Zarphinion stood at the edge of the darkened forest, his silver eyes gleaming under the moon's soft glow. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and distant prey. Around him, the Moonfang warriors observed in silence, their expressions unreadable, their eyes sharp with judgment.
Kael, the tribe's battle-scarred leader, stood before him, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "You will have until dawn," he stated, his voice firm. "The Blackfang Alpha is a predator unlike any you have faced. If you fail to return with its submission, you will not earn our allegiance."
Zarphinion nodded, unflinching. "I understand."
Beside him, Asira tensed, her form subtly shifting, her violet eyes glowing with an eerie light. "You don't have to do this alone," she murmured.
Zarphinion offered her a small smile. "I must."
Selene, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally spoke. "The Blackfang is a ruthless beast, but it can be outmatched if you understand its instincts. It doesn't merely hunt—it toys with its prey, studying their weaknesses before striking the killing blow."
"I'll keep that in mind," Zarphinion said before stepping into the wilds.
Into the Predator's Domain
The moment Zarphinion entered the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The usual nocturnal sounds of rustling leaves and distant howls grew muted, as if the very wildlife feared what lurked within. He moved carefully, his steps light and precise, his senses sharpened by years of training.
The Blackfang Alpha was no ordinary beast. According to the Moonfang warriors, it was nearly the size of a direwolf, its fur a shade so dark it blended seamlessly with the shadows. Its fangs were long, curved like scythes, and it possessed an intelligence that set it apart from lesser creatures.
Zarphinion activated Silent Stalker's Stealth Mastery, his movements becoming fluid and soundless. The wind shifted, carrying with it the faint scent of blood. He followed the trail, moving deeper into the dense underbrush, his heartbeat steady.
Then, a growl. Low. Menacing.
Zarphinion froze. In the darkness, twin golden eyes flickered open, their gaze locked onto him. He had been found.
The Hunt Begins
The Blackfang Alpha lunged, a blur of midnight fur and razor-sharp claws. Zarphinion barely managed to roll aside as the beast crashed into the spot where he had stood. He sprang to his feet, drawing his blade, the silver steel glinting as he took a defensive stance.
The beast circled him, its movements calculated. It was testing him, just as Selene had warned. It would not attack recklessly—it was waiting for an opening.
Zarphinion adjusted his grip on his sword, channeling the strength of his Titanfang Bear's Titan's Regeneration, reinforcing his body against the inevitable clash. He exhaled, then charged.
The Blackfang met his strike with terrifying speed, its claws clashing against steel. Sparks flew as Zarphinion was forced back, the sheer force of the creature's strength vibrating through his arms. But he did not falter.
He spun, feinting left before slashing right, grazing the beast's shoulder. The Blackfang snarled but did not retreat. Instead, it lunged again, its fangs aiming for his throat.
Zarphinion ducked, twisting his body in midair, landing a powerful kick against the beast's side. The Blackfang staggered but quickly regained its footing. This was no ordinary beast—it was a master of battle.
Dominance Through Strength
Zarphinion knew he couldn't defeat it through brute force alone. He had to dominate it—not just in battle, but in spirit. He needed to break its will, to make it acknowledge him as its superior.
He closed his eyes for a split second, drawing upon his connection with Shadowfang, his Direwolf companion. The instinctual bond flickered to life, sharpening his reflexes, heightening his awareness. He felt the world slow around him, every movement of the Blackfang suddenly predictable.
The beast lunged once more. This time, Zarphinion did not dodge. He moved forward, meeting the Blackfang head-on. At the last second, he twisted his body, using its momentum against it, flipping over the beast's back. As he landed, he slammed his palm against its spine.
The Taming Sigil ignited, golden chains of energy wrapping around the beast. The Blackfang let out a furious snarl, thrashing violently as the magic took hold. Its mind fought against him, pushing back with primal rage.
Zarphinion gritted his teeth. "Submit."
The Blackfang roared, its will colliding with his own. But Zarphinion had faced countless trials, had tamed creatures far mightier than this. He pushed harder, pouring his authority into the bond, his very essence demanding submission.
The struggle lasted mere moments but felt like an eternity.
Then—sudden stillness.
The Blackfang Alpha dropped to one knee, its golden eyes lowering. The battle was over. It had accepted him.
A New Ally
The glow of the Taming Sigil faded, and as it did, knowledge flooded Zarphinion's mind. A new connection. A new power.
[Taming Successful!][Blackfang Alpha Added to Taming Slots][New Skill Acquired: Predator's Cunning]
He exhaled, brushing sweat from his brow. The Blackfang Alpha rose to its feet and stepped beside him, no longer an enemy, but a loyal companion.
As dawn broke, Zarphinion emerged from the forest, the Blackfang prowling at his side. The gathered Moonfang warriors stared in stunned silence. Kael stepped forward, his golden eyes burning with approval.
"You have done what few have accomplished," he said. "The Blackfang bows to no master… and yet, it bows to you."
Zarphinion met his gaze. "Does that mean I have passed?"
Kael's lips curled into a grin. "You have earned our respect. The Moonfang Tribe will fight for you, Heir of House Soient."
A surge of triumph filled Zarphinion's chest. This was more than a victory. This was the first step toward reclaiming his legacy.
Asira stepped forward, her expression unreadable for a moment before softening. "You never cease to amaze me," she murmured.
Selene smirked. "Seems like we have much to discuss."
Zarphinion glanced at his new companion, the Blackfang Alpha, then at the warriors now sworn to his cause. This was only the beginning.
Zarphinion's Current Status Update:
Name: Zarphinion Soient
Level: 5
Taming Slots: 6/15
Acquired Skills & Traits:
Titan's Regeneration (From Titanfang Bear) – Enhanced endurance and accelerated healing.
Beast's Instinct (From Shadowfang Wolf) – Heightened awareness and reflexes in battle.
Ironhide Resilience (From Boar King) – Increased durability and resistance to physical attacks.
Aerial Combat Proficiency (From Emberclaw Wyvern Hatchling) – Mastery of mid-air combat and agility.
Stealth Mastery (From Silent Stalker Panther) – Improved movement in shadows and silent takedowns.
Predator's Cunning (From Blackfang Alpha) – Advanced combat intuition, allowing him to predict enemy movements and counter with precision.
Attributes:
Strength: 21
Agility: 30
Intelligence: 22
Charisma: 26
Taming Affinity: 40
Current Tamed Beasts:
Titanfang Bear – A massive war beast with near-impenetrable fur and brute strength.
Shadowfang (Direwolf) – Grants increased speed and heightened tracking abilities.
Ironhide (Boar King) – Provides defensive enhancements.
Emberclaw (Wyvern Hatchling) – Adds aerial combat versatility.
Silent Stalker (Panther) – Enhances stealth and assassination capabilities.
Blackfang Alpha (Nightstalker Lynx) – A cunning and lethal predator, bolstering Zarphinion's tactical prowess.