The tension in the room was thick enough to cut. Azhaan could feel the cold sweat trailing down his back as the cloaked figures fanned out, blocking every possible escape route. Their leader, a tall man with a jagged scar running across his jaw, stepped closer, his hand resting on the hilt of a curved blade.
"You're making a mistake," the man said, his voice low and dangerous. "Step aside, girl. The boy comes with us."
Kaela's stance didn't waver, her amber eyes blazing with defiance. Lirian hissed from her shoulder, its crystalline wings flaring wide as it prepared to strike. "If you want him, you'll have to go through me," she replied coolly.
Azhaan's heart pounded in his chest. He wasn't sure if he was more terrified by the cloaked figures or awed by Kaela's unwavering confidence. The Shadow Stalker let out a guttural growl, lowering itself into a predatory crouch as its glowing red eyes locked onto the intruders.
The scarred man snorted, pulling his blade from its sheath. The steel gleamed faintly, etched with runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. "Have it your way," he said. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed the blade at Kaela. "Take them."
The room erupted into chaos.
Two of the cloaked figures lunged at Kaela, their own weapons glinting in the firelight. She moved like water, her blade flashing in quick, precise arcs. Lirian swooped from her shoulder, unleashing a burst of dazzling light that blinded their attackers.
Azhaan barely had time to process what was happening before another figure charged at him. Panic surged through him, and he stumbled backward, tripping over a chair. The Shadow Stalker leapt into action, phasing through the air like a wisp of smoke. It reappeared behind the attacker, its fangs sinking into their arm with a vicious snarl.
The attacker screamed, their weapon clattering to the floor as they tried to shake the beast off. Azhaan scrambled to his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "What do they want with me?!" he shouted, ducking as another cloaked figure swung a blade at him.
Kaela, mid-parry, shouted back, "Probably the same thing everyone else will want—answers!"
"What kind of answers?!"
"The kind you don't have yet!"
Azhaan gritted his teeth as he narrowly dodged another attack. The Shadow Stalker reappeared at his side, its glowing eyes fixated on the enemies. For a moment, their gazes met, and Azhaan felt something strange—a flicker of understanding, almost like the creature was waiting for his command.
"Uh… do something!" he shouted, pointing at the advancing attackers.
The Shadow Stalker growled, leaping into the fray with startling speed. It darted between the enemies, phasing in and out of shadows as it struck, leaving a trail of confusion and panic in its wake.
Kaela made quick work of her opponents, her blade moving in a blur. She sidestepped an incoming strike, twisting her weapon to disarm her attacker before knocking them out with the hilt. Lirian dove at another, its crystalline wings slashing through their cloak.
"Azhaan, stay close!" Kaela called, glancing over her shoulder.
"I'm trying!" he replied, narrowly avoiding yet another swing.
The fight wasn't going in the intruders' favor. Two of them were already down, groaning on the floor, while the rest were struggling to keep up with Kaela and the Shadow Stalker.
The scarred leader growled in frustration. "Enough of this!" he barked. He raised his hand, and a burst of dark energy shot from his palm, slamming into the Shadow Stalker. The beast yelped as it was thrown across the room, crashing into the far wall.
"No!" Azhaan shouted, rushing toward the creature.
Kaela stepped in front of him, blocking another strike from the scarred man. "Don't lose focus!" she snapped.
Azhaan glanced at the Shadow Stalker, which was slowly getting back to its feet. Its red eyes glowed brighter than ever, and it let out a guttural snarl that sent shivers down his spine.
"Your beast isn't strong enough to save you," the scarred man sneered, his blade glowing with dark energy. "Surrender now, and I might let you live."
Azhaan clenched his fists, his fear giving way to anger. "I don't know what you want from me, but I'm not going anywhere with you!"
The scarred man laughed. "You think you have a choice?" He raised his blade, the runes along its edge flaring to life. "You're just a rookie with a cursed beast. You don't stand a chance."
Azhaan's mark flared suddenly, sending a searing heat up his arm. He gasped, clutching it as a strange sensation washed over him—like a pulse of energy radiating outward.
The Shadow Stalker roared, its form shifting as dark tendrils of shadow coiled around it. The air in the room grew heavy, and even Kaela froze, her eyes wide with shock.
"What… is that?" the scarred man muttered, taking an uneasy step back.
Azhaan didn't understand what was happening, but he could feel the bond between him and the Shadow Stalker strengthening. It wasn't just a beast—it was part of him now, and the mark on his arm was the proof.
The Shadow Stalker lunged at the scarred man with a ferocity Azhaan hadn't seen before. Its tendrils lashed out, forcing the man to block frantically with his blade. Kaela seized the moment, sweeping her leg under another attacker and disarming them with a swift strike.
Within moments, the tide of the battle shifted. The remaining intruders retreated, dragging their injured comrades with them. The scarred man glared at Azhaan, his expression dark.
"This isn't over," he growled. "You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, boy."
With that, he and his group disappeared into the shadows, leaving the room in shambles.
Azhaan sank to the floor, his chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. The Shadow Stalker padded over to him, its red eyes softening as it nudged his arm.
Kaela sheathed her blade, exhaling slowly. "You've got a lot of explaining to do," she said, her tone serious.
Azhaan looked up at her, still shaken. "I don't even know where to start."
Kaela sat down across from him, her expression unreadable. "Then we'll start with what we know. Whoever those people were, they're after you—and they're not going to stop. If you want to survive, you're going to have to learn fast."
Azhaan glanced at the Shadow Stalker, its glowing eyes unwavering. He didn't know what he'd gotten himself into, but one thing was clear—he couldn't face it alone.