I stood still as the eerie calm of the night settled around us. The Shadowfang's eyes were still locked onto mine, its four pupils glowing faintly in the moonlight. We had formed a connection, however brief, and its weight hung heavily in the air.
Argonax flapped his wings nervously from my shoulder, clearly unsettled by the silent beast before us. The other members of the Moonshadow Circle stood still, their masked faces unreadable, but I could feel their approval radiating from them.
"You've done well," the leader said, his golden eyes sharp but approving. "Not many can form such a bond so quickly. But there is much you don't understand yet, Alden."
I wiped the sweat from my brow and nodded. "What is this beast? And why does it seem... different?"
The leader's smile was almost imperceptible. "This is a Shadowfang, one of the most ancient and elusive creatures of the shadow realm. Its bond with the shadows is what makes it so formidable. But what you've done… That was not simply a physical connection. You've begun to touch its soul."
I furrowed my brow, trying to comprehend. "Its soul?"
The woman with silver eyes spoke next, her voice colder than the night air. "Beasts like the Shadowfang do not simply follow commands. They are wild. Their instincts govern them, and those who try to tame them often fail. But you… You've begun to understand it on a deeper level. A level only a handful of beast tamers have ever reached."
I glanced at the Shadowfang, still watching me with those otherworldly eyes. Despite its fearsome appearance, I could feel no hostility from it. Instead, there was an overwhelming sense of trust—trust that I had no right to earn so quickly.
The leader stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating. "Alden, you've only scratched the surface of what this power can offer. The Moonshadow Circle doesn't just train beast tamers. We awaken them. We show them how to transcend their limitations. But that comes at a price."
I narrowed my eyes. "A price?"
He nodded. "You've already made a pact, whether you realize it or not. That pendant you hold? It's more than just a symbol of your initiation. It's a conduit, a link to the shadow realm itself."
The pendant in my hand pulsed again, almost as if to confirm his words. A chill ran down my spine. "So, what you're saying is… I'm bonded to this creature now?"
The leader's gaze turned calculating. "Not just the creature. The shadows. The pact you've made goes deeper than you know. If you truly wish to master this power, you must embrace the shadows completely."
I felt a knot form in my stomach. "And if I don't?"
"Then you'll never unlock the full potential of your bond with the Shadowfang. And you'll be bound by the limitations of a regular beast tamer," the woman added with a smirk. "Nothing special."
Argonax growled, clearly displeased by her words. He fluttered around my head, circling protectively. "It's okay, buddy," I muttered to him, reaching out to pat him gently.
The leader's eyes softened slightly as he observed the interaction between me and Argonax. "The bond you share with that beast, Argonax, is strong, but it's nothing compared to what you could experience with the Shadowfang—or with other beasts, if you truly embrace the path ahead."
I clenched my fist, feeling the weight of his words. The power of the shadow realm, the ancient connection with the Shadowfang—it was all so overwhelming. But one thing was clear: I couldn't back down now.
"Alright," I said, my voice steady, despite the storm of thoughts in my mind. "What do I need to do next?"
The leader smiled, a rare, genuine smile that carried an eerie sense of approval. "That's the spirit. We begin the next phase of your training now."
He gestured toward the portal of shadows that had brought the Shadowfang into the world. "Step forward, Alden Draven. The true trial begins now. You will face the shadow trials of the ancient beasts, and only by surviving will you prove your worth to both the Circle and the beasts themselves."
I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. This was my journey, and I would face whatever came my way.
With a deep breath, I stepped forward. The shadow realm awaited, and with it, the power to tame beasts beyond imagination. But I was no longer just a tamer. I was a part of something far greater—something that could change everything.