The convoy rumbled forward, its pace steady as it departed from the protective walls of the royal city. Raine Evernight Valthorn sat inside one of the reinforced carriages, his arms crossed as he observed the passing landscape. The familiarity of the lush green plains and winding rivers would soon give way to the treacherous terrain of the Ashen Wilds—a land shrouded in danger and mystery.
His Drakonid walked alongside the carriage, its gait a mixture of feline grace and reptilian power. The shadow beast lingered out of sight, blending seamlessly with the dark corners of the carriage's interior, its presence like a silent guardian.
The convoy was composed of a mix of academy representatives, royal guards, and scholars. Each had their reasons for venturing into the Ashen Wilds, though Raine suspected that only a handful truly understood the risks.
A Briefing Under the Stars
As night fell, the convoy set up camp. The flickering light of the bonfires cast dancing shadows across the gathered group, lending an air of solemnity to the evening. Raine sat with a small group of students and scholars, listening intently to an experienced adventurer hired to guide them.
"The Ashen Wilds isn't like any place you've studied," the guide began, his voice rough but steady. "It's a place where the laws of magic and nature twist and overlap. You'll find beasts there that defy classification, plants that can kill with a touch, and landscapes that shift with no warning."
The guide's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Raine for a moment. "If you think you're prepared, you're not. Stay alert, stay together, and never—never—let your guard down."
Conversations in the Dark
Later that night, Raine sat by a smaller fire, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Kalen joined him, holding two steaming cups of herbal tea.
"You've been quiet all day," Kalen said, handing Raine a cup.
"Just thinking," Raine replied, accepting the tea with a nod. "There's a lot to consider. The Ashen Wilds isn't just dangerous—it's unpredictable. I need to be ready for anything."
Kalen chuckled, though his tone was somber. "I don't envy you, Raine. You've got more on your plate than the rest of us. But if anyone can handle it, it's you."
Raine sipped his tea, the warmth calming his restless mind. "I appreciate the vote of confidence. But this isn't just about me. The beasts I've tamed, the techniques I've developed—it all has to come together out there. Failure isn't an option."
Kalen leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "You ever think about why you're doing all this? What drives you?"
Raine's gaze hardened, his voice steady. "Survival. Power. The world isn't kind to people who can't stand on their own. But more than that... I want to prove something. That Beast Taming isn't just some relic of the past. It's a force to be reckoned with."
Kalen nodded, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. "Well, if anyone can bring it back, it's you. Just don't forget to watch your own back out there."
The First Trial
By the second day, the convoy had entered the outer edges of the Ashen Wilds. The change in the environment was immediate and unnerving. The vibrant greens of the forest gave way to twisted trees with bark as black as charcoal. The air grew heavy with an unnatural stillness, broken only by the occasional distant roar of an unseen beast.
The convoy halted as the guide raised a hand, his expression tense.
"We're not alone," he said quietly.
The group fell silent, their eyes scanning the shadows. Raine's heart pounded, but he forced himself to remain calm. His Drakonid stepped forward, its scales shimmering faintly as it prepared for combat.
From the dense foliage emerged a creature unlike any Raine had ever seen. It stood over three meters tall, its body a mix of sleek fur and jagged spikes. Its eyes glowed an eerie green, and its movements were deliberate, predatory.
The guide cursed under his breath. "A Razorfang Panther. Four-star beast. This far out? Unbelievable."
The convoy braced for a fight, but Raine stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the others to hold.
"Let me handle this," he said, his voice calm but firm.
The Razorfang Panther locked eyes with Raine, its gaze filled with both curiosity and hostility. Raine's mind raced as he assessed the situation. This wasn't just a beast to defeat—it was an opportunity.
Drawing on his experience, Raine reached into his satchel and pulled out a small vial of concentrated essence he had prepared specifically for such encounters. The essence was a blend of calming herbs and faint traces of elemental energy designed to catch a beast's attention.
Raine approached slowly, his movements deliberate and unthreatening. He uncorked the vial, allowing the faint, sweet aroma to waft toward the panther. The creature paused, its ears twitching as it sniffed the air.
"That's it," Raine murmured, his voice soothing. "You're not my enemy. You're just lost, aren't you?"
The panther growled softly but didn't retreat. Raine extended his hand, holding the vial closer. The beast sniffed again, its glowing eyes flickering with a mix of suspicion and interest.
The tension in the air was palpable as the convoy watched in stunned silence. Slowly, the panther lowered its head, inching closer to Raine.
"Good," Raine whispered. "Just a little closer..."
With a sudden burst of speed, the panther lunged—not at Raine, but at the vial. Raine held his ground, his other hand ready to summon his Drakonid if needed. But the panther merely sniffed the vial, then licked it cautiously.
A moment later, it let out a low, rumbling purr, its stance relaxing.
The convoy erupted in hushed whispers as Raine carefully reached out, his hand brushing the panther's fur.
"Welcome to the team," he said with a faint smile.
A New Ally
As the convoy resumed its journey, the Razorfang Panther walked alongside Raine, its presence a mix of pride and loyalty.
Kalen approached, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "You just tamed a four-star beast like it was nothing. Do you ever stop surprising people?"
Raine smirked. "It's not about surprises. It's about understanding. Every beast has a story. You just have to listen."
Unbeknownst to the group, the Razorfang Panther wasn't just a four-star beast. Hidden within its lineage was the potential to evolve into a seven-star mythical predator. Raine kept that detail to himself, knowing it would serve as a trump card in the battles to come.
To be continued...