Chapter 2 - Expectations

The setting sun draped the blue sky in warm butternut orange as Kayden trudged through the sprawling gardens of the Taril estate, each step heavy with the weight of the impending family meeting.

The air was sweet with the scent of blooming nightshade and honeysuckle, but even nature's beauty couldn't quell the unease swirling in his gut. He was heading toward a stone mansion steeped in history, its walls echoing tales of past tamers. Yet, for Kayden, all he felt was the suffocating pressure of expectations pressing down on him like a second skin.

Inside, the grand hall flickered with the soft glow of candlelight, shadows stretching across the polished marble floor. At the head of the long, tastefully decorated table sat Lucien Taril, Kayden's father, his demeanor radiating authority. Silas Taril, Kayden's grandfather, lingered a few paces away, his face etched with displeasure, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as he scrutinized Kayden. An eerie silence enveloped the room, every whisper from before swallowed by the tension.

"Ah, Kayden, my boy," Lucien began, his voice resonant and commanding. "The moment of your baptism is near. We must ensure that everything is ready for your celebratory occasion."

Kayden nodded, swallowing hard. "Of course, Father." His throat felt dry, constricted, like he couldn't quite breathe.

Lucien's piercing gaze bore into him. "It's essential that you bond with a creature of your choice. A phoenix, to be precise. Your mother and I would find it most satisfactory. You could be the first in generations to achieve this."

Silas chimed in, his voice gravelly yet filled with pride. "Remember, you're part of the Taril legacy. Your mother had a dragon named Thundrax. Your grandmother a sun hawk. There was once peace and glory in our family. Build that future, Kayden."

A wave of nausea rolled through him at the thought. The weight of his lineage felt stifling, as if every member of the family were watching him, scrutinizing each movement and sound. And what if he didn't want a phoenix? What if he just wanted to be his own person, free from the suffocating traditions?

"Yeah, Grandfather," Kayden replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. The tradition felt less like a rite of passage and more like a noose tightening around him.

As the meeting progressed, the air thickened with anticipation. His gaze wandered to the table, envy sparking at the anger illustrated on the exquisite dishware—beautiful beasts depicted in turmoil. They seemed to mock him, a reminder of the strength he felt he lacked, contrasting with his doubts.

The next day, as he walked the familiar route to Pavilion Academy, the school greeted him like an old friend, a mix of relief and dread washing over him. Laughter and chatter filled the courtyard, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. He made his way to the beast mastering class, the highlight of his day despite the reminder of his insecurities.

In the training arena, Master Alaric commanded attention in dark green robes adorned with embroidered images of controlled beasts. He was a figure hard to ignore. "Your bond reveals who you are," he stated dismissively as he paced before the students. "Spirit beasts are at the top of the hierarchy—creatures with extraordinary powers that can communicate mentally with their tamers. Every aspiring tamer aims for such an advantage. Following them are flame birds, known for their reproductive abilities and connection to the sun, representing growth and vitality."

"Tomorrow you will all be given the opportunity to tame a lesser, docile beast. Only those who pass this exercise will be allowed to participate in the upcoming baptism."

This information perked everyone and the determination was engraved in their features. Legacies wanted to continue their family fame and norms wanted to rise in rank. Kayden felt like an outsider.

As the lesson continued, Kayden's attention drifted to Rael, who stood confidently on the opposite side of the arena, practicing with his assigned beast. Rael's raven hair caught the light, drawing admiration from their peers, while Kayden felt like a mere afterthought. The tension between them simmered beneath the surface—a rivalry as palpable as the air they breathed.

During a mock sparring session, Rael caught Kayden's eye, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached. "Ready to show the class how a Taril tames a beast?" he taunted, stepping into the circle.

Kayden's heart raced, irritation and a desperate need to prove himself flooding his veins. "Let's see if you can keep up," he shot back, trying to mask his uncertainty with bravado.

The match was intense. Every strike reverberated not just with physical force but with the weight of their unspoken rivalry. Yet beneath Rael's confident exterior, Kayden sensed a flicker of vulnerability—perhaps a façade to hide his own pressures as the headmaster's son.

As the sparring match concluded, Rael's arrogance momentarily faltered, revealing a glimpse of something deeper before he straightened his posture. "You're not going to make this easy for me, are you, Taril?" he smirked, adjusting his stance

"Not a chance," Kayden retorted, their competitive energy igniting further.

Later, as Kayden sat on the steps outside the academy, he let the afternoon sun wash over him, momentarily easing the burdens on his shoulders. Brielle joined him, her laughter a balm against the chaotic energy of the day.

"Looks like you survived," she teased, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "I thought Rael was going to faint under the weight of his own ego."

Kayden chuckled, grateful for her presence. "He thinks that outdoing me somehow validates him."

Brielle nudged him playfully. "You know, you could always give him a taste of humility. A well-placed jab might do wonders."

"Maybe," Kayden replied, but the thought felt empty. He longed for a different kind of battle—one not centered on proving superiority or meeting expectations. "I'm just... tired of it all, Bree. I feel like I'm drowning in a legacy that isn't mine."

Her expression softened, sincerity flooding her gaze. "Hey, you're not just a name on a family tree. You're Kayden Taril, and you have every right to carve out your own path."

As they shared their lunch, her words sank in deeper than he expected, igniting a spark of hope within him. The weight of his future felt a little lighter, the possibility of choice glimmering like the sunset on the horizon.

Kayden leaned back, a genuine smile breaking through his worries. "You're right. Maybe I'll find a way to make this baptism mean something to me."

Brielle grinned, her enthusiasm infectious. "That's the spirit! Just remember, no matter what creature you bond with, it's your journey."

"What creature do you hope to bond with?" Kayden asked, realizing he had never heard Brielle mention anything of the sort. She bit her cherry lips and looked away. An act Kayden took as embarrassment towards her inability tame.

That evening, as Kayden prepared for bed, he reflected on the day's events. The upcoming baptism loomed over him—the expectations, the legacy, the pressure. Yet determination to forge his own path rose within him.