After several days of travel, Hiro and Lina arrived at the base of a mountain range. It was a place Hiro had read about in one of the ancient texts back in Graybrook, an isolated, treacherous area that few dared to explore. But the stories spoke of an old tamer who lived deep within the mountains, a man who had been exiled from the world after challenging the gods long ago.
They ascended the rocky path, their beasts trailing behind them with surefooted grace. The air grew colder as they climbed higher, the wind howling between the cliffs, but Hiro pressed on, his instincts guiding him toward their destination.
Finally, after hours of climbing, they reached a plateau, where a small, weathered cabin stood alone against the backdrop of the mountains. Smoke curled from a chimney, and the smell of woodsmoke and pine filled the air.
Hiro and Lina exchanged a glance before stepping forward.
The door to the cabin opened before they could knock, and an older man stepped out, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of them. He was tall and wiry, his hair streaked with gray, and his weathered skin spoke of years spent in the wilderness. Behind him, a large, majestic falcon perched on a wooden post, watching them with piercing eyes.
"You shouldn't be here," the man said gruffly, his voice rough like gravel. "Go back to wherever you came from."
Hiro stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're not leaving. We came to find you."
The man's eyes flicked over them, taking in the sight of Hiro's wolf and bear, and Lina's hawk and stag. His expression softened, if only slightly. "Tamers, are you?" he muttered, his eyes narrowing again. "Hmph. It's been a long time since I've seen your kind."
Lina stepped forward, her voice steady. "We're building something, an army of tamers. The gods are coming for us, and we need to be ready."
The man's expression darkened at the mention of the gods, and he stepped out of the doorway, his falcon hopping down from its perch to land on his shoulder. "The gods," he spat. "They ruined everything."
Hiro met his gaze steadily. "They fear tamers. They want to keep us in the shadows. But we're not going to let them."
The man studied Hiro for a long moment, then slowly nodded. "I've heard whispers of something stirring," he said. "But you're fools if you think you can stand against them."
Hiro smiled faintly. "We won't be standing alone."
The man sighed, shaking his head. "Come inside," he said at last. "We'll talk."