The snarling of the corrupted beasts echoed through the clearing, their glowing green eyes locked on Azhaan and Shade. The cloaked figure behind them remained motionless, as if silently commanding their pets to attack.
Kaela stepped forward, blade drawn, her expression sharp. "Stay behind me, Azhaan," she said, her voice low and steady.
"I can fight," Azhaan replied, gripping the dagger she'd given him.
Kaela glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. "Not against these. Watch Shade, follow its lead, and don't get killed."
Shade let out a low growl, its sleek black form lowering into a crouch. Azhaan felt the bond between them hum in his chest, a mixture of anticipation and determination.
The first corrupted beast lunged.
Shade moved like a shadow, darting to meet the creature mid-air. The two beasts collided in a tangle of claws and fangs, their growls filling the air. The second beast charged straight for Kaela, but she sidestepped its attack, delivering a clean slash across its side.
Azhaan stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by the chaos. The cloaked figure raised their hand, and a ripple of dark energy seemed to spread through the clearing, making the corrupted beasts even more frenzied.
"Azhaan!" Kaela shouted, her voice snapping him out of his daze.
He turned just in time to see the second beast break away from Kaela, its glowing green eyes locking onto him. His stomach dropped as it charged, its claws tearing into the ground with every step.
Shade intercepted, slamming into the beast and knocking it off course. Azhaan felt the bond surge with adrenaline as Shade growled, its claws raking across the creature's side.
"Help it, Azhaan!" Kaela yelled.
Heart pounding, Azhaan darted forward. The corrupted beast turned its attention to him, baring its teeth in a snarl. He dodged its swipe, stumbling slightly, and drove his dagger into its exposed side. The beast howled, and Shade pounced, finishing it with a swift slash to the neck.
Azhaan staggered back, chest heaving, as the beast crumpled to the ground.
Kaela finished off the first beast with a precise strike to its throat, then turned her attention to the cloaked figure. "You've lost. Leave, now."
The figure didn't respond. Instead, they raised their hand again, and their body seemed to dissolve into the shadows, vanishing into the forest.
Kaela sheathed her blade, her expression grim. "They'll be back," she said quietly.
Alira crossed her arms, her plant beast hissing softly. "We scared them off this time, but that won't last. Whoever they are, they're not going to give up."
Azhaan sank to the ground, his hands trembling. Shade padded over to him, its red eyes meeting his as it pressed its head against his shoulder.
"We made it," Azhaan murmured, his voice shaky.
"Barely," Kaela said, crouching beside him. "You need to be faster, smarter. Shade's strong, but it can't carry you through every fight."
Azhaan nodded, still catching his breath. "I'll do better," he said quietly.
The group pressed on, eager to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the ambush site. The forest grew denser as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the path.
When they finally stopped to rest for the night, Kaela set up a small fire while Alira scouted the area. Azhaan sat nearby, staring into the flames. The fight replayed in his mind over and over—the snarls of the beasts, the surge of energy from Shade, the weight of the dagger in his hand.
"You did well," Kaela said, breaking the silence.
Azhaan glanced at her, surprised. "I froze."
"You hesitated," Kaela corrected. "That's different. You still acted when it counted."
Alira returned, dropping into a seat beside them. "She's right, rookie. You're not dead, which means you're doing something right. Just don't get cocky."
Azhaan let out a faint chuckle. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
Shade lay curled at his feet, its breathing slow and steady. Azhaan reached down, running his fingers through its fur. "You did great out there," he said softly. Shade let out a low growl, leaning into his touch.
Kaela leaned back, her gaze fixed on the fire. "Skyreach isn't far now. A day or two, if we keep a good pace. Once we're there, things will change."
"What do you mean?" Azhaan asked.
"The academy's not like Stonebridge," Kaela replied. "It's full of tamers—strong ones. And not all of them will welcome you. The guilds have their own politics, their own rules, and you're going to stand out whether you like it or not."
Azhaan stared into the flames, her words sinking in. He already felt like he didn't belong in this world. How was he supposed to survive in a place like Skyreach?
"You'll figure it out," Kaela said, as if reading his thoughts. "You've got potential, Azhaan. You just need to prove it—to yourself, more than anyone else."
The next morning, the group set out early, the crisp mountain air growing cooler as they climbed higher. The peaks of the Skyreach Mountains loomed closer, their jagged silhouettes cutting against the clear blue sky.
Azhaan walked in silence, his thoughts focused on the academy ahead. The fight had shaken him, but it had also taught him something important. He wasn't alone. Shade was with him, and so were Kaela and Alira.
For the first time since arriving in Aetheris, he felt a flicker of determination.
Skyreach Spire was waiting.
And he was ready to face whatever came next.