Chapter 7: Encounter with the First Master
The sunlight was beginning to fade on the horizon, enveloping the world in a soft twilight. The cool breeze of the forest brushed against Riven's face as he walked, absorbed in his thoughts, following the trail of the mysterious man who had intervened in his battle with the beast. After that encounter, the man's words echoed in his mind, unsettling and cryptic.
*"Beasts like that are not just animals. They can be controlled. If you know how to do it."*
Riven couldn't stop thinking about what he'd said. Throughout his life, he had believed that beasts, like Vorgar, could only be managed through trust and mutual connection. However, the man seemed to imply that there was a much deeper way to control them, something beyond what he had known. What did he mean by "controlled"? Was there a secret technique that could dominate any creature, no matter its size or nature? The battle had shown that he was not prepared to face such a powerful creature, let alone control it fully.
As he walked through the forest, Riven felt a presence. He was not alone. The figure of the man who had appeared in the battle appeared again between the trees, this time with an even deeper calm in his demeanor. The man approached Riven with sure steps, his gaze fixed on him as if he had been watching him for a long time.
— *"I've been waiting for you."* — said the man, unhurried, his tone serene but filled with wisdom.
Riven stopped, feeling a mix of surprise and distrust. How could he know he was looking for him? And why was he waiting? Before Riven could ask a single question, the man spoke again.
— *"My name is Thalion. I've been a beast tamer for many years. I see in you great potential, but also many insecurities."*
Riven frowned, not understanding.
— *"Beast tamer?"* — he repeated, confused. He had never heard that term outside of ancient stories. — *"Why are you following me?"*
Thalion smiled softly, as if expecting that question.
— *"Because, boy, you're searching for something you don't yet know you can find. And I can help you reach it. But it won't be easy. You'll need to decide whether you want to follow the traditional path of a tamer or forge your own. The decision is yours, but so are the consequences."*
Riven fell silent, processing his words. As a young man with little experience in controlling beasts, he had always thought his strength came from a genuine bond with his companion. But now he was faced with the possibility of learning a completely different approach, one that didn't depend solely on empathy and connection, but also on advanced techniques that could completely change his relationship with Vorgar.
— *"How can I know if I'm capable of taming a beast like that?"* — he asked, his voice filled with doubt.
Thalion looked at him with a piercing intensity.
— *"Because you already have."* — he said without hesitation. — *"What you don't know is how to harness that ability. Let me teach you."*
Riven didn't say anything else. Thalion's offer was tempting, but the young man knew that all knowledge came at a price. Still, the desperation to improve his control over Vorgar and the beast he had fought pushed him to follow the man. Without thinking further, he nodded.
— *"So, what must I do?"* — he asked, finally determined to move forward.
Thalion motioned for him to follow. Together, they walked deeper into the forest, away from known paths, venturing into a territory Riven had never explored. After a while, they arrived at a clearing where the man stopped and gestured to the ground.
— *"This is where you'll begin your training. This place is special. The energies in the earth are conducive to controlling beasts. Here, you'll learn to channel your own power."*
Riven looked around, but he couldn't perceive any difference in the surroundings. Still, he trusted Thalion's words and prepared for whatever came next.
— *"The first thing you must understand is that control isn't just about having power."* — Thalion said, while assuming a relaxed yet firm stance. — *"It's about knowing when to use it, how to focus it, and, most importantly, when to release it. If you want to tame a beast like Vorgar or the one you fought, you'll have to learn to master yourself first. Control begins within you."*
Riven nodded slowly. Although the concept was something he had already encountered at a basic level, he had never seen it from such a deep perspective. He thought about Vorgar and how they had come to trust each other over the years. But Thalion seemed to suggest that there was something more beyond that simple trust, something beyond the relationship between a beast and its tamer.
— *"Close your eyes."* — Thalion ordered.
Riven obeyed, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. The calm that emanated from the surroundings allowed him to concentrate. He felt his heartbeat, the flow of Vitalis running through his body, and for a moment, he was able to perceive the connection with Vorgar as a faint thread of energy extending from his chest to the dragon. But he also felt something else. The disconnection, the fear, the insecurities he had accumulated throughout his life. That was the barrier preventing his bond with his companion from being stronger.
— *"Now, focus on your breath."* — Thalion continued. — *"Breathe deeply, and with each exhalation, imagine you are releasing that fear, that insecurity. Every time you let go of a negative thought, you'll see the beast become more receptive."*
Riven followed the instructions with discipline, taking deep breath after deep breath. As he did, something inside him began to shift. The connection with Vorgar intensified, but he also noticed a growing sense of power. It wasn't the same overwhelming, uncontrollable energy he had feared. This time, it was controlled power, disciplined, like a river flowing gently within its banks.
— *"Open your eyes."* — Thalion whispered.
Riven did so and looked around. The air seemed denser, vibrant with energy. When he looked at Thalion, the man nodded with satisfaction.
— *"You did well, boy."* — he said with a smile. — *"Now, the beast will begin to respond better to your commands. But don't forget: this is just the first lesson. There's still a long way to go."*
Riven looked toward the horizon, feeling a new sense of hope. He knew he had taken the first step toward mastering his power and the beasts that accompanied him. However, he also understood that his true challenge had only just begun. The path of the beast tamer was not easy, and the question now weighing on him was: *Should he continue down this path, or forge his own?*
End of Chapter 7.