The fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows upon the surrounding trees. Zarphinion studied the mysterious woman before him, his silver eyes sharp with curiosity and caution. She was tall and poised, her toned figure wrapped in dark, form-fitting leather armor. A twin pair of curved daggers rested at her hips, their hilts decorated with intricate silver engravings.
"My name is Selene Vaelor," she introduced herself, her emerald gaze locked onto his. "I am a scout and an informant. And if you are truly Zarphinion Soient, then I have been searching for you."
Asira remained tense beside him, her body subtly shifting, prepared to take whatever form would best eliminate a threat. "And why," she asked coldly, "would someone like you be searching for him?"
Selene's smirk deepened. "Because House Soient's legacy isn't as dead as you might think."
A Legacy Unveiled
The revelation was as shocking as it was intriguing. Zarphinion leaned forward, his fingers tapping against his knee. "Explain."
Selene reached into a pouch at her waist and pulled out a small, ancient-looking scroll, the edges frayed from time. "Your house fell due to betrayal, not just weakness," she said. "There are those who still remember your bloodline's might and would rally behind it—if given the right leader."
Zarphinion's jaw tightened. The echoes of his ancestors' failures had long haunted him, but now, an opportunity presented itself. "And you? Why seek me out?"
Selene's expression softened, if only slightly. "Because you've already begun proving that your bloodline still carries strength. Your taming ability… it's something not seen in generations. A power capable of commanding warriors and beasts alike. If you truly wish to reclaim your house's honor, I can lead you to those willing to serve."
The weight of her words settled heavily upon him. He had dreamed of rebuilding, of forging something greater than what had been lost. But was he truly ready to take that step?
He glanced at Asira. She had been his unwavering support, his protector and closest companion. Now, it seemed, his path was beginning to branch beyond just the two of them.
Trial of the Moonfang Tribe
Selene promised to take Zarphinion to a group of warriors hidden deep within the forest—the Moonfang Tribe. They were a band of elite hunters, their skills refined through generations of surviving in the harshest wilds. But there was a catch.
"They will not follow someone untested," Selene warned as they moved through the dense foliage. "You will have to prove your worth."
Zarphinion expected as much. Every step of his journey had been a battle, and this would be no different.
By nightfall, they arrived at the outskirts of the Moonfang encampment. A circle of wooden barricades surrounded the settlement, torches flickering atop the posts. Watchful figures patrolled the perimeter—warriors adorned in pelts and painted with ritualistic markings.
A deep, rumbling growl met them as they entered. A towering beast—a Nightstalker Lynx, its fur as black as the void—stood beside one of the tribe's warriors. The man himself was equally imposing, his chest bare, his muscles taut like coiled steel. His sharp golden eyes assessed Zarphinion with a mixture of intrigue and challenge.
"You bring an outsider to our domain, Selene?" the man rumbled.
Selene gave a small, knowing smile. "He's not just any outsider, Kael. He's the heir of House Soient."
Kael's expression darkened slightly, but there was no immediate rejection. Instead, he stepped forward, looming over Zarphinion. "If you wish to prove yourself, you will face our Trial of the Hunt."
Zarphinion met his gaze unflinchingly. "Tell me what I must do."
Kael pointed toward the darkened woods beyond the village. "You must track and tame the Blackfang Alpha—a creature of unmatched ferocity. If you succeed, you will earn our respect."
The challenge was set. Zarphinion felt the familiar surge of anticipation. Another test, another step toward his destiny.
And he would not fail.