I am Just an Average Tamer

Raven turned slightly, casting a glance between the two. "You knew we were being followed from the start."

Kai nodded.

"And you said nothing," Theron growled.

"I wanted to see how you handle danger. A blade only shows its worth when it's bloodied." Kai's voice was calm, even. "If I was wrong, I'd have stepped in. But I wasn't."

"You gambled with our lives."

Kai leaned forward, elbows on knees. "I gambled with mine too."

That silenced Theron, if only for a breath.

Raven exhaled slowly and stood, walking back toward the fire, letting the warmth wash over her chilled skin.

"He's right, Theron. We're alive. We won." She sat on a rock beside Vex, resting a hand on the lynx's head.

Theron looked at his sister. "You're just okay with this?"

"No," she said, meeting Kai's eyes. "But I'm not stupid enough to ignore that he fought to protect us too."

Kai's lip twitched, but he said nothing. He was watching her carefully now.

Silence fell again.

A distant howl echoed through the forest, far enough not to worry, close enough to remind them they weren't alone out here.

Kai stood and dusted off his coat. "Rest while you can. We move at dawn. I'll take first watch."

Raven tilted her head. "You don't sleep?"

"I do," Kai replied, glancing at her. "But I'm used to sleeping with one eye open."

Theron muttered, "Wouldn't be surprised if you don't sleep at all."

Kai smirked, walking toward the barrier's edge. "You'd be surprised what I am."

And with that, he disappeared into the tree line just beyond the firelight, vanishing like a shadow swallowed by night.

Raven watched the flames dance for a moment before pulling her knees to her chest. "He's dangerous."

Theron nodded. "But I'm starting to think... we're safer with him than without."

Raven didn't reply. She only stared into the fire.

After few minutes fire died out, leaving only faint embers glowing in the ashes.

Theron had finally stopped pacing and lay back on his bedroll, his breathing slow and even.

Vex curled beside Kai, head resting on her massive paws, and Vael had tucked her head under her wing in the tree above.

Raven, who had watched the fire until the last coal dimmed, eventually rolled onto her side, the forest's nighttime lullaby carrying her into sleep.

Only Kai stayed awake a while longer, eyes flicking toward the trees now and then, silent in thought.

His hand rested on his dagger hilt, even in rest.

Only when he was sure all was well did he lean back against the log and close his eyes.

Five days later...

The group had traveled deeper into the wilderness, away from the main routes, following Kai's lead.

Raven and Theron had kept mostly quiet during their short travels, but a subtle trust had started to grow—fragile, like a sprouting seed in stone.

Now, they stood in a quiet cave once more.

Morning sunlight filtered in from the jagged entrance, casting golden rays over the mossy floor.

Outside, the wind rustled the leaves. Inside, it was calm, hushed—almost reverent.

The cave had been cleared, the barrier set once more by Kai, keeping them hidden from sight.

In the center of the space, resting atop a folded blanket, was the Drakelet.

Raven knelt beside him, her palm gently placed on his scaled chest.

Her breathing slowed as her Essence coursed through him in steady pulses.

Sparks of light danced along her fingertips, the glow soft and soothing.

The little Thunder Drakelet, usually guarded, lay still beneath her touch, eyes closed, tail curled tightly.

Kai stood a few arms length away, watching with arms crossed. Theron leaned casually against the wall, but his eyes were sharp—this moment mattered.

A final pulse of Raven's Essence spread through the Drakelet's body, and a soft hum filled the air.

Then… it stopped.

The glow faded.

The Drakelet stirred, blinked—and then lifted his head.

His once-dull eyes were now vibrant, crackling faintly with stormy blue hues.

The damaged aura around him was gone, replaced by a healthy, firm core presence.

"He's… fully healed," Raven said softly, her voice almost in disbelief.

Kai raised an eyebrow, smirking, pushing away from the wall. "That's fast."

"I did what I could," she said.

Kai crouched down beside her, staring at the Drakelet as it looked up at him and gave a soft, rumbling chirp.

It rubbed its head against Kai's shin gently.

Raven smiled. "You never told us his name."

Kai blinked, then scratched the back of his neck. "Umm... well, I haven't given him one."

That earned him a pair of blinking stares from the siblings.

Theron chuckled first, then Raven followed, shaking her head.

"You've had him all this time, and you just call him 'Drakelet'?" she teased.

"I wasn't planning on getting attached," Kai said defensively, looking away.

Raven rolled her eyes fondly, then looked back down.

The Drakelet had tilted his head toward her again, waiting.

She smiled and ran her hand gently over his sleek, blue-scaled head. Then she leaned close and whispered softly:

"Stormeon."

Kai looked at her, his brow raised. "Stormeon?"

"Yeah," she said, still stroking the drakelet—Stormeon now. "He's lightning and storm…"

Stormeon let out a pleased trill, pressing into her touch.

Kai watched them quietly, then muttered, "…It suits him."

Theron pushed off the wall. "Well, now that His Majesty's been named, what's next?"

Kai stood, stretching his arms. "We leave at nightfall. There's a city to reach."

Raven rose too, but not before giving Stormeon one last fond rub. He watched her with an almost dog-like devotion, then turned and padded to Kai's side.

Kai put his Thunder Drakelet back to his soul space and the trio began walking outside the cave.

"Which city are you talking about?" said Raven, while walking beside Kai.

"Arulian City." Kai replied.

Theron raised a brow, "What's up there?"

Which earned him a glare from his sis as if saying its none of his business, what Kai wanted to do there.

But Kai replied reluctantly, "For Academy trials, ofcourse."