The warm light of dawn bathed the stone towers of Windmere City, a sprawling hub of beast tamers and adventurers. Today was the Awakening Ceremony, the day when every ten-year-old in the kingdom could form their first beast bond and unlock their innate ability. For many, it was the most important day of their lives—a step toward glory, recognition, or at the very least, survival.
Ryn stood among the crowd of eager children in the Guild Plaza. At fifteen, he was older than most, having failed the awakening ritual twice. The pressure to succeed this year weighed heavily on him. His father's stern words echoed in his mind: "This is your last chance, Ryn. No son of mine will live without purpose."
The Guildmaster, a burly man with streaks of gray in his beard, stood on the raised platform, addressing the crowd. Behind him was a large crystalline orb, the Awakening Crystal, said to be a fragment of an ancient beast core.
"Today, you'll discover the beast that will walk beside you," the Guildmaster announced. "Remember, it's not the beast that defines you, but the bond you forge and the strength you cultivate."
One by one, the children stepped forward, placing their hands on the crystal. Each time, a glowing sigil would appear, and a beast would materialize—a hawk, a wolf, a tiger. Cheers erupted for the lucky few who bonded with powerful creatures.
...
When Ryn's turn came, the crowd quieted. He climbed the steps to the crystal, his palms sweating. He could feel the stares of his peers, the whispers of doubt.
"Third attempt," someone muttered.
"He'll probably fail again," another sneered.
Ryn placed his hand on the crystal, feeling a strange warmth spread through him. The orb glowed faintly, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a small shape began to form—a tiny hare with sleek black fur and faintly glowing purple eyes.
The crowd erupted in laughter.
"A rabbit? That's all he got?"
"Even a dog would've been better!"
The Guildmaster stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "The Nightshade Hare. A rare but often overlooked beast. It's said to possess some unique traits, though few have unlocked its potential."
Ryn knelt to meet the hare's gaze. Despite the ridicule, he felt a strange connection to it, a flicker of understanding that he couldn't explain. The hare's eyes seemed to glimmer with faint intelligence, as though it could sense his doubts and determination.
...
As Ryn rose, a sharp pain shot through his head. His vision blurred, and suddenly, the hare's form shimmered before him. A translucent overlay appeared in his mind's eye, detailing the hare's attributes.
Beast: Nightshade Hare
Potential Evolution Paths:
1. Shadowclaw Lynx (Requires Moonstone Shard, 3 Dark Lotus Petals)
2. Phantom Stalker (Requires Obsidian Core, Veilroot Essence)
3. Umbra Warden (Requires Abyssal Fragment, Nightshade Bloom, 500 Tamer Bond Energy)
Ryn blinked, the vision fading. His heart raced. Was this his innate ability? To see a beast's potential evolutions?
The Guildmaster noticed his unease. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," Ryn said quickly, steadying himself. He wasn't ready to share what he'd just experienced—not until he understood it better.
...
The ceremony ended, and Ryn trudged home with the hare perched on his shoulder. His father, a retired tamer who once commanded a legendary Flame Basilisk, stood at the door with crossed arms.
"A hare?" his father said, disappointment evident in his tone. "You'll be lucky if it doesn't run at the first sign of danger."
Ryn's grip tightened. "It's not about the beast. It's about how I train it."
His father's frown deepened. "You talk big for someone who's failed twice. Prove me wrong."
Ryn stormed to his room, the hare hopping beside him. He sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the small creature. "They all think you're weak," he muttered. "But I saw something in you—something incredible. I don't know how yet, but we're going to prove them all wrong."
The hare twitched its ears, as if understanding his words.
...
That night, Ryn stayed up studying old beast-taming manuals. Most of them dismissed the Nightshade Hare as a harmless creature with minor stealth abilities. Yet, his ability had shown him paths that no one else seemed to know about.
As the moonlight streamed through his window, Ryn made a silent vow. He wouldn't just prove himself worthy of being a tamer. He'd redefine what it meant to be one.
Somewhere far away, deep within a cavern, a crystalline shard pulsed with light, as though responding to Ryn's awakening.