Azhaan's arm throbbed, the glowing mark seared into his skin pulsing faintly with light. He clutched it instinctively, his breath still coming in uneven gasps. The Shadow Stalker stood by his side now, its glowing red eyes scanning the crowd as if daring anyone to approach.
"What… just happened?" Azhaan finally managed, his voice hoarse.
Kaela stepped closer, though her posture was tense. Her dragon companion, Lirian, let out a low, uneasy chirp. "That wasn't normal," she said, her tone sharp. "Shadow Stalkers are wild, untamable creatures. They don't bond with anyone—at least, not willingly."
Azhaan's head spun. "Then why did it bond with me?"
Kaela stared at him for a moment, her amber eyes narrowing. "That's what I'd like to know."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, a mix of fear and curiosity rippling through the square. Azhaan caught snippets of their whispers:
"Did you see that mark? It glowed…"
"A Shadow Stalker—bonded? Impossible!"
"Who is this guy?"
Garrick, the burly adventurer who had mocked Azhaan earlier, stepped forward with a scowl. "I don't know what kind of trick you pulled, rookie, but bonding with a cursed beast like that? You're either crazy or really unlucky."
Azhaan bristled. "I didn't exactly have a choice!"
"That's enough," Kaela said sharply, silencing Garrick with a glare. She turned back to Azhaan, her expression softening slightly. "We need to get you out of here. People are going to start asking questions—questions you might not want to answer in public."
Azhaan hesitated, glancing at the Shadow Stalker. The creature seemed calm now, its movements fluid and deliberate as it stood protectively beside him. "What about… it?"
"It's bonded to you now," Kaela said matter-of-factly. "Wherever you go, it'll follow. Come on."
She motioned for him to follow, her tone leaving no room for argument. Azhaan reluctantly fell into step behind her, the Shadow Stalker padding silently at his side.
The streets of Ashenfield grew quieter as they moved away from the bustling square, weaving through narrow alleys and past rows of brightly lit shops. The runes etched into the wooden buildings glowed faintly, casting an ethereal light that painted everything in shades of blue and gold.
Kaela led him to a modest building on the edge of town. A wooden sign hung above the door, depicting a tamer with their beast—likely a safe haven for adventurers. She pushed the door open and gestured for Azhaan to enter.
Inside, the room was cozy but worn. A crackling fireplace cast flickering shadows across the walls, and the air smelled faintly of herbs and smoke. Kaela motioned for Azhaan to sit at a table near the hearth.
"Alright," she said, crossing her arms as Lirian perched on her shoulder. "Start talking. Who are you, and how did you manage to bond with that thing?"
Azhaan hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "My name's Azhaan. I'm… not from around here."
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "That much is obvious. But you're going to have to be more specific."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know how I got here. One minute I was on Earth, living my normal life, and the next thing I know, I'm in a glowing meadow with some… giant mist guy telling me I'm 'chosen.'"
Kaela blinked, her expression unreadable. "Earth?"
"It's where I'm from. A different world, I guess." He shrugged helplessly. "The mist guy—whoever he was—said something about me being 'different' and having to prove myself. Then I ended up here."
Kaela frowned, her eyes flicking to the glowing mark on his arm. "And the System? Did it say anything?"
"The System?" Azhaan asked, confused.
Kaela stared at him for a moment before realization dawned. "You don't know how the System works, do you?"
"I don't even know what the System is," Azhaan admitted.
Kaela pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath. "Of course. A complete rookie with no idea what he's doing bonds with a Shadow Stalker. Because why not?"
Azhaan bristled. "Look, I didn't ask for any of this, alright? I'm just trying to figure it out as I go."
Kaela sighed, her expression softening. "Alright. Here's the basics. The System is… well, it's how tamers operate. It gives us quests, tracks our progress, and helps us bond with beasts. It's different for everyone, but it's essential if you want to survive in Aetheris."
Azhaan frowned. "So, it's like a game?"
"Not exactly," Kaela replied. "It's tied to the magic of this world, and it doesn't always make sense. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn't. And sometimes…" Her voice trailed off, her expression darkening.
"Sometimes what?" Azhaan pressed.
"Sometimes it asks for things you're not ready to give," she said quietly.
The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them.
Before Azhaan could respond, the Shadow Stalker let out a low growl, its ears swiveling toward the door. Kaela's hand flew to her blade, and Lirian's crystalline wings flared.
"What is it?" Azhaan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kaela didn't answer. She moved to the window, peering out into the darkened street. After a moment, she turned back, her expression grim.
"We've got company," she said.
Azhaan's stomach twisted. "What kind of company?"
Kaela drew her blade, its edge gleaming faintly with magical energy. "The kind that doesn't ask questions."
The door burst open, and a group of figures clad in dark cloaks stormed in. Their faces were obscured, but the sigils on their armor marked them as tamers. One of them stepped forward, their voice cold and commanding.
"Hand over the boy," they demanded.
Azhaan's heart raced as the Shadow Stalker stepped in front of him, baring its fangs. Kaela tightened her grip on her blade, her expression unyielding.
"Not a chance," she said.