Chapter 6: The Trials Begin
The morning of the Village Trials arrived with a chill in the air, the sun rising over the Whispering Woods like a watchful eye. The village square, usually a quiet place of chatter and trade, was now alive with energy. Banners hung from rooftops, and villagers gathered in clusters, whispering about who they thought would win.
Rylan stood at the edge of the crowd, his bird perched on his shoulder. Its faint golden streaks had become more pronounced overnight, giving it a regal look despite its small size.
"You ready for this?" Rylan whispered.
The bird chirped confidently, puffing its chest as if to say, More than you are.
Rylan smirked. "Good, because we've got a lot to prove today."
The Rules of the Trials
Elder Fynn, flanked by two guards and a trio of seasoned tamers, raised his staff to silence the crowd. His voice boomed across the square, commanding respect.
"As is our tradition, the Village Trials shall determine the strongest tamers of this generation," he declared. "Each participant will face challenges that test their beast's skill, strength, and intelligence, as well as their bond with their tamer."
Rylan swallowed hard. He'd heard the trials were grueling, but hearing it spelled out made it feel all too real.
"The trials consist of three stages," Elder Fynn continued. "First: the Obstacle Run. Second: the Beast Duel. And finally: the Apex Hunt."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"The Apex Hunt?" someone whispered. "They're making the kids hunt a real beast this year?"
Elder Fynn's sharp gaze swept over the crowd, silencing the whispers. "Each stage will push you to your limits. Only the strongest and most determined will succeed. Let the trials begin!"
Stage 1: The Obstacle Run
The obstacle course snaked through the outskirts of the village, weaving between trees and up rocky inclines. Participants would need to guide their beasts through a series of challenges, including dodging traps, scaling cliffs, and crossing treacherous terrain.
Rylan stood at the starting line, his heart pounding as Elder Fynn called out the first pair of names.
"Tobin and Shadowfang!"
The crowd cheered as Tobin stepped forward, his silver wolf at his side. Shadowfang snarled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Tobin smirked, casting a glance at Rylan.
"Try to keep up, trash boy," he said as he passed.
Rylan clenched his fists but said nothing. He watched as Tobin and his wolf launched into the course with ease, leaping over pits and scaling walls with impressive speed.
"Show-off," Rylan muttered under his breath.
Several participants went after Tobin, each with varying degrees of success. Some struggled with their beasts, while others soared through the course with confidence.
Finally, Elder Fynn called Rylan's name.
"Rylan and…" The elder paused, eyeing the small bird on his shoulder with visible doubt. "…his companion."
The crowd chuckled.
Rylan took a deep breath, stepping forward. He ignored the whispers and focused on the course ahead. "Alright, buddy," he said to the bird. "You know what to do."
The bird chirped sharply and flew ahead, its golden feathers catching the sunlight.
The first few obstacles were easy enough. The bird darted between swinging logs, its small size making it nearly impossible to hit. Rylan scrambled after it, his breath coming in short bursts as he climbed over rocks and ducked under low-hanging branches.
But then came the cliff ascent. A towering rock wall loomed before them, its surface jagged and unforgiving.
"Alright," Rylan panted, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're gonna have to help me with this one."
The bird chirped and flew to the top of the cliff, perching there as if waiting.
"That's not helpful," Rylan muttered.
The crowd laughed behind him, and he felt the weight of their mockery pressing down. But then the bird let out a sharp screech and flapped its wings, releasing a faint golden shimmer that rained down over the cliff face.
Rylan stared. "Wait… are you marking a path?"
The bird chirped again, more urgently.
Rylan grinned. "Alright, I get it. Let's do this."
With the bird's guidance, he climbed the cliff, gripping the marked handholds it illuminated. It wasn't easy—his arms burned with effort, and his legs felt like lead—but he made it to the top, collapsing onto the flat surface with a gasp.
The bird landed beside him, its golden eye gleaming with pride.
"Show-off," Rylan muttered, but he couldn't help but smile.
By the time Rylan crossed the finish line, he was bruised, battered, and covered in dirt—but he'd made it. The crowd's laughter had shifted to murmurs of surprise.
"He actually finished."
"And that bird… did you see what it did?"
Rylan held his head high, his bird perched proudly on his shoulder.
Stage 2: The Beast Duel
The second stage was a series of one-on-one battles, where tamers pitted their beasts against each other. It wasn't just about brute strength; strategy, timing, and the bond between tamer and beast were crucial.
Rylan's first opponent was a boy named Kieran, whose beast—a sleek, panther-like creature—paced nervously in the arena.
"Begin!" Elder Fynn called.
The panther lunged immediately, its claws flashing. Rylan's bird took to the air, darting just out of reach.
"Stay sharp!" Rylan shouted, watching the panther closely.
The bird swooped low, its golden feathers flashing in the sunlight. The light seemed to dazzle the panther, causing it to hesitate for just a moment—long enough for the bird to strike.
With a sharp cry, the bird raked its small talons across the panther's face, sending it skittering back. The crowd gasped, and Kieran cursed under his breath.
"Keep it up!" Rylan called, his confidence growing.
The bird dodged and weaved, its golden glow growing brighter with each successful strike. The panther grew more frantic, its attacks sloppy and wild, until finally it collapsed in exhaustion.
Rylan stared, his chest heaving with excitement. "We did it," he muttered.
The bird chirped triumphantly, circling above his head before landing on his shoulder.
The Rivalry Ignites
Rylan's victory didn't go unnoticed. As he left the arena, Tobin stepped into his path, Shadowfang growling at his side.
"You got lucky," Tobin said, his voice low. "But luck won't save you when you face me."
Rylan met his glare, his bird fluffing its feathers defiantly. "We'll see," he said, walking past without another word.
Tobin's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.
End of Chapter 6