The Bond and the Blade

Chapter 17: The Bond and the Blade

The first light of dawn spilled through Eros Sanctum's crystalline spires, scattering red-gold across the throne chamber. For the first time in centuries, it felt alive — not just inhabited, but thriving.

The people had gathered.

Hundreds now filled the sanctum's halls and lower plazas. Refugees, travelers, mages, outcast nobles. All drawn to the Domain Core's pulse — and to the man who stood at its heart.

Alex.

Today was the Bond Oath Ritual.

It would mark the moment when his inner circle swore themselves not only to him — but to each other. It was an ancient Lust Domain rite, one that wove desire and loyalty into a shared flame.

And everyone would see it.

Alex stood before the newly restored altar, flanked by Sophia, Kyra, Serenyth, and Elaris. Each wore ceremonial robes infused with runes of connection, their bonds glowing softly against their skin.

Elaris held a scroll of crimson vellum. Her voice echoed:

"Let this be the day when pleasure bows to purpose. When desire becomes devotion. When the broken crown binds hearts, not chains."

But before the oath could begin…

The air shifted.

A shadow crossed the sanctum gate — tall, cloaked, armored in something between obsidian and bone. The figure's aura was quiet, contained — but beneath it pulsed rage, bound tightly behind centuries of silence.

Sanctum guards raised their weapons.

Sophia stepped in front of Alex in a blur. "Who the hell—?"

The figure stopped at the steps.

"I come under truce," she said. Her voice was low, cracked like a blade dragged through stone — but unmistakably female. "I bring a gift. And a curse."

The system flared violently.

[Unregistered Entity Detected: Warning]

Classification: Cursed Bloodbound WarriorName: Veira of the Hollow PactPast Allegiance: Betrayer's CourtRisk Level: UnstableBond Potential: Dual-Type (Wrath Suppression / Pleasure Redemption)Gift: Lost Crestblade of Lust

Alex stepped forward.

"Speak."

Veira pulled back her hood.

She was beautiful in a broken way. Pale skin laced with black veins, silver-white hair pulled into a battle braid, and one eye glowing crimson while the other remained milky-white. Chains wrapped around her arms — not to bind, but to contain.

"I once served your enemy," she said. "The man who tore your throne apart. He made me his blade. Then… he broke me."

She stepped forward, pulled a wrapped bundle from her belt, and unrolled it.

A sword — long, elegant, curved with flames etched into the steel.

Sophia gasped.

"That's—"

Veira knelt, offering the weapon.

"Your crestblade. The original one. Taken from your hand as you fell."

Alex took the weapon.

It pulsed like a heartbeat in his grip.

[Relic Recovered: Lustblade - Crimson Fang]

Trait Reunited: Sovereign FlowPassive: Grants increased skill sync with bonded allies. Boosts damage based on emotional intensity.Unlocks Special Skill: Flame of the Oathbound

Veira remained on one knee.

"I don't ask for forgiveness. Only a place to fight something that isn't him."

Alex studied her.

"What would you become if I let you stay?"

She met his gaze. "Your blade. Yours alone."

Sophia stepped forward. "She could be a spy."

Kyra: "Or a warning."

Serenyth: "Or a very sharp knife we point in the right direction."

Alex held up a hand.

"I'll decide after the ritual."

The Bond Oath Ritual Begins

Elaris stood before the gathered crowd, her voice a ringing bell across the sanctum:

"We begin the Rite of Flame and Flesh. Let those who stand with the King step forward. Let bonds be declared not in whispers, but in light."

One by one, they stepped forward.

Sophia was first.

"I stand not for his crown," she said. "But for the man beneath it. My blade is his. My heart is my own. But it beats with his name."

She placed her palm against his chest.

A pulse of shadow magic wrapped them both.

Bond Tier: III ➝ Evolving...

Kyra followed.

"I fought for fire. I burned for freedom. And yet, I've never felt more alive than when I stood beside someone who asked for nothing but trust."

Her tails curled around his wrist as she kissed his hand.

Bond Tier: I ➝ Tier II

Serenyth stepped forward next.

"I do not love him. Not yet. But I respect him. And I desire knowledge of who he becomes. That is bond enough for now."

She pressed her forehead to his.

A spark passed between them — intellect and intent aligned.

Bond Tier: Forming (Stable - Insightful)

Elaris, the last.

"I gave him my soul long ago. This oath is not new. It is merely awakened. As priestess, I seal what others begin."

She placed a glowing sigil on his back — the Crest of Lust Reborn.

The system responded instantly.

[Oath Bound: Inner Circle Established]

Core Members: Sophia (Lead), Kyra (Flamebond), Serenyth (Insight Liaison), Elaris (Heartbind)Buff Activated: Oathfire PulsePassive Effect: +20% affinity growth, +10% territory loyalty, increased synchronization during battleActive Skill Gained: Thronepulse – Aura of Command

The crowd erupted.

Cheering. Magic in the air. Flowers bloomed at the edges of the plaza. The flame at the core of the sanctum turned white for a moment — a sign of divine approval.

Alex turned to the crowd, lifted the crestblade high.

"This is not just a kingdom of pleasure," he said. "It's a kingdom of choice."

That Night: Lilith Arrives

He sat alone at the balcony overlooking the Sanctum hours later, unable to sleep.

Then — a gust of wind.

A figure stood beside him.

She wore nothing but shadows and silver chains. Her skin was moonlight. Her smile was ancient.

Lilith. In the flesh.

The system didn't trigger. Because it was the system.

"Finally," she said, stretching like a cat. "No more filters. No more whispers."

"You could've appeared sooner."

"You weren't strong enough."

She studied him. "Now you are. Or close."

She stepped behind him, hands resting on his shoulders.

"There's more coming," she said. "The Betrayer is moving. The Court of Hunger has begun testing the Veil. And someone inside your sanctum… wears a mask."

Alex turned. "Who?"

She only smiled.

"That's for you to discover."

Then her voice dropped to a purr.

"But first… enjoy what you've built. Desire burns brightest when you have something to lose."

And she vanished.

Back in the Sanctum — A Warning

Veira stood in the training courtyard long past midnight, still wearing her chains.

Sophia approached, eyes wary.

"You didn't flinch when the oath happened."

"I've seen worse rituals," Veira replied. "But it was beautiful."

"You're hiding something."

Veira didn't deny it.

"There's something sleeping inside your king," she said softly. "Something even the Betrayer feared."

"What is it?"

Veira looked up at the stars.

"The part of him that didn't fall. The part that chose to become a god."

Sophia's blood went cold.

Veira turned, smiling faintly.

"When it wakes… choose carefully who you love. Because not all of us survive divinity."