The hawk tamer yelled another order. His hawk, a blur of feathers and fury, dived at the bandit leader, talons tearing into his leather shoulder piece. The bandit flailed, trying to fight it off, his attention completely diverted. Demetrica saw her chance and moved in.
The battle was pure pandemonium. Xana's spider shot out another web, snagging an attacking serpent whose huge fangs snapped uselessly as the silk bound it. The twin panthers moved like a single creature, flanking and slashing at a giant boar-beast, forcing it to retreat into the water.
The tide of the battle was shifting. Valerius's soldiers had routed the bandit tamers, breaking the bond stone. Suddenly leaderless, the beasts panicked. Some fled, others, confused and enraged, turned on their former masters.
Xana's spider pounced, wrapping another attacker in silk as he yelled in terror. High above, the hawk tamer's bird circled, its sharp cries a triumphant announcement of victory.
The bandit leader, now isolated and weaponless, glared at Demetrica with pure hatred.
"We're just the beginning. The tide is coming, and you can't stop it."
Demetrica stepped closer, her sword poised at his throat.
"We'll see about that."
With a swift motion, she struck the hilt of her sword against his temple, knocking him unconscious.
She turned to her squad, raising her voice so all could hear.
"Well done, everyone. We've secured the harbor. See to the wounded, both ours and theirs. And someone find out where these bastards came from."
As the soldiers moved to carry out her orders, Demetrica glanced at the horizon, where the first hints of dawn were beginning to break.
****
On the road back to the town. Ren was walking.
He's holding the bond stone of Leizage. The faint glow reflecting on his face. So much happened in the past two days, the tournament, Ardyn, and most importantly... the history of his beast.
That comes as a surprise to him. He just can't show it... he doesn't want anyone seeing him in his vulnerable state. But there's only want person that he's eager to see again.
Alianna.
The mere thought of her softened the tight knot in his chest. Whenever he's with her, the world seemed quieter, the chaos dulled to a manageable hum.
Ahead, the faint outline of the town began to take shape through the mist. Smoke rose from chimneys, the promise of warmth and rest just within reach.
But then... Of course, his days wouldn't start without chaos.
A rustling sound came from the bushes beside the road, breaking Ren's thoughts. He quickly snapped his eyes beside him.
Then, with a tiny, triumphant chirp, a small beast emerged.
It was a fluffy chick, barely the size of a book, with soft yellow feathers and an oversized eggshell perched crookedly on its head like a comical helmet.
Its bright eyes sparkled with curiosity as it hopped toward him, chirping cheerfully.
Ren blinked, his tension dissolving into confusion.
The chick flapped its tiny wings energetically, circling him in a playful dance before plopping down at his feet.
He crouched down, his fingers brushing against the worn leather cover of his travel journal. He had read about this creature somewhere before.
Flipping through the pages, he found the entry he was looking for.
Sunnycluck: A cheerful and harmless beast known for its unwavering optimism. Often found in quiet areas near villages, Sunnyclucks are said to bring good luck to those they bond with. Despite their diminutive size, they possess a unique calming aura that can soothe even the fiercest beasts.
The chick chirped again, as if confirming its identity. Ren closed the book, his lips quirking into a faint smile.
"You're a Sunnycluck, huh? What are you doing out here?" he muttered, reaching out cautiously.
The chick wasted no time hopping onto his hand, its fluffy body warm against his skin. It tilted its head, the eggshell sliding slightly to one side, and gave him an encouraging chirp.
"You're not afraid of anything, are you?"
The Sunnycluck flapped its wings and chirped again, louder this time, as if to say, Of course not!
Ren chuckled softly.
As the Sunnycluck settled into his hand, a faint pulse of warmth spread through his pocket. Startled, Ren reached in and pulled out a bond stone.
The stone, smooth and unassuming just moments before, began to glow faintly. At first, it pulsed with a deep red hue, shifting to a fiery orange, then finally softening into a tranquil green.
"You want to come with me?"
The Sunnycluck hopped up his arm to perch on his shoulder, nuzzling against his neck.
"Well, I guess that's a yes," Ren muttered, standing up and adjusting the little beast so it wouldn't fall. "Let's see how Alianna reacts when I show up with you."
The connection solidified with a final pulse of green light before the stone dimmed, its work done.
Sunnycluck flapped its wings again, a burst of cheerful energy that felt contagious.
****
Ren pushed open the bakery's door, the warm, inviting scent of fresh bread and pastries washing over him immediately.
The gentle hum of chatter from patrons seated at small wooden tables was a stark contrast to the chaos he'd faced earlier. He stepped inside, the soft bell above the door jingling to announce his arrival.
Behind the counter, Alianna was busy arranging a tray of glazed croissants. Her auburn hair was tied up in a loose bun, and she wore a light apron dusted with flour. She looked up when she heard the bell, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Ren!"
She shouts loudly. There's a excitement in her eyes that seems to spark up.
"You're back!"
He stepped closer to the counter, the Sunnycluck chirping happily from its perch on his shoulder.
"Hey..."
Alianna's gaze shifted to the tiny beast. Her smile turned into a delighted laugh.
"What… What is that?"
Ren smirked faintly, adjusting the Sunnycluck as it hopped down onto his arm, fluffing its feathers proudly.
"This... is apparently a Sunnycluck. Found it on the way here. It bonded with me."
Alianna leaned closer, her curiosity piqued.
"A Sunnycluck? I've read about them in my mother's old bestiary. They're supposed to bring good luck, right?"
"That's... what the book says."
Ren replied, watching as the Sunnycluck tilted its head at Alianna, chirping as if introducing itself.
Alianna reached out cautiously, her fingers brushing against the Sunnycluck's soft feathers. It cooed happily, nuzzling her hand.
"Anyways... How are you doing, Ren? I've heard that an incident happened in the tournament."
Ren tensed slightly at her question, his mind briefly flashing back to the chaos. But now wasn't the time. Alianna didn't need to hear the mess swirling in his head—not yet.
Instead, he leaned casually against the counter, lifting the Sunnycluck onto his palm as a distraction.
"How's Pandium? Is he still giving you trouble?"
Alianna blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic.
"You mean, is he still eating everything in sight? Absolutely."
Ren chuckled, relieved she'd taken the bait.
"Sounds about right. I thought he'd calm down by now."
"He has... a little," Alianna admitted, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "He's gotten really attached to me, though. Follows me around like a fluffy shadow. Mama's still not happy about the time he knocked over the flour barrels, though."
"I should've warned you—Pandium knows no bounds."
"You should've warned me about his appetite, too," Alianna quipped, crossing her arms but failing to suppress her grin. "He ate three loaves of bread before I even realized he'd snuck into the kitchen."
The Sunnycluck chirped, as if amused by the story. Alianna reached out to stroke it again, her touch gentle.
"Though I have to admit, having Pandium around has been... nice. He's kind of like a
teddy bear. And I think he's been good for Mama. She doesn't admit it, but I've caught her sneaking him treats when she thinks I'm not looking."
"Your mother? Treating a beast? That's new..."
Alianna tilted her head, her smile fading slightly as she studied him.
"Ren… Are you really okay?"
Ren hesitated, the question lingering in the air like a weight he couldn't quite shake off.
"I'm fine."
Alianna didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded.
"Alright. For now."
She straightened up, brushing flour off her apron.
"Anyway, I should check on Pandium before he decides to turn the pantry into his personal buffet. Want to come with me?"
Ren smiled, grateful for the distraction.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
****
Alianna led Ren through the cozy bakery, weaving between the shelves stocked with fresh bread and pastries. The scent of cinnamon and sugar lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the tense days he'd endured.
They stepped into the back room, where the warmth of the ovens gave way to the cooler air of the pantry.
There, amidst sacks of flour and crates of fruit, sat Pandium. He looked up from where he was sniffing at a basket of apples, his small, round ears twitching.
"Pandium," Alianna said sternly, hands on her hips. "What did I tell you about stealing food?"
The beast let out a low, guilty growl, slinking back a step. His expressive eyes glanced at Ren, as if pleading for backup.
"Don't look at me," Ren said, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Alianna sighed, shaking her head as she crossed the room to the basket. Pandium whined softly, nudging her arm with his nose in a clear attempt at an apology.
Ren leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, as he watched Alianna interact with the beast.
There was a warmth to her presence, an ease that he couldn't help but admire. It reminded him of why he kept coming back to this little bakery, no matter how far his journey took him.
"Alianna... I want to visit the academy."