Chapter 12: Secrets of the Glades
Rylan's fingers tightened around the straps of his bag as the woman's question hung in the air. The camp around them buzzed with the noise of tamers and beasts, but the weight of her gaze felt as sharp as a blade.
"How far are you willing to go to protect that bird of yours?"
The bird on Rylan's shoulder let out a sharp chirp, its golden eye fixed on the woman. He straightened his back, holding her gaze. "Whatever it takes."
The woman's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good answer."
Lira, who had been quietly observing, finally stepped forward. "Enough games, Kyra. He's here for answers, not riddles."
"Answers aren't free," Kyra said, turning her attention to the green-cloaked woman. "And this isn't a library where we hand out knowledge to just anyone. If he wants to know what these relics mean, he'll have to prove himself."
"Prove myself how?" Rylan asked, his tone clipped.
Kyra gestured toward the center of the camp, where a large open space had been cleared. Tamers and their beasts gathered there, the air thick with tension. "A trial. Not unlike your little village games, but with far higher stakes. Defeat an opponent, and I'll give you what you need to know."
Rylan exchanged a glance with Lira, who crossed her arms. "This is ridiculous," she said. "You can't just throw him into—"
"He's a tamer, isn't he?" Kyra interrupted. "If he can't handle this, he's already dead weight. The people after him won't care about his inexperience."
Lira hesitated, her mouth tightening. Rylan felt his bird shift on his shoulder, its feathers bristling slightly.
"Fine," he said, stepping forward. "I'll do it."
Kyra's smirk widened. "Good. Let's see what you're made of."
Rylan stood in the center of the makeshift arena, his sword strapped to his side. The bird perched on a low branch nearby, its golden feathers glinting faintly in the light of the glowing trees. Around him, tamers gathered in a loose circle, murmuring to each other as they eyed him and his bird.
A figure stepped into the ring opposite him—a tall, wiry man with a scar running down the side of his face. At his side prowled a massive feline beast with sleek black fur and glowing amber eyes.
"This is Koreth," Kyra said, her voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "One of our finest. If you want your answers, you'll have to best him."
Koreth smirked, his beast growling low in its throat. "This won't take long."
Rylan clenched his fists, his eyes darting to his bird. "You ready for this?" he muttered.
The bird chirped sharply, flaring its wings as it took to the air.
Kyra raised her hand. "Begin!"
Koreth's beast moved first, leaping forward with startling speed. Rylan barely had time to react, rolling to the side as its claws slashed through the air. The ground where he had stood moments before was torn to shreds.
"Stay high!" Rylan called to his bird.
The bird swooped low, its golden feathers glowing faintly. The feline beast snarled, swiping at the air, but the bird darted out of reach, its movements swift and unpredictable.
"Distract it!" Rylan shouted, drawing his sword.
The bird dived again, its light flaring brighter. The glow caught the feline's attention, and it let out a frustrated growl, snapping at the air. Rylan seized the moment, charging forward with his blade raised.
But Koreth was ready.
"Amberclaw, counter!" he barked.
The feline beast spun with surprising agility, its claws flashing toward Rylan. He barely managed to block, the force of the blow sending him staggering back.
"You think speed alone will save you?" Koreth taunted. "Amberclaw's more than a match for that useless bird!"
Rylan grit his teeth, his mind racing. The bird was fast, but it couldn't land a decisive blow—not against something this powerful. They needed a different strategy.
"Blind it!" he shouted.
The bird let out a piercing screech, its light flaring so brightly that the crowd shielded their eyes. Amberclaw roared, shaking its head violently as it stumbled back.
Rylan didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his blade slicing through the air. The strike wasn't deep, but it left a gash along the beast's side, drawing blood.
Koreth cursed, his expression darkening. "Enough playing around. Amberclaw, finish them!"
The feline let out a deafening roar, its muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce.
"Stay moving!" Rylan shouted, his bird already circling high above.
Amberclaw leapt, its claws outstretched—but the bird dived at the last second, its light bursting in a concentrated flash. The feline howled in pain, crashing to the ground as it clawed at its face, temporarily blinded.
Rylan saw his opening.
He charged, his blade striking true this time. The flat of his sword smacked against Amberclaw's side with a resounding thud, and the beast collapsed, panting heavily.
The crowd fell silent as Koreth cursed under his breath, raising a hand in surrender. "Enough," he spat.
Kyra stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the scene. "Well," she said finally, her voice cutting through the quiet. "It seems you're not entirely useless after all."
Later, back at Kyra's tent, Rylan sat across from her as she examined the collar and dagger he had brought. Her sharp eyes flicked over the runes, her expression darkening as she traced their edges.
"These are worse than I thought," she murmured.
"What do you mean?" Rylan asked, his voice tense.
"These relics… they're not just tools for domination. They're part of something larger. A network, if you will. The people after you aren't just looking to control a few beasts. They're trying to resurrect the old ways—to bring back the era of enslaved armies."
Rylan's stomach churned. "Why me? Why my bird?"
Kyra's gaze shifted to the golden-feathered creature perched beside him. "That bird isn't ordinary. Its golden eye marks it as a remnant of a lost lineage—beasts of light, created to counter the darkness. Beasts like yours are rare, and their power… well, let's just say it's enough to tip the balance in a war."
Rylan stared at the bird, his chest tightening. "So they want it for its power."
Kyra nodded. "Exactly. And they won't stop until they get it."
Rylan's fists clenched. "Then we'll stop them first."
Kyra smirked faintly. "Bold words. Let's see if you can live up to them."
End of Chapter 12