The path Kael led her down twisted through misty trees and ancient ruins half-eaten by ivy. The world felt alive, humming with a strange energy that made the hairs on Aiko's neck stand up. Her heart still pounded—not from the sprint through the woods, but from him.
He walked ahead like a man born of shadow, unbothered, unreadable. She hated how graceful he was. How sharp his silhouette looked beneath the moonlight.
She hated that she kept staring.
The cloak he'd given her smelled of leather, pine, and something distinctly male. Her thighs clenched involuntarily every time the wind shifted and brought his scent stronger.
They reached a small stone shelter tucked behind a waterfall. Kael pushed open the creaking door. Inside, the hearth was already burning.
"You live here?" Aiko asked, brushing water from her skirt.
"I don't live anywhere. I exist."
"Great," she muttered. "A poetic pervert."
Kael turned, closing the distance between them in one measured step. "If I were a pervert, you'd be on your back already."
Her breath hitched. She hated how fast her body responded.
"I've fought monsters," she said, standing her ground. "I've—"
"No," Kael interrupted, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek without touching her. "You've written essays and obeyed bells. You've never bled for anything."
"And you have?" she spat, trying to ignore the heat pooling between her legs.
His smirk was faint, cruel. "More than you could survive."
She turned away, frustrated with herself. Why was she even arguing with him? Why did his voice slide under her skin like silk?
She dropped onto a pile of pelts near the fire, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Then she felt it.
It wasn't physical, at first. Just a low hum in her bones, an itch beneath her skin.
She gasped, grabbing at her chest as her nipples hardened under her uniform.
"Something's wrong," she said. "I feel—"
Kael's eyes darkened. "The system warned you. Your body's adapting."
She looked up, horrified. "This is Heat Mode?"
"You triggered it early, probably from proximity to a high-compatibility partner." He knelt before her, watching as her thighs pressed together, her hands trembling.
"I-I can't… it's too much."
"You can ride it out. But it'll be hell."
"Or?"
"Sync with someone. Let the system regulate through climax."
Her lip trembled. "You mean—"
"Fuck," he said bluntly. "Or suffer."
---
[ SYSTEM NOTICE – HEAT MODE: LEVEL 1 ]
Symptoms: Heightened arousal, sensitivity, compulsive thoughts, pheromone release
Warning: Prolonged resistance may result in loss of consciousness or forced auto-sync.
Solution: Engage in consensual Sync. Orgasm required for reset.
Nearby Compatible Target: Kael Ravaryn Emotional Risk: Medium Sync Potential: High
Skill Gain on Completion: Shadow Cloak (temporary invisibility + movement buff)
Would you like to initiate Sync?
[YES] [NO]
---
Aiko whimpered as her back arched involuntarily, her vision blurring.
Kael didn't move, didn't touch her—yet somehow, that restraint made it worse.
She looked at him through tear-glossed lashes. "Do you even want me?"
His eyes flicked over her—legs parted slightly, sweat-damp shirt clinging to her breasts.
"Yes," he said simply. "But not because I have to."
That honesty broke something in her.
"Then help me," she whispered.
Kael didn't hesitate. He reached for her with calloused hands, pulling her gently into his lap. The moment their bodies touched, a spark arced between them.
She gasped, grinding her hips against the bulge already straining his trousers.
"I hate this," she muttered against his mouth.
"I know."
"But I need it."
"I know."
Their lips met—tentative at first, then with a growing hunger. Aiko moaned into him as his tongue traced hers, his hands roaming boldly beneath her skirt.
Every touch felt like lightning.
When his fingers brushed against her soaked panties, she nearly came undone.
"Sensitive," he murmured.
"Shut up," she moaned, grabbing the back of his neck and dragging him down into another kiss.
Clothes came off in a blur—his tunic tossed aside, her blouse peeled away. When his mouth closed around her nipple, she cried out, hips bucking against his thigh.
"You smell like sin," he growled. "And I haven't even touched you properly."
"You're wasting time," she gasped. "Do it—now."
"Say it."
"Fuck me, Kael," she begged. "Claim me."
That broke his restraint.
He pushed her onto the furs, spreading her legs, positioning himself with agonizing slowness. When he finally entered her, the world shattered.
Aiko screamed.
Not from pain—though her body stretched to accommodate him—but from the overwhelming, flooding pleasure. Every nerve screamed yes.
Kael moved with precision, each thrust calculated to drive her higher. His hands bruised her hips, his lips kissed fire down her throat.
She wrapped her legs around him, dragging him deeper.
"More," she begged. "Harder—Kael—please—!"
"Tell me you need it."
"I need it! I need you!"
---
[ SYSTEM UPDATE – SYNC IN PROGRESS ]
Target: Kael Ravaryn
Pleasure Threshold: 79% Orgasm Sync: Pending Skill Transfer: Charging
Warning: Emotional imprint forming. Sync level rising.
---
Kael growled as she clenched around him, her nails scoring his back.
"I can't—" she gasped. "I'm gonna—!"
"Come," he commanded.
And she did.
Her body arched off the ground as climax ripped through her, vision going white. Kael followed, spilling inside her with a low groan that sent another wave crashing over her.
They lay tangled together, breathless, slick with sweat.
Aiko blinked up at the ceiling.
Holy fuck.
---
[ SYSTEM SYNC COMPLETE ]
Skill Acquired: Shadow Cloak
Status: Heat Mode reset Libido Stabilized: 10% Emotional Bond: Level 1 (Kael Ravaryn)
Side Effect: Craving – mild addiction to sync partner's presence and touch
---
Kael was already dressing.
Aiko didn't move.
"You're okay," he said.
"Speak for yourself," she muttered.
He tossed her a fresh waterskin. "That was impressive. For a first timer."
"Wasn't asking for a performance review."
He chuckled. "You passed."
She sat up, wincing. "Now what?"
"Now we move. There are more men out there. More powers. More monsters. And some of them don't wait for consent."
"And you do?"
Kael met her gaze. "Every time. Until you don't want me to."
Aiko stared at him for a long moment, then rose to her feet.
Her body still hummed, her skin flushed, but her eyes were clear.
"Then let's go," she said. "Let's find the next bastard who thinks I'm just a toy."
Kael's smirk returned.
"The Erotic Heroine rises."