The ground trembled as the basilisk lunged, its spiked tail smashing into a tree with a CRACK! that sent splinters flying. Venom hissed off its fangs, the smell sharp enough to sting the nose.

"Nyra, you've got this," Arden called, his tone calm but firm. "Show me what you've been working on."

Nyra exhaled slowly, frost slipping from her lips as her eyes glowed faint blue. "I'll try not to disappoint," she muttered, though there was a grin tugging at her mouth.

The beast came fast, jaws wide. She spun her hands outward and released her spell.

"Glacial Cyclone Veil!"

A sweeping wind laced with shards of cold burst out, spiraling around her in a wide arc. The basilisk slowed mid-charge, its scales cracking faintly under the sudden chill. Its movements dulled, just enough for Nyra to slip aside.

FWOOSH— SHHHK!

She followed instantly with thin streaks of light, whispering blades of frost and gale.

"Frostfang Gale Blades!"

The blades slashed across its hide, leaving faint white trails where frost spread. They shattered on impact into spikes that bit into its scales, drawing a hiss of pain from the basilisk.

It roared, slamming its tail across the ground. THUD— BOOM! The shockwave shattered stones and threw Nyra back. She rolled, breath hissing, but stood with stubborn fire in her eyes.

Arden's voice cut through the clash. "Don't give it momentum. Press the space!"

She raised her hands again, mist swirling around her frame. "Cryowind Shift!"

Her body blurred, scattering into a spray of icy shards before reappearing to the beast's flank. The sudden shift made her stumble, her knees buckling for a moment, but she gritted her teeth and forced her body forward.

"Not yet," she spat, throwing another barrage of Frostfang Blades.

The basilisk spun with frightening speed, its Spiked Tail Sweep catching her guard. WHAM! She barely conjured a Boreal Tempest Ward in time, the shield forming as spiraling wind hardened with ice.

CRASH!

The ward shattered under the strike, fragments of ice scattering across the clearing. Nyra was hurled back into a boulder, the impact rattling her chest.

"Damn it… hold!" she coughed, forcing herself upright. Her lips curled into a grin despite the blood at their edge. "I'm not done yet!"

The basilisk drew in a heavy breath. Its throat swelled, and a thick cloud of green mist poured from its jaws, Poison Mist Veil rolling outward like a suffocating tide.

Zephyra growled low, her wings twitching as if ready to leap in, but Arden raised a hand. His eyes never left Nyra. "Wait. She's not finished."

Nyra squinted as the mist curled around her, her body straining from the toxins creeping at her lungs. Frost swirled violently around her palms as she forced out one last wide sweep.

"Glacial Cyclone Veil!"

The cold winds ripped through the fog, thinning it enough to breathe, but her chest heaved. She staggered forward, trying to chain into another strike, but her vision blurred.

Her footing slipped, just a half-second mistake, yet against a beast like this, it was enough.

The basilisk dove. Venomous fangs gleamed as they came down.

Arden moved.

His aura snapped like a whip, life energy bursting from him in a radiant surge. VOOM! In a heartbeat he was in front of Nyra, his palm glowing with dense light.

"Not her," he said flatly.

His life signature ignited, the life energy roaring through his veins as he struck. The basilisk froze mid-lunge as his energy tunneled into its chest, a crushing force that cracked its scales and sent shockwaves tearing through the ground.

BOOM!

The beast collapsed, its body twitching once before falling still, venom dripping uselessly into the dirt.

Nyra stared, wide-eyed, then clenched her fists in frustration and awe. "I… I had it."

Arden turned, his voice softer now. "You almost did. But almost won't keep you alive." His eyes narrowed with that familiar, stubborn calm. "I said i was going to protect you, remember? I don't plan to fail."

Nyra let out a breath, shoulders sagging, but her grin returned despite herself. "Next time… I'll finish it myself."

Arden smirked faintly. "Then I'll hold you to it."

Zephyra gave a low rumble, tail thumping the ground, and Rael whistled, shaking his head. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

Arden only exhaled, his eyes lingering on the fallen basilisk.

The fight had ended, but the hunger for strength in all of them had only sharpened.

Arden crouched beside Nyra and pulled a vial from his pack. "Here," he said, passing it into her hand.

She didn't hesitate, tilting her head back and draining it in one go.

A shiver ran through her, then the strain on her face eased. Color returned to her cheeks and her breathing steadied.

"The ember elixir works fast," Rael muttered, watching her sit up straighter.

"Fast, but not shallow," Arden replied. "It will build her core strength over time, not just patch her wounds." His eyes flicked to Nyra. "That's the point. Every bottle brings us closer to the base we need."

Nyra flexed her fingers, still wincing faintly. "Feels like fire under my skin," she admitted.

"Good," Arden said simply, a faint smile tugging his lips. "Fire means it's working."

When he was sure she could stand, he finally turned to the interface he had ignored since the fight ended. The system text blinked across his vision.

[Life energy absorbed.

New Life Signature Gained: Toxic Vein Resonance

Effect: The user can infuse their strikes or movement with residual venomous energy. Each sustained hit or dodge leaves behind a faint toxic resonance in the enemy's flow, gradually slowing reflexes and weakening stamina. When paired with earth-based movements or grounding techniques, the venomous energy lingers in the terrain as faint mists or residue, disrupting opponents' core circulation.

Passive: Slight resistance to environmental toxins and corrosive substances].

Arden rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing in thought. "Toxic Vein Resonance… useful. Good for wearing down fast opponents." He exhaled through his nose, already piecing together future fusion paths. "It'll work well with grounding techniques.

His intent clear as every skill increased his odds of surviving.

If he kept hunting and absorbing different life signatures like this, he'll leave the second zone way stronger than he came."

Nyra pushed herself to her feet, her grin back despite the sweat still clinging to her. "Let's keep hunting."

Zephyra gave a low rumble, wings twitching faintly as if agreeing.

Arden stood and slung his pack over his shoulder. His eyes swept the path ahead, and his expression was calm but edged with quiet determination.

Everyone had their expectations, but it led to one thing. Strength."

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