Kael awoke to the sound of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. The sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light over the small clearing where he and the beast had taken refuge. His body ached from the previous night's battle, every muscle sore from the unrelenting tension.
The beast lay nearby, its massive form curled protectively around him. Its silver fur was matted with dried blood, though it seemed unbothered by its wounds. Kael sat up slowly, the events of the night flooding back into his mind. The watchers, the bond, the surge of power he still didn't fully understand—it was all too much.
The beast's eyes flicked open, glowing faintly in the morning light. It rumbled low in its throat, a sound that Kael had come to recognize as reassurance.
"Morning," Kael muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Guess we made it through the night."
The beast's gaze lingered on him for a moment before it rose to its feet, shaking out its fur. The motion sent a cloud of dust and loose fur flying, and Kael coughed, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Thanks for that," he said dryly.
The beast snorted, and Kael could've sworn it was amused.
They set off shortly after, following the faint trail that wound deeper into the Wilds. The forest had grown quieter, the usual hum of life replaced by an uneasy stillness. It felt as though the Wilds themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen.
Kael's grip tightened on his spear as they walked. The battle had proven one thing—his enemies wouldn't stop until they claimed the bond. But who were they really? And why was the bond so important?
The questions gnawed at him, but there were no answers to be found in the silence of the forest.
By midday, they reached a rocky outcrop that overlooked a sprawling valley. The sight took Kael's breath away. The valley stretched out before them, its lush greenery interrupted by patches of shimmering blue lakes and winding rivers. In the distance, a jagged mountain range loomed, its peaks hidden by swirling clouds.
The beast stepped forward, its gaze fixed on the mountains.
"Is that where we're going?" Kael asked, following its line of sight.
The beast didn't respond, but Kael felt a faint tug in his chest—a pull toward the mountains that he couldn't ignore.
"Figures," he muttered. "It's never the easy path, is it?"
The beast turned its head to look at him, and Kael sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
They descended into the valley, the trail growing narrower and more treacherous. The air grew colder as they approached the base of the mountains, and the sense of unease that had been lingering since morning intensified.
Kael's steps faltered as a low hum reached his ears. It was faint at first, almost imperceptible, but it grew steadily louder the closer they got to the mountains.
"What is that?" he murmured, glancing at the beast.
The beast growled softly, its ears flattening against its skull. It was a warning.
Kael tightened his grip on his spear, his heart pounding. The hum was unlike anything he'd ever heard—deep and resonant, vibrating through the ground beneath his feet.
The trail opened up into a small clearing, and Kael froze.
At the center of the clearing stood a massive stone monolith, its surface etched with strange symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. Surrounding it were figures cloaked in shadow, their faces hidden beneath hoods.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. There were at least a dozen of them, far more than the three watchers he'd faced the night before.
One of the figures turned, and Kael felt the weight of its gaze even though its face was hidden.
"The boy has come," it said, its voice echoing unnaturally.
Kael took a step back, his pulse racing. The beast moved to stand beside him, its fur bristling.
"You've ventured far, Kael," the figure continued, stepping closer. "But your journey ends here. The bond is not meant for you. Surrender it, and we may yet spare your life."
Kael swallowed hard, his palms slick with sweat. "Not a chance."
The figure tilted its head. "You are brave, but foolish. The bond is not a gift. It is a curse. You will not survive its burden."
"I'll take my chances," Kael said, forcing his voice to stay steady.
The figure sighed, as though disappointed. "So be it."
The cloaked figures moved as one, their forms blurring as they rushed toward Kael and the beast. The amulet around Kael's neck flared to life, its light pushing back the shadows.
Kael raised his spear, his movements guided by the bond. He could feel the beast's strength coursing through him, its instincts sharpening his own. Together, they fought with a precision and ferocity that surprised even Kael.
But the enemies were relentless. For every figure they struck down, another seemed to take its place. Kael's arms burned with exhaustion, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
The beast roared, its claws tearing through one of the cloaked figures. But the victory was short-lived. One of the attackers slipped past, its blade slicing toward Kael.
Kael barely managed to block the strike, the force of the impact knocking him off balance. He stumbled, falling to one knee.
"Kael!"
The voice wasn't his own, and it wasn't the beast's. It was soft and clear, cutting through the chaos like a ray of light.
Kael looked up, his eyes widening.
A figure stood at the edge of the clearing, bathed in a golden glow. It was a woman, her long hair flowing like liquid sunlight. Her eyes locked onto Kael's, filled with a mixture of determination and urgency.
"Stand up," she said, her voice steady. "The bond chose you for a reason. Don't let it break you."
Kael felt a surge of strength at her words. He pushed himself to his feet, the amulet's light flaring brighter. The attackers hesitated, their movements faltering.
The woman raised her hand, and a wave of golden light swept across the clearing. The cloaked figures recoiled, their forms dissolving into shadow as the light consumed them.
When the light faded, the clearing was silent once more.
Kael turned to the woman, his chest heaving. "Who… who are you?"
She stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "A friend. And if you want to survive, you'll need more than just the bond. You'll need me."
The beast growled softly, but Kael held up a hand to calm it. He didn't trust her—not yet—but something about her felt familiar, as though they were connected in some way.
"Then you'd better keep up," Kael said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion.
The woman smiled faintly. "I intend to."
As they set off toward the mountains, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning—and that the bond was far more than he'd ever imagined.