Chapter 4: The Trial of the City
The cool morning air hit Riven's skin as he passed through the gates of the capital. The bustling sounds of the city were unmistakable: the clattering of carriages, vendors shouting their wares, and the constant hum of the crowd blended into a vibrant cacophony. The imposing stone wall that surrounded the city seemed to watch over everything from above, but for Riven, the true barrier was the world around him. A world that looked at him with indifference, as though his presence was a distant echo.
Riven paused for a moment, taking in the urban landscape before him. Large white marble buildings rose like dormant giants, reflecting the morning sunlight. The paved streets were filled with life, but to Riven, the city felt like it had nothing to offer beyond the crowd that ignored him, as if he had no value. The weight of his youth and lack of renown made him invisible in a sea of people.
At his back, the chained dragon, Vorgar, walked alongside him, its presence as imposing as an iron wall. Though the dragon seemed calm, Riven could feel the tension in its muscles, that sensation that precedes a roar of fury. But it wasn't the time to think about that, he thought. He had a mission to fulfill.
As he approached the central plaza, a group of young beast tamers stepped forward to meet him. They were arrogant, their fine clothes adorned with the city's emblem, a reminder of their status and position. Riven watched them warily, feeling the disdain they radiated. It wasn't hard to imagine what they were thinking: a boy, without renown or achievement, with a dragon chained to his side. An easy target for ridicule.
— *What do we have here?* —said one of the tamers with a mocking smile. His voice was thick with contempt. — *A child who thinks he can tame such a powerful beast?*
Riven didn't answer immediately. Inside, a feeling of insecurity began to form. He had trained hard, but the capital was different. Here, the great tamers gathered, and only the strongest were valued. Yet, the doubt in his heart was quickly replaced by the need to prove his worth. He couldn't leave the city without first earning the respect of those who looked down on him.
— *Why don't you show us in a challenge?* —said another tamer, a young man with cold, calculating eyes. — *We have a tamed dragon; what do you have?*
The group laughed derisively, but Riven didn't hesitate. He knew that accepting the challenge was the only way to prove he was worth something. Without a second thought, he nodded.
— *I accept the challenge.*
A murmur ran through the crowd that had already gathered around them. The air thickened with tension, and Riven could hear the whispers between the spectators. *A boy against a group of expert tamers?* they thought. *This is going to be an interesting show.*
— *Let's begin.* —said the leader of the tamers.
Riven took a deep breath and focused. It wasn't the time for doubt. He knew what he had to do. He slowly approached Vorgar, taking his time. The dragon, which had remained silent throughout the journey, gave him a fierce look but made no sound. Riven extended his hand toward the beast's neck, touching its cold scales. The connection between them was weak at first, but the dark energy they shared began to flow again, soft and steady.
The crowd held its breath. Riven closed his eyes and focused on the beast in front of him. He remembered the lessons from his grandfather, what he had been taught about harmony between tamer and beast. He couldn't force Vorgar; he had to understand it, feel its pain, its rage. It was a delicate process, but one that was necessary. Riven didn't think about the crowd watching him; he only focused on what he had to achieve.
The chained dragon began to move, its eyes glowing with intensity. The challenge was about to begin. Riven lifted his gaze and faced the tamers' dragon, ready to fight. The golden beast charged at them, but Riven was already prepared. He focused on the energy emanating from Vorgar, allowing the bond between them to take shape.
The tamed dragon spread its wings and attacked, but Vorgar reacted with unexpected speed. Without warning, Riven's beast moved swiftly, dodging the golden dragon's strike. The crowd fell silent, astonished by the young tamer's skill and his dragon's agility.
Vorgar began to move fluidly, each step a controlled dance. The golden dragon tried another charge, but Riven had already anticipated the move. This time, the golden beast was caught off guard by a fire blast from Vorgar, a controlled flame that hit its target. The golden dragon recoiled, confused, as its tamer tried to regain control.
Riven didn't let his advantage slip away. He focused on Vorgar's pain and fury, on the sadness it had felt when the dragon had been betrayed. As their bond grew stronger, the dark energy flowed without resistance. In an instant, Riven extended his hand toward the golden dragon, guiding Vorgar with astonishing precision.
The golden dragon fell to the ground, defeated but not seriously injured. The crowd erupted into applause, although some of the tamers, like the leader of the group, seemed more surprised than embarrassed.
Riven breathed heavily, his body exhausted from the effort. He had proven more than just his ability with beasts; he had shown that, despite his youth, his bond with Vorgar could exceed even the highest expectations.
The leader of the tamers looked at him with a mixture of respect and disdain. — *It seems you're more capable than we thought, boy.* —he said, though his tone still carried a hint of mockery. — *But don't get too cocky. This isn't over. We'll see you in the next challenge.*
Though exhausted, Riven smiled. He knew that the competition had only just begun. The trial of the city was just a small part of what lay ahead of him. At his side, Vorgar, though still fierce, seemed more at ease, as though sharing in his victory.
In the distance, Nyx leapt onto his shoulder, its eyes glowing with a sense of pride. Riven stroked it in silence, grateful for the comforting presence of the cat. Though the trial of the city had ended, Riven knew his journey was just beginning. And this victory, though small, was a step toward the future he desired.
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End of Chapter 4