Level Up: Voidwalker

Atlas stroked Noorah's soft fur, which woke her up, causing the young woman to transform into her human form. Her blue eyes gleamed as a smile appeared. ''Thank you for letting me sleep on you, it's comfortable.''

He chuckled before reaching up and rubbing her fluffy white ear which made Noorah tremble while letting out a low moan. ''Mmmmhhh~~.''

Soon enough, Atlas continued stroking, which made the fox woman start laughing as she rolled around on top of him. This woke Amethyst up, who sat up with a yawn. ''What are you idiots doing so early?''

After that, he stopped attacking the fox woman, who sat up with a bright red face, she growled at him and jumped up while getting away from him, which made him laugh. ''I was messing around with you Noorah, I won't attack your ears anymore.''

''Come on you both,'' the purple-haired woman commented as she got out of bed. ''Let's have a bath and get some breakfast, Evelina told me the capital is beautiful in the mornings.''

Following their exchange, Amethyst warned Atlas to stop touching her ears. As the two women proceeded into the bathroom, Noorah playfully stuck her tongue out at him before silently mouthing thank you while stepping inside.

Moments later, he cast Cleanse on himself, making him let out a sigh of relief and put on some fresh clothes to wait for them. After a little while, the fox woman stepped out and walked over to him.

Noorah, adorned in a flowing white dress that complemented her hair, shook her head gently and asked with a hopeful tone, ''We're mates, right?''

Atlas nodded in affirmation, encouraging her to climb onto his lap. As she settled in, she murmured, ''Then kiss me, show me you want this as much as I do.''

He didn't hesitate for a second. His hands slid up to cradle her face, fingers threading gently through her soft hair as he tilted her chin toward him. He leaned in, closing the distance with a kiss that ignited like a spark catching dry tinder.

Their lips pressed against each other as an electric shock shot through their bodies. Noorah melted into him, her hands gripping his shoulders as she returned the kiss with equal fervor, a soft hum escaping her throat.

Their mouths moved together in a dance and sent a shiver down her spine.

When they finally parted, breathless and flushed, their foreheads rested together, the shared heat of the moment lingering in the space between them. Noorah's lips curved into a dazed, satisfied smile, her voice barely a whisper. ''So you do want me, I was afraid you wouldn't.''

''Why?'' he questioned.

''Because I prefer to stay in my other form and sit on you,'' she revealed, making him smile.

Atlas pulled her in closer and whispered. ''I like you, Noorah and can't wait to get to know you even better.''

Moments later, he ran his fingers through her fluffy tail which made the young woman tremble in delight as he continued. ''And I love you other form, it allows me to pamper you even more.''

Noorah's face lit up with a radiant smile upon hearing his words, and soon their lips met once more in a tender kiss. Moments later, with a flicker of magic, she shifted into her fox form—a sleek, graceful creature with soft fur.

She scampered up to his shoulder, nestling into the tousled strands of his hair, where she curled into a cozy ball and drifted off to sleep. Amethyst appeared with a knowing smile. ''Looks like she feels better, we spoke in the bath and the little fox was worried about her place in the harem.''

Atlas chuckled before stroking Noorah who leaned into his touch as he spoke. ''She has nothing to worry about.''

Following that, the duo left the inn and started exploring the capital until they found a stall selling delicious food. The couple approached it and sat down as the old man behind spoke with a big friendly smile. ''What can I do for you younglings on this fine morning?''

''Give me two bowls of meat noodles with some of this southern berry juice please,'' Atlas answered.

He slid a good coin across the counter, which made the old man smile even more, before he got to cooking their meals. While sitting there, Amethyst spoke. ''I believe it's Estelle's turn next because she's been waiting.''

Atlas nodded. ''Now we're relaxing at my parents, I'll take each of you out which is fair,'' he revealed.

The phoenix woman beamed when hearing his plan and nodded. ''That's good, don't forget about Medusa. She seems lovely and very protective over you.''

''I know, she's always been there since joining the Otherworld,'' he revealed. ''I think the gods gave her a human form to help me.''

As Atlas said that Noorah let out a low yip in confirmation, prompting Amethyst to giggle as she answered. ''Well the two of them care for you deeply so don't hurt them.''

He reassured the phoenix woman that he would treat them all right, which made the young woman beam. Moments later, the old man put two bowls and the drinks there while speaking. ''You can have a couple more meals with the change from the gold coin.''

Following that, the couple started eating and Atlas enjoyed the soft meat that was cooked perfectly. It took them close to an hour to finish their food as bells echoed out across the city, making the stall owner panic.

''Younglings, hide somewhere, the Empire's bandits are attacking again,'' the old man warned.

Atlas glanced at Amethyst and nodded, this prompted the phoenix woman to transform before soaring into the sky. He took out his blades while sending out a pulse of mana and located several of them trying to attack a government office.

Without waiting, he burst forward and started running down the street before seeing a group of ten heavily armed men trying to break into a home. This forced him to cast several Void Lances into the crowd, causing blood to fly everywhere.

He moved in and slashed the enemies' throats just as Noorah transformed into her human form and started fighting. While the battle erupted, Atlas came face to face with their leader who was killing the city guards.

''So you were here devil,'' the man commented as he pointed his sword at him.

Atlas dropped into a predatory crouch, his eyes blazing with focus as he channeled the dark power of Void Infusion into his twin blades. The weapons pulsed with an otherworldly shimmer, tendrils of shadow coiling around the steel.

With a thunderous explosion of force, he launched forward, a blur of lethal intent. He skidded low, dirt and sparks flying, and slashed his blades in a vicious arc, tearing through the enemy's calf.

His foe shouted in rage before Atlas vanished using Void Step. In an instant, he appeared high above the enemy leader. With a primal roar, he plunged downward, driving his infused blades through the man's neck in a brutal, unrelenting strike.

The leader's head snapped free, severed clean, and a crimson geyser erupted, blood spraying in wild arcs. Bathed in the gore, Atlas stood triumphant before he got to work killing the remaining bandits.

His blade sliced through dozens of enemies in a blur of white and blue, leaving bursts of crimson blood in his wake as he pressed forward. Meanwhile, Amethyst was locked in combat outside, fending off waves of foes with relentless ferocity.

Above, the phoenix woman plummeted toward the small army like a living comet, erupting in a blaze of purple flames that reduced her targets to ash. As the inferno faded, a portal tore open, and a colossal Frostbear surged forth, crashing into the enemy ranks.

Moments later, Medusa appeared from the Otherworld in her Death Serpent form and started crushing soldiers. When the Thalassians saw the bandits getting destroyed by the newcomers, they spotted Atlas.

The commander raised his weapons, exclaiming. ''The son of Duke Montagu has arrived! Thank the heavens!''

They looked on as the young man sprinted toward the wall, launching himself into a soaring leap that carried him over the barrier. He landed amidst the enemy ranks with a jarring crash, immediately slashing through them.

Nearby, the radiant purple phoenix unleashed torrents of flame, incinerating foes alongside a swift fox and the towering Frostbear, their combined assault a whirlwind of destruction. The entire city was shocked.

People flocked to any place that offered a view of the ongoing battle, and when seeing the spectacle they were amazed. Rumors spread throughout Northern Astoria of the Duke's son saved the Thalassian capital from the empire.

By the time the battle was over, Atlas was breathing heavily as Noorah climbed into his shirt and Nulia appeared in her Frostbear form and rubbed her big head against his chest while letting out a grumble.

He ran his hands through her fur and started stroking behind her ears, which the young woman loved.

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