With Thorne on their side, Hiro and Lina had taken their first real step toward building their movement. Thorne, with his years of experience and knowledge, would be a valuable ally, and his falcon—an ancient, powerful beast that had lived through the rebellion—was a force to be reckoned with.
But Hiro knew this was just the beginning. They would need more than just a handful of tamers to stand against the gods. They would need an army.
The days that followed were filled with intense training. Thorne's methods were harsh but effective, pushing Hiro and Lina to their limits as they honed their skills and deepened their bonds with their beasts. Thorne had lived through the worst of the gods' wrath, and his knowledge of their tactics gave them an edge.
"I've seen what the gods are capable of," Thorne said one morning as they trained in the clearing outside his cabin. "They'll send their strongest after you, and you need to be ready."
Hiro nodded, his jaw set in determination. "We will be."
The next step was clear: they needed to find more tamers. Thorne had spoken of rumors—whispers of small enclaves of tamers hiding in the mountains, in the forests, in the shadows of forgotten lands. It wouldn't be easy to find them, but Hiro knew that the gods had driven tamers underground. And now, it was time to bring them into the light.
"We'll find them," Hiro said one evening as they sat around the fire, planning their next move. "We'll bring them together. And when the gods come, we'll be ready."
Thorne glanced at him, his eyes sharp. "You're taking a dangerous path, boy."
Hiro met his gaze, unflinching. "It's the only path."
Lina, sitting beside them, nodded in agreement. "We're going to change the world," she said quietly.
Thorne chuckled darkly. "I hope you're ready for what's coming. Because once you start down this road, there's no going back."
Hiro smiled faintly. "I don't plan on going back."
As the fire crackled and the stars twinkled overhead, Hiro felt a surge of determination rise within him. The gods had kept tamers in the shadows for too long. But now, it was time for them to rise.
The storm was coming. And Hiro would be at the center of it.