Chapter 6: First Encounter with the Rival Tamers
The sun had begun to set as Riven and Eryk made their way deeper into the capital. The market had slowly quieted down, and the streets were beginning to clear. Riven, however, was still overwhelmed by everything—the towering buildings, the dizzying crowds, the noise. It felt like everything was moving at a faster pace than what he was accustomed to.
Nyx trotted beside him, her tail flicking back and forth, alert to every movement around them. Riven kept a tight grip on her leash. The city was full of people, but in this vast sea, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. He had spent most of his life in the village, and even though he had trained with Eryk for months, this—this place—was a whole new world.
"Stay sharp," Eryk said, his voice low but firm. "There's something I want you to see. A few of the local tamers are gathering in the square for a competition. It's a good chance to observe the sort of challenges you might face here."
Riven nodded, though his mind was still preoccupied. He had learned a lot about taming from Eryk, but he still felt like a beginner. Tamers in the capital, from what he had heard, were far more skilled than those in his village. The thought made his stomach twist with both excitement and dread.
As they turned a corner, the sounds of shouting and cheering filled the air. Riven's pace quickened, and soon they arrived at a bustling square. A small crowd had gathered, forming a loose circle around a group of tamers and their creatures. Riven's eyes scanned the area, and he saw various beasts—some small, some large, all looking fierce and capable. The tamers were holding reins, some with calm expressions, others with more intense focus. But what caught Riven's attention most was the group of tamers near the center of the square, laughing and talking among themselves. They didn't look like the friendly, welcoming type.
"These are the ones I wanted you to see," Eryk said, his voice a little more serious now. "They call themselves the Iron Fang Crew. They're skilled, but they're also a bit… arrogant. They love picking fights with new tamers, and they'll often challenge anyone they think is weak."
Riven's eyes narrowed. He had dealt with his fair share of arrogant people, but there was something about this group that made his instincts flare. They stood apart from the other tamers, wearing leather armor that looked a little too pristine, and their creatures—large, muscular beasts with razor-sharp teeth—seemed to reflect their owners' attitudes.
"You think they'll challenge me?" Riven asked, already sensing the answer.
Eryk chuckled softly. "If they haven't already, they will. You'll see."
As if on cue, one of the tamers from the Iron Fang Crew—a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek—noticed Riven and Eryk standing at the edge of the crowd. He smirked and nudged one of his companions, a woman with short, spiky hair. The two exchanged a glance, and the man stepped forward, walking toward Riven and Eryk with the confidence of someone who knew he was about to have fun at someone else's expense.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. "What do we have here? A couple of newbies looking to play with the big boys?" He looked Riven up and down, a smirk on his face. "I can tell you're not from around here. You've got that 'village' look about you."
Riven clenched his fists at his sides. He wasn't exactly sure how to respond. Eryk had warned him about tamers like this, but hearing it from someone else made the situation feel much more real. He didn't like being looked down on, especially by someone who didn't even know him.
"Got a name, rookie?" the man asked, his tone still mocking.
"Riven," Riven said, standing up straighter. "And this is Nyx."
He motioned to Nyx, who was sitting by his side, her eyes narrowed as if sensing the challenge in the air. The man looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
"A blue fox, huh? Cute little thing. But I don't think she's going to help you win any fights. Not that you'll last long enough to even get in one." The man turned to his companions. "What do you say? We give this village boy a little taste of what a real tamer can do?"
Riven's heart skipped a beat. He had expected mockery, but the words stung more than he anticipated. Still, he didn't want to back down. He had come to the capital to prove himself, to show that he was more than just a village tamer. He wasn't going to let some random bully make him feel small.
"You think you're better than me?" Riven said, his voice steady despite the nerves knotting in his stomach.
The man's smirk widened. "Better? No, kid. I know I'm better. But don't worry, we're just having some fun. You've got two choices. You can either walk away now, or you can challenge us to a little competition. Of course, if you lose, you'll have to take the humiliation. Fair warning."
Riven glanced at Eryk. The older tamer's expression was unreadable, but Riven could see the faint glimmer of approval in his eyes. This was a chance, albeit an unwise one, to learn.
"Fine," Riven said, stepping forward. "I'll take your challenge."
The man's grin grew even wider. "This is going to be good. All right, we'll keep it simple. A quick battle. You and me, one-on-one. Let's see if you can handle my beast."
Riven nodded. His heart was pounding, but he kept his gaze focused on the man and his creature. The man stepped back, and from behind him, a massive creature emerged—a jagged, scaled lizard-like beast with long claws and burning red eyes. It growled lowly, clearly ready for a fight. Riven had never seen anything quite like it. The sheer size and power of it made his stomach tighten.
He looked down at Nyx, who was still by his side, and gave her a nod. She stood up, her fur bristling with energy. Riven had no illusions—his fox was fast, agile, and clever, but she wasn't built for brute strength like this creature.
The tamer chuckled. "Not much of a fight, is it? Your fox doesn't stand a chance."
Riven didn't respond. He wasn't going to let the man get to him. Instead, he focused on Nyx. "We don't need brute strength. Just speed and strategy."
The battle began.
The lizard-like creature charged forward with surprising speed, its claws slashing through the air. Nyx darted to the side, avoiding the first strike, and Riven called out to her. "Quick, to the left!"
Nyx obeyed immediately, her movements fluid and swift. The creature tried to turn, but it was slow, cumbersome compared to Nyx's agility. She struck quickly, nipping at its side before darting away again.
The crowd watched intently, some murmuring in surprise at how well Riven was keeping up with the beast. But the tamer from the Iron Fang Crew wasn't impressed. He was already growing bored.
"Is that all you've got, village boy?" he called out. "Your fox is fast, but she doesn't have the power to win this."
Riven's chest tightened. The man was right. Nyx was doing well to avoid the creature's attacks, but she wasn't landing any solid blows. She was tiring, and the lizard was still going strong.
"Get in closer," Riven whispered to Nyx, hoping his strategy would work. "Now!"
The fox dashed forward, narrowly avoiding another swipe of the lizard's claws. She leaped at the creature's throat, aiming for a weak spot just below its jaw. Riven's heart pounded as she connected. The creature roared in pain and staggered back, but it wasn't enough. Nyx was thrown back by a powerful swipe of its tail.
The man smirked again. "Told you. Your fox can't beat my beast."
Riven's heart sank as he rushed to Nyx's side. She was breathing heavily, but she was still conscious. He knelt beside her, his hand brushing through her fur.
"We're not done yet," Riven muttered under his breath.
Though he hadn't won, he had learned something valuable. He wasn't ready for this kind of battle, but that didn't mean he couldn't get there. He had to train harder, think faster, and most importantly, never back down.
End of Chapter 6.