The air in Graybrook was thick with tension. Word had spread quickly through the village of Hiro's return, not just with one beast, but two—both a fearsome wolf and an imposing bear. Whispers trailed him wherever he went. People were curious, others afraid, and some dismissive.
But Hiro paid no mind to the rumors swirling around him. His focus was elsewhere. He could feel the growing strength of his bond with the wolf and bear. The connection between them deepened with each passing moment. They were more than just companions now—they were extensions of his will, and together, they formed something greater.
Still, not everyone was impressed by Hiro's display of power.
Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip low in the sky, Hiro was approached by a group of local adventurers. Graybrook was home to a small adventurer's guild—a loose collection of warriors, hunters, and mages who made their living slaying the wild creatures that wandered too close to the village. They had never taken much notice of Hiro before, but now, they were watching him with keen interest.
The leader of the group, a broad-shouldered man named Bran, stepped forward. He was a seasoned warrior, his sword strapped across his back and his expression filled with disdain as he looked at the beasts that accompanied Hiro.
"I've been hearing some strange things about you, Hiro," Bran said, his voice heavy with skepticism. "Taming beasts, they say. Sounds more like a fairytale than reality."
Hiro regarded Bran calmly, his wolf sitting at his side, silent but watchful. The bear stood a few paces behind, its massive form casting a long shadow in the fading light.
"It's no fairytale," Hiro replied, his tone even. "Taming is real, and I've already begun."
Bran snorted. "Taming? Controlling animals? What use is that? Beasts are beasts. They're either food or a threat—nothing more."
The men behind Bran laughed in agreement, their eyes flicking to Hiro's wolf and bear with a mixture of amusement and contempt. Hiro remained silent, his expression unreadable. They didn't understand, but that wasn't surprising. Most people wouldn't, not until they saw the power he could wield.
"I'm not interested in convincing you," Hiro said, his gaze meeting Bran's. "But you're wrong about beasts."
Bran's smirk faded, his eyes narrowing. He wasn't used to being dismissed, especially not by someone younger and less experienced than him. Hiro could feel the tension rising, like a storm on the horizon.
"Why don't we put that to the test?" Bran said, his voice turning cold. "If your beasts are so powerful, let's see how they fare in a real fight."
Hiro's jaw tightened. He had no desire to fight, but he could see that Bran wasn't going to back down. And perhaps, it was time to show the village what taming truly meant.
"If that's what you want," Hiro said quietly, "I won't hold back."