Mag Beast Leveling

Then there came a distant rumble that grew louder until the ground shook.

Vira's elemental body crackled in anticipation as Vincent snapped back to her.

"What's coming?" His hand on the sword hilt, Vincent asked.

Vira zeroed in on the ruins' entrance.

"A Devourer," she said, voice flat and muted." "A Mag Beast of great power and hunger."

She rattled it off, a behemoth crashing through the ruins into the exercise yard, body a writhing pile of black meat and blades.

The jaws of the Devourer gaped wide, and lines of bloody teeth curved behind.

Vincent unsheathed his sword, prepared to battle the beast. But as he advanced, Vira seized his arm, stopping him.

"Wait," she said, staring at the Devourer. "This one is different. It has been... altered."

The Devourer lunged forward, swinging its claws through the air like deadly scythes. Vincent sidestepped, barely avoiding a blow that would have ripped him in two.

The Devourer's body had been etched with strange symbols, the flesh carved in layers.

And suddenly he realized what Vira had meant by altered.

These markings were some manner of dark magic afoot here.

Finally, with fresh resolve, went Vincent at beast.

It was a battle of scream and shout; it was Clash Steel against Raw Claw.

As they fought their way further into the ruins, blood spattered about.

Vira had the chaos in her mind, approaching her like a fruit; we killed her despite the ramble made as Vira entered the battle and released an elemental nightmare on Devourer.

Her abilities were beyond anything Vincent had witnessed.

Their bond strengthened as they battled side by side.

But no matter the valiant efforts, they found themselves being forced back by the brute strength of the Devourer.

It was like no matter how many times they tried, this monster would not fall with taking both of them out first.

And finally, just when all hope seemed lost, Vira made a desperate gamble to coalesce her form with Vincent's.

Their bodies became a single entity, wielding both magic and sword.

That gave him the strength to deliver a final blow but this time it was the sword itself plunging deep into the heart of the Devourer.

The beast let out an earth-shattering roar before falling dead to the ground.

But their victory was short-lived, the symbol etched onto the creature beginning to glow ominously.

Vincent had some strange energy flowing in his veins like poison running wild

And Vira muttered a terrified no as realization began to dawn on her.

"We have been marked."

And the darkness drew in, and all became darkness.

His eyesight started fading, and he was dragged down toward the dark void.

He attempted to raise the alarm, but his voice was stifled by an invisible hand.

The last thing he heard was Vira's voice, the words she spoke playing in his head.

"We have the Mark of… The Devourer's master comes for us..."

When Vakent awoke, he found himself on the cold stone floor of the ruins.

His head ached, and his body hurt like it had been through a wringer.

He sat up slowly, searching for Vira.

Over him stood her glowing elemental frame, forged of a soft blue light. Concern filled her gaze as she reached out to pull him up.

"What... what happened?" What has happened?" Vincent asked, his voice shaking slightly.

Vira had grown serious.

"The Devourer's symbol has touched us," she said. "We are now beholden to its master, a mighty spellcaster controlling the Devourer from a distance.

Vincent's eyes widened in recognition of the symbol carved into the Devourer's flesh. He glanced down at his own arm and the same symbol had formed on his skin.

"What does it mean?" he inquired of Vira, dread beginning to wash over him.

Vira's gaze turned cold.

"It means we are now targets," she said. "The sorcerer is determined to take us both and use our connection to his advantage."

As she spoke, Vincent heard a faint rustling sound from somewhere deeper in the ruins. It sounded like footsteps, light and careful.

Vira heard it too, and her eyes snapped to the sound.

"We've got to get out of here," she said urgently. "Now."

Vincent nodded, still nauseous from their encounter with the Devourer.

They ran together through the twisting tunnels of the ruins, desperate to get as far away from their unknown pursuer as they could.

When they entered, Vincent found that Vira seemed somehow different as they walked.

Her elemental form was dimmer than in the past, and she wore an expression in her eyes that told of a battle inside her mind.

"Vira?" he asked softly. "What's wrong?"

At that, Vira hesitated before replying.

"I think I have made a terrible mistake," she said softly. "Combining our shapes may have banded us more together than I ever imagined."

Vincent frowned, unsure of what she was saying.

But before they could shout, a loud shout echoed through the tunnels.

The "Ah-ah, I don't think so" voice sounded up.

They turned the corner and saw gang-armed men blocking the path.

They hurled insults at them as they held up a bizarre device that was projecting a pulsating energy field.

"Well, well, well, look what we got here," the leader taunted, approaching them.

The boss, a snarl of a man, stepped toward Vincent and Vira.

"You two are quite a famous pair," he said, his voice coated in malice.

"The sorcerer's been searching for you high and low."

Vincent, instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword, never drew it before Vira unleashed a blast of elemental energy that sent the group hurling.

The men were struggling to get to their feet, but Vira wasn't having any of it.

She waved her hand and summoned a torrent of fire that consumed the men.

They cried out in panic, trying to escape, but Vira's magic was stronger. The fire engulfed them, roasting them to death.

Vincent tensed, horrified as the men were incinerated.

He had never known Vira like this. She was typically so poised, but it looked like she was suddenly able to go into overdrive.

By the time the last man hit the deck, Vira had turned to Vincent.

Her eyes were seething with rage. "We have to get out of here," she said. "Now."

Vincent nodded, still absorbing what he had just witnessed.

They passed through the devastation, leaving destruction and death in their wake.

As they walked, they came across several more groups of armed men. But Vira unleashed her elemental fury upon them each time.

She was unstoppable, a force of nature, unrelenting.

Vincent fell in step beside her, his sword cleaving through bodies with deadly finesse. But even he was taken aback by Vira's brutality.

They slaughtered dozens of men that day, leaving a bloody trail of carnage in their wake. Vincent felt himself disappearing into the violence.

But Vira was apparently gaining strength as the minutes passed.

Her magic was growing stronger, and her drive was more determined.

At the edge of the ruins, as the sun was about to disappear.

They gazed around at the wasting scenery at their feet.

With her stare still lit with rage, Vira faced Vincent.

"We're not out of the woods yet," she said. "We won't escape the sorcerer, he'll pursue us, no matter the cost.

Vincent nodded grimly, resolved.

But they embarked across wasteland, fiercely determined to face whatever dangers awaited them.

Their journey would be fraught with peril.

But Vincent knew at least one thing for sure.

He would follow Vira into the depths of hell itself if need be.

He had sworn to protect the bond between

And nothing could ever break that vow.

Not even death itself

As night came, wasteland darkness was closing up around them.

An irregular outline appeared from the two shadows.

An eyes glowing red stepped forward tall gaunt man

The man said, voice dripping with malice, "Welcome.

"I've been waiting for you."

Vira and Vincent shared a glance when they had to be sorcerers.