Kael wandered through the dense woodland, his crimson cape dragging through leaves and mud, snagging on brambles that protested with little snaps. Flap, the bat, chirped happily as it swung from his bangs like a pendulum of doom—or cuteness.
He struck a pose under a crooked willow tree. "Darkness, I am your heir. World, I am your reckoning."
A squirrel chittered at him from a branch and hurled an acorn that bounced off his forehead.
"Ow!"
> Damage Sustained: 1 Emotional. Source: Aggressive Rodent.
"I shall remember this, rodent general. Your reign ends at twilight!"
He turned, dusted himself off, and continued onward.
The forest was oddly quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant croak of a grumpy toad. Mana hummed faintly in the air, and Kael, despite his dramatic tendencies, was attuned enough to sense it.
"Flap, my small and loyal companion, I believe we are approaching a convergence point of summoning energies!"
Flap responded by licking his nose.
"Good. Keep your instincts sharp."
Ahead stood a crumbled altar covered in moss, tangled roots, and a suspicious amount of squirrel droppings. Kael stepped onto the stone and held out his arms.
"Rise, ye mighty beasts of yore! Answer my call and—whoa!"
He slipped on a wet patch and landed flat on his back.
> Ritual Interrupted. Pride: -1. Spine: Achy.
Kael groaned and sat up. "Okay. New rule. No summoning on slick stones."
He tried again, standing on a dry patch and channeling mana into the air. Blood dripped from his palm, and the wind seemed to pause.
> Initiating Summon...
The ground rumbled softly. A shimmer of light danced along the moss.
> Beast Summoned: Forest Pup – Status: Injured, Frightened. Bonding... 37%... 62%...
A small, trembling creature crawled from the underbrush—half-spirit, half-wolf, with one floppy ear and eyes that screamed "I don't trust you."
Kael knelt, slowly offering jerky from a pouch he'd stolen from an old bandit's camp.
"Easy now, fluffy soldier. I am your friend. Unless you're evil. Are you evil? Blink twice if evil."
The pup licked the jerky, then Kael's hand.
> Bond Complete. New Beast Added: Fanglet. Element: Mud. Mood: Suspicious but Hungry.
Kael stood, proudly surveying his tiny army.
"Behold, my mighty legion: Flap the Fierce and Fanglet the... Moist."
Fanglet growled.
"Okay, okay! Fanglet the Ferocious. Better?"
Flap squeaked approvingly.
> Army Size: 2. General Threat Level: Low but Determined.
Kael looked at the sky. "We march, friends. Toward glory! Or at least a snack cart."