Kael descended from the training ground with a renewed sense of purpose. The bond with the phoenix chick thrummed in his veins, a constant pulse of heat and power that emboldened his every step. Yet, the looming presence of Merrik—and the mention of other hunters—gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.
Thane was waiting at the edge of the grove, sharpening his blade while Shadowfang lounged nearby. The wolf's ears perked up as Kael approached, and Thane looked up with a faint grin.
"You made it back alive," Thane said, rising to his feet. His eyes flicked to the phoenix, now perched proudly on Kael's shoulder. "And stronger, by the looks of it."
Kael nodded. "The training ground... it was like nothing I've ever seen. The bond feels different now. Stronger. But Merrik's still out there. And he said something about not being the only hunter."
Thane's expression darkened. "He's right. The Wilds aren't just home to beasts—they're crawling with tamers, rogues, and worse. And if word gets out that you've bonded with a phoenix, they'll come for you, too."
Kael clenched his fists. "Then I need to be ready. Teach me everything you can."
---
The Ways of the Hunter
Thane didn't waste time. Over the next few days, he drilled Kael relentlessly, teaching him the skills and tactics of a tamer. Shadowfang often acted as the sparring opponent, its cunning and agility forcing Kael to think on his feet.
"Tamers aren't warriors," Thane explained as Kael ducked under a swipe of Shadowfang's claws. "We don't fight head-on unless we have no choice. Our strength comes from our bonds, from using our beasts' abilities to outwit and outmaneuver our enemies."
Kael nodded, sidestepping another attack and calling out to the phoenix. The chick responded instantly, launching a burst of flame that forced Shadowfang to retreat. Kael felt a rush of satisfaction through the bond, the phoenix's pride echoing his own.
"Good," Thane said, lowering his blade. "You're getting the hang of it. But remember—Merrik's not just a hunter. He's a strategist. He'll exploit any weakness, any hesitation. If you want to survive, you'll need to think three steps ahead."
---
The Call of the Wilds
On the fourth day, Kael woke to find Shadowfang pacing at the edge of the grove, its ears flat and its fur bristling. Thane was already up, scanning the horizon with a grim expression.
"What is it?" Kael asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Thane didn't look away. "Trouble. The Wilds are restless."
Kael frowned, glancing at the phoenix, which chirped nervously. "Restless how?"
"Creatures are on the move," Thane said. "Something's stirring them up—something big. And it's heading this way."
Kael's heart sank. "Merrik?"
"Maybe. Or maybe it's worse." Thane turned to Kael, his expression serious. "Whatever it is, we need to be ready."
---
The Siege Begins
That night, the grove fell eerily silent. Even the usual rustling of leaves and chirping of insects seemed to have vanished. Kael sat by the fire, his nerves on edge as he stroked the phoenix's feathers.
Thane and Shadowfang stood at the perimeter, their eyes scanning the shadows. The wolf growled low, its hackles rising, and Thane drew his blade.
"They're here," Thane said quietly.
Kael jumped to his feet, the phoenix flaring with light as it took to the air. Shapes emerged from the darkness—hulking figures with glowing eyes and jagged weapons. They moved with predatory grace, their movements synchronized like a pack of wolves.
At their center was Merrik, his armor gleaming in the firelight. He held his blade loosely, his smile sharp and confident. "You've grown, fledgling," he said, his voice carrying across the grove. "But let's see if you've grown enough."
---
The Battle for the Phoenix
Merrik's hunters charged, their beasts snarling and snapping as they closed in. Thane met them head-on, his blade a blur as he fought to hold the line. Shadowfang leapt into the fray, its claws raking across an opponent's chest with deadly precision.
Kael focused on the phoenix, their bond flaring as he directed it to attack. The chick dove toward the nearest enemy, releasing a wave of fire that forced the hunter to retreat. But another quickly took their place, lunging at Kael with a blade.
Instinct took over. Kael raised his hand, summoning a wall of flames that blocked the attack. The hunter stumbled back, and the phoenix seized the opportunity, its flames wrapping around Kael like armor.
Merrik watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable. "Not bad," he said, clapping slowly. "But this is just the beginning."
With a sharp whistle, Merrik called forth his own beast—a massive, shadowy creature with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws. It snarled, its breath misting in the cold night air, and charged toward Kael.
---
The Phoenix Ascends
Kael's heart raced as the shadow beast closed in. The phoenix flared with light, its body engulfed in flames as it launched itself at the creature. The two clashed in a burst of fire and darkness, their powers colliding with a deafening roar.
Kael felt the phoenix's determination through the bond, its fiery spirit urging him to fight. He raised his hand, channeling their combined energy into a blast of golden light that struck the shadow beast head-on.
The creature staggered, its form flickering, but Merrik didn't falter. He stepped forward, his blade glowing with dark energy. "Impressive," he said. "But you're still just a boy playing with fire."
Kael gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. "I'm not afraid of you."
Merrik smirked. "You should be."