Made camp earlier than usual the next evening. The land had opened into a wide, shallow basin surrounded by low ridges of stone. No trees stood close enough to block the wind completely, but the basin floor offered enough open ground for movement. Miko judged it sufficient."We drill tonight," he said.No one argued. They had been traveling under the partial bond for days. The restriction had improved their individual awareness, yet the transition back to full power still needed refinement. The last two fights had shown the cost of hesitation when the full link was required.They ate quickly, then cleared a rough circle in the center of the basin. Killy set several small heat sources around the edge, just bright enough to mark boundaries without ruining night vision. Raizu drew his sword and let it rest at a single edge. Kordil stretched his shoulders and vanished into the darker edges of the circle, already shifting into hunting posture. Jusmiyo took his usual place near the center,

The older forest closed around them by late morning. Tall trunks blocked most of the sky. Moss covered the northern sides of the trees. The ground underfoot stayed soft with layers of old needles and thin snow. Visibility dropped to less than thirty meters in any direction.Raizu walked point, sword still sheathed but ready. Killy kept to his left, one hand faintly warm. Kordil drifted in and out of deeper shadow on the right flank. Jusmiyo held the center-rear position. Miko stayed slightly behind and to the left of Jusmiyo, where he could see the whole formation.The partial bond carried only location and basic status. No one spoke.A clean pressure touched the edge of their senses without warning—sharper and denser than the previous single encounters. It came from two directions at once.Miko’s voice stayed low. “Two. Front and left. Full link on my mark.”The first Reseter stepped out from between the trees ahead of Raizu. Six wings. White robes unmarked. Empty face. The second ap

Smoke from the distant settlement hung in a thin gray line against the afternoon sky. It was the first real sign of dense human presence they had seen in days. Miko studied it for a short time, then turned the formation forty degrees west of their previous heading.“We avoid the outer towns,” he said. “Cut south through the old quarry lands. Longer route. Fewer eyes.”No one objected. The partial bond carried the shift in direction as simple fact. Raizu adjusted point position. Killy and Kordil spread slightly wider. Jusmiyo moved into his usual place without comment.The land changed as they left the abandoned farmland behind. Low stone walls gave way to broken ground and the first scars of old quarrying. Deep cuts in the earth lay half-filled with frozen water. Piles of discarded rock created uneven ridges that forced the group to slow and choose careful paths. The air carried a faint mineral taste.Conversation stayed limited. The recent fight still sat in their bodies—sealed wound

Valley floor held the heat long after the sun dropped. Steam rose in thin columns from the cloudy pools, turning the night air thick and metallic. They had chosen a higher shelf of black rock away from the worst of the fumes, but the warmth still rose through the stone and settled into their clothes.Sleep came unevenly.Miko woke once to the sound of sharp, uneven breathing. Through the partial bond he felt a tight spike of distress, quickly forced down. He opened his eyes.Jusmiyo sat upright on his bedroll, both hands pressed hard against his knees. Sweat ran freely down his face and neck despite the already warm air. His shirt clung to his back. His eyes were open but unfocused, staring at something that was not the dark valley in front of him.The moment lasted several seconds. Then Jusmiyo’s breathing slowed. He wiped his face with both hands, exhaled carefully, and lay back down without looking around.Miko closed his eyes and did not speak.At first light the others noticed th

Word moved faster than they did.By the second day after the fight with Commander Veylan’s team, the signs were already visible. Supply convoys on the distant roads traveled with heavier escorts. Small patrols changed direction when they caught sight of five figures moving across the open ground. Communication crystals flashed more frequently on the horizons.The five of them kept to the broken terrain west of the main routes, but isolation was no longer complete.Near midday a single rider approached under a white parley flag. Magma Dynasty colors. The woman dismounted at a careful distance and raised both hands.“I carry a message only,” she called. “No fight.”Raizu glanced at Miko. Miko gave a short nod. The woman came closer.“The outer councils have confirmed your identity,” she said. “SSS-rank Bond user. Party designation: the Linked. Multiple dynasties are now aware of your movement through the fringe territories.”Killy folded her arms. “And?”“Some want to hire you. Others w