Chapter 10: The First Great Victory
The sky above the capital was tinged with an orange-red hue, as if the sun itself were burning at the sight of the tragedy about to unfold below. The roar of the beasts echoed through the alleys and squares, while massive shadows slid across the city's walls. The first waves of the invasion had begun, and the capital was being attacked by an army of uncontrollable creatures, larger and fiercer than any human could imagine.
Riven stood on the city walls alongside Kaldor, watching the advance. Around them, beast tamers prepared for what promised to be a fierce battle. The wind blew strongly, carrying the scent of dust and steel, while the tracks of the creatures became more evident on the horizon.
— *This is just the beginning,* —Kaldor said in a grave tone. — *If we don't stop them now, we won't have any chance of saving the city.*
Riven nodded, clenching his teeth as he watched the threat drawing closer. Beside him, a group of beast tamers readied themselves for the impending conflict. Some of them, veterans of countless battles, showed signs of tension, but Riven had no time for doubt. The city, his home, was in danger.
— *What's the plan?* —Riven asked, keeping his calm despite the urgency of the situation.
Kaldor, with an intense gaze, quickly explained.
— *We need to divide our forces. Most of the beasts are heading toward the western sector of the city. You and your beasts will go there to contain them while I coordinate the attack from the center. We must push the invasion back, or we won't stand a chance.*
Riven didn't hesitate. Kaldor's words, though cold and calculating, were precise. There was no time to waste. With a firm command, the tamers began to prepare, mounting their beasts and gripping their weapons.
The ground shook beneath their feet as a massive shadow appeared in the distance. Riven turned to his beast, a large wolf he had trained since his youth. It was stronger than ever, his bond with it deeper and more refined through years of training. He didn't just trust his beast; now, he also trusted himself. With a swift motion, he mounted the creature's back, feeling the connection between them amplify.
— *Let's go,* —Riven said firmly. — *To battle!*
Riven's beast, with its silver fur and glowing eyes, leapt forward with speed and precision. Around them, the tamers also moved, unleashing their own beasts to hold back the wave of approaching creatures. The roar of the monsters reverberated in Riven's ears, but he refused to let fear overwhelm him.
As they advanced, Riven felt his mind connecting with his wolf in a deeper way than ever before. Their bond, always strong, was now almost an extension of his own will. Orders flowed between them without words. Each step the beast took was accompanied by the precision of its movements, as if they could anticipate the attacks of the creatures approaching them.
Suddenly, a gigantic beast with iron claws and fiery red eyes appeared before them, blocking their path. Riven's wolf stopped, baring its teeth as the creature roared in challenge. Riven didn't falter. In one swift motion, he drew his sword, which gleamed under the sun.
— *For the city!* —he shouted, as his wolf leapt toward the beast.
The clash was brutal. The massive beast attacked with its razor-sharp claws, and Riven skillfully dodged, guiding his wolf in a deadly dance. Each strike of his sword was measured, aiming for weak points on the giant creature's body. His mind stayed clear and cold, while his body reacted instinctively, moving with agility and strength.
In a fierce exchange of blows, Riven and his wolf eventually managed to bring down the beast, with the wolf severely injuring its leg before leaping to Riven's side, shielding him with its own body. The creature fell to the ground with a thunderous crash, but Riven knew the battle was far from over. More beasts were rapidly approaching, and every second counted.
— *No time to rest!* —Riven shouted, as he observed the new threats closing in.
Kaldor, from his position, watched the battle unfold. The Eternal Reign had sent reinforcements, but the beast attack seemed unstoppable. However, what Riven was achieving did not go unnoticed. The other beast tamers, observing his leadership and his ability to connect with the beasts in a new way, began to follow his example. The young beast tamer wasn't just fighting with skill; he was inspiring others with his determination.
The battle intensified. Riven fought relentlessly, using his knowledge of the terrain and the beasts to maneuver effectively. The creatures fell one by one, but not without leaving their mark on the city. The fight was fierce, and there were no guarantees. Still, Riven's teamwork, skill, and ability to coordinate his movements with his wolf changed the course of the battle.
Finally, after hours of combat, the beasts began to retreat. The western sector of the city had been successfully defended, but the victory was partial. The wounds of the fighters, including the beast tamers, were visible everywhere. However, Riven knew the fight was not over.
— *We've won this battle,* —Riven said, breathing heavily, his voice full of exhaustion. — *But the war for control of the beasts is only just beginning.*
Kaldor approached, looking around as the beast tamers began to tend to the wounded.
— *I know,* —Kaldor replied. — *The fight for control of the beasts is far from over. But today, we've shown that we can unite to face them. That's what matters.*
Riven nodded, gazing at the horizon as the first stars began to appear in the sky. The battle had been won, but he knew the conflict was much larger than he had imagined. The beasts were not just a threat; they were the key to something far more dangerous. Something he didn't yet fully understand.
And as the city began to recover from the first wave, Riven realized that his role in this war had only just begun. The decisions he made from this point forward would determine the future of the capital, and possibly the future of the control of beasts across the world.
The young beast tamer was about to face his greatest challenge: a battle not just for survival, but for the domination of the creatures that he and so many others had sworn to protect.
End of Chapter 10.