Chapter 9: The Unexpected Alliance
The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Riven walked along the city's outskirts, the streets still echoing with the sounds of the recent battle. Although the fight with the Guardians of the Bond had been a victory, something did not sit right with him. The challenge had been great, but the feeling that something even bigger was approaching was even more palpable.
As he reached the central square, he paused for a moment to observe the city he had sworn to protect. The capital, though imposing, had a somber air. The streets were no longer as lively as before, and the tension in the air was evident. Riven knew that something was coming, something far more dangerous than any confrontation with the Guardians. But he didn't yet know what.
It was then that a stranger appeared before him. The man, dressed in a dark cloak that covered much of his face, stepped forward without saying a word. His presence was commanding, and something in his posture indicated that he was there with a clear purpose. Riven had no time to react before the stranger spoke.
— *Riven Varun.* — his voice was low but clear, with a tone that suggested he knew him. — *It seems you're in the middle of something much larger than you realize.*
Riven frowned, his hands resting on the hilts of his swords, but not drawing them. There was something unsettling about this man, something that told him not to act impulsively.
— *Who are you?* — Riven asked, maintaining his calm despite the latent threat in the air.
The stranger raised a hand in a peace gesture, as if trying to show that he was not an immediate threat. However, Riven knew appearances could be deceiving.
— *I am not your enemy, at least not right now.* — The man began to walk around Riven, his gaze fixed on the young beast tamer. — *My name is Kaldor. And I come from the faction of the Eternal Reign, a group that, like you, has an interest in the beasts and their control. But our vision is different. We believe that the beasts should be used for more than just protection or subjugation. They should be the key to absolute domination.*
Riven eyed him warily. The name of the faction sounded familiar, but something about Kaldor's words unsettled him. *"Absolute domination"... what kind of people think like that?*
— *Why should I trust someone like you?* — Riven asked, his stance still defensive. He was not naïve enough to think that someone from the Eternal Reign faction had good intentions, especially after what he had experienced with the Guardians of the Bond.
Kaldor smiled enigmatically, his eyes glinting with a cold, calculating light.
— *Because we're in the same situation, boy.* — he said firmly. — *The beasts are out of control, and you know as well as I do that something much larger is at play. My faction has been monitoring the recent movements of the creatures, and we know that a wave of attacks is coming that cannot be stopped with simple measures. They will attack, and you won't be able to protect the city with just your beasts.*
Riven tensed at his words. He knew the beast attacks were becoming more frequent, but what Kaldor suggested was more serious than he had imagined. *What kind of creature or phenomenon could be behind all this?*
— *So, what do you propose?* — Riven asked, his distrust still evident, but also a trace of curiosity. It was clear that Kaldor had valuable information, though his motivations remained unclear.
Kaldor, seeing that he had Riven's attention, stepped forward without hesitation this time.
— *The only way to face the imminent threat is to ally ourselves, even if temporarily. My faction has the resources and knowledge to counter the mass attacks, but we need someone with your ability to connect with the beasts. We need you to help us defend the capital.*
Riven studied him carefully, weighing each word. *Could he really trust him?* He fought to protect the creatures, to maintain balance, while Kaldor's faction saw the beasts as tools for gaining power. But despite the distrust, the threat Kaldor mentioned was real, and Riven knew he couldn't face it alone.
— *And what happens when this alliance ends?* — he asked, his voice serious. — *What will you do with the beasts when we're done?*
Kaldor answered without hesitation, his voice calm but firm.
— *What we do with the beasts is our business. You only need to worry about saving the city. After all, when this is over, each of us will go our separate ways.*
Riven remained silent for a moment. The temptation to reject the offer was strong, but the need to protect the city and his loved ones was even greater. Finally, with a determined look, he nodded.
— *Fine.* — he said, not smiling, but with resolve in his voice. — *But if I find out you're deceiving me, I won't hesitate to face you.*
Kaldor smiled with satisfaction, his expression filled with approval.
— *What happens after this will depend on you, boy.* — he responded with a smile that, instead of reassuring Riven, made him feel even more uneasy. — *But for now, let's focus on what truly matters.*
As the conversation ended, the air grew even more tense. Riven knew that this agreement was nothing more than a temporary truce, an alliance forced by circumstances beyond his control. However, he could not afford to reject an opportunity that might be crucial for defending the city.
At that very moment, a distant but unmistakable sound reached his ears. A deep roar, the kind of roar Riven had only heard in the darkest tales from his master.
— *They're coming.* — Kaldor said, his face grave. — *The first attack has begun.*
Riven didn't hesitate for a second. He turned on his heel and ran toward the square, Kaldor following at a distance. The roar grew louder, and in the distance, large shadows began to rise, quickly approaching the capital.
Riven took a deep breath, feeling the bond with his beasts intensifying. He had to be ready. This was only the beginning, and the worst was yet to come.
The battle for the capital had begun.
End of Chapter 9.