The tamers returned to the expedition's main camp, their spirits tense but determined. The discovery of the crystalline core and the Mist Warden Wolves had shifted the tone of their mission. No longer was this just an exploratory venture—it was clear the Twilight Expanse held secrets that could alter their understanding of beast taming itself.
Ryn's Mistborn Stalker moved gracefully by his side, its ethereal glow drawing curious stares from other tamers. The Stalker seemed restless, its ears twitching as though it could sense something beyond the mist.
Kael gathered the group around the fire to debrief. "The artifact we found—the Core of the Veil—is a game-changer. It's not just a resource. It's tied to the mist, the beasts, maybe even the way evolution works in this region. This is information the Tamer's Guild needs."
...
The mention of the Guild sent a ripple through the group.
The Tamer's Guild was the cornerstone of beast taming across the continent, overseeing tamers, regulating competitions, and safeguarding knowledge about evolution paths. Its influence extended to every major city, and its researchers were the leading experts in the field.
For most tamers, joining the Guild was a dream, offering access to resources, training, and recognition. But the Guild's power wasn't without controversy. Its monopoly on knowledge often left independent tamers struggling for scraps of information.
Elric spoke up. "If the Guild gets their hands on this, they'll keep it for themselves. They don't share unless it benefits them."
Kael sighed. "Maybe. But this isn't something we can handle on our own. The Guild has the resources to study the core without putting the rest of us at risk."
Lyra frowned. "What if they decide the Twilight Expanse is too dangerous? They could quarantine it or restrict access entirely."
"That's a risk we'll have to take," Kael said. "But for now, our job is to survive and make it back with what we've learned."
...
Later that evening, Ryn sat by the fire, turning the Mistcore Shard over in his hands. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.
The Nightshade Hare rested at his feet, while the Mistborn Stalker lay a few feet away, its glowing eyes watching him intently.
"What are you trying to tell me?" Ryn murmured, his thoughts racing.
The shard, the core, the runes—they were all connected. His ability had shown him fragments of the truth, but it wasn't enough. He needed to understand the bigger picture.
Lyra approached, sitting across from him. Eclipse was perched silently on her shoulder.
"You're thinking about the core, aren't you?" she asked.
Ryn nodded. "It's more than just a resource. It feels... alive."
Lyra tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Ryn admitted. "But the mist, the beasts, the artifacts—it's like they're part of something larger. Something we don't understand yet."
Lyra studied him for a moment. "You've got a knack for seeing things others don't. Maybe that's your real strength—not just your ability, but your perspective."
Ryn smiled faintly. "Thanks. But I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more complicated."
...
The next morning, the camp was awoken by the sound of hoofbeats and the crackle of energy. A group of tamers clad in the Tamer's Guild's signature silver-and-blue uniforms emerged from the mist, their beasts trailing behind them.
At their head was a stern-looking woman with short silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Her beast, a massive Thunderclad Sabertooth, padded beside her, its fur crackling with electricity.
"I am Commander Saria of the Tamer's Guild," she announced. "We received word of your discovery and have come to secure the site."
Kael stepped forward, his expression neutral. "Commander Saria. We weren't expecting the Guild so soon."
"The Twilight Expanse is a high-priority region," Saria said curtly. "Any discoveries made here fall under Guild jurisdiction. You'll be compensated, of course, but we'll need a full report and access to the core."
Kael hesitated, then nodded. "We'll provide everything we've found."
...
As the Guild set up their operations, the atmosphere in the camp grew tense. Many of the independent tamers, including Lyra and Elric, were wary of the Guild's presence.
"They're going to take over," Elric muttered to Ryn. "Mark my words. Once they're done here, we'll be lucky if we're allowed back into the expanse at all."
Ryn shared his concern but kept quiet. His focus was on the Mistborn Stalker, which had been acting increasingly agitated since the Guild's arrival.
The Stalker paced around the camp, growling softly whenever it passed the Guild's tamers or their beasts.
"What's wrong?" Ryn asked, placing a hand on the Stalker's side.
The beast stilled for a moment, then looked toward the direction of the core. Its gaze was intense, as though urging Ryn to follow.
...
That night, while the camp was quiet, Ryn slipped away with the Mistborn Stalker and the Nightshade Hare. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Guild's involvement would only complicate matters further.
The Stalker led him back toward the cave, its movements swift and purposeful.
As they approached the entrance, Ryn felt a strange energy in the air. The mist seemed thicker here, pulsing in time with the shard in his pocket.
Inside, the core glowed brighter than before, its light filling the chamber. Ryn's ability activated, flooding his mind with new information.
Core of the Veil Update:
The core's energy is tied to an ancient network of artifacts across the continent. Disturbing it could awaken dormant forces, both good and ill.
Ryn's heart pounded. This wasn't just about the Twilight Expanse. The core was part of something far greater—something that could reshape the world.
As he pondered his next move, the sound of footsteps echoed behind him.
"Ryn?"
He turned to see Lyra standing at the cave entrance, Eclipse perched on her shoulder.
"You couldn't stay away either, huh?" she said, her tone half-amused, half-concerned.
Ryn nodded. "There's more to this than we thought. I needed to see it again."
Lyra stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the core. "So, what do we do now?"
Ryn glanced at the Mistborn Stalker, then back at Lyra.
"We figure out the truth," he said firmly.