### Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins
When I woke up, the world felt wrong. My ears were ringing, my head pounding like someone had driven a spike through it. The last thing I remembered was my father—if that was really him—and the monsters charging at me.
I blinked, trying to focus, but everything was a blur. The sky above me was streaked with gray, clouds heavy and ominous. I was no longer near the cabin. Instead, I lay sprawled on the edge of a forest clearing, the trees looming overhead like silent sentinels.
A low growl made me sit up sharply.
Nightshade stood a few feet away, its fur matted and streaked with dirt. It was wounded—scratches ran along its side, and it was limping slightly. But its golden eyes never wavered, locked on me like a tether keeping me grounded.
"You stayed," I whispered, my voice hoarse.
The creature huffed, its breath visible in the chilly air.
I pushed myself to my feet, wincing as pain shot through my side. The ground where I had been lying was scorched, the grass blackened in a perfect circle. Something had happened, something I couldn't remember.
"What… what did I do?" I muttered, but Nightshade only stared.
A sharp crack echoed through the trees, and I froze. The sound of footsteps followed, slow and deliberate. Whoever—or *whatever*—was approaching wasn't trying to hide.
Nightshade growled again, its hackles rising. I clenched my fists, unsure if I should run or stand my ground.
"Relax," a voice called out, smooth and steady. "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have announced myself."
A man stepped into the clearing, his figure tall and cloaked in a dark coat that billowed slightly in the wind. His face was angular, his hair silver despite his youthful appearance, and his eyes—like mine—held a faint glow, though his were a deep crimson.
"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to sound braver than I felt.
He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips. "You've got spirit. That's good. You'll need it."
"Answer me," I snapped, taking a step back.
The man tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve. "My name is Kael," he said finally. "And I've been looking for you, Dominic."
The way he said my name sent a chill down my spine. "How do you know who I am?"
Kael chuckled, a sound that felt more mocking than friendly. "Your father wasn't exactly subtle. When someone with your… talents awakens, it sends ripples through the world. You might not feel it yet, but others do. And trust me, they're not all as polite as I am."
"Polite?" I shot back, glancing at Nightshade, who was still growling low in its throat. "What do you want?"
Kael's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "To warn you. The creatures you've seen—the ones you think you can control—they're just the start. There are bigger threats out there, Dominic. Ones that don't obey, not even for you."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why should I trust you?"
"You shouldn't," he said simply. "But if you don't, you won't survive the week."
The air grew heavier, tension crackling between us. I didn't know what to think. Kael was a stranger, and his crimson eyes screamed danger. But his words… they felt like the truth.
Before I could respond, a deafening roar erupted from the trees. The ground shook beneath my feet, and Nightshade whirled toward the sound, its growls turning feral.
Kael sighed, reaching into his coat to pull out a sleek, black blade. "Looks like we're out of time."
"What is it?" I asked, my voice rising.
Kael gave me a grim look. "The hunt begins. They've found you."
Before I could ask who *they* were, the trees behind me exploded, and a massive creature barreled into the clearing. It was unlike any monster I'd seen before—twice the size of Nightshade, its body covered in jagged, obsidian-like scales that reflected the dim light. Its eyes burned with a malevolent red glow, and its mouth was lined with rows of needle-sharp teeth.
I stumbled back, my heart hammering in my chest. "What is that thing?"
Kael didn't answer. Instead, he lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with precision. The creature roared, swiping at him with claws as long as my arm. Kael dodged effortlessly, his movements almost inhuman.
"Dominic!" he shouted, not looking back. "Control it, or we're both dead!"
"I… I don't know how!" I yelled, panic surging through me.
Nightshade lunged at the beast, its teeth sinking into one of its legs. The monster roared in fury, tossing Nightshade aside like it weighed nothing. I watched in horror as my companion hit the ground hard, struggling to get up.
Something inside me snapped. A surge of energy coursed through my veins, and before I knew what I was doing, I stepped forward, my hands outstretched.
"Stop!" I shouted, my voice ringing with a strange, commanding tone.
The creature froze mid-attack, its glowing eyes locking onto mine. I felt the connection instantly—a thread of power binding me to the beast. It resisted, its mind wild and chaotic, but I pushed harder, forcing it to submit.
The monster let out a low, guttural growl before lowering its massive head to the ground.
Kael lowered his blade, staring at me with a mix of awe and caution. "Well," he said, his voice breathless. "Looks like you're a quick learner."
I stood there, trembling, as the reality of what I'd just done sank in. I had stopped the creature—controlled it. But the effort had drained me, and I could feel the power still surging beneath the surface, wild and untamed.
Kael sheathed his blade and walked toward me, his expression unreadable. "You've got potential, kid," he said. "But if you don't get a grip on that power soon, it's going to tear you apart."
I swallowed hard, my hands still shaking. "What happens now?"
Kael's smile returned, but it was colder this time. "Now? We run. Because this was just the first wave."