The journey into the Ashen Wilds had taken a turn none of them had expected. With the tame of the Razorfang Panther, Raine Evernight Valthorn had proven once again that his mastery over Beast Taming magic was unparalleled. However, there was no time to revel in success. The Wilds were vast, dangerous, and filled with mysteries far greater than any of them could have anticipated.
As the convoy pressed onward, the dense canopy above began to choke out the sun, leaving only faint beams of light to pierce the eternal gloom. The ground grew softer, the air thicker, and the sounds of distant beasts only seemed to grow louder as they ventured deeper into the unknown. The Razorfang Panther, now fully bonded with Raine, trotted loyally beside him. Despite its initial hesitance, it seemed to have accepted him as its alpha, a bond formed in the depths of trust.
The Encounter with the Duskling Stalkers
On the fourth day, a strange unease settled over the convoy. The air felt oppressive, and the silence seemed unnatural. The trees, with their blackened trunks and twisted branches, loomed like silent sentinels. It wasn't long before the first signs of trouble appeared.
One of the academy's scouts, a young mage named Nyla, raised her hand to signal danger. Her eyes were wide with alarm as she peered into the gloom ahead.
"I see something moving in the shadows..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
Raine's hand instinctively moved to his satchel, fingers brushing against the vial that contained the calming essence for taming beasts. He had already faced a multitude of creatures, but the tension in the air suggested this wasn't going to be a simple encounter.
From the shadows emerged figures—half-human, half-shadow. Their skin was a sickly grey, their eyes glowing a faint red as they stalked the convoy from all sides.
"Duskling Stalkers..." the guide muttered under his breath. "A deadly breed of shadow beasts. Silent, quick, and relentless."
The Duskling Stalkers moved with an eerie grace, their movements too fluid to be fully human. They melted into the darkness and reappeared only to strike with deadly precision. Raine's Drakonid growled in warning, its body coiling and preparing to strike at the first sign of danger.
The convoy was surrounded.
A Test of Skills and Patience
Raine's mind raced. He could hear the Duskling Stalkers' whispers growing louder, their low growls reverberating in the thickening air. They were getting closer.
His eyes locked on the panther beside him, its muscles tense, its claws ready to shred through anything in its path. Yet Raine held his ground. He needed to think, to strategize. Taming these beasts wasn't just about raw strength; it was about control, patience, and trust.
"Drakonid," Raine murmured softly, his eyes never leaving the shadows. "Cover me. Panther, stay alert."
The Drakonid's glowing eyes narrowed, and it leaped into the fray, its body a blur as it barreled through the first Duskling Stalker that emerged from the dark. The beast was sent flying, its eerie screech echoing through the Wilds. The other Stalkers hesitated, their movements slowing for a moment, as though confused by the sudden attack.
Raine seized the opportunity. He quickly reached for the essence vial, uncorking it and releasing a faint mist into the air. The panther, understanding its role, leapt forward, its growl reverberating through the trees. It darted between Raine and the Duskling Stalkers, its eyes blazing with a strange, otherworldly fire.
The creatures hesitated again, their red eyes flickering with hesitation. Raine's focus sharpened. He extended his hand, his voice commanding yet calm.
"Stay back. You do not want to face me."
The Duskling Stalkers paused, their movements stilling as they seemed to wrestle with the conflicting emotions the essence of Raine's magic invoked. The air grew heavy, thick with tension as the beasts swirled in a state of indecision. Raine knew he couldn't hold them back forever. His power over beasts was great, but these were creatures of darkness—beasts that thrived in uncertainty.
"Drakonid, stay sharp. Panther, stay close," Raine ordered.
With a sudden burst of energy, the Duskling Stalkers made their move. Raine's Drakonid was quick to intercept the first wave, its claws slashing through the air. Raine's panther was right beside him, a blur of motion as it sank its claws into the nearest stalker. However, despite the violence of the fight, Raine could sense an opportunity. He didn't want to destroy these creatures; he wanted to tame them, to understand them.
The Choice
Amid the chaos, Raine did something unexpected. He reached for the ground, feeling the vibrations of the Earth beneath his fingertips. He focused on the shadows surrounding him, his mind weaving a thread of calm through the turmoil. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the Duskling Stalkers' movements slowed.
The creatures' eerie growls became quieter, less threatening. Their glowing eyes dimmed as they began to circle Raine, intrigued by the sudden shift in energy. The Drakonid and the panther stood in place, their fierce stances softened by Raine's command. The tension in the air began to dissipate, and for a moment, all was still.
Then, without warning, one of the Stalkers lunged forward. It was no longer an attack—it was an invitation. Its eyes locked with Raine's, and Raine could see it clearly now. The creature wasn't attacking. It was testing him, seeking his leadership. The bond was fragile, but it was there.
"You want to join me?" Raine asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Duskling Stalker's ears flicked, and it took another hesitant step forward. Raine's heart raced, but he remained still, a picture of calm authority.
"If you're willing to trust me, then welcome to the fold."
With that, Raine extended his hand toward the beast, and in a move that felt like an eternity, the Duskling Stalker lowered its head, allowing Raine to gently place his hand on its fur.
The bond was forged.
A New Beginning
As the night passed, the rest of the convoy, though still on edge, seemed to relax. The Duskling Stalkers, now subdued and controlled, had retreated back into the shadows. Raine stood, his eyes never leaving the creature that now walked beside him.
"A four-star beast," Kalen muttered as he approached. "I didn't expect you to tame one of them. How do you do it?"
Raine gave a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Patience. Understanding. And knowing when to act."
Kalen glanced at the creature that now walked at Raine's side, its once menacing demeanor now one of submission. "You've got a way with beasts, Raine. It's not just magic. It's something more."
Raine's gaze hardened as he glanced back into the dark depths of the Wilds. "We've only scratched the surface. And I have a feeling... this journey is about to become a lot more complicated."
To be continued…