The morning air was sharp as Azhaan adjusted the straps of his pack, standing at the edge of the trail that led down toward the Verdantwilds. The Spire loomed behind him, its golden chains glinting faintly in the early sunlight. Below, the forests stretched like a green ocean, the treetops swaying slightly in the mountain breeze.
Kaela stood a few paces away, her arms crossed as Lirian perched on her shoulder. The celestial dragon's wings shimmered faintly, its sharp amber eyes watching Azhaan closely.
"You're sure about this?" Kaela asked, her voice even but tinged with something Azhaan couldn't quite place.
"Not really," Azhaan admitted, glancing at the path ahead. "But Shade needs that Lunar Bloom, and sitting around here won't do us any good."
Shade growled softly at his side, the bond between them pulsing with quiet determination.
Kaela exhaled, running a hand through her silver hair. "You're reckless, you know that?"
Azhaan smirked faintly. "Reckless gets things done."
Kaela shook her head, but her expression softened. "Just don't get yourself killed. I didn't drag you all the way here just to watch you throw it all away."
Azhaan frowned, tilting his head slightly. "You keep saying things like that. Why are you helping me so much, Kaela? You barely knew me when we met, but you've stuck around, even when you didn't have to."
Kaela hesitated, her gaze shifting toward the horizon. For a moment, she seemed almost… vulnerable.
"When I first saw you in Stonebridge," she began, her voice quieter than usual, "you reminded me of someone I knew. Someone I couldn't save."
Azhaan blinked, caught off guard by her candor. "Someone you couldn't save?"
Kaela nodded, her jaw tightening. "My younger brother, Alric. He was a tamer too—bright, stubborn, full of potential. But he was too eager, always pushing himself too far, too fast. One day, he took a job he wasn't ready for. I told him not to go, but he didn't listen."
Her voice wavered slightly, and Lirian let out a soft chirp, nuzzling her shoulder.
"The guild found what was left of him three days later," Kaela continued, her tone steadier now. "He and his beast were overwhelmed by corrupted creatures. If he'd just waited… if he'd let someone help him…" She shook her head, her silver hair catching the light.
Azhaan swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over him. "Kaela, I—"
"I'm not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me," Kaela interrupted, her gaze snapping back to him. "I'm telling you because I see the same fire in you that I saw in him. And I'm not about to let you make the same mistakes."
Azhaan stared at her, unsure of what to say. For all her teasing and tough exterior, Kaela's words carried a raw honesty that left him speechless.
"Now," she said, straightening and stepping closer. "I'm not going with you, but I'll be damned if I let you go unprepared."
She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small, polished stone that shimmered faintly with a golden hue.
"This is a Recall Stone," she explained, pressing it into his hand. "If things go south, crush it. It'll bring you back to the Spire instantly. It's a one-time use, so don't waste it."
Azhaan nodded, clutching the stone tightly. "Thank you."
Kaela smirked faintly, the vulnerability from earlier fading as her usual confidence returned. "Don't make me regret this."
Into the Verdantwilds
The trail leading into the Verdantwilds was steep and winding, the dense canopy above filtering the sunlight into dappled patches on the forest floor. The air was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, mingled with the occasional distant roar of a beast.
Azhaan moved cautiously, his senses on high alert. Shade prowled beside him, its red eyes scanning the surroundings with practiced precision. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a steady rhythm that kept Azhaan grounded.
The forest felt alive in a way that Stonebridge never had. The trees were massive, their trunks covered in glowing moss that shimmered faintly in the shadows. Streams of liquid light crisscrossed the ground, their soft hums adding to the forest's otherworldly ambiance.
Azhaan paused by one of the streams, crouching to examine it more closely. The liquid seemed to shift and swirl like molten silver, and he could feel the faint pull of magic radiating from it.
"This place is incredible," he muttered, glancing at Shade.
The Shadow Stalker growled softly, its ears twitching as it stared into the trees.
Azhaan frowned, his hand drifting to the hilt of his dagger. "What is it?"
Shade's growl deepened, the bond between them pulsing with a sharp warning.
A rustling sound came from the underbrush ahead, and Azhaan tensed as a small, fox-like creature emerged. Its fur was a deep crimson, and its eyes glowed faintly with a golden light.
The creature tilted its head, watching Azhaan curiously.
"Is it dangerous?" Azhaan whispered, his grip tightening on his dagger.
Shade didn't growl this time, but the bond hummed with caution.
The fox-like creature let out a soft yip, its tail swishing behind it. Then, without warning, it darted into the underbrush, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
"Well, that was… weird," Azhaan muttered, lowering his dagger.
Shade let out a low growl, its tail flicking in irritation.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll stay alert," Azhaan said, rolling his eyes.
The First Encounter
As the day wore on, the trail grew less defined, the dense undergrowth making progress slower. The sunlight filtering through the canopy had taken on a golden hue, signaling the approach of evening.
Azhaan's muscles ached, and his pack felt heavier with every step. He paused by a small clearing, dropping his pack and leaning against a tree to catch his breath.
Shade prowled the edge of the clearing, its movements fluid and silent.
"We should set up camp soon," Azhaan said, glancing at the darkening sky.
Before Shade could respond, a guttural snarl echoed through the clearing.
Azhaan froze, his heart pounding as a massive, wolf-like beast emerged from the shadows. Its fur was black and matted, its eyes glowing a sickly green.
"Corrupted," Azhaan muttered, gripping his dagger tightly.
The beast snarled again, baring its jagged teeth as it lunged toward him.
"Shade, now!" Azhaan shouted.
The Shadow Stalker moved instantly, intercepting the creature with a feral snarl of its own. The two beasts collided, their claws and fangs flashing in the dim light.
Azhaan felt the bond surge with adrenaline as he moved to the edge of the clearing, searching for an opening.
The fight had begun, and there was no turning back.