The hawk's golden eyes narrowed as it studied him. The magical circle flared with light as the first attempt concluded, but the hawk resisted. The seal cracked, and the ritual failed. Horizon sighed but didn't waver.
"Stubborn, aren't you? Fine," he said, summoning the circle again. "You don't realize what's at stake here. Let me make it clear—you're not just joining some ordinary summoner. You'll be part of something bigger. Fight for me, and you'll have the chance to conquer, to rule. Resist, and you'll end up nothing more than a pile of feathers."
The second attempt began, and the hawk gave another defiant cry, its will still unbroken. The circle dimmed again, signaling another failure. Horizon clenched his fist, his patience thinning but his resolve growing sharper.
