The sky over Brighthearth was streaked with gray, the faint glow of dawn barely piercing the lingering smoke from the night's battle. The village was quiet, its survivors too exhausted to rebuild just yet. But Kaelron could feel the tension in the air—an unspoken understanding that the shadow beasts would return.
Kaelron stood at the edge of the square, leaning on his staff as he watched Lilia and a group of villagers clear debris. Rynne lay curled at his feet, her golden flames flickering softly. The bond they shared pulsed with a comforting warmth, but Kaelron's thoughts were troubled.
"Kaelron," Lilia called, brushing soot from her hands as she approached him. "You're staring into space again. What's wrong?"
He hesitated, glancing down at Rynne. "Nothing," he lied. "Just thinking about everything that's happened."
"Everything that's going to happen, you mean," she said, folding her arms. "You're planning something, aren't you?"
Before Kaelron could answer, a commotion near the forest's edge caught their attention. Villagers murmured uneasily, stepping back as a figure staggered into view.
---
The figure was a young man, disheveled and limping, with a beast—a wolf-like creature with silvery fur—limping beside him. His dark eyes darted around nervously as he scanned the gathering crowd.
"I need help," he said, his voice hoarse. "They're coming."
Kaelron stepped forward, his staff ready. "Who's coming? Shadow beasts?"
The man's gaze locked on him, his expression one of relief and desperation. "You're Kaelron, aren't you? The one with merging magic."
Kaelron froze. "How do you know that?"
"There's no time to explain," the man said. "My name's Eryk, and I've been running for days. The shadow beasts… they're spreading. It's not just your village. It's everywhere."
The crowd murmured louder, fear rippling through the villagers.
Kaelron narrowed his eyes. "Why would they be after you?"
Eryk hesitated, then reached into his satchel, pulling out a small, metallic object. It was shaped like a crown fragment, its surface etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly.
"This," Eryk said, holding it up. "I found it near an abandoned shrine in the mountains. The shadow beasts have been after me ever since. They'll destroy anyone who gets in their way."
Kaelron stared at the fragment, his instincts screaming that it was important. A memory surfaced—the phoenix-dragon's warning about the Eternal Maw and the Primordial Bonds.
"What is it?" Kaelron asked.
Eryk shook his head. "I don't know, but it has something to do with the shadow beasts. I was hoping someone like you might know."
Before Kaelron could respond, the air grew colder, and the familiar sound of guttural growls echoed from the forest.
"They've found me," Eryk whispered.
---
The shadow beasts emerged from the treeline—smaller than the alpha, but numerous. Their violet eyes glowed with malevolent purpose as they advanced toward the village.
"Everyone, back to the square!" Kaelron shouted, stepping forward. His gryphon landed beside him with a piercing screech, while Rynne leapt to her feet, her flames blazing brighter.
Eryk's wolf-like beast growled, its hackles raised. "I'll fight," Eryk said, pulling out a jagged blade.
Kaelron nodded, his focus sharpening. The bond with Rynne flared as they charged together, unleashing a torrent of golden fire to drive the beasts back. Eryk and his companion fought alongside him, their movements fluid and practiced.
The battle was short but fierce, the shadow beasts relentless in their pursuit of the fragment. But with Kaelron's merging magic, Eryk's skill, and the gryphon's aerial strikes, the creatures were eventually driven back into the forest.
As the last beast dissolved into ash, Kaelron turned to Eryk, his breathing heavy. "You need to tell me everything about that fragment."
Eryk nodded grimly. "We should talk somewhere safe."
---
Inside the tavern, Eryk explained everything.
"I was tracking rumors of ancient magic," he began. "Stories about the Primordial Bonds and artifacts tied to them. That's when I found the shrine—what was left of it, anyway. The fragment was hidden there, and the moment I touched it, the shadow beasts started coming after me."
"Why?" Lilia asked, sitting beside Kaelron with Rynne in her lap.
"I think it's connected to the Eternal Maw," Eryk said. "The beasts seem to be drawn to it, like it's a piece of something they need."
Kaelron's mind raced. "If that's true, then keeping it here is dangerous. The village can't handle another attack like this."
Eryk nodded. "I was hoping you'd come with me. There's another shrine farther south. If the fragment belongs to something larger, we need to find out what."
Kaelron looked at Lilia, then at Rynne, who gazed back at him with quiet understanding.
"I'll go," Kaelron said, his voice steady.
Lilia stiffened. "You're leaving?"
Kaelron reached over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The village will never be safe as long as I'm here. The shadow beasts are drawn to me—my powers, my bonds. If I leave, I can lead them away."
Lilia's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You're always leaving, Kaelron. First the Guild, then the phoenix-dragon, and now this?"
"I don't want to go," Kaelron said softly. "But if I don't, more people will get hurt. This is the only way."
She bit her lip, her hands tightening into fists. "What about Rynne? Are you taking her too?"
Kaelron hesitated, looking down at the flame vulpine. "No. She'll stay with you."
"What?" Lilia and Rynne both reacted in unison, Lilia's voice rising in surprise and Rynne letting out a sharp, indignant bark.
"You'll need her protection," Kaelron explained. "She's stronger now—stronger than ever. She'll keep you safe, and I'll be able to focus on what's ahead."
Rynne nuzzled against his leg, her flames dimming slightly as she whimpered. The bond between them trembled, both of them resisting the idea of separation.
Kaelron knelt, placing a hand on Rynne's head. "I'll come back," he promised, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. "I need you to take care of Lilia until then. Can you do that?"
Rynne stared at him for a long moment, then let out a soft yip, her flames flaring brighter as if in determination.
Lilia wiped at her eyes, trying to hide her tears. "You'd better come back," she said, her voice breaking slightly.
Kaelron smiled faintly. "I will."
---
The next morning, Kaelron stood at the village gates, the gryphon waiting beside him. Eryk stood a few paces ahead, his wolf-like beast watching the horizon.
Lilia and Rynne approached, both looking somber.
"Here," Lilia said, handing him a small satchel. "Food and supplies. You'll need them."
Kaelron took it, his fingers brushing hers. "Thank you."
He knelt one last time, placing his forehead gently against Rynne's. The bond between them pulsed warmly, a silent promise passing between them.
"Take care of her," he whispered.
Rynne licked his face and stepped back, her flames bright but steady.
Kaelron rose and turned to Lilia. "Keep the village safe. I'll come back when I can."
She nodded, her eyes fierce despite her tears. "You'd better."
With that, Kaelron mounted the gryphon, its wings spreading wide. He spared one last glance at his sister and Rynne before taking to the skies, the wind carrying him southward toward the unknown.
As Brighthearth faded into the distance, Kaelron's resolve hardened. The path ahead was uncertain, but he would uncover the truth behind the fragment, the Primordial Bonds, and the Eternal Maw—no matter what it took.