Without hesitation, I surged forward, the jagged bone spear I’d taken from the cave gripped tightly in my hand. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had. I honed in on the densest part of the creature’s mass -a pulsating core of darkness that seemed to radiate malice. Kicking hard, I weaved between its flailing tentacles, dodging their swipes with every ounce of enhanced agility I could muster.

My necrotic strength synergized well with my new Tentacle Strike, and the resultant attack was impressive as I drove the spear into the creature’s flesh with a satisfying thunk. A shudder rippled through its body, the tentacles convulsing violently. Netty surged from my shoulder, a blur of indigo light in the darkness. She hurled herself at one of the creature’s massive, lidless eyes, releasing a beam of piercing blue-white energy that struck it dead center.

The beast howled -a sound that vibrated through the water, reverberating in my bones. Its tentacles slackened, and Jinx and Nix began to drift free, their limp forms rising slowly toward the surface.

Once they were free, I moved.

I kicked away from the creature, leaving the spear embedded in its flesh as I swam toward them. Grabbing Nix and Jinx, I tucked them each under one arm and propelled us upward with frantic, powerful strokes. Netty stayed behind, darting and weaving as she unleashed burst after burst of searing light, harrying the beast and buying us precious seconds.

You get em, girl, I thought in admiration as I swam for dear life.

The surface seemed impossibly far, the water around us dark and heavy, but I pushed on. My limbs ached with the effort, but the adaptive bonus -plus what I’d taken from the beast itself, made my strokes faster, stronger. The beast roared below us, its tentacles lashing wildly, but Netty’s relentless assault kept it at bay.

Finally, we broke through. The cold cavern air hit my face like a slap, and I gasped for a breath I didn’t actually need. Dragging Jinx and Nix onto the rocky shore, I collapsed beside them, my chest heaving with phantom effort. Jinx coughed violently, expelling water from her lungs, while Nix let out a weak, raspy squawk. His light flickered dimly, but it began to grow stronger, warmth radiating from his small form.

I turned back toward the water, scanning its dark surface anxiously. “Come on, Netty,” I muttered. “Where are you?”

The water rippled, and moments later she broke the surface, soaring into the air with a triumphant chirp. Relief washed over me as she landed gracefully on my shoulder, her smooth body curling around my neck like a warm scarf.

“Okay, so that happened,” I said, trying to catch my breath.

Jinx coughed again, managing a weak smile. “You think?”

I laughed softly, the sound shaky and hollow. “Let’s move away from the water, yeah? Pretty sure that thing’s still down there, and it won’t be happy we got away.” A message accompanied my words.

Abyssal Cephalopod [Tentacled Horror]

Outcome: Escaped combat.

Experience Gained:

* + (Survival Bonus)

* + (Clever Tactics Bonus: Damage inflicted, retreat successful without casualties)

Loot Gained: None.

Rare Achievement Unlocked:

* "The Coward's Gambit" - Fleeing from an overwhelming foe is sometimes the wisest choice. Live to fight another day.

Damn straight, I thought. There’s nothing wrong with choosing the cowards way, if it means you get to live.

Netty nuzzled my neck again, in agreement, her warmth a soothing balm against the lingering chill of the cavern. She chirruped softly, a sound that carried an odd, almost tangible weight. It wasn’t just communication -it was connection. I could feel her presence, not just physically, but deep in my mind, like a faint tether forming between us.

The sensation was strange but not unpleasant. It felt... right, like puzzle pieces locking into place.

As if responding to my thoughts, Netty pressed her small clawed hand gently against my chest. A flicker of instinct rose within me -something primal and deeply tied to my newfound nature. I remembered the strange power I’d felt when I’d shared my blood with Jinx, the way it had mingled with her own abilities, leaving me with faint echoes of her own talents. The connection wasn’t just an accident -it was something I could cultivate.

A low hum filled my ears, a resonance that seemed to come from the depths of my being. Netty’s eyes glowed brighter, her electric indigo aura swirling with shades of crimson, reflecting my own essence as it merged with hers.

Bond Initiation

Detected: Compatible Essence Signature.

Target: Winged Draconic Entity [Netty].

Abilities Synergized:

* Beastial Connection (Derived from Beastari Bloodline)

* Enhanced empathy with bonded creatures.

* Communication through mental impressions and shared instincts.

* Vampiric Resonance (Tier 2)

* Blood pact strengthens familiar bond.

* Bonded creature gains partial regenerative abilities.

Proceed with Familiar Bonding?

[Yes] [No]

I hesitated only briefly before reaching for the mental impression of the system prompt. Yes.

The moment I confirmed, a surge of energy coursed through me, branching out like veins of fire and frost. Netty’s small form radiated light, her aura intertwining with mine. For a split second, I could see the web of her being -the intricate pattern of her essence, glowing with vibrant life. It mirrored my own, the threads of her existence now interwoven with mine.

She let out a triumphant screech, her claws tightening briefly on my shoulder. In my mind, her presence solidified, no longer a faint tether but a permanent anchor. I could feel her thoughts -not words, but emotions and impressions, a deep well of loyalty and fierce determination.

Familiar Bond Established: Netty [Draconic Familiar].

Shared Abilities:

* Aetheric Awareness: Enhanced detection of magical energies and pathways.

* Mutual Regeneration: Bonded health partially restored through shared vitality.

* Combat Synergy: Increased agility and precision when fighting alongside familiar.

Additional Notes: Bond strength increases through shared experiences and blood synchronization.

Netty’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It was more than a pet-owner relationship. This was partnership, a fusion of souls.

“Well,” I murmured, stroking her smooth scales, “I guess you’re stuck with me now.”

She let out a soft trill, her approval loud and clear. Jinx, who had been watching quietly, finally broke her silence.

“That was... incredible. Do you realize what you just did?”

“Not entirely,” I admitted, still reeling from the experience.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“You formed a familiar bond with a draconic entity. That’s... not something people just do, Declan. Not without years of training, ritual, and-”

“Hey, I’m just full of surprises.” I gave her a crooked grin, though inwardly, I wondered at the truth of her words. Whatever had just happened, it wasn’t ordinary.

Jinx shook her head, muttering under her breath. I still hadn’t told her what I suspected, that our blood sharing on the Path hadn’t been one way. I usually gained abilities when I used essence drain. I thought it was solely vampiric, or undead in nature, but after this -and the tentacled horror, I was pretty sure it was anything I consumed.

“You’re an impossibility. What the hell are you turning into, Declan?”

“A mystery,” I said lightly, though her words sparked a deeper curiosity within me. What exactly was I becoming?

Netty trilled again, her warmth pressing into me, and for now, I let the question go.

“Okay, let’s go.” I said.

Jinx nodded, and we helped each other up, moving toward the safety of the entrance to the cave. The air inside was damp and cold, the faint echo of dripping water the only sound. But as we reached the opening, a realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Well,” I said, turning to Jinx, “there’s good news and bad news.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What’s the good news?”

“I think we found what left all those bones.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait, how is that possible? It lives in the water.”

“True, but octopuses can survive out of water for short bursts. And with that storm raging outside, it wouldn’t have to go far to stay wet. Plus, who knows how often this cave system floods.”

“True, okay great,” she muttered. “So, what’s the bad news?”

I grimaced. “We’re on the wrong side of the river.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking… and I don’t fancy crossing back with that thing waiting for us.”

“So what’s the plan?” she asked.

“Deeper into the cave,” I said with a shrug. “We see if there’s another way out.”

“And if there isn’t?”

“Then we turn around and figure out how to deal with that thing. Either way, we’re not staying here.”

She sighed heavily, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Lead on, oh valiant knight.”

With a gallant bow, I took the lead, letting Netty’s mental nudges guide me as we ventured deeper into the cave system.

Behind us the dark waters rippled, as the beast within considered its next move.

I didn’t know what made me choose the directions I chose. But I unerringly lead us on, never hesitating when a fork presented itself.

The deeper we ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls, slick with moisture, seemed to press inward, their jagged surfaces catching faint light from Netty’s glow. Shadows flickered and twisted in the corners of my vision, though the source was unclear. The air grew colder, and each step seemed to carry us further into some unknowable depth.

“You feel that?” Jinx asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her tone was cautious, bordering on fear.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “It’s like the cave’s alive.”

Netty chirruped softly, her indigo glow – ‘indiglow’, I know, I’m a genius – dimming slightly as if the weight of the place pressed on her too. Nix remained quiet, perched on Jinx’s shoulder, his own light flickering faintly but steadily, as he recovered from the watery ordeal.

The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the tunnel.

As we moved forward, the tunnel widened, opening into a massive chamber. Somehow I was able to see that the walls stretched high above us, curving into a dome-like ceiling that disappeared into darkness. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth, and the floor was littered with debris -rocks, bones, and strange crystalline shards that caught Netty’s light and refracted it in eerie patterns.

Maybe it was a new aspect of one of my abilities, or a confluence of them, but the cavern that expanded around us was almost as apparent as the Way had been.

“Great, looks like we’ve reached a dead end. Now what?” She asked expectantly.

“Sorry, I must have made a wrong turn in Albuquerque.”

“Ha, ha. Not funny,” she said. Then she took an actual look around. “What is this place?” she whispered, her voice carrying an edge of awe.

I stepped cautiously into the chamber, my boots crunching against the rocky floor. “Some kind of… shrine, maybe? Or a nest.” The latter possibility sent an unpleasant shiver down my spine.

Jinx moved toward one of the walls, running her fingers over the sandstone surface. “It feels old. Like it’s been here for centuries.”

I followed her lead, placing my palm against the stone. It was smooth and strangely warm, a faint vibration thrumming beneath my fingers like the heartbeat of something immense.

It was the same sandstone I’d felt before. It felt good. Comforting even.

As I walked slowly around the chamber, letting my hand trail along the wall, I closed my eyes and let my senses drift, and eventually I heard Jinx let out a gasp of amazement.

“Declan…” Jinx’s voice was breathless. “What did you do?”

“What do you mean? You saw me, all I did was walk around the room.” I stopped moving and opened my eyes, and a sudden pulse of light caught my attention.

That’s when I knew what had caused her to exclaim in surprise.

I turned to ‘see’ her standing in the center of the room, her eyes wide as she stared upward. Once again I saw her like I had back on the Path. Maybe my senses were increasing through constant use.

She was gawking at the changes around us. The entire chamber had come alive with patterns -intricate geometric designs etched into the sandstone, glowing faintly with a golden light. The dome of the chamber was laced with a web of light, a constellation of patterns from floor to ceiling.

Everywhere I looked, the walls were alight. The lines spread outward like veins, interconnecting in an elaborate web that spanned the entire chamber.

It was beautiful.

I blinked, trying to take it all in. “What the hell…”

“Do you know what this is?”

“No idea, what is it?” I shook my head as I continued looking around.

“It’s amazing is what it is, Declan! It’s a map,” Jinx said, her voice trembling with a mix of wonder and disbelief. “Declan, this is a map of the Way. Or at least a sizable portion of it. It’s incredible. I recognize some of the markings.”

She pointed to a glowing symbol near the edge of the chamber. “That’s Terra -you can tell because of the number of points, the largest concentration of entrances to the Way, lies there. And here,” she continued, tracing a line to another symbol, “this is the Wyld. And this… this is us.”

She kept pointing, tracing her fingers like she was looking for something specific. And then she found it. “And there it is, the University. It looks like we’re not too far from it after all.” Her tone satisfied, and a bit relieved.

“Well that’s great… So how do we get back to the portal and reenter the Way?”

“I’m not sure that’s necessary. I mean look at these runes. I think this chamber is more than just a map.”

I looked around at the patterned chamber, and then I saw Jinx gazing at something that caught her attention. I followed her gaze to a large glowing spiral at our feet. The light was faint, but its edges shimmered with a dim neon blue.

“And that?” I asked, nodding toward the spiral.

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “I think it’s a doorway. The only question is, how do we open it?”

“Well,” I said, stepping closer, “only one way to find out.”

I crouched by the spiral, running my fingers over the grooves etched into the stone. The light beneath them pulsed faintly, almost as if it were alive. As I concentrated, I felt a faint tug in the back of my mind, like the whisper of an unseen hand guiding me. Without thinking, I placed my palm flat against the center of the spiral.

The reaction was immediate. The lines of light around the chamber flared brilliantly, illuminating the space in a dazzling display of gold and blue. The ground beneath us rumbled, and the spiral began to glow more intensely, the light coalescing into a swirling vortex.

“Declan, what are you doing?” Jinx asked, her voice tight with concern.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, “but I think it’s working.”

The pull grew stronger, and before I could react, the vortex expanded, enveloping us in a blinding flash of light. The sensation was disorienting, like being yanked forward and backward at the same time. My stomach churned, and the world around me dissolved into a kaleidoscope of shifting colors and shapes.

When the sensation finally subsided, I found myself standing on solid ground once more. The sudden change in ambient sounds was dramatic. Now that I had something immediate to contrast it to, the Way sounded like a faint wind was blowing through its vastness.

The air was different -lighter, cleaner. I opened my eyes to a landscape that seemed to defy logic. The sky above was an endless expanse of shifting colors, like an oil slick shimmering in the light of an unseen sun. The ground beneath us was a smooth, glassy surface that reflected the strange sky above, creating the illusion of infinite depth.

Jinx appeared beside me, stumbling slightly as she adjusted to the new environment. “Where… where are we?”

I turned in a slow circle, taking in the alien landscape. “Welcome to the Way,” I said, gesturing grandly. “Mind your footing -one wrong step, and you’ll find yourself in a world of hurt. Literally.”

Jinx let out a shaky breath, her pattern flickering faintly in the strange light. She rolled her eyes, though I caught the faint hint of a smirk. “And where exactly do we go from here, oh fearless leader? I don’t see the Path, do you?”

I hesitated, glancing around. The landscape was endless, the horizon stretching into infinity with no discernible landmarks. But then I felt it again -the faint tug in the back of my mind, like an invisible thread guiding me forward.

“Well, if what you’re saying about the map was correct, then we’re only a short distance from the doorway to the University.” I turned around in a circle, testing the pull on my senses, as if confirming a compass’s true north. “And I believe it is this way,” I said, pointing toward the faintest of glimmers of light in the distance.

I was pretty sure she couldn’t see it, she hadn’t been able to see the lights before. But at least she trusted me.

Jinx sighed but fell into step beside me, her shoulders squaring as she adjusted Nix’s position on her shoulder. Netty cooed softly on mine, her glow steady and reassuring as we began our trek through the surreal expanse.