The fusion with the Sapkins had begun.

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  [Chimera Synchronization]:

  {UNSTABLE}

  - Name: KiAera (Hybrid)

  - Age: [Glitch] [25]

  - Race: [Merecritt] + [Sapkins]

  - Species: [Merecritt] + [Sapkins]

  - Evolution Stage: [Hybrid] [Emergent]

  - Variant Grade: [Hybrid] [Uncommon]

  - Attribute Influence: [Beast] [Fire] [Plant]

  - APeX: [11,700] + [3,420 (Sapt)] + [3,410 (Saps)] → {Bond Bonus: B [1.8x]} → [33,354 Units]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  A pillar of green light struck her Chimera's Mark, flooding her body with raw vitality. Vines twisted around her form, bark wove over her limbs, and vibrant petals unfurled along her back. Then, from the earth itself, a monstrous shape erupted—a towering plant-like construct mirroring her Merecritt form but on a colossal scale.

  KiAera stood at the heart of this entity, fused within its core, controlling its massive frame like an extension of herself.

  The colossus took its first step, and the ground quaked beneath its weight.

  Its leafy fists clenched. Its eyes—her eyes—locked onto Boggorc.

  Boggorc's confident sneer faltered, his amusement warping into a wary scowl. "What in the blighted roots is this?"

  KiAera's voice echoed through the construct, layered and resounding. "We are KiAera, and we will not allow you to harm our friends."

  With a forceful swing, the giant's fist crashed into the frozen ground, shattering it on impact. Boggorc barely dodged, his body rolling haphazardly across the battlefield.

  "We are KiAera, and we will not let you leave."

  The colossus charged, each step a tremor that sent cracks rippling through the earth. Boggorc scrambled upright, his tusks sparking with power. He lunged—but before he could land a blow, the giant's vines lashed out, coiling around his limbs and yanking him to the ground.

  KiAera raised a claw. The colossus mimicked her motion.

  "You said I was out of tricks, Boggorc," she murmured, her voice edged with a hiss. "Here's one more."

  She thrust her claw forward.

  The entity lunged, wooden jaws splitting wide as it crashed down upon Boggorc.

  A thunderous crunch echoed through the ruins.

  Boggorc wheezed, bloodied teeth bared in a grimace. "You... you win. This time."

  KiAera's expression remained impassive as the colossus tightened its hold, bark and vines creaking under the pressure.

  Boggorc's body trembled, Abyss Particles seeping from his pores. He rasped, voice laced with venom, "I've got nothing left to lose, bunny… But if I go, I'm taking you with me!" His form expanded, muscles inflating grotesquely against the giant's crushing grip. "You— You are a danger to the esteemed Jalkra!"

  KiAera's eyes narrowed.

  Boggorc's mass ballooned further, straining against the colossus's grasp. Cracks spiderwebbed through the wooden jaws, splinters breaking loose. He was moments from detonation—

  KiAera tilted her head back.

  The giant spat hard.

  With a mighty heave, the colossus hurled Boggorc skyward.

  He barely had time to react before his unstable form exploded midair, lighting up the sky like a dying star.

  KiAera exhaled, her body trembling. It's over. We've won.

  The fusion unraveled.

  Her colossal plant-Merecritt form crumbled, dissolving into fading wisps of light. She staggered as her consciousness ebbed, her knees buckling just as Saptal and Sapshorla reemerged from the fusion.

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  [Time's up.]

  {Proto-Chimerization Terminated}

  {APeX Scorched: 50%} {KiAera} {Sapkins}

  ??. .??

  KiAera's [APeX]: 11,700 Units → 5,850 Units

  ??. .??

  Saptal's [APeX]: 3,420 Units → 1,710 Units

  ??. .??

  Sapshorla's [APeX]: 3,410 Units → 1,705 Units

  ??. .??

  Saptal caught her before she hit the ground. "Ya did good, KiAera. Real good."

  Sapshorla pressed a leafy hand to her chest. "You saved us. Thank you—thank you so much."

  KiAera swayed, eyelids heavy. "Mm… yeah. It's finally over."

  Saptal nodded, his three eyes dimming with relief. "Let's go home."

  Sapshorla hesitated. "We'll… we'll do what we can for Big Osseod." She swallowed hard. "KiAera, I'm sorry. But I don't think—"

  KiAera's gaze snapped to Big Osseod.

  Her heart lurched.

  The creature's shattered, crystalline body lay still.

  Ripping herself free from Saptal's hold, she stumbled toward the fallen Osseod, reaching out. Her fingers trembled as they brushed against the jagged shards of its form.

  "Big Osseod…" she whispered.

  "Osseod… hurt… Big Osseod… fought big Boargrunt… KiAera proud…? Proud Osseod…?"

  Tears burned her eyes. "Shhh, Big Osseod. We're not just proud because you fought." She pressed her palm against its crystalline fur, stroking in slow, soothing circles. "We're proud because you survived. Because you're strong."

  Her grip tightened around the tusk buried in its core.

  With all her strength, she pulled.

  Pain flared as jagged edges tore against her paw pads, but she didn't stop. Couldn't.

  With a final, agonized cry, she wrenched the tusk free. The momentum sent her tumbling backward, the spike clattering beside her.

  Big Osseod's dull eyes blinked. "Osseod… KiAera strong… saved Osseod…"

  "No, Big Osseod." KiAera smiled weakly through her tears. "You fought and protected us. We're lucky to have you."

  She reached forward and hugged the trembling creature as gently as she could.

  "Just... please. Never do that again. It scared me. I can't bear to lose you."

  The world blurred around her. Her ears twitched.

  Then—

  A faint whimper.

  A whisper stirred at the edge of her mind.

  KiAera. Will you bind Big Osseod with a 'False Name'?

  She stiffened.

  The voice was warm. Reassuring.

  But it wasn't GamaGen.

  And something told her…

  She didn't have much time.

  'You desire to save the Osseod, yes? Its time is short; its core has been struck. Act quickly, KiAera.'

  "I'm not sure if that's—"

  'Your bond with the creature is strong, and your feelings are genuine. It will work, but you have to decide quickly.'

  Her gaze drifted from the creature to the spike, her thoughts racing. KiAera turned her head, Big Osseod gave a small nod of understanding as its eyes slowly fluttered shut, its form beginning to glow a faint blue. She recognized that dreaded process—the environment siphoning the monster's Abyss Particles—leading to its decay. She had to act fast.

  "Big Osseod... dying…?" it whispered weakly.

  KiAera winced before closing her eyes and willing the voice to come back to her.

  'What is this "False Name"?' she wanted the voice to elaborate.

  '...for an entity of Zeldritzon, a true name, known prohibitively as the 'P????????????i??????m??????o?????r?????????d???i????????l????? ??????E?????p????????i?????????t??????????è???a????????,' unlocks the innate capabilities of a monster... a name bestowed by certain 'Sovereigns'...'

  'However, at your current level... a "False Name," or its true designation: a [Faux Nym], shall suffice... As it is a false name... it cannot unlock any innate capabilities, but it shall provide a unique identity for the monster... It shall be possible to save the monster from its impending death...'

  KiAera nodded in understanding. She barely grasped the concept of the "True Names" or "Faux Nyms" but knew outright that she needed to do something—anything—to save her friend.

  "What kind of name would you like to have, Big Osseod?" she asked, feeling her fur stand on end, as if she was being watched.

  The Osseod blinked slowly. It pondered the question for a moment before answering. "Big Osseod name...? Name 'Big Osseod' because strong and brave. KiAera... named Big Osseod… Big Osseod... love KiAera... love name given..."

  KiAera nodded in understanding, turning her thoughts back to the unseen being.

  'How do I give a "False Name" to Big Osseod?'

  'You need to focus on your connection to the monster and its name. Say the monster's name and will for the [Faux Nym] you wish to bestow.'

  'Will you allow me to assist you?'

  KiAera nodded, pressing her paw on Big Osseod and focusing on her connection with it, her eyes slowly closing as she whispered its name.

  "Big Osseod, I give you the name ['Oath Osseod'], a name that symbolizes your loyalty and determination to protect those you care about. It shall forever be yours. May it be your identity and your legacy."

  As she spoke, she felt a surge of warmth envelop her body as the voice echoed in her mind once more.

  'Accept the monster's new identity and its name.'

  KiAera's mark flared, its light enveloping Big Osseod's broken form. A strange feeling overtook her, like a wave of energy passing through her.

  And then, a notification popped into her vision.

  'The creature, previously known as Big Osseod, shall henceforth be known as Oath the Big Osseod.'

  'Your [Faux Nym] has been bestowed upon "Big Osseod". Well done, KiAera. Your bond is strong, your fidelity unwavering. I hope that you continue to thrive and grow in Zeldritzon. Perhaps our paths shall cross again. Nonetheless, you have made a great sacrifice for the sake of your companion... never expect this to go unpunished. Farewell.'

  As the voice faded from her consciousness, KiAera shuddered in surprise as the warmth and presence dissipated, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She couldn't tell if she had simply imagined the entire scenario, but she opened her eyes to see the newly christened Oath Osseod slowly rise to its feet, its crystalline body still battered and bruised but no longer drained of its Abyss Particles.

  KiAera knew that the monster was still weak and needed rest, but she couldn't help but smile at the sight of its improved condition. She reached out and patted its crystalline carapace, grateful for its survival and thankful for the strange event that had led to its recovery.

  As she stumbled toward her companions, she couldn't help but wonder who had aided her in that bizarre experience; she silently hoped that one day she could meet them and thank them for their assistance.

  After all, saving Oath the Big Osseod, and keeping her team alive was a victory she would always cherish. She was truly proud to call these monsters her family. Her gaze flicked over to Mina's unconscious form, wondering what to do with her.

  Her vision blurred as she could barely make out her companion's silhouettes.

  "Let's… head back… to the… Crystal Shelter—" she began weakly, only for darkness to consume her consciousness.