The air within the Spire shifted subtly as the hours passed. Azhaan had returned to his dormitory, the faint echo of the Foundry's hammering still ringing faintly in his ears. The quiet hum of activity above and below him felt both alien and comforting—a reminder of the strange world he now called home.
Shade was sprawled near the window, its glowing red eyes fixed on the bustling city below. The streets were alive with movement, tamers accompanied by their beasts as they went about their business. Lanterns suspended on intricate chains lit the paths in a soft, magical glow, and the faint hum of mana-infused contraptions filled the air.
Azhaan sat at his desk, turning the Shadow Obsidian over in his hands. Its jagged surface seemed to absorb the dim light, pulsing faintly with energy. The stone felt alive, a fragment of something far older than he could comprehend.
"Why does everything in this world feel like a test?" he muttered aloud.
Shade let out a low growl, its tail flicking lazily. Azhaan glanced at the beast, feeling the bond between them pulse with faint amusement.
"You think it's funny?" Azhaan asked, smirking. "I'm the one doing all the work here."
The Shadow Stalker rose slowly, stretching its sleek frame before padding over to him. Its red eyes locked onto the Shadow Obsidian, and for a moment, Azhaan felt a surge of connection through their bond—a quiet yet undeniable sense of approval.
"You like this thing, don't you?" Azhaan said softly, holding the stone up to the light. "Guess that means we're on the right track."
Shade tilted its head, the faint glow in its eyes shifting like embers.
Azhaan leaned back in his chair, the weight of the day settling over him. His thoughts drifted to the auction, the cloaked figure, and the Moonlit Ember that had slipped through his grasp. The frustration still lingered, a quiet ache that refused to fade.
"What do you think they're planning?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shade didn't respond, but the bond between them pulsed faintly, a mix of curiosity and caution flowing through the connection.
Azhaan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, me neither."
The next morning, Azhaan made his way back to the workshop wing. The corridors were quieter than usual, the faint hum of activity muted by the early hour.
The workshop itself was nearly empty, save for a few students hunched over their projects. At the far end of the room, Instructor Miren stood by a table laden with vials, shards, and various tools. Her crystalline serpent coiled lazily around her shoulders, its glittering scales catching the morning light.
Azhaan hesitated at the entrance, but Shade nudged his leg, urging him forward.
"Ah, the rookie returns," Miren said without looking up from her work. Her voice was calm, yet there was an edge to it that demanded attention. "What brings you back so soon?"
Azhaan stepped closer, holding up the Shadow Obsidian. "I wanted to ask about this. You said it needs something like a Lunar Bloom or a Starfire Shard to balance its energy. Where would I even find those?"
Miren glanced at the stone, her sharp gaze appraising it before shifting to Azhaan. "Shadow Obsidian is powerful, but volatile. If you try to use it on its own, you'll destabilize the evolution process. A Lunar Bloom would stabilize the shadow energy, while a Starfire Shard would amplify it without compromising control."
Azhaan frowned. "And where do I get those?"
Miren smirked faintly. "Lunar Blooms are rare, but not impossible to find. They grow in areas rich with moonlight, usually in the higher elevations of the Verdantwilds. As for a Starfire Shard… you'd need to venture to the Ashen Crags."
"The Ashen Crags?" Azhaan asked, his brow furrowing.
"A volcanic region to the east," Miren explained. "Dangerous, volatile, and crawling with Emberfang Drakes. Perfect for gathering materials like Starfire Shards—if you survive."
Azhaan swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over him. "Sounds… doable."
Miren raised an eyebrow. "Bold. But foolish. You're not ready for the Crags, rookie. Start with the Verdantwilds. If you're lucky, you might even find a Lunar Bloom within the safe zones."
Azhaan nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'll figure it out."
Miren studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But remember this—evolution isn't just about gathering materials. It's about understanding your beast, their nature, their limits. If you rush this, you'll do more harm than good."
Azhaan glanced at Shade, who was watching the exchange with its usual, piercing gaze. "I won't rush," he said firmly.
Miren's smirk returned. "Good. Because if you fail, I won't be the one cleaning up the mess."
Back in his dormitory, Azhaan spread out a small map Kaela had given him across the desk. The Verdantwilds were marked to the south, their sprawling forests stretching across the lower reaches of the Skyreach Mountains.
"Lunar Blooms, huh?" Azhaan muttered, tracing a path along the map.
Shade growled softly, its tail flicking against the floor. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a mix of anticipation and caution.
"You're excited, aren't you?" Azhaan said, smirking. "Figures. You get to do all the fun stuff, and I'm stuck with the worrying."
Shade let out a low huff, its red eyes glinting with faint amusement.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Kaela stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
"You're heading to the Verdantwilds, aren't you?" she said, her tone more a statement than a question.
Azhaan nodded. "I need a Lunar Bloom for Shade's evolution. Miren said it's my best bet."
Kaela crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "It's dangerous out there, even in the safe zones. You'll need more than Shade's claws and your dagger to make it back in one piece."
Azhaan raised an eyebrow. "You offering to come along?"
Kaela smirked. "Not this time. But I can help you prepare."
She tossed a small pouch onto the desk. Azhaan opened it to find a handful of glowing crystals, their energy warm and steady.
"Mana shards," Kaela explained. "Use them sparingly—they'll give you a burst of energy in a fight, but they're not a substitute for strategy."
Azhaan nodded, tucking the pouch into his pack. "Thanks, Kaela."
"Don't thank me yet," she said, her expression serious. "The Verdantwilds are unpredictable. Stick to the paths, and don't take unnecessary risks. And if you run into trouble, don't hesitate to run. Survival comes first."
Azhaan nodded, her words settling like a weight on his chest. The journey ahead was uncertain, but he felt a spark of determination in his chest.
He glanced at Shade, who was already standing, its body tense with readiness.
"We've got this," Azhaan said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
Shade growled in agreement, and the bond between them pulsed with quiet resolve.