— a thrilling blend of action, romance, and teamwork. Kazriel and Aria take on a real combat field together, showcasing their synergy and raw power while building even more trust between them.
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Chapter 7: The Jungle Hunt
The ring shimmered faintly on her finger as Kazriel landed beside her, the wind from his descent rustling the thick jungle canopy.
He extended his hand with a smirk. "Ready for your first date with danger?"
Aria took his hand without hesitation. "I thought that was the engagement party."
He laughed, then without warning, wrapped an arm around her waist and soared into the sky, wings of light and shadow erupting from his back.
Her breath caught—not in fear, but awe.
This was Kazriel at ease.
A ruler of the sky.
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They landed on a moss-covered ruin in the middle of the jungle, where magic beasts prowled just beneath the trees.
Kazriel glanced at her. "This jungle has been infested with berserker-class monsters. Too dangerous for knights. Perfect for us."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "You brought me here for a date?"
"I brought you here so we could destroy things together."
A monster roared in the distance—jaws lined with crystal, body half-rooted in corruption.
Aria grinned, wind already swirling around her. "You really know how to charm a girl."
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The battle was fast. Violent. Beautiful.
Kazriel moved like a god through the trees—his sword cleaving through monsters like whispers. Shadows curled at his feet, dragging enemies into the earth. His fists lit with energy as he tore through vines, claws, and teeth.
Aria was no less fearsome.
With the new ring boosting her affinity, her wind magic surged like a storm given form. Tornado bursts blasted wolves back into the underbrush. Razor-sharp wind spirals danced at her fingertips, slicing limbs and wings clean.
Their synergy was flawless.
When he lifted a monster off its feet, she sniped it mid-air.
When she was cornered, he landed with a thunderous blow and obliterated the threat without blinking.
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By sunset, the jungle was silent.
Not a single beast stirred.
They stood in the middle of the battlefield—sweaty, breathing hard, armor scratched and splattered with blood.
Aria looked around, eyes wide. "We just… wiped out a whole infestation."
Kazriel turned to her, brushing a bloodied lock from her cheek.
"You were incredible."
She smiled, heart racing more from him than the battle.
"So were you."
And then he kissed her—right there, amid broken vines and fading roars—not as a duke, not as a warrior, but as a man completely smitten.