"Beast Companion?" Aeric asked with raised brows and a curious face.
"Yes, Aeric. Your Beast Companion," Guinevere repeated, smiling at the handsome face of confusion he had.
Just like Mother Guinevere's Lionhawk, Yumi, Beast Companions were magical creatures given only to the royal family once they came of age and unlocked their Divine Core. All the Mothers and Daughters had one, and now that Aeric was eighteen and awakened, it was his turn to get one of his own.
Aeric got incredibly excited because of this. He'd always been curious about his mother's Lionhawk, and he remembered seeing Rosette's once through the window of his room.
"Come with me," Mother Guinevere said, rising up from her throne. "Let us head to the stables, see what catches your eye and perform the bonding ritual."
"Alright," Aeric said with an excited smile. He followed beside his mother, clinging to her soft body as they walked out of the royal courtroom, knightguards following them at both sides.
They walked out of the castle and through the fields were many workers, farmers and maidens greeted them with reverence. Then finally, at the far corner of the vast green land, the stable revealed itself.
Aeric narrowed his eyes at the structure with intrigue, the closer they got.
The stables were long, stretching along the castle grounds, and they weren't filled with horses, donkeys or such, but with creatures of legend and magic.
When they arrived, the first thing Aeric noticed was the smell. It smelt like magical excretion, herbs, and something flowery. This is how it would smell when magical creatures were kept together and reared.
The roof was made of thatch, supported by massive wooden beams, alongside that strange smell was the scent of hay, leather, and the faint buzz of enchantments.
Aeric saw a magical beast standing inside each of the stalls, all wondrous, regal and completely unrealistic to the eyes of an earthling. A beast that resembled a Lionhawk but with purple skin gazed at him from its corner, while an Owlbear, a towering beast with the feathers of an owl and the ferocity of a bear, let out a low growl.
Aeric's eyes wandered over the other creatures, Icelizards, Turtlebears, Viperbirds, sleek Nightpanthers whose eyes glowed with the light of the moon, and the fiery Hellhounds that paced restlessly behind their enchanted barriers.
The stableman greeted Mother Guinevere then approached Aeric with a smile on his face. "Ah, the Hellhound catches your eyes, yes?"
Aeric downturned his lips. "Mhm. Not really. I think the Nightpanthers are better."
"Ah! Splendid choice! Nightpanthers are fast on land and carry the power of shadows! Do you want to bind a Nightpanther as your Beast Companion?" the stableman, who wore a keffi hat, had bushy eyebrows and uneven teeth with a beard that refused to connect, asked him with a big smile.
Aeric looked at the beast, admiring its sleek fur and cat-like face. "Hmm. I'm not sure."
The stableman frowned. "Well then, what exactly are you looking for?"
"Do not rush my son, Vumis!" Mother Guinevere ordered, causing the stableman to chase his frown away and bow in respect. Then, Guinevere turned to her son. "Don't worry, darling. Take your time. This is a very important choice."
Aeric narrowed his eyes as he studied the creatures in the stable, but then, from the far corner, something caught his eye.
In the farthest stall, as though hidden away from the rest of them was a majestic looking beast whose fur shimmered with the soft glow of silver and obsidian. It had the form of a wolf, although larger with spiky fur. Its eyes were a piercing silver, and its sleek form exuded both power and grace.
The creature was beautiful and Aeric could tell from the way its body was built that the beast had great speed and strength. He approached the stall slowly, and as he did, it lifted its head, meeting his gaze with an intelligence that startled him.
It seemed like they shared a bond at that exact moment.
"I want this one," Aeric declared, pointing to the beast.
The stableman's frown returned and his eyes widened. "That is a Silverwolf, my lord. They are very rare and endangered, only a handful are left in the realm. I don't think it would be wise to—"
"I have made my choice," Aeric stated with a cold look in his eyes and a firm voice.
The stableman couldn't protest further, he glanced at Mother Guinevere who shrugged at him. "You heard what he said," she said. "He has made his choice. This is his birthright."
The stableman hesitated only a moment longer before bowing low. "As you wish, my queen."
He walked to the Silverwolf's stall, and unlocked it, then took it out of the stable to the corner where they would perform the binding ritual.
Only Aeric followed the stableman inside.
The binding ritual was swift yet powerful. The stableman brought out a glowing silver inscription stone, pressing it gently to the Silverwolf's forehead. Aeric followed suit, placing his hand over the stone.
Then, a soft glow enveloped both him and the wolf as their essences intertwined, sealing the bond between them. The Silverwolf's eyes flashed briefly, and Aeric felt a surge of power flow into him as the connection solidified.
"Now for the blood bounding," the stableman said, pulling out a small knife. He featured for Aeric to open his palm.
Aeric did and the stableman cut a quick slash. The Son's blood dropped into the stone and the inscription glowed once again. It was the Silverwolf's turn. The stableman carefully cut a line on its limb that the beast didn't even react to, the blood also dripped into the stone and glowed.
Instantly, the interface window appeared in front of Aeric with a notification;
[Binding Ritual complete]
[Beast Companion, Silverwolf has been accepted]
[Do you wish to see your Beast Companion's stats?]
Aeric selected [Later], too excited to ride his beast for now.
"All is done now. What is left is for you to give him a name. What will you name him, my lord?" the stableman asked, stepping back.
Aeric looked into the beast's silver eyes and smiled. "Sylver, with a y. His name will be Sylver."
"Sylver with a y," the stableman nodded. "That is a good name."
Aeric looked at him and only smirked. "Come on, Sylver!" Wth the ritual now complete, he mounted the Silverwolf, and its powerful form carried him with ease. The beast's silver fur was surprisingly comfortable and it glistened from Aeric's view.
As it rode outside the stables, its muscles rippled beneath Aeric's legs.
"How magnificent you look, my son!" Guinevere exclaimed.
On top of his Beast Companion, Aeric smiled. "Thank you so much, mother. I will be on my way to the Institution now."
A look of worry now appeared on the Mother's face, but she tried to maintain optimism for her son's growth. "One last hug before you leave."
Aeric only smiled at her but remained on his Beast. "I will see you when I get back, mother." He tapped Sylver on the neck and the Beast walked further, Aeric turned to wave his mother goodbye. She waved back, but she was still worried.
'He's grown up so fast,' she thought as she watched him leave.
From afar, Aeric spotted his sisters—Rosette on her Owlbear and Misty on her Horsesparrow. They too were about to head on to the Royal Institution. Feeling happy and certain that nothing could change his mood, he urged Sylver forward, catching up to them swiftly.
"Hey, sisters," Aeric called out with a grin, his voice light and teasing.
Rosette barely glanced at him, but her eyes narrowed with disbelief and jealousy as she saw the Silverwolf beneath him. "What?! Mother gave you the Silverwolf?" she asked with a look of annoyance.
Misty looked at the beautiful beast, but said nothing, only glancing between both siblings.
"I guess by your reaction you've always wanted the Silverwolf."
"It's a Four Star Legendary Beast Companion!" Rosette exclaimed. "Mine is only a Five Star Epic!"
Aeric shrugged. "I guess this is what you get for being a Special Child!"
Rosette narrowed her eyes. "Nghhhh!" Angry steams seemed to shoot out of her ears as she turned red.
"So," Aeric smirked, undeterred by their usual unfriendly reception, "how about a race?"