Chapter 7: The Apex Hunt
The air in the village square was thick with tension as the finalists for the Apex Hunt were announced. Rylan stood among the group, his heart pounding in his chest. He scanned the crowd, noticing the sharp glances from his competitors.
Tobin was there, of course, his silver wolf lounging confidently by his side. Lira, the mysterious girl who had approached Rylan earlier, leaned on her staff, her beast—a sleek, reptilian creature with glowing green scales—coiled at her feet.
Elder Fynn raised his staff, his voice commanding attention. "The Apex Hunt is the final test. You will enter the Whispering Woods and track down a specific beast—a creature that embodies strength, cunning, and ferocity. Only those who bring back a token of their victory will pass this stage."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"What kind of beast is it this year?" someone asked.
"The Apex is always a nightmare to face," another whispered.
Elder Fynn silenced the crowd with a wave of his hand. "This year's Apex is a Shadowfang Panther, a cunning predator known for its ability to disappear into the darkness. Its stealth and speed make it a true test of your bond and skill. Remember, the woods are not forgiving, and no one will come to your aid. Fail, and you'll return empty-handed—or not at all."
The warning settled over the crowd like a storm cloud.
Rylan glanced at his bird, who sat perched on his shoulder, its golden eye gleaming with determination. "A Shadowfang Panther," he murmured. "What do you think?"
The bird chirped softly, as if to say, Let's find out.
The Hunt Begins
The finalists were released into the forest one by one, each given a map to the general location of the Shadowfang Panther's territory. Rylan clutched his map tightly as he plunged into the woods, the bird flying ahead to scout the path.
The Whispering Woods were eerily quiet, the usual sounds of birds and insects replaced by the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a branch.
"Stay sharp," Rylan whispered, his eyes darting between the trees. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched—not just by the Shadowfang, but by the other competitors as well.
He followed the map to a rocky outcrop where the dense trees gave way to an open glade. Claw marks scored the nearby trees, and patches of fur were scattered on the ground.
"This is it," Rylan said under his breath.
The bird chirped, circling above the clearing. Its golden glow flickered faintly, a beacon of light against the oppressive shadows.
Ambush in the Glade
The attack came without warning.
A blur of black fur shot out from the undergrowth, faster than Rylan's eyes could follow. The bird screeched, diving out of the way as the Shadowfang Panther landed in the clearing, its sleek body low to the ground. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Rylan, unblinking.
Rylan stumbled back, his pulse pounding in his ears. The Shadowfang was larger than he'd expected, its muscles rippling under its dark coat.
"Alright," he muttered, gripping a stick he'd picked up earlier. "You wanted adversity? Here it is."
The panther snarled, circling slowly. Rylan's bird flared its wings, its golden feathers shimmering brighter.
"Keep your distance," Rylan called to the bird. "We need to wear it down first."
The bird screeched in response, darting low to the ground to draw the panther's attention. The Shadowfang lunged, its claws raking the air just inches from the bird's tail feathers.
"Faster!" Rylan shouted, watching as the bird wove through the clearing, its golden glow growing brighter with each pass.
The panther growled, its movements becoming more erratic. It lashed out again, but this time the bird swerved upward, releasing a burst of golden light directly into the panther's eyes.
The beast roared, shaking its head violently.
"Now!" Rylan yelled.
The bird dove, raking its talons across the panther's flank. The Shadowfang hissed in pain, spinning to swipe at its attacker, but the bird was already gone, retreating to a safe distance.
The Final Blow
The panther staggered, its movements slowing as it tried to regain its footing. Rylan saw his chance.
"Time to end this," he muttered, stepping forward. "One more strike!"
The bird screeched and ascended high into the trees, its glow intensifying. For a moment, Rylan thought he saw streaks of pure gold running through its feathers, like molten veins.
The panther snarled, lowering itself for one final lunge.
"Wait for it," Rylan murmured, his eyes locked on the panther's every move.
The beast leapt, its claws outstretched—
"Now!"
The bird dove like a golden comet, its light blazing brighter than ever. It struck the panther head-on, a brilliant flash illuminating the glade. The panther roared one final time before collapsing to the ground, its body going limp.
Rylan stood frozen, his breath coming in short gasps.
"We… we did it," he said finally, a grin spreading across his face.
The bird fluttered down to his shoulder, its feathers still shimmering faintly. It let out a triumphant chirp, nudging his cheek.
Rylan knelt beside the panther, pulling a small token from its collar—a fang carved with intricate runes, marking it as the Apex.
"This is it," he said, holding it up. "This proves we're not just some joke."
The bird chirped again, as if to say, We never were.
Returning Victorious
When Rylan emerged from the woods, the crowd fell silent. He walked into the square, the Shadowfang's carved fang hanging from his neck. The bird perched proudly on his shoulder, its golden feathers gleaming in the sunlight.
"Impossible," someone whispered.
"He actually did it."
Rylan ignored the murmurs, his eyes locked on Elder Fynn. The elder studied him for a long moment before nodding approvingly.
"Rylan and his companion have passed the Apex Hunt," Elder Fynn announced, his voice carrying across the square. "Their bond and skill have proven worthy."
The crowd erupted into murmurs, some cheering, others still doubting. But Rylan didn't care. He'd done it.
As he stepped off the stage, Tobin appeared in his path, his silver wolf growling low.
"This isn't over," Tobin said, his voice dripping with venom. "The trials were just the beginning."
Rylan met his gaze, unflinching. "You're right," he said. "And next time, you'd better be ready."
End of Chapter 7