Dawn broke over the horizon, casting a faint golden hue across the forest canopy. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and earth as Ethan adjusted his leather armor, feeling the weight of his gear settle against his body. The quiet was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of a bird, a stark contrast to the storm that raged inside him.
It was time.
Ethan stood at the edge of the clearing, his heart racing as the Beast Trials loomed before him. The dense forest stretched out like a labyrinth, waiting to challenge him at every turn. He could feel the cool, steady weight of his crossbow slung over his shoulder and the reassuring presence of his knife at his side. Scruff, perched lightly on his shoulder, chirped softly, the Wind Falcon's feathers ruffling with the slightest movement of the breeze. Snowfang, ever so silent, stood beside him, her sleek silver coat blending with the morning mist. Her eyes glinted with quiet anticipation, the frost creeping at the edges of her paws, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.
"Focus," Ethan muttered to himself, trying to clear his mind of the distractions and anxieties that gnawed at him. This wasn't just a test of skill; it was a test of resolve. If he wanted to succeed, he couldn't afford to falter.
A horn sounded from the far side of the clearing, the signal that the Trials had begun. Ethan's pulse quickened, but he steadied his breathing, forcing his mind into the present.
He turned to Scruff first. "Stay close," he whispered. The bird squawked once in acknowledgment and took flight, the Wind Falcon darting into the air, its keen eyes already scanning the horizon.
Snowfang gave a low growl, her eyes locked on the dense foliage ahead. Ethan didn't need to speak. The Frostshadow Lynx was already attuned to his movements, waiting for him to make the first move.
Ethan took a deep breath and set off into the woods. He knew that the first challenge was simple—track and tame a rare creature. But he had learned the hard way that the simplest tasks often held the most danger.
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The first few hours of the Trial passed in tense silence. The forest seemed unnaturally still, as if holding its breath. Ethan moved cautiously, each step calculated, listening for any sign of movement, any clue that could lead him to the elusive beast. Scruff circled overhead, its keen eyes scanning for anything that moved. Snowfang followed at his side, her senses sharper than any human could hope to match.
Ethan's mind flickered back to his memories—the dense forests of his past life, the beasts he had encountered, the traps set by other tamers, and the brutal tests that pushed him to his limits. He had come close to death more times than he could count, but it wasn't the physical toll that had been hardest to bear. It was the mental exhaustion—the constant battle of staying one step ahead, not just of the beasts, but of the other tamers, each with their own ambitions and cunning.
No. Not this time.
Ethan could feel the shift in the air before anything happened. He glanced up, spotting Scruff circling above. The falcon's screech echoed through the forest, a signal.
Something was near.
"Stay sharp," he murmured to Snowfang, who crouched low, her fur rippling with the growing tension.
They didn't have to wait long. From the dense thicket ahead, a shape emerged, moving with the quiet grace of a predator.
A beast.
It was large, its long fur a mixture of deep green and brown that allowed it to blend seamlessly into the forest. Its body was massive—part wolf, part wildcat—with powerful limbs and a sleek, muscular build. Its eyes glowed an eerie amber, scanning the area as it prowled forward, its snout raised as if searching the air for its next meal.
Ethan held his breath. The creature was beautiful, fierce, and deadly—a perfect example of what he had been trained to tame.
He could feel Snowfang's unease beside him, her muscles tense, but she didn't move. Ethan knew that if they attacked now, the creature might turn on them, and it would be a fight to the death. The key wasn't to fight—it was to control, to bind the creature to him before it could attack.
Ethan reached into his pouch, pulling out a small vial of calming essence, a concoction that would dull the creature's senses just long enough to establish dominance. But he had to be quick. The creature's patience was running out.
The beast let out a low growl, sensing something was off. Snowfang tensed beside him, but Ethan held out his hand, signaling her to stay still. He couldn't afford to spook it now.
He stepped forward slowly, keeping his movements deliberate and non-threatening. The creature's amber eyes followed him, its growls softening but still cautious. Ethan felt the familiar rush of energy, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was time.
With a swift motion, Ethan uncorked the vial and threw it toward the creature. The liquid hit the ground, and a faint shimmer spread through the air. The creature flinched, its eyes narrowing in confusion.
That was all Ethan needed.
He spoke softly, his voice low and steady. "Calm, friend. You're not my enemy."
The creature's growl faltered as the calming essence began to take effect. It hesitated, sniffing the air cautiously, as if weighing the stranger before it. Ethan stayed still, waiting for the moment when the beast would truly understand.
Seconds stretched into eternity as the creature seemed to fight against the effect of the essence. But then, slowly, its growl turned into a soft rumble, a sign of acceptance. Its amber eyes softened, and it lowered its body slightly, no longer tense, but alert.
Ethan didn't move, his heart racing. It was working.
"Good," he whispered. "That's good."
Scruff landed on his shoulder, letting out a triumphant chirp. Ethan chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving the creature. Slowly, he crouched down, extending his hand toward it, the bond beginning to form. The beast sniffed his fingers cautiously, its warm breath brushing against his skin.
Then, as if recognizing something deeper than the surface, the creature nuzzled his hand gently.
The bond had been established.
Ethan exhaled slowly, relief flooding through him. He had succeeded.
"Good," he repeated, a smile tugging at his lips. "You're mine now."
The creature let out a soft, contented sound, its amber eyes now full of trust. Ethan could feel the weight of its power beneath his fingertips—raw, untamed, and now, his to command.
Snowfang, still alert but calm, stood beside him, her tail swishing in the air. Scruff hopped onto the beast's back, settling down as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
For the first time since waking up in this new life, Ethan felt a sense of control. The Beast Trials were far from over, but this victory—this bond—was his. And it was only the beginning.