The Companion System

Amina, resting on the bed, half-covered in the blanket, looked at Zashirmiq as the faint post-dawn light filtered in.

"My system... it changed," she murmured, surprised.

Before Zashirmiq could ask what she meant, or Amina could elaborate, a figure manifested before them.

Cloaked in shadow and silver light. Feminine. Indistinct. Yet deeply present.

Zashirmiq felt it again. The pull. Deep and absolute. Recognition without reason.

Amina sensed it too, not a pull but a presence, warm, graceful, quietly commanding. Like standing before someone deeply revered… and strangely beloved.

The figure spoke gently, her voice both warm and commanding.

"Congratulations on your union."

Amina blinked. "Who... are you?"

Zashirmiq exhaled. "I'm not sure myself, but she can be thought of as a manifestation of my system."

Amina frowned. "System manifestations? I've never heard of anything like that before."

"My Nexium... it's different. Unique, I think."

Amina folded her arms. "And that has something to do with changes in my system?"

Zashirmiq turned to the figure. "Is it related to the Companion System Unlock notification I got?"

The figure nodded.

"Yes. Your system is unlike others. When your yang merges with another's yin, your system assesses loyalty, affection, and trust between both parties. Based on that, it performs one of two actions."

She gestured lightly.

"If no meaningful bond exists, no link is created and it is ignored. But if there is romantic connection and loyalty…"

"They become companions? And their system gets linked with yours and the others?"

"…and they are assigned into one of two tiers: Surriyyas and Hoors."

Zashirmiq raised a brow. "What's the difference?"

The figure replied:

"Surriyyas are those with genuine feelings and trust, but at a lighter level. Loyal companions. Cherished. Protected. Think of them as concubines or loyal companions.

Hoors are deeper. When love, trust, and bond run strong from both sides, they are granted Core Link status. They are your true consorts. Your heart-bound allies."

Zashirmiq and Amina exchanged a glance.

She continued "Each linked companion enhances your system—and theirs—by providing many benefits to everyone connected.

 Energy gain from battle increases by 50 percent for each Hoor and 20 percent for each Surriyyas.

 Energy absorption rate from the environment increases by 200 percent for each Hoor and 50 percent for each Surriyyas.

 All linked companions can gain Nexium Coins from battles and use the system mall. Nexium Coins can also be shared.

 Any energy domain or specialization possessed by a companion is unlocked in the shop if not already."

She looked to Amina. "That is why she is seeing those changes in her system."

Amina narrowed her eyes. "That all sounds good. But why? Why are you doing this? What's the reason, and what is your purpose?"

The figure turned to her. "To help him rise. Beyond all limits. As for the reason... it's too early to speak of that."

Amina tilted her head. "If that's true, why not give him everything now? Just unlock it all. Save time."

"Because energy cannot be created from nothing. It can only change form. I do not conjure rewards from thin air. I am linked to him, not like you, but at another level entirely.

When he or his companions defeat enemies, I also gain energy. Most of it becomes Nexium Coins, which you see in your system windows. Once enough is gathered and one of you requests something, I convert that energy into the desired form. That is the extent of what I can offer.

Similarly, only after a link is formed with someone who has certain energy domains or specializations, can I provide others with those."

Zashirmiq nodded slowly. "Then why do linking companions increase energy gain? That sounds like creating something from nothing."

"It's not. The actual process is more complex, but think of it using analogies you know, like supercomputers or neural networks."

She continued:

"You are the master node. The central brainstem. Each linked companion becomes another processing cluster or neuron group. When linked through yin and yang, their systems synchronize.

At first, the link is assessed. Loyalty, love, intention. Then the system determines placement: Surriyyas or Hoor. Once done, the companion system becomes active.

Just like in a neural net or supercomputer, more nodes do not create extra power from nothing. Instead, they improve efficiency, distribution, and throughput.

The energy gathered is not created. It is simply harvested faster and processed better."

"Okay, but wouldn't it be better to put all companions into the Hoor group and get more bonus?" Zashirmiq asked.

"Unfortunately, no. While there is no limit to how many Surriyyas you can have, there is a limit to how many Hoors you can take.

Your system is powerful, but it is not infinite."

Zashirmiq frowned. "Also, why didn't I get any energy boost notification after Amina and I... linked?"

"Because the companion connection has not been fully activated yet. You should have received the Omnilink Castle. It is both a living space and the gateway that governs and stabilizes all links.

You need to place it into your storage space, which exists in its own pocket."

She gestured.

A soft light glowed, and a miniature castle appeared in her hand. She handed it to him.

Zashirmiq placed it into his system's storage.

In an instant, the inner space expanded.

A vast mountainous region took shape, crowned by a single massive castle. Two great spires rose from its structure, one towering at the center, the other slightly shorter beside it.

[Companion Added: Energy Boost Obtained]

The figure's voice softened.

"This is your Nexium Hub. The system's heart. The central spire is yours. The second belongs to her.

As others join, the castle will expand. New spires will rise in their name, and your storage space will expand as well.

Only those loyal to you can enter this place, and only if you allow them to."

She faded, her voice lingering like a whisper:

"I'll leave you two to continue your union."

Silence settled.

Amina and Zashirmiq sat in quiet awe.

Then, without words, she moved closer.

The moment restarted.

And they began again.

Until night fell, and sleep finally claimed them both.

Zashirmiq stood atop a towering castle peak, with seventy-two peaks surrounding his own.

Above them all, a crescent moon hung suspended in the sky, glowing faintly.

Then—they appeared.

Seventy-two veiled women stepped onto the surrounding spires, their forms graceful, their presence undeniable.

Their robes shimmered in four divine hues:

Green. Blue. Orange. Black.

Primal. Cosmic. Chaos. Void.

As they appeared, the crescent moon began to descend, its glow growing stronger with every passing moment.

Then a voice echoed. Ancient. Feminine. Eternal.

"Gather the seventy-two lights.

Unite them in sacred flame.

And reach the Place of Origin.

The Crescent shall descend.

Open the way to Heaven…

and let Ascension to Infinite Rise begin."

The crescent reached him and entered his body.

He awoke from the dream with a sharp breath.

Amina was curled beside him, soft and steady in sleep, her arm across his chest.

He did not move.

Just stared at the ceiling, heart still echoing with the voice.

For the next two nights, the dream repeated.

Each time, the same image. The same voice.

Each time, the crescent entered him and he woke up.

On the third morning, as they sat by the open window, sunlight warming their skin, he finally told Amina everything.

She listened quietly, sipping her tea. When he finished, she leaned back with a sly smile.

"Well… I guess that dream made it official."

Zashirmiq glanced at her. "Made what official?"

She arched a brow. "Seventy-two Hoors. Looks like that's the limit. Or at least how many you'll need to unlock something big."

He chuckled softly. "You know I only love you."

She took another sip, then shrugged. "Yeah. And there's nothing going on between you and Hina or Hira, right?"

He blinked. "That's different. We all grew up together."

She laughed lightly. "Exactly. Just like you and me. I'm not blind, Zash. I've seen the way you all look at each other. The way you protect each other. If that's not love, then what is?"

Zashirmiq smiled but didn't argue.

"And it's not just them," she added. "You keep saving Ayesha too. And who knows how many more will show up."

She leaned in, voice softer now. "It's fine. Most people end up with more than one. Maybe not seventy-two, but if that's what it takes to make us stronger, to protect each other and stay alive, then I'll help make it happen."

He reached out, took her hand. "Still… you were the first."

She nodded. "And no one else ever will be."

Their hands remained clasped, quietly certain.