It was later that night I realized Amara's attempt at humor. The fact she was trying to fool around like that provided a much needed relief. Her acceptance meant progress and progress was everything I desired.

I was well-rested for the night so I opted to remain on the watch, but Amara refused under the pretext that Immortal negated any need for sleep or hunger. It would seem I had sorely underestimated her talents, not understanding proper implications. It was a relief that I had copied the highest-ranked one.

After drying my clothes and my body, I found a quiet corner to lounge in. Under the dimly lit glow of the fire, my eyes were fixed on the beautiful vampire's immortal visage. Each time my heart would beat faster, desire and longing made themselves known.

Dragon Heart.

I could now feel its tangible influence on my emotions and behavior. While harrowing at first, I was coming to a realization that I didn't explicitly hate the feeling.

Night passed, and the torrent grew dimmer until only a light drizzle covered the forest. Fire was reduced to searing coals and ash, and a cold breeze echoed through the hollow cave.

"I hope you've rested enough; we are leaving." Amara announced and strapped her sword to her waist. She walked up front; I followed close behind.

"Which way?" she asked.

I looked up at the rainy clouds and frowned. "I'm not really sure, what with the sun being covered."

Amara mirrored my frown and looked about. "You said this place is called End Forest; in which direction lies this Erdwatch?"

"Uh..." I bit my lip trying to determine any clue that would set our course in the right direction but proved unsuccessful. "North," I answered.

"If in the North lies Erdwatch, what of the South?"

"Actually the whole of the South-Western to South-Eastern is covered by the Forbidden Sea. End Forest features a coastal mountain range also known as the Wyvern Sky Mountain range, where Wyverns have made their nest."

The geography of the End Forest was complicated. Being this close to the coast regions would suggest lush greenery and vegetation; however, the corrupt mana radiated by the monsters had twisted the flora and fauna into spooky creatures. I expressed my concerns to Amara.

"Hmm." She ruminated on the information and nodded. "I did find the atmosphere in that cavern strange, something I had never experienced before. While it's the same here, the presence is dim."

"That said," Amara continued, "I think I know which direction we need to head in."

Apparently there was moss growing around the side of the trees alongside the rough winds that pelted our face, which contributed to determining our direction. It was a surreal experience for me, who had never trained under a proper instructor, but a worthwhile one nonetheless.

We walked through the mud-laden ground, and I couldn't help but grimace at seeing my already torn shoes suffer even more. Compared to me, Amara fashioned herself a pair of shadow boots alongside a shadow cover overhead.

"Can't you do the same for me?" I asked, trying to appeal to her sympathetic nature.

"Nope." She answered with a grin, putting extra emphasis on 'p.'.

"Why not?" I pressed.

"Why should I?" She countered.

"Because you're my summon."

"I thought we were friends."

"Doesn't that make you even more responsible?"

Amara stopped, glanced down at my messy shoes, and then at my dripping hair and sodden clothes.

"I have got 5 free stat points?" I offered.

"Save it." She said and resumed walking. I couldn't help the smile that stretched on my lips, now bereft of the rain drenching my clothes. I made my choice and allocated all the free points into Spirit.

I saw Amara halt and turn around. "Why did you do that?" She asked, frowning.

I shrugged. "Why not?"

"Free points can come in handy during dire times." She replied.

"Then isn't it a good thing I allocated them to my Spirit so that you can be even stronger?" I said with a smile while walking forward. "So that you can keep me safe."

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"That's..." Amara paused, speechless.

"Besides," I brought my face close to hers, "we are friends, right?"

I saw a complicated emotion pass through her eyes before my vision was covered by the notification from the system.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Congratulations! Your Favorability with your summon [Amara - Night Queen] has exceeded 30%.

You have unlocked the Attribute Synchronization feature.

[Choose one attribute to synchronize:]

You will receive 5% of your summons's chosen attribute, and it will directly enhance the same attribute in your stats.

Synchronization is permanent, so choose wisely!

[Available Attributes for Synchronization:]

* Strength: 59

* Agility: 117

* Vitality: 80

* Intelligence: 93

* Perception: 48

I was stunned.

I couldn't understand what was happening. The notification had come out of nowhere and left me feeling at a loss.

"What happened?" Amara asked, concern evident in her eyes.

My eyes flickered to my Soul Record, where I noted her Favorability had risen to 31%. Instead of Friendly, it was now displaying Trusted Companion.

I shook my head and swiped the notifications away, bringing clarity to my eyes. "Something happened." I answered Amara.

After I finished recounting everything to her, I found her looking a little bashful. Curious, I asked, "Why are you behaving like that?"

"I don't like it." She answered firmly.

"Don't like what?"

"That Favorability thing you have." She pointed a finger at me accusingly. "Isn't that like cheating?"

"Because it lets me share my summons attribute?" I ventured.

"Because it gives you inside information on them, which you definitely aren't supposed to know." She huffed and crossed her arms, looking cute and adorable.

At first I didn't quite understand her worries, until it dawned on me. "You're worried that I will know when you fall for me?" I spoke with a grin and offered a wink.

"IF!" She exclaimed. "And that's a big if. But yes, you aren't supposed to get a road on someone's feelings."

Whatever Amara might say, I felt like I dodged a major trope with that one. Besides, the act itself didn't hold as many moral implications as one would expect. After all, it wasn't like I could tell what went on inside Amara's head, but I would know her disposition toward me.

"Alright, we got a bit sidetracked with that one; let's focus on the current problem."

Looking at her attributes, and then at mine, I tried to make a comparison.

Her perception wasn't that far from mine, so I ruled it out. Not to mention, at 5%, it would offer a measly 2 points. Her intelligence was high, but so was mine, and I didn't think I needed more at the moment.

Vitality was a good attribute and at 5% that translated 4 points. But among all her attributes, it was her agility that I found most suitable.

Amara agreed with my deductions and said, "Agility is the highest attribute in my repertoire and is bound to increase steeply; choosing it would only benefit you in the long run."

I made my selection.

[Selection Confirmed]

In the next moment, I felt a cool sensation spread through me. At first it was the rush of enhancement that I had experienced many a time in these past few days. But then I felt something else...

Amara doubled down with a yelp and held her hand against her chest. "What the..."

I wasn't faring any better. Something had changed within me, though I wasn't sure what.

"My soul..." I heard Amara's voice and looked toward her. She grunted and pulled herself to her feet. Her graceful stride was a bit forceful as she walked toward me. The shadow hanging overhead was gone, and droplets of rain wetly ran down her silver hair in crystalline rivulets.

She crouched next to me and put her hand against my chest. "I can feel my soul here."

I was confused but couldn't resist embracing her hand and feeling the softness of her flesh. She raised her head and looked at me. "Do you feel it too?"

"I do." I answered, looking into her soulful eyes. "What is it?"

"My soul." She said. "Here," she pointed at my chest, "inside you."

"Oh my god!" Startled, my eyes grew wide saucers. "Did I take your soul?"

"No!" She exclaimed forcefully. "A part of it, yes."

"But that's..." I couldn't form any words. Should I apologize? Comfort her? Direct hate at myself?

"Shh!" She put a finger on my lips. "Listen," she said, her head resting against my chest. "My soul has become a part of you."

"Isn't that like, bad?" I couldn't help but ask.

Somehow I had taken a part of her soul. I didn't know what kind of side effects she must be suffering from now, but it had to be painful.

Instead Amara offered me the most beautiful smile. "No. Because you gave me a part of your soul."

"I did?" I must've looked confused as her smile only widened.

"Yes." She spoke. "It was only moments before that I realized what your spirit did. It actually grew your soul, but that extension, instead of remaining inside you, was used to strengthen the bond between us, while a majority portion was used to enhance my soul and increase my attributes."

It was too much at once. I tried to process the shocking information and found my bewilderment only grow.

"How? Why?" I asked.

Amara shrugged and shook her head. "I don't know. I don't know why I'm your summon. I don't know why our bond works the way it does. I don't know who's responsible for all of this." She paused and took a breath. "But I do know what they wanted from us."

"And what's that?"

"Us."

"What?"

She offered a mystifying smile. "Us, as in our bond."

"I don't understand." What had our bond got to do with any of this?

"Our bond grows based on our feelings. It was Friendly before; what does it say now?"

"Trusted Companion."

"And what about after that, or even further? What lies at the end?"

As realization dawned on me, I answered thoughtfully, "us."

But why would the dragon or whoever is behind this want that from us? It didn't seem to serve anyone's interest besides ours. So, why?

I expressed my doubts to Amara.

"I have no idea." She sighed and stood up. "The only way to find truth is by growing stronger."

She offered me a hand, and I accepted, allowing her to pull me to my feet. Something had changed within her. A renewed purpose? An edifying realization? I had no idea.

What I did know was that I was being offered a chance at strength and, for whatever reason, a beautiful companion. I would need to make the most of it.