As Hiro and Lina continued their training, something darker loomed on the horizon. The adventurers of Graybrook had fallen silent since their defeat, but Hiro sensed the discontent simmering beneath the surface. Defeating Bran had left a mark, and while most of the villagers now saw Hiro as someone to be respected, or feared, there were still those who viewed him as a threat.
It was only a matter of time before that resentment boiled over.
One evening, as Hiro and Lina were returning from a training session deep in the woods, Hiro's instincts flared. The wolf at his side growled softly, its ears flattening, and the bear let out a low rumble, sensing something amiss.
Hiro halted, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the trees around them. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the path. But there was something else, a presence, lurking in the darkness.
"Stay close," Hiro said quietly to Lina, his tone serious.
Before Lina could respond, the attack came. Figures darted from the shadows, armed with swords and knives. It was a group of men, their faces hidden by hoods, their intentions clear.
Assassins.
They moved with precision, targeting Hiro and his beasts with practiced efficiency. But Hiro was ready. His wolf sprang into action, a blur of teeth and claws as it leapt at the nearest attacker. The bear followed, its massive form barreling into the fray with a roar that shook the trees.
Hiro moved with calm precision, his bond with the wolf and bear guiding his every step. He didn't need to give orders, his beasts responded to his will as if they were an extension of his own body.
The first wave of attackers fell quickly, overwhelmed by the sheer power of Hiro's companions. But more followed, emerging from the trees like shadows. Hiro's mind raced as he calculated their numbers, too many for just the wolf and bear to handle alone.
"Lina!" Hiro called, his voice sharp. "You have to help!"
Lina's eyes widened in fear as she saw the attackers closing in. She had never been in a real fight before, never faced enemies who wanted her dead. But Hiro's voice cut through her fear, grounding her.
She glanced at the stag she had bonded with earlier, standing nearby, trembling with nervous energy. It wasn't a battle-hardened creature, it was young, untested. But Lina didn't have a choice. If she didn't act now, they would be overwhelmed.
"Go," Lina whispered to the stag, her voice steadying as she reached out with her mind.
The stag hesitated for a moment, but then, with a sudden burst of speed, it charged into the nearest attacker, its antlers flashing in the dim light. The force of the impact sent the man tumbling to the ground, and Lina felt a rush of energy surge through her bond with the creature.
She could do this.
Hiro watched with approval as Lina's confidence grew, her bond with the stag strengthening as they fought side by side. The assassins were skilled, but they hadn't counted on the power of taming.
One by one, the attackers fell, their assault broken by the combined might of Hiro's beasts and Lina's growing power. In the end, the last of the assassins fled into the forest, disappearing into the shadows from which they had come.
Hiro stood in the clearing, his breath steady as he surveyed the aftermath. The wolf and bear returned to his side, unscathed but alert, their eyes scanning the darkness for any lingering threats. Lina approached him, her face pale but her expression determined.
"Who were they?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
Hiro frowned, his mind already turning over the possibilities. "I don't know," he admitted. "But they weren't just bandits. Someone sent them."
"Someone who wants you dead?" Lina guessed.
Hiro nodded. "Or someone who doesn't want taming to rise again."