The fire crackled steadily, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. Kael sat cross-legged, the phoenix egg resting on his lap. The stranger—who still hadn't offered a name—leaned back against a tree, sharpening a curved dagger with a steady hand. Shadowfang watched Kael from its spot near the fire, its red eyes unblinking.
Kael broke the silence first. "If you're going to train me, shouldn't I at least know your name?"
The stranger glanced up, their smile faint and unreadable. "Call me Thane. It'll do for now."
Kael frowned. "For now?"
Thane shrugged, the blade glinting in the firelight. "Names are tricky things. They can be power or poison, depending on how they're used. But we'll get to that later."
Kael wasn't sure whether Thane was being cryptic or just difficult, but he let it go. "What do you mean by training? Are you a tamer?"
Thane's laugh was sharp and brief. "A tamer? Hardly. But I know the Wilds, and I know what it takes to survive out here. That's more than most tamers can say."
Kael looked down at the egg, its glow steady and warm. "And the bond? You said it could consume me. How?"
Thane sheathed the dagger, their expression growing serious. "The bond isn't just some pretty mark on your hand, boy. It's a connection—an exchange. The phoenix has given you a piece of its essence, and in return, it takes a piece of yours. That connection will grow stronger over time, but if you don't learn to control it, it'll tear you apart."
Kael swallowed hard, his mind flashing to the vision he'd seen. "How do I control it?"
"That's the tricky part," Thane said, leaning forward. "It's not just about strength or skill. The bond is built on trust, but also willpower. You and the phoenix are tied together now. If you want to master it, you'll need to understand it—and yourself."
Kael's frown deepened. "That sounds... vague."
Thane smirked. "It is. Every bond is different. But there are some basics we can start with."
---
The First Lesson
Thane stood, motioning for Kael to follow. "Come on. Let's see what you're made of."
Kael rose, careful not to jostle the egg as he set it down beside the fire. Shadowfang growled softly but didn't move as Thane led Kael a short distance from the camp. The forest was alive with night sounds, and Kael's unease grew with every step.
Thane stopped in a small clearing and turned to face him. "First lesson: the Wilds don't care about your excuses. If you hesitate, you die. If you doubt, you die. So, let's see if you've got the guts to face what's out there."
Kael tensed. "What do you mean?"
Thane whistled sharply, and a shadow moved in the trees. Kael's heart leaped into his throat as a small, reptilian creature slinked into the clearing. It was about the size of a dog, its scaly body glinting in the moonlight. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its forked tongue flicked the air.
"A mossfang," Thane said casually. "Not too dangerous on its own, but nasty if you're not careful. Your task is simple: subdue it. No killing."
Kael's stomach churned. "Are you serious?"
"Deadly serious," Thane said, crossing his arms. "The bond mark on your hand gives you a connection to the Æther. Use it. Call on the phoenix's essence and see what it gives you."
Kael glanced at the mossfang, which hissed and crouched low, ready to strike. He didn't feel ready for this—not at all—but Thane's words rang in his ears. If he hesitated, he'd die.
Taking a deep breath, Kael focused on the mark on his palm. It tingled faintly, a warmth spreading through his hand and up his arm. He reached out with his mind, trying to sense the connection Thane had spoken of.
The mossfang lunged.
Kael barely had time to react, stumbling back as the creature's claws raked the air where he'd been standing. His instincts screamed at him to run, but he planted his feet and raised his hand. The mark flared, and a burst of golden light shot from his palm, striking the mossfang and sending it skidding back.
The creature snarled, dazed but not defeated. Kael felt a surge of heat in his chest, as if the phoenix's essence was urging him forward. He raised his hand again, focusing on the light, and the mossfang froze. Its glowing eyes locked onto Kael, and its body trembled as the golden light enveloped it.
The bond mark pulsed, and Kael felt a strange connection to the creature, a faint understanding of its fear and anger. He took a step forward, his voice steady despite the tremor in his limbs. "Enough."
The mossfang hesitated, then lowered its head, its aggressive posture fading. The golden light dimmed, and Kael exhaled shakily, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Thane clapped slowly. "Not bad for your first try. Clumsy, but effective."
Kael turned to him, his breath ragged. "What... What was that?"
"A glimpse of what you're capable of," Thane said. "The phoenix's essence gives you power, but it also makes you a target. You'll need to learn how to wield it—and fast."
Kael looked down at his hand, the mark still faintly glowing. For the first time, he felt a spark of confidence. He had survived, and he had tapped into the bond. But he also knew this was only the beginning.
---
A Warning in the Dark
As they returned to the camp, Thane's expression darkened. "That mossfang wasn't here by chance. Something's driving the Ætherborn closer to the edges of the Wilds. Something big."
Kael's unease grew. "What do you mean?"
Thane gestured toward the egg. "That thing isn't just a treasure; it's a signal. The beasts are stirring, and they'll come for it—and for you. If you're not ready, you'll be devoured."
Kael glanced at the egg, its glow steady and warm. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: he wouldn't back down. Whatever the Wilds had in store for him, he would face it head-on.
Because he wasn't just fighting for himself anymore. He was fighting for the bond, the phoenix, and the fragile hope it represented.