Just North-east of Nocturnis' Sanctuary is the Revere Mountains. These mountains were said to hold strong deposits of magic crystals and iron. Many mining towns and villages popped up all around, but most vanished because of the monsters that lurked inside.
Monstrous Beasts, or Monsters for short, are Beasts that mutated, evolved and adapted to their surroundings. Beasts go through evolutions that will make them stronger and eventually make them powerful Beasts like the Shadow Panther. One of the theories to monsters was the constant battles against Mankind resulted in their aggressive natures.
Arin stood on top of a tree branch, crouched as he looked at the Revere Mountains. He had never come this far to the mountains before. The air had slowly grown colder and the sight of an abandoned town gave him the creeps. The town was once a bustling place full of people, now abandoned.
"Are you sure the only way we can gather an understanding of my abilities is to fight monsters?" Arin asked Nocturnis as soon as he dropped from the tree. There were no monsters in sight which made him more nervous than usual with all the information, theories and rumors he heard about the mining towns.
"Yes, we'll need you to actually use those fighting skills you're wasting and see what happens after that!" Nocturnis wagged his split-tail.
"You're extremely happy about this." Arin smirked. "But how am I going to find a monster? I didn't see anything up there."
"Your survival instincts aren't that bad," Nocturnis complimented his Master. "But today I'm going to try to strengthen your survival senses!"
"You're going to try? My senses are sharper than most Hunters my age."
"Although it's sharp enough to catch me, it needs to be better than that." Nocturnis started down the path. "Plus, we'll need to build our bond and fighting style now that I'm with you, Master. You and I aren't fighting alone anymore. We have each other now, so we must adapt ourselves to build something unique."
The once thriving mining town was reduced to broken and deserted buildings. The stone roads were now overgrown with weeds and plant life. Revere mountain hung high in the distance with the cobblestone road leading straight to it.
The new Beastlord and Beast walked together, scanning their surroundings. Arin wondered at one point what life close to the mountains must've felt like. Life here must've been different than in Thornwood where hunting fueled economic support for the village.
Nocturnis stopped, the hair on his back lifting as his tail straightened. "Something's here."
Arin turned, gripping the spear in his hand he had taken with him from the village and listened for signs of life.
The wood from the building to the left cracked as a gray Beast appeared. It had a humanoid appearance with large eyes, mouth and ears and gripped the top of the roof with one hand and held a crude sword in the other.
"A goblin?" Arin whispered.
"Get ready!" Nocturnis warned his Master. The goblin noticed Arin and Nocturnis and sceeched before jumping from the roof and going for Arin.
Arin jumped out of the way, listening to the crude sword slam against the cobblestone road. He turned, joining his right hand with the spear, and going for the kill. The goblin moved out of the way as blood spilled from Arin's strike.
It rushed at him, screaming and swinging its sword. Arin moved backwards, watching the sword arc from left to right before going in for another strike. The spear pierced the Goblin's large head, flying out the other side.
Arin pulled the spear out, dropping the goblin.
"If there's one goblin, there's more." Arin whispered, remembering his father's training.
More shrieks appeared as goblins spilled out from all over. Nocturnis wasted no time waiting for the goblins to attack them. He jumped forward, slashing the first goblin. He pushed past, opening his fangs and sinking them into the next and ripping the goblin's body part off.
Nocturnis' fur rose and for a moment the shadows began to move, only to stop. "My power! It's not working!"
An arrow whizzed from the bow of a goblin on top of a broken home, flying straight at Nocturnis. Nocturnis howled in pain as it moved backwards.
"Why can't I use my abilities?!?" Nocturnis roared.
"Let's just run!" Arin shouted, turning. Six more goblins flanked their only getaway, leaving them surrounded. "Dammit, this is going to be hard to get out of. If there was only a way we could do this!"
[The Path of Shadows has opened, reducing Nocturnis' power to match Arin. With the Path of Shadows, you have gained the following skills:]
[Moonlit Eyes]
[Type: Utility]
[Effect: Enhances vision to be able to see in the dark.]
[Cloak of Shadows]
[Type: Stealth]
[Effect: Blend into your surroundings when in dim light or darkness, becoming harder to detect.]
[Phantom Strike]
[Type: Attack]
[Effect: A Silent, swift strike from a concealed position. This attack does extra damage if performed behind or out of sight.]
[150 XP has been awarded for slaying three goblins!]
[Experience: 150/200]
"I can say with certainty that your power was greatly reduced to match me!" Arin shouted, scooching closer to Nocturnis.
"No wonder I felt my power dwindle the moment we connected! I can barely traverse how I usually do, let alone manipulate shadows! Who knew goblins would be such a danger to me?!?" Nocturnis growled.
"Let's just worry about surviving!" Arin shouted, rushing forward. An arrow sailed, stopping him from moving forward as the melee goblins rushed forward. "Dammit!"
"Rain of Arrows!" A male voice shouted. A single arrow flew up into the sky, arcing and splitting into arrows, raining down onto the goblins all around Arin and Nocturnis. The goblins were quickly barraged, dying upon impact.
"What's going on?" Arin whispered.
"This way!" A female voice shouted.
Arin turned turned around and noticed a woman with auburn hair waving at them to follow.
"Let's go!" Arin shouted, sprinting towards the woman.
"What about my power?" Nocturnis asked. "I could've handled it with ease!"
"We'll worry about that after we get out of here, okay?"
Arin turned the corner, noticing the woman waving for him to follow. As he cleared the distance, the woman turned and continued to move through the deserted town.
They turned left, heading towards the mountain as another set of footsteps followed from somewhere above. Arin glanced to his left and noticed a blur of someone before disappearing completely.
"In there!" The woman pointed at the mine entrance. "We'll be safe there!"
The woman was the first to enter followed by Arin and Nocturnis. They moved for what felt like forever as the woman rustled through her things and turned on her lantern.
They eventually made it to a larger opening where a clean table with put-back-together chairs sat. A campfire sat in the middle of the room, freshly used with crumbled ashes.
The woman turned and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her hair. Her green eyes met Arin's with a smile. She had a smattering of freckles across her cheeks, giving her a youthful and approachable appearance. She wore practical yet colorful clothing that consisted of deep greens and browns with various pouches strapped around her waist. She wore a satchel that clanked as she readjusted them.
"I didn't think anyone came this far up to the mountain town anymore, let alone someone young like you!" The woman smiled. "Oh, right!" She stuck her hand out. "My name is Tessa Willoway. Please call me Tessa! I'm currently in the area trying to find some herbs located in this town. What's your name?"
"I'm Arin. Arin Drakhar." Arin stuck his hand out and shook hers. He could tell she was telling the truth off her hands. Tessa nodded and pulled her hand away. She glanced to Nocturnis that stood close to Arin.
"And who's this big fella?" Tessa pointed to Nocturnis. Nocturnis warily watched the human woman. Arin could tell Nocturnis didn't fully trust the woman.
"Oh, this is my Beast, Nocturnis. You can call him Noct for short." Arin introduced Nocturnis to Tessa.
"Hello, Noct. I hope you aren't too wary about me. I'm not one of those bad guys that would take you to an abandoned mine just to kill you, haha. I just couldn't sit back and do anything after hearing those goblins scream like that."
"Are goblins always like that? I haven't seen that many in ages."
"I think they're a sub-species of the normal green goblins. These ones used to reside within the mines."
"Tessa, are you all okay?" The same male voice asked. Footsteps drew both Nocturnis and Arin towards the way they had just come from.
A rugged and muscular man with weathered skin from years spent outdoors, stepped into view. He had deep-set, hazel eyes that seemed always on the lookout for hidden threats and it was currently set on the large Beast and his Beastlord.
The man's jawline was sharp, partially hidden beneath a neatly trimmed beard. His hair tousled chestnut brown and tucked underneath a leather hat. He wore practical, earthly-toned clothing reminiscent of Thornwood - leather armor, sturdy boots and a long cloak with a variety of pockets. His belt equipped with pouches for tools, traps and herbs.
"Rolan, is everything alright?" Tessa asked moving over to the man. Rolan's eyes never left Nocturnis as he answered Tessa's question.
"We're fine for now." Rolan replied. "But what is some kid doing out here all alone with a large Beast like that? Are you a Beastlord?"