Immortal's Journey with the Goddess

Under the elimination of the flashlight, Zara's true form was revealed. Not betraying her sweet, feminine voice. She appeared to be a lady with long black hair. However, dirt marred her features - her fair skin was stained all over with a mix of dried blood. The light armor she wore made of black leather plated with a few metals was visibly worn out, damaged and battered. Testifying to the rough life she fought to live before being bound by heavy shackles on her neck, chained in this place for an unknown amount of time.

Zara's physical state isn't good either, it's evident she was deprived of food in this cage. Despite her desperate condition, Kai can't bring himself to pity her. Because even after falling this low, her crimson eyes burn with dreadful intensity of extreme defiance. Unwavering and even taunting others who dare get close. But more importantly, the wolf ears standing on her head looks unnatural for Kai. It's both adorable and somehow deadly, acting like a sensitive sound radar to know where to hunt her prey. Furthermore, isn't she like of those wolf-girls in fiction? Seeing one in real life really startled him.

"Are you a dog?" Gasped Kai in surprise, a part of him wanting to get back at her previous mockery.

Zara beamed a wolfish smile, seemingly friendly but visibly retraining the urge to slaughter the young man.

"Excuse me? I don't know what creature you are referring me to, but I'm guessing it's something bulgar. I'm a proud Beast kin!"

Her furry ear suddenly shifted, causing an abrupt silence between them. Eventually, Zara sighed and said calmly.

"Hurry now, the watchman's are arriving thanks to your loud stunt, it won't be pretty if we get caught before the bounding completion. They'll be here soon."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm in a hurry too. So, how do we do this?"

The beast girl lingered for a moment, before responding.

"Simple, really. It's a mere exchange of blood between us. However, there are strict conditions to meet. Firstly, both parties had to be aware of their position. Although, I'm reluctant to admit. Me, being the lone beast-kin here are obligated to be in the lower position meant to serve you as my master. Secondly, both had to genuinely accept each other for what they will become... You will be the Master, know that. And worry not, I already prepared myself to be a servant, obligated to heed your command after this if it meant freedom. Though, can you promise me to not get overboard with your orders?"

Kai nodded, understanding the underlying logic behind her reasons for revealing this much information in the contract they'll form. As the partner, his required to possess deep understanding of what Sacred Bond is. Which include the benefits bestowed upon him as the upper position holder. Zara must be aware that attempting deception will only cause further delay due to lingering doubts in Kai. If ever they fail saving his valued girl, then she'll be at his mercy. Furthermore, informing him that she won't be able to disobey his orders will solidify his trust in her promise. Therefore, erasing all dubious reluctance to form the Sacred Bond.

"Quick question, are there any bad side effects?"

"None at all. Only me being by your side for eternity."

'It's like being married. I think I'm too young for these. Still, who would have expected I'll be married to a wolf girl in a damned cage as a reception... Damn, as if babysitting a Goddess isn't enough. Well, whatever. Let's just get done with this.'

Surprisingly, Kaiser isn't happy nor sad at the thought of having her as his loyal servant. Zara's dirty appearance isn't that appealing, really. Her smell isn't nice either, she had the scent of carnage, dried blood and death.

"Are you ready?" She then smiled mockingly at him. "It would be pathetic of you if you can't even accept me as your servant. If that happens, I might as well give myself to that fat bandit boss."

Let's not forget her harsh character that can't seem to stop insulting him. Kai felt Ariella is enough, she's sweet and much prettier than her. In fact, she's the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. No wonder Ariella had already landed him in trouble two times already.

"Cut the crap and be done with it, we can undo the contract after we rescue her."

Zara's smile widened. "It would be my pleasure, umm..." She blinked a few times, staring at Kaiser's blood-dyed hand which he brought in front of her face in wonder.

"What?" Asked Kai.

She frowned, killing intent can be sense at her crimson eyes that glow in darkness.

"You don't really expect me to consume spoiled blood from your stupidity, do you?"

"Can't you?"

It is from a bleed caused by repeated pouncing to break the cage wall, it's still relatively new but not fresh.

"... So that's how it is. I'm already seeing my future with you. Sure, I'll be glad to. In return, I bleed so much the last time I fought, it had long dried, but still doable. So you can lick my body in exchange. With that, the Sacred Bond will be fulfilled."

'Not complete. Tsk, ain't no way I'm licking you! Furthermore, my blood is a thousand times fresher compared to yours.' He did not expect a simple exchange of blood would be this troublesome. Having no knife with him, Kai thought that his bleed earlier would suffice. He forgot his dealing with a woman, a picky one at that.

"I don't have a knife, neither do you. Any idea, genius?"

She thought for a moment, then said with a sigh.

"Ever thought of using your teeth? Of course you don't with that moronic mind of yours. Here, bite my thumb to the point it bleeds, I'll do the same with yours at the same time."

Kai wanted to retort back, but restrain himself to not waste anymore time. Besides, he can spite Zara plenty when the contract is sealed. Without further ado, he lowered himself and shoved his thumb on Zara's mouth. Intentionally doing it when she's unprepared.

Apparently, she had the same idea.

Both glared at each other, disliking one another yet willingly performing a ritual akin to marriage. By then, the footsteps of multiple individuals can be heard, announcing the watchman's arrival due to the noise Kai made earlier.

Hearing this, as if they had a tacit understanding. Kaiser and Zara bite down at the same time, secretly applying more force than necessary to further their partner suffering.

This... Doesn't look "Sacred" at all.

In the next moment, someone's cry sounded.

"F*ck, Argh! my thumb. Did you really have to bite that hard? I heard my finger bone cracked. Damn you!" Kai was reduced to the floor, glaring at Zara, who had an amused expression. Apparently, she's far, far stronger than she looks, defeating Kai in biting battle.

Her gaze distant, feeling an eerie yet satisfying sense of power.

Kai felt it too, an indescribable sensation of something blooming within him. His wary at first, before letting it spread freely inside him. Aware that it's part of the ritual. Furthermore, it emits no harm or anything dangerous to be dreadful of. Instead, Kai felt power surging in his soul upon its arrival. As if a beast synchronized with him, giving him beastial might and sharp senses of a predator. He smell more, heard further and saw clearer, enough that even the complete darkness of the room can't completely hinder his vision. No wonder Zara could see him even though it's dark.

The stiffness of his muscles also disappeared, making him feel like he could achieve more flexible positions. Run faster and last longer.

'This... is Zara's?'

Kai didn't fully believe it when Zara said the Scared Bond would synchronize their strength, giving what's hers to him and his to her. Creating greater power with unity. His mostly at the receiving side, because his human body offered average strength compared to hers. Still, it is startling to know that Zara's physic possesses this much strength. Which added to his own puny body. And she used that strength to crush the bone on his thumb, he would never forget this.

Nevertheless, her claims of singlehandedly taking on the bandits might not be a lie.

Standing up, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

"Finally.."

Then, Zara gripped the shackles around her neck which already had plenty of dents caused by her finger due to multiple attempts. All of which failed because of her insufficient strength. However, not anymore with the addition of a single young man stocking over her force.

The iron collar stayed tough for a while, but soon groaned under the pressure of her pull. The lock held strong, then eventually snapped.

As it dropped, the clamor of heavy iron sounded along the rattling of chains.

At long last, Zara is finally free. By then, the rushing overseers had already arrived at the exit of her cage. Only to realize that they are too late. The bandits paled, frozen in fear at the sight of the maiden that once devastated their turf. Memories of what happened months ago still fresh on their mind, the day she singlehandedly slaughtered one third of their members in a injured state.

Now, that same calamity was no longer bound by chains. Her crimson eyes glowed with silent hatred in the dark cage, glaring at her prey.

Meanwhile, holding his pained thumb, Kai was lying on the floor between the tensed group of bandits and the deadly woman.

'I'm in the way, aren't I?' True, Zara isn't advancing because his sprawled in front of her, blocking her way. It would ruin her cool scene if she bent down and shun Kai away.

So, he awkwardly crawled aside.

Only then did the slaughter begin.