Inside the old tamer's cabin, the fire crackled in the hearth as Hiro and Lina sat across from the man, who introduced himself as Thorne, one of the last tamers who had ever openly defied the gods.
Thorne's story was one of tragedy. Decades ago, he had been a leader among tamers, respected and revered for his connection to the creatures of the wild. But when the gods had begun tightening their grip on the world, Thorne had led a rebellion, refusing to submit to their rule. In retaliation, the gods had wiped out his followers, forcing Thorne into exile in the mountains where he had lived ever since.
"I thought we were unstoppable," Thorne said quietly, staring into the flames. "We had power, real power. Our bonds with the beasts made us strong. But the gods… they're relentless. They sent down their servants, their divine beasts, and wiped us out."
Hiro listened carefully, his mind racing as he absorbed the story. Thorne's experience echoed what he had already learned, the gods feared tamers. But Hiro was different. He had unlocked something the gods hadn't anticipated.
"What if we could be stronger?" Hiro asked, his voice calm but confident.
Thorne glanced up at him, his brow furrowing. "Stronger? You don't know what you're up against, boy."
"I do," Hiro said firmly. "I've already fought one of the gods' servants. And I'm still standing."
Thorne's eyes narrowed. "And you think that makes you invincible?"
"No," Hiro replied. "But I've learned something. The beasts have a power we've only begun to tap into. I've seen it. The ancient tamers knew it too. The gods have tried to bury that power, but it's still there, waiting to be unlocked."
Thorne fell silent, his eyes dark with thought.
Hiro leaned forward, his voice low but intense. "We don't have to hide anymore. We can fight back. But we need you, Thorne. You've been through this before. You know what it takes to stand against the gods."
For a long moment, Thorne said nothing. The room was filled with the sound of the crackling fire, the quiet breathing of the beasts, and the weight of the decision before them. Finally, Thorne sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair.
"I'll help you," he said at last. "But understand this: the gods are merciless. If we fail, they'll erase us from existence."
Hiro's expression didn't falter. "We won't fail."