, disjointed. The dragon's pulse wasn't syncing with his own heartbeat.

Kael, standing beside him, mirrored his actions. His pet—dark and ethereal—felt like a distant star, its power untouchable, but just out of reach.

"You're only at 10% right now," Tsukihara reminded them. "If you want to push further, you have to feel everything. Listen to your pet's thoughts. They may not speak, but they communicate with every movement."

Ren focused harder. His hand tingled as energy from the dragon began to radiate, but it was still too wild, too chaotic. He couldn't catch it. He gritted his teeth. "I can't—"

"You can," Renshiro interjected, his voice stern but kind. "You both can. Just reach deeper. You have the strength."

The words of their master and father were like a spark that reignited their resolve.

Breaking Through the Barrier

Kael's eyes snapped open. "Wait… it's not just about pushing. It's about understanding."

Ren, realizing the same, nodded. "We need to become one with them, not force them to become like us."

With this understanding, they both took another deep breath, trying again. Slowly, the bond between them and their pets began to solidify. The dragon's power pulsed through Ren's veins. Kael's pet, though more shadowed and elusive, now felt like it was moving with him. The energy around them stabilized.

For a moment, it felt like they were two halves of the same being.

Then, Ren felt it. A sudden rush of energy. His dragon's power surged, but this time, it was under control. He could push further. It was like a door had opened within him, and the power began to flow through, though only 10% of the full potential.

Kael, too, felt the surge. His pet's shadowy form began to solidify, and he could feel its power synchronizing with his. He, too, managed to tap into 10% of what was possible.

Fighting the Limits

Their bodies began to tremble, their muscles burning with the strain of the fusion. Ren's eyes glowed, his dragon's power running wild within him. His body felt like it was at its limit. His skin burned from the power.

Kael stood beside him, his own body shaking as his pet's power flowed through him. He could feel the darkness inside of him, pressing against the boundaries of his control.

"I can't… hold this…" Ren gritted out.

"You don't have to hold it for long," Tsukihara said, his voice calm. "Just a few seconds. Let the fusion flow, feel its rhythm."

The twins pushed harder, the strain almost unbearable. They could only manage 10% of the power, but that was enough to feel the surge of strength. They could feel their connection with their pets growing stronger.

A Moment of Triumph

Finally, the energy settled. The light around them dimmed, and both Ren and Kael staggered back, gasping for breath. Sweat poured down their faces. The fusion had been too much to sustain for long, but they had done it. They had taken their first step.

Renshiro walked over to them, a proud smile on his face. "You did well. 10% is a good start. But you both have so much more to access. When you're ready, we'll push for the next phase."

Tsukihara nodded. "You two are the only ones capable of this. You've proven that today. But remember—patience is key. Mastery takes time."

Ren looked at Kael, both of them exhausted but triumphant. "We did it," he said with a grin.

Kael, too, grinned, though his exhaustion showed. "We're not done yet. But we're getting there."