**Chapter 14: The First True Step**
The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the training grounds as Riven and Nyx prepared for yet another day of practice. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. It had been a few weeks since Riven had started his lessons with Master Caldar, and while his understanding of Simbiosis had deepened, there was still so much more to learn. But today felt different. There was a quiet tension in the air, a feeling that something important was about to happen.
Nyx stood beside him, her violet eyes flicking between him and the training dummies that had been set up for the day's session. She seemed more alert than usual, as if she sensed the shift in the air just as he did. Zephyr, the wild and untamable creature that had become a part of their lives, lay nearby, his sharp eyes watching every movement with a quiet intensity. It had taken Riven some time to get used to Zephyr's presence, but now, he was becoming an integral part of their trio. The bond between them all was fragile, but it was growing. Slowly.
Riven took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his sword in his hand. His heart beat a little faster as his eyes scanned the field. Today, he would try to push the connection further. The partial link he'd established with Nyx was enough to feel like they were in sync, but it still wasn't the Simbiosis Master Caldar had talked about. That bond, true Simbiosis, was something he could only reach with time, patience, and effort. But what if he could get just a little closer today?
"Are you ready, Nyx?" Riven asked, his voice calm but filled with determination.
Nyx nodded, her muscles tensing as she shifted into a ready stance. She had grown more agile, more attuned to his movements, but even now, she still moved with a kind of wildness. It was as if her spirit, so strong and untamed, still fought to remain free, even in this growing bond between them. But that was something Riven had come to appreciate about her. Nyx wasn't just a creature to be controlled—she was a partner, a fellow warrior.
Riven's grip on his sword tightened as he prepared for the first strike. He had been practicing his footwork, his attacks, his defense. But this time, he wanted to take it a step further. He needed to feel the bond between them, to see if he could tap into that potential that Master Caldar had hinted at.
With a sharp breath, Riven lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air. Nyx moved in sync with him, her movements fluid and graceful. She danced around him, her tail swishing through the air, her eyes never leaving his. Riven could feel her presence, her energy, as if they were linked by an invisible thread. But it was still a distant connection, like hearing a voice through a foggy window.
Riven feinted to the left and then spun to the right, anticipating Nyx's counterattack. The sword clashed against her claws with a resounding noise. He felt the impact vibrate up his arm, but instead of recoiling, he pressed on, pushing himself to be faster, to move with more fluidity. As he did, he tried to focus on Nyx—not just on her movements, but on what she was feeling. Could he sense the tension in her muscles? The way her energy surged when she was about to strike?
For a moment, it was as if time slowed. Riven felt a surge of power flow through his body, not from his own strength, but from Nyx. Her will, her spirit, seemed to resonate with his own. He could feel her heartbeat, the rhythm of her breath, and for just a fraction of a second, it was as if they were one.
Then, in a flash, it was gone. The bond snapped back to its usual distant state, leaving Riven with only the echo of what had just occurred. His sword was still locked with Nyx's claws, but the connection had been fleeting, ephemeral. He staggered backward, shaking his head to clear the lingering sensations. It was like waking from a dream, trying to grasp at something that was just out of reach.
"That was… something," Riven muttered to himself, his heart still racing. His palms were slick with sweat, and his breath was coming in short bursts.
Nyx let out a low growl, her tail flicking back and forth in agitation. She was no longer focused entirely on him, her attention shifting as Zephyr trotted forward, his paws silent on the dirt. The large beast sniffed at the ground, his gaze flickering between Riven and Nyx. The bond between Zephyr and Riven was different, more like a faint hum in the background, but it was growing stronger with each passing day.
Riven straightened, wiping the sweat from his brow as he turned to Zephyr. "You ready for this, big guy?" he asked with a grin.
Zephyr growled low in his throat, and Riven could feel the weight of the beast's energy pressing against him. This wasn't just a training exercise anymore—it was a test of everything he had learned so far. A test of trust, of understanding, of control.
"Let's go," Riven said, his voice steady.
With a powerful leap, Zephyr charged at him. Riven didn't hesitate. He was still feeling the pulse of the bond he had shared with Nyx moments before, and he wasn't about to let that connection slip away. He sprinted toward Zephyr, his sword raised high.
As they collided, Riven felt the rush of power, the raw energy of the bond between him and Nyx surging through him once more. It wasn't as strong as it had been during the moment of clarity, but it was enough to make him move with more confidence. He dodged Zephyr's claws, feeling the creature's presence in every movement. It was as if he could predict what Zephyr would do next, as though their actions were connected by an invisible thread.
For the briefest of moments, Riven felt his connection to Nyx and Zephyr grow stronger, as if they were all moving as one. The air around him seemed to pulse with energy, and his body responded without thought, as though he was simply an extension of the beasts beside him.
But just as quickly, the connection faltered. Zephyr's claws scraped against his shoulder, pulling him out of the brief trance. Riven stumbled backward, clutching his shoulder as pain shot through him. The connection was still too fragile, too volatile. He had caught a glimpse of what it could be, but it wasn't enough to hold on to it.
"Damn," Riven muttered, shaking his head. He could feel the burn in his muscles, the sting of the scratch on his shoulder, but the frustration in his chest was much worse. "I'm still not there."
Nyx padded over to him, nuzzling his side gently with her head. Riven reached out and scratched behind her ears, his frustration easing slightly. She let out a soft, contented purr, and for a moment, Riven allowed himself to rest in the comfort of her presence.
"You're getting closer," Master Caldar's voice broke through his thoughts. The old man had been watching from the edge of the training field, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. "It's not an easy task, Riven. But you've made progress today. Don't let one failure stop you."
Riven looked up at the master, trying to find the words to express what he was feeling. "It doesn't feel like progress," he admitted. "I thought I could do it—connect with them, really connect. But it's like it's just out of reach."
Caldar smiled, his weathered face softening with a hint of understanding. "That's the way it is at first. The bond is like a river—it doesn't flow all at once. But when it does, it will carry you farther than you ever thought possible."
Riven's gaze drifted to Nyx and Zephyr, both of them standing by his side, waiting patiently. He took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll keep trying," he said, more to himself than to anyone else.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in the warm glow of twilight, Riven made a silent promise. He would take that first real step—no matter how many times it took.