They rushed to Atlas's side, hands pressing to his chest, checking his breath. Jelo dropped to his knees beside him, his hands trembling as he pressed two fingers against Atlas's neck, searching desperately for a pulse. Mira was already there, her face pale and drawn, her hands hovering over Atlas's body as if unsure where to start.

He was breathing, barely, pulse faint and uneven. Each breath was shallow and ragged, more like a gasp than proper breathing. His chest rose and fell in irregular intervals, and his skin had taken on an ashen, grayish tone. Blood pooled beneath him, seeping from multiple wounds across his torso and arms. His eyes were closed, his face slack.

Mira tried to stabilize him. She pressed her hands against the worst of the wounds, trying to stem the bleeding, but there was too much damage. Too many injuries. Her hands came away slick with blood, and no matter how hard she pressed, it kept coming. "Come on, Atlas," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Stay with us. Please."

But Atlas kept slipping. His breathing grew more labored, more irregular. His pulse weakened further, flickering like a candle about to go out. His body was shutting down, piece by piece, and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

Ken stood nearby, his face twisted with helplessness and rage. He wanted to do something, anything, but he was out of energy, out of options. He could barely stand, let alone help. All he could do was watch as his friend died in front of him.

Jelo's mind raced. There had to be something. Some way to save him. He couldn't just let Atlas die. Not like this. Not after everything they'd been through.

The system suddenly spoke inside Jelo's head. It cut through the panic like a knife, sharp and clear. "There is one way you can save him."

Jelo's breath caught. "What? What intervention?"

"The fire Bathe ritual. The process will stabilize subject and prevent death. I must warn you though, it will create permanent bond. Subject will be bound to Milon bloodline."

Jelo's mind struggled to process the words. Fire Bathe? Bind to his bloodline? What did that even mean?

The system continued, stating that Atlas could be rescued through the fire bathe, a ritual that would bind Atlas into Jelo's family. The explanation was brief but clear. The ritual would infuse Atlas with Milon fire energy, fundamentally altering his physiology and tying him to Jelo on a level that went beyond simple loyalty or friendship. It would save his life, but it would also change him forever.

Jelo hesitated, glancing at Olmo, unease tightening his chest. This was a huge decision. Atlas be bound to Jelo, connected in ways that Jelo didn't fully understand. And he'd be doing it without Atlas's consent, because Atlas was unconscious and dying.

Was that right? Was it okay to make that choice for someone else?

He explained the options aloud. His voice was shaky, uncertain. "There's… there's something I can do. A ritual. It'll save him, but…" He swallowed hard. "It'll bind him to me. He'll be… he'll be connected to me, permanently."

The group paused, tension thick. No one spoke for a long moment. Ken and Mira exchanged glances, both of them processing what Jelo had just said. Olmo's expression remained unreadable, his eyes fixed on Atlas's failing body.

"What do you mean, 'bound'?" Mira asked quietly.

"I don't know," Jelo admitted. "The system didn't give me all the details. But it's… it's permanent. It'll change him."

Ken clenched his fists. "He's dying."

"I know," Jelo said. "But I can't just—"

Olmo turned away slightly, stating that he cannot be part of the decision. His voice was calm, measured, but there was something heavy in it. "As your teacher, I should report all of this to the military. The fact that you're here, that you disobeyed orders, all of it should be documented and reported." He paused, his back still turned. "But I won't mention this particular one. I will turn a blind eye and support whatever choice you make."

The words hung in the air, laden with meaning. Olmo was giving them permission. He was telling them that whatever happened here, he would protect them from the consequences.

Ken decided for them, insisting they do it. His voice was firm, brooking no argument. "Do it. Save him. Whatever it takes."

Mira looked at Ken, then at Atlas, then back at Jelo. She nodded slowly. "We don't have a choice."

Jelo exhaled and told the system to activate the fire cleanse. His voice was quiet but resolute. "System. Start the ritual. Save Atlas."

**[Fire Bathe ritual initiated. Follow instructions precisely.]

[Step One: Extend dragon claws.]**

The system instructed him to protract his claws. Jelo's hands trembled as he focused, reaching for that part of himself that was dragon. He felt the familiar surge of energy, the shift in his body as his fingers lengthened and sharpened.

Jelo did, startled as sharp, glowing claws slid free. They were longer than he expected, wickedly sharp, glowing faintly with an inner fire. They looked lethal, designed to tear and rend. He stared at them for a moment, his stomach twisting with apprehension.

[Step Two: Pierce subject's heart. Precision required. Insert claws one inch deep, directly above cardiac muscle. Fire energy will flow automatically.]

The next command was to pierce Atlas's heart. Jelo's breath caught. "What? No. I can't—"

The system replied."Your friend will die without intervention, proceed immediately."

He was hesitant but did it anyway. His hand shook as he positioned his claws above Atlas's chest, just over where his heart would be. He could feel the faint, irregular pulse beneath his palm. One inch. Precisely. He couldn't afford to go deeper or miss the mark.

"I'm sorry, Atlas," Jelo whispered.

Then he pushed.

The others squirmed as this happened. Mira turned her head away, unable to watch. Ken's jaw clenched, his face pale. Even Olmo's expression tightened, though he said nothing.

Jelo's claws sank into Atlas's chest with surprising ease, sliding through flesh and muscle. He felt the moment they touched the heart, felt the faint flutter of the dying organ against his fingertips. Blood welled up around his hand, warm and slick.

Fire seeped from his claws into Atlas's chest. It wasn't literal flame, but pure fire energy, raw and alive. It poured from Jelo's body into Atlas's, flowing through the connection like molten light. Jelo could feel it draining from him, feel the system guiding it, directing it where it needed to go.

Atlas convulsed, body writhing. His back arched violently, and his mouth opened in a silent scream. His limbs jerked and spasmed, muscles contracting involuntarily as the fire energy flooded his system.

Then an orange glow enveloped him. It started at his chest, where Jelo's claws were embedded, and spread outward in waves. The light was warm and intense, illuminating Atlas's entire body. It pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, growing stronger with each pulse.

Wounds sealed. The cuts and gashes across his torso closed, skin knitting back together as if it had never been torn. Broken ribs mended. Internal bleeding stopped. The ashen color faded from his skin, replaced by a healthy, vibrant tone.

His body calmed. The convulsions stopped, and his breathing steadied, becoming deep and regular. His pulse strengthened, no longer faint and erratic but strong and steady. The orange glow faded gradually, sinking into his skin until it disappeared entirely.

Jelo withdrew his claws carefully, watching as the entry wounds sealed themselves immediately, leaving no trace. Atlas lay there, breathing peacefully, as if he were simply asleep.

Ken stared at Atlas, then at Jelo, as if seeing him for the first time. "Since when can you do that?"

Mira was watching Jelo carefully, her expression thoughtful. "His abilities have been evolving. Maybe this is part of that."

The system announced completion.

[Fire Bathe ritual complete.]

[Subject stabilized.Vital signs normal.]

[Bond established. The Milon family is created].

[Current members: Jelo Milon (Progenitor), Atlas Rem (First Member).]

Jelo was surprised at this and wanted to ask what this means. "Wait. What? The Milon family? What does that—"

But Olmo interrupted. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—sharp, probing, demanding truth. He turned to face Jelo fully, his eyes boring into him. "Jelo. What are you?"​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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