The days that followed were a blur of activity. Hiro and Lina returned to Graybrook, but the village no longer felt like the safe, quiet place it had once been. Hiro's battle with the servant of the gods had changed everything. He knew now that he couldn't stay hidden forever. The gods would send more enemies, and the next attack could come at any time.
But Hiro wasn't just waiting for the next battle. He was preparing.
Each day, Hiro trained with his wolf and bear, pushing the limits of the power he had unlocked. He could feel the bond between them deepening with every session, their movements becoming more fluid, more synchronized. The ancient tamers had understood something that the rest of the world had forgotten: that the bond between a tamer and their beasts wasn't just about control. It was about trust, about understanding each other on a level that went beyond words.
Lina, too, was growing stronger. Her bond with the stag and hawk had solidified, and under Hiro's guidance, she was beginning to tap into the same hidden power that he had discovered. It was slow, but it was there, an energy that pulsed beneath the surface, waiting to be awakened.
But Hiro knew they couldn't face the gods alone. They needed allies, others who believed in the power of taming, who understood the bond between humans and beasts. If the gods were going to send more servants, Hiro needed an army.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Hiro stood at the edge of the village, staring out at the forest beyond. He had made his decision.
"It's time to leave Graybrook," he said quietly.
Lina, standing beside him, looked up in surprise. "Leave? But where will we go?"
Hiro's gaze remained fixed on the forest, his mind already racing with possibilities. "We're going to find others like us," he said. "Other tamers. People who understand the bond between humans and beasts. We need to gather them, train them, and prepare for what's coming."
Lina nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "You're building an army."
Hiro smiled faintly. "Not just an army. A movement. The gods think they can keep us in the shadows, but we're going to prove them wrong."
Lina's eyes sparkled with determination. "Then let's go."
With that, Hiro and Lina set off into the wilderness, leaving Graybrook behind. Their journey had only just begun, but Hiro knew that the real battle was still ahead. The gods were watching, waiting for their moment to strike. But Hiro would be ready.
And when the time came, he wouldn't just be standing alone. He would have an army of tamers and beasts by his side.