The forest at dawn was quiet, almost eerily so. Mist curled around the roots of towering pines, the damp earth releasing the faint smell of moss and decay. Arienne moved like a shadow, her dark cloak brushing against the undergrowth, senses alive, alert to every snap of twig and rustle of leaves.
The Hunger System pulsed in her mind, sharp and insistent:
"Objective: locate young general.
Risk: moderate.
Reward: loyalty bond and power growth."
Her pulse quickened. She had felt him almost immediately upon awakening—an untapped aura of potential, fierce yet untrained. He would be the first of her true allies, a companion whose loyalty could not be broken once secured.
---
Through the fog, she saw him: a young man, struggling to command a small group of village recruits in the clearing. His dark hair was messy, and his armor was ill-fitting, though he moved with determination. Every instruction he gave was precise in intent but clumsy in execution. Arienne's sharp eyes noted his aura: raw, loyal, untamed—but fragile.
Hunger System:
"Potential candidate detected.
Emotional bond opportunity: high.
Engagement required: moderate risk."
Arienne crouched behind a fallen log, analyzing the situation. Then, she saw them—three bandits emerging from a side path, knives in hand, grinning cruelly. They had spotted the boy and his recruits.
The Hunger System pulsed urgently:
"Intervention recommended.
Reward: loyalty bond, power growth +10%.
Emotional input significant."
Arienne didn't hesitate.
---
She moved like a shadow, blending with the mist. The first bandit lunged toward Caelan, who froze in panic. With a flick of her wrist, Arienne disarmed him, sending him sprawling into the mud. Caelan's eyes widened, fear mixing with disbelief.
"You… who are you?" he stammered, voice tight.
"Stay behind me," Arienne whispered, voice low and commanding. "Watch and learn."
---
The second bandit swung his knife. Arienne sidestepped, rolling under his swing and delivering a precise strike that incapacitated him without killing.
The Hunger System pulsed:
"Skill activated: Shadow Strike.
Efficiency: 95%.
Emotional input detected: high.
Loyalty potential increased."
Caelan's jaw dropped. "I… I've never seen anyone fight like that," he muttered, awe mingling with fear.
Arienne's lips curved slightly. "Strength is not just brute force. Timing, precision, and strategy matter more than raw power. Remember that."
---
The third bandit hesitated, sensing the danger. Arienne advanced slowly, letting him panic. One clean twist of her dagger, a push to his chest, and he crumpled into the dirt.
Hunger System:
"Emotional bond with general established.
Target loyalty potential: 100%.
User power growth +15%."
The boy blinked at her. "You… saved us. Why?"
Arienne considered carefully. Truth would reveal little; manipulation would secure more.
"You have potential," she said softly. "Potential wasted if you follow orders blindly. I will guide you. Follow me, obey me, and you survive. Fail… and you die."
Caelan swallowed hard. "I… I swear loyalty. To you."
The Hunger System pulsed with approval.
"First ally bond established.
Reward: +20% power.
Emotional bond secured.
Next objective: survival and strategic growth."
---
The rest of the morning passed in training. Arienne corrected Caelan's stance, demonstrated precise movements, and taught him to read the battlefield as a predator reads prey. Every lesson, every small success reinforced their bond.
The Hunger System monitored closely, whispering:
"Emotional bond strengthened.
User power amplified.
Loyalty confirmed.
Skill assimilation: +5%."
By midday, they encountered another bandit group harassing a merchant. Caelan hesitated at first, then followed her lead instinctively. Together, they neutralized the threat. Arienne felt the surge of power that came from his trust.
"Good," she said, brushing dust from her cloak. "You are learning. But never let trust blind you. Observe, anticipate, control the battlefield."
---
As evening fell, the sun dipped behind the hills, casting long shadows. They camped atop a ruined watchtower, the boy exhausted, muscles sore, but eyes alight with awe and determination.
Arienne sat silently, watching him sleep. Bonds were a double-edged sword—powerful, yet dangerous if not controlled.
The Hunger System pulsed faintly:
"User power growth +12% due to loyalty bond.
Emotional input: high.
Next skill unlock opportunity: imminent.
Warning: dependency may create vulnerability."
She allowed herself a faint smile. The first ally was hers. The first step toward reclaiming what had been stolen, toward survival in a world that would not forgive her return, was complete.
Dawn would come again soon, and with it, more tests, more battles, and more bonds to forge. Arienne had secured Caelan Veyran's loyalty, and with it, the foundation of her return to power. But the empire had eyes everywhere, and her enemies would not remain idle.