The winds of the Wildlands howled as Raine stood in the shadow of the Abyssal Gryphion, now bound to him through the powerful Symbiosis Ritual. The creature's massive form towered over him, its dark wings folded but radiating an otherworldly energy. Despite the initial shock of taming such a powerful beast, Raine could feel an unsettling presence emanating from it—a presence that he hadn't anticipated. This wasn't just any four-star beast.
As Raine observed the gryphion more closely, something deep within his instincts whispered that the creature was far more than it appeared. It was not the fierce, uncontrollable beast he had been told about—it was something ancient, something legendary.
"You're not just a four-star, are you?" Raine murmured, his voice laced with both awe and suspicion.
The gryphion's eyes gleamed with an almost knowing light. It tilted its head slightly, as if considering his words. "You're perceptive, human. But you're not wrong."
Raine's heart skipped a beat. His hand tightened around the magical binding relic he used to maintain his control over the gryphion. "What do you mean?"
The gryphion's voice echoed in Raine's mind, its tone both ancient and knowing. "I am not what your kind believes me to be." There was a pause, as if the creature was reluctant to share its secrets. "I am an ancient being—one of the Legendary Six-Star Beasts—a creature believed to be extinct, forgotten by time and lost to history."
Raine's breath caught in his chest. He had heard of six-star beasts—the stuff of legends, rare beings whose power dwarfed even that of the most formidable creatures in the kingdom. But such beasts were supposed to have perished long ago, erased from the world by both time and the ravages of history. A creature like this was supposed to be a myth. But standing in front of him was irrefutable proof that such legends were not mere stories.
"Six-star?" Raine repeated, his voice steady despite the surge of disbelief. "You mean you're not even close to your true potential?"
The gryphion's wings unfurled slightly, causing a gust of wind to swirl around them. "I have been dormant for millennia, hidden away in the folds of time. I have not been allowed to evolve as I should, but now that you have awakened me, there is no telling how far I can go."
Raine's mind raced. The creature before him was not just a powerful beast—it was a living, breathing relic of an age long past. A six-star legendary beast was something entirely different, something Raine could barely comprehend.
"So, you're telling me that I have the potential to awaken your true power?" Raine asked, his voice tinged with both excitement and fear. This was not just about Beast Taming anymore; this was a bond that had the potential to change the world.
The gryphion's voice softened, and Raine could feel a sense of reverence in its tone. "Yes. But there are risks involved. I am far from my peak, and there are others who seek to control my power. If you're not careful, you may find yourself in a battle far greater than you ever imagined."
The words echoed in Raine's mind, and for a moment, he could feel a strange sensation—an awakening within himself, as if the gryphion's power was seeping into him, changing him in ways he couldn't yet understand.
"What do you mean by that?" Raine's voice grew more serious, sensing that the stakes were higher than he had anticipated.
"There are forces out there—ones that would do anything to capture or destroy me. If they learn that you have tamed me, they will stop at nothing to take me away from you." The gryphion's voice grew darker. "And if I evolve to my full strength, you will not only have to face the physical threats but the very nature of my existence. Some powers are too dangerous to control."
Raine stood still, digesting the gravity of the gryphion's words. This wasn't just about taming a powerful beast anymore. This was a six-star legendary creature, one that could change the fate of entire kingdoms if unleashed. And Raine had been chosen as its tamer.
The Evolutionary Path
As they journeyed back toward the academy, the weight of the gryphion's revelation hung heavily on Raine's mind. He couldn't let his guard down—not with the gryphion's potential for evolution, nor with the forces that were likely already closing in on them.
Yet, despite the dangers, Raine could sense something stirring within him. He was no longer just a student with a small collection of beasts. He had a connection to something far greater. A six-star beast was a force of nature, something that could shape the future of magic itself.
In the days that followed, Raine threw himself into his studies, focusing on learning everything he could about the ancient history of beasts and the long-forgotten legends of six-star creatures. He sought out old texts, forgotten scrolls, and even consulted with his mentors at the academy—Master Nivon and the elder faculty members.
But there was little information to be found. Most of what remained was cryptic and incomplete, lost to time or erased by those who sought to keep such knowledge hidden. All Raine had were the fragments of information the gryphion had shared with him.
And still, there was the question of the gryphion's evolution.
What would it take for the gryphion to unlock its true potential? What would happen to Raine when it did? And, most importantly, how long would it take for the world to realize what had truly been awakened?
The Unexpected Visitors
Just as Raine was beginning to make progress on his research, an unexpected visitor arrived at the academy—one that brought a sense of dread with it. The Emissaries of the Royal Court had come to see Raine.
Their leader, a cold and calculating woman named Lady Irina, wasted no time in explaining the reason for their visit.
"The crown has learned of your recent accomplishments with the Abyssal Gryphion." Her voice was sharp and without warmth. "And they are… interested in your progress. The royal family has taken an interest in your beast. I've been sent to assess your capabilities and determine if you're truly worthy of handling such a powerful creature."
Raine's pulse quickened. The crown? Was this why the gryphion had warned him? Was there something about the royal family that wanted to control his newfound power?
He kept his voice steady, knowing the stakes were higher than ever. ""What do you mean by that?"
"The gryphion is a power that cannot be ignored." Lady Irina's gaze was unwavering. "If you truly wish to keep it—and to avoid making enemies of the crown—you will submit to the royal court's scrutiny. Your next steps will determine the future of both you and your beast."
To Be Continued...
Raine had tamed an ancient, six-star legendary beast, one that could evolve into an unimaginable force. But as the royal family's emissaries closed in, he realized that the true test was only just beginning. Would he be able to control the gryphion's power? And what price would he have to pay for holding such a dangerous creature?