Chapter 2: Welcome to the Wilds
Greg's head was still spinning. His conversation with Alden had left him more confused than ever. A Rift Walker? A Beast Tamer? Whatever that meant, he still couldn't wrap his mind around it. He was still processing the shock of being yanked from his couch and thrown into a world he couldn't even begin to understand.
He glanced at the griffon hatchling on his shoulder, still nibbling at his hair. It was small—about the size of a large cat—and looked more like a fluffy baby bird than anything else. But there was an undeniable energy radiating from the creature, a sense of power Greg could feel even though the griffon seemed innocent enough.
"Yeah, this is definitely my life now," Greg muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Trapped in a fantasy world with a glorified pet."
"Come along, Rift Walker," Alden said, clapping him on the back with a force that made Greg stumble forward. "Let me show you the basics of this place."
Greg gave him a sour look. "No offense, but I'm not really in the mood for a tour."
Alden, however, was undeterred. "I assure you, the sooner you get the lay of the land, the sooner you can figure out how to survive here."
The scout gestured toward the dense woods surrounding them, the sunlight filtering through the high canopies. "The forest is vast, but it's also full of dangers. There's much to learn about this world, and I'm the one who can help you understand it."
Greg reluctantly followed, trudging through the underbrush. He felt an overwhelming sense of being out of place. Every tree, every vine, every rustle of the leaves seemed alien to him. It wasn't just that the forest looked different; it felt… alive in a way he wasn't used to. The air had a faint, tingling energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Alden was talking as they walked, his voice calm and reassuring. "This world has been shaped by magic for centuries. It's a place where mythical beasts roam freely, and power flows through the land in ways you can't even imagine."
Greg wasn't really paying attention. His mind was still on the creature perched on his shoulder, pecking at his ear in an affectionate way. He shuddered. "Great," he muttered. "Just what I need. A little creature with a vendetta against my earlobes."
"You'll find that most beasts in this world are drawn to those with the Tamer's mark," Alden said, glancing sideways at Greg with a raised eyebrow. "You'll have a hard time avoiding them."
Greg froze, the words hitting him like a brick. "Wait, what? Avoiding them? I thought you said this was a peaceful world. What do you mean, drawn to me?"
Alden shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not always the case, but a Beast Tamer like you... well, you're a rare anomaly. Beasts, both wild and tamed, are instinctively attracted to you. The bond they form with you isn't something they can control. They just... find you."
Greg was about to ask more questions, but then a sudden noise interrupted him—a loud rustling coming from behind a thicket of trees. A low growl followed, followed by what sounded like a screeching howl.
Greg's heart skipped a beat. "What the hell was that?"
Alden raised a hand, signaling Greg to stay still. "Stay close. It's just the wild creatures. They're not always dangerous, but we must be cautious."
The growl grew louder, and soon, Greg could make out the shape of a large, hulking creature lumbering through the foliage. Its silhouette was massive, with thick muscles and sharp claws that glinted menacingly in the sunlight. Its glowing red eyes were locked onto them as it advanced.
Greg felt his stomach tighten. "Uh, Alden?" he whispered, voice shaking. "I don't think that's a peaceful creature."
Alden's eyes remained calm, though his hand hovered near his sword. "No, it's not. Stay behind me, and whatever you do, don't panic."
Greg's panic, however, was already in full swing. He had never been in a situation like this before—what was he supposed to do? All he wanted was to find a way home. And now he was about to be mauled by a beast in a world he didn't understand. How had he gotten himself into this mess?
Suddenly, the beast lunged. Greg barely had time to react before it was on top of them, its claws swiping through the air. Alden deftly dodged, drawing his sword in a smooth motion, but Greg was frozen in place.
The griffon on his shoulder, however, reacted much faster than Greg. With a loud screech, it leapt from Greg's shoulder, its small wings flapping fiercely as it darted in front of him. The little creature's glowing eyes blazed with sudden, intense power, and a strange pressure filled the air around them.
Before Greg could even process what was happening, the griffon shot forward, its tiny beak glowing with bright energy. It collided with the beast's massive form, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze in place. The force of the impact sent the beast staggering back, its growl now a mix of confusion and pain.
"What—what just happened?" Greg gasped, staring at the scene before him. The griffon landed lightly on the ground, its wings fluttering as it looked back at Greg.
Alden, still in the middle of dodging the beast's attacks, paused to glance over. "That… was you. The bond you share with your creature is already starting to manifest. Your Tamer power is influencing it. That griffon is stronger than it looks."
Greg was still in shock, his brain struggling to keep up with the events. "Wait, I—I didn't do that. I just wanted to get away from it."
The griffon hopped back to his shoulder, and for the first time, Greg realized it wasn't just a harmless pet. It was something much, much more powerful than he had ever imagined.
"Listen to me," Alden said, stepping closer with a serious expression. "Your power as a Beast Tamer is already starting to awaken. That creature was just testing you, seeing how far you could go. But if you don't learn to control it, things like this will happen more often."
Greg shook his head, his voice tight with frustration. "I didn't ask for this! I don't want to be some… Beast Tamer. I just want to go home!"
Alden placed a hand on Greg's shoulder, his grip firm but understanding. "I know this is overwhelming, Rift Walker. But there is no going back. You're part of this world now. And whether you like it or not, the creatures will continue to seek you out. The bond you share with them can't be undone."
Greg was silent for a long moment, his eyes glued to the griffon who had settled back down on his shoulder, now looking at him with calm, intelligent eyes.
Finally, Greg let out a long breath. "Well, I guess I'd better get used to it. Because it doesn't look like I'm getting out of here anytime soon."
Greg couldn't believe this was happening. He was standing in the middle of a forest, his heart still racing from the close encounter with the creature. The griffon, on his shoulder, had settled down again, though its bright eyes still glowed with that strange, powerful energy. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. This was no ordinary beast, and neither was his role in this new world.
Alden, after a few more glances at the wounded creature lying on the forest floor, turned back to Greg, his expression still calm but more serious than before. "The fact that you were able to tame it like that... is remarkable."
"Remarkable?!" Greg snapped, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I didn't do anything! It just attacked, and then—then that thing just went all power-hungry and beat it up for me!"
The scout raised an eyebrow but didn't challenge Greg's view. "It's not quite how it works. Your bond with the griffon has already begun to influence its power. You didn't just tame it in the usual way. You did something more. Something instinctual."
Greg glared at the griffon perched innocently on his shoulder, his patience wearing thin. "Great, now I'm some kind of magic beast whisperer. How am I supposed to control this? I didn't even want this kind of power!"
Alden's gaze softened for just a moment, and he placed a hand on Greg's shoulder again. This time, it felt less like a command and more like an attempt at reassurance. "I understand your frustration, but the creatures are already drawn to you. Running from them will only make things worse. You have to accept the power you've been given, or you'll be caught in a cycle of chaos. Trust me, I've seen it happen before."
"Yeah, I bet," Greg muttered, trying not to look directly at the griffon. "So, what? I'm supposed to train this little thing now?"
Alden nodded, his tone turning slightly more serious. "You don't have to train it in the traditional sense. This world is not like the one you came from. The creatures here have an inherent connection to magic, and your role as a Beast Tamer is to unlock and guide that power. But you'll need time and practice. Without it, you won't be able to keep up with what's coming."
Greg's heart sank. He hadn't even had time to process the fact that he was stranded in another world, and now he had to become some sort of beast-taming prodigy? His mind reeled, and he tried to push the overwhelming thoughts aside.
"Okay," Greg sighed, rubbing his face with his hand. "One step at a time. But first, I need to know what else is out here. If I'm stuck in this world, I might as well get the lay of the land, right?"
Alden smiled, finally seeming to relax as he took a step back and motioned for Greg to follow. "That's the spirit. But be warned, the Wilds are full of dangers. Not all creatures are as docile as your griffon."
Greg chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, I'm starting to get that impression."
The two began walking deeper into the forest, the sounds of the wilderness surrounding them. Alden explained some of the creatures they might encounter, but Greg was still mostly focused on his growing discomfort and the increasingly absurd nature of his situation.
Every few moments, Greg would glance over at the griffon, which had now begun preening its wings, seemingly content with its new position on his shoulder. But it was impossible to ignore the fact that the creature was much stronger than it looked. It had dispatched that beast with minimal effort, leaving Greg speechless and shaken.
The air around them shifted as the forest grew denser, the trees closing in as they walked. They passed by wildflowers that glowed faintly with an ethereal light, and Greg could swear he saw movement in the shadows—a pair of glowing eyes that disappeared before he could focus on them. The magic in the air was tangible, crackling with an energy Greg had never experienced before.
"Is this... normal?" Greg asked, his voice quieter than he intended. "This whole place feels off. Like... like it's alive."
Alden glanced at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, the Wilds are far from ordinary. These forests are ancient, connected to the very essence of the land. They grow, shift, and change, sometimes in ways you can't even predict."
Greg swallowed hard. "So it's like... alive?"
Alden nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Exactly. And that's not even the most fascinating part. You'll begin to sense things soon. The land's magic will attune to you as you grow stronger. Your connection with your griffon is just the beginning."
"Great," Greg muttered again. "Just great."
After what felt like hours of walking, they reached the edge of the forest, where a small river ran through a gorge. The sound of water crashing against rocks filled the air, and the mist from the waterfall made the trees nearby shimmer in the sunlight.
Alden stopped and turned to Greg. "This is where I leave you for now. The rest of your journey is something you'll have to face alone. But I'll be nearby if you need guidance."
Greg raised an eyebrow. "Wait, hold on. You're just leaving me here? After everything?"
Alden's smile softened. "I have to report back to the Kingdom. But you'll be fine. You've already demonstrated that you can handle yourself."
Greg opened his mouth to protest, but Alden held up a hand, silencing him.
"Don't worry," the scout said. "You'll do just fine. Your journey has only just begun."
With that, Alden turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving Greg standing by the river, alone with his thoughts.
Greg stared at the water for a few moments, trying to steady his racing heart. He was alone now, stranded in a world full of strange creatures, and with an overpowered griffon for company. It was a lot to take in, and every part of him screamed to escape, to run back to his life. But the reality was clear: There was no going back. Not now.
The griffon chirped from his shoulder, as if sensing Greg's growing unease, and pecked lightly at his ear again.
"Yeah, I get it," Greg muttered, sighing deeply. "I'm stuck here. You're stuck with me. Guess we're in this together."
And with that, Greg began his journey deeper into the wilds, uncertain of what awaited him but determined to find out, one way or another.