The night pressed in around Aric like a heavy cloak, the forest now silent save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. The chilling words from Solis Nightshade echoed in his mind, each one a cold reminder of the forces that were closing in on him.
Aric had always known that his path would be difficult. Being a Beastmaster was never easy, and the beasts he tamed were not simply creatures to command—they were wild forces of nature that required respect and understanding. But Solis's presence, the dark edge in his words, had shaken him more than he cared to admit. The Beastmasters of the Abyss were not merely a faction; they were an organization with deep knowledge of the beasts and an agenda that Aric couldn't yet fully understand. And worst of all, they seemed to know him—his name, his abilities, and, most troubling of all, his destiny.
He glanced at the beast beside him. The creature had calmed after their encounter, but there was an undeniable tension in the air, a quiet unease that Aric could feel in his bones. It was as if the beast sensed that something bigger was at play, something beyond their control.
Aric took a deep breath, trying to push aside the feeling of dread creeping into his mind. He had tamed this beast, forged a bond with it. It was his partner now. They had made a pact. And that pact meant something—something worth fighting for.
The wind shifted, carrying with it a new scent—one that Aric instantly recognized as danger. The beast's ears perked up, its nostrils flaring. It growled low in its throat, a warning.
"Stay alert," Aric murmured, his eyes scanning the trees.
It wasn't long before the first sign of movement appeared—a shadow flitting between the trees, too fast to catch with the eye. But Aric had been trained to sense such things. He drew his dagger slowly, the cool steel slipping easily into his grip. The forest around him had grown colder, more oppressive, as though something was lurking just out of sight, waiting for the perfect momen