Chapter 1 - The bonding Ceremony

A dusty sun hung low on the horizon, bathing the small village in hues of gold and red. For most, today was a day of celebration. For Rylan, it was a day of dread.

He stood among a crowd of wide-eyed boys and girls his age, all excited for the Beast Bonding Ceremony. To them, this was the moment they would awaken their talents and receive their first beasts – loyal companions that could grow alongside them. But for Rylan, it was another reminder that he was different.

"Rylan! Quit daydreaming!" shouted the elder in charge of the ceremony. He was an old man with a long staff, and his sharp voice pulled Rylan out of his thoughts.

"Sorry, Elder Fynn," Rylan mumbled, shuffling to his spot in line. His clothes, a little too worn and patched, made him stand out even more.

Behind him, the other kids whispered.

"Rylan won't get anything good. He's cursed."

"His family's too weak. No beast would want him."

He clenched his fists but didn't turn around.

The Beast Bonding Circle was carved in the earth ahead, its lines glowing faintly with a soft blue light. Within it, a shimmering crystal stood tall, pulsing with energy. Around the crystal, spirits of beasts flickered – birds with wings of fire, wolves with azure eyes, and even serpents made of mist. Everyone in the village knew the stronger the beast that bonded to you, the greater your future as a tamer.

"Next!" Elder Fynn called, and Rylan swallowed hard. It was his turn.

He stepped into the glowing circle. The light seemed to hum, pressing against his skin. The crystal flared brightly, and a soft wind kicked up dust. Rylan bit his lip, fighting the unease rising in his chest.

The elder chanted ancient words, and the spirits began to swirl. Around Rylan, beastly shapes appeared – shadowy and uncertain. One by one, they passed him by.

Minutes crawled by, and whispers in the crowd turned into murmurs. "Nothing's choosing him."

"Is he really cursed?"

The shame burned like fire under his skin. Just as Rylan lowered his head, accepting failure, a faint chirping sound broke through the noise. It was soft, almost pitiful. Rylan blinked.

From the very edge of the circle, a small shadow wobbled forward. The crowd gasped as it appeared – a tiny, ragged creature no bigger than a cat. It had dull gray feathers, stubby wings, and a single golden eye. A bird – no, a pathetic fledgling.

Laughter erupted. "That's his beast? A trash bird?"

"Poor Rylan… even the beasts pity him!"

The elder frowned, but the ceremony was absolute. "The bond is made," he declared. The tiny bird chirped again, hopping closer to Rylan. Its golden eye stared up at him – not with pity, but with something else… expectation.

Rylan stared back, his heart hammering. This wasn't what he wanted. This bird was weak, a joke compared to the wolves and serpents the others bonded with. But… it had chosen him.

Taking a deep breath, Rylan knelt and gently picked up the creature. Its feathers were softer than he expected, and for a moment, the jeering crowd fell away.

"Don't worry," Rylan whispered. "I'll take care of you."

Rylan straightened, cradling the small bird in his arms as it nestled against him. Its single golden eye glimmered faintly in the fading sunlight, as if recognizing him as its partner. The crowd's laughter grew louder, echoing in his ears like a cruel melody.

"A trash bird for a trash kid!" one boy yelled, pointing at Rylan. His beast—an impressive, silver-furred wolf—snarled, baring its fangs for effect.

Rylan swallowed the knot in his throat, ignoring the stares and jeers. He tightened his arms protectively around the bird, its soft chirps calming him, as though it understood his embarrassment.

"Silence!" Elder Fynn's voice cracked through the noise like a whip. The jeering quieted instantly. "The bond is sacred, and all beasts have worth. You would do well to remember that."

The elder's sharp gaze swept the crowd, daring them to continue. Even so, the smirks remained—hidden, but still there.

Elder Fynn turned to Rylan. "Your name and your beast will be recorded. Do not disappoint your bond."

Rylan nodded stiffly, unable to meet the elder's eyes. He walked off the glowing circle and into the shadows of the crowd, feeling the weight of his failure heavier than ever.

"Why did it have to be me?"

The thought repeated over and over in his mind as he trudged home, his bird perched awkwardly on his shoulder. It chirped softly every few steps, as if trying to comfort him, but the sound only made Rylan's chest ache.

The path to his small house was lined with villagers who avoided his gaze, pretending not to see him. He heard their whispers anyway.

"Poor boy. His family hasn't bonded with a proper beast in generations."

"Some bloodlines are just cursed, I suppose."

"Not cursed—just weak."

Rylan's jaw tightened as he pushed open the creaking door to his house. Inside, the air was musty and stale, the silence thick. He didn't have parents waiting for him with open arms or comforting words. His father had died when he was young, and his mother… well, she'd disappeared long ago. It was just him.

He dropped onto the rickety stool near the hearth, letting the bird hop onto the table. It fluffed its dull feathers and chirped again, watching him curiously.

"What are you even supposed to be?" Rylan muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. "Everyone else got wolves, hawks, even a damn shadow cat. And I get… you."

The bird tilted its head, unbothered by his words. Rylan sighed, slumping forward.

"This is hopeless. I'll never be a real tamer now."

"Never say that."

Rylan jerked upright, eyes wide. He spun toward the door, expecting someone to be there, but the room was empty. The voice—deep, steady—had come from nowhere. Or…

His eyes flicked back to the bird. It stared at him, its golden eye glowing faintly in the dim room.

"You…?" Rylan whispered, his heart pounding.

The bird didn't answer. It chirped softly again, and the glow disappeared, leaving Rylan unsure if he'd imagined the whole thing.

Hours passed, and as night fell, Rylan sat by the faint embers of the fire, the bird perched beside him. He traced a finger across its feathers absentmindedly. The others would already be bonding with their beasts, learning their abilities, growing stronger. What could he do?

"I can't train you," he muttered to the bird. "You're not strong enough for battles. I doubt you even have any abilities."

The bird hopped closer, nudging his hand with its small beak. Rylan frowned.

"What? You're hungry?"

The bird chirped.

Rylan sighed, rummaging through a nearby shelf for crumbs of stale bread. As he placed the food down, the bird ignored it completely and instead tapped at something else with its beak—a small, dusty book that had been buried under papers.

"What is this?" Rylan muttered, pulling it free. The cover was worn, the leather cracking, but faint golden lettering remained:

"The Forgotten Evolutions."

Rylan's brow furrowed as he flipped through the yellowed pages. Drawings of creatures filled its pages—birds, wolves, snakes, and beasts Rylan had never seen before—all with intricate lines detailing transformations, evolutions, and pathways.

He froze as he found a sketch that looked familiar. A small bird… ragged and dull, just like the one sitting beside him.

And beside the sketch, written in careful handwriting:

"The Golden Eye of Potential: A beast dismissed by all, yet the key to unlocking legendary strength. Its path lies hidden to all but those who dare look."

Rylan's breath caught. His eyes darted to the bird, its single golden eye reflecting the firelight.

"You…" He whispered. "You're not just some trash bird, are you?"

The bird chirped again, louder this time.

For the first time that day, hope sparked in Rylan's chest.

End of Chapter 1