Tamer's Path

A.N Do you guys first person is okay or should we change to third person?

---------------------

As the clock ticked closer to dusk, the shadows cast by the towering trees grew longer, and the air seemed to thicken with the looming presence of night. It felt like the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for the cover of darkness to unleash its hidden dangers. The thought of being caught off guard in the dark was unsettling. I wasn't foolish enough to believe we were safe simply because we had managed to survive up until now. This place was full of monsters, and I needed to be prepared.

"Asura, we need a place to sleep," I muttered, scanning the surrounding area for a potential shelter. The last thing I wanted was to be exposed after the sun disappeared.

Thankfully, Asura was more than capable of keeping watch. He didn't need sleep the way I did. As an elemental, he could stand vigilant throughout the night. And with his enhanced form after leveling up, I knew he could handle whatever came our way. I, on the other hand, needed rest.

I glanced down at my torn grey pants and the ruined formal shoes I had been wearing. The fabric had been shredded from the rough terrain, leaving my skin vulnerable to scratches and potential dangers. The shoes, which had been impractical from the start, were barely functional now. It was clear I needed something more substantial to protect myself.

"Asura, let's make some armor," I said, the idea already forming in my mind.

Using the scraps of my pants as a base, Asura went to work, his wax forming sturdy, flexible pieces of armor to cover my arms, legs, and feet. He even fashioned a crude helmet to shield my head. It wasn't the best, but it was better than nothing. The wax armor, surprisingly lightweight and flexible, moved with me, offering protection without restricting my mobility.

"Good. Now let's find a place to rest."

I spotted a large tree nearby, its massive trunk standing like a sentinel in the center of the forest. The lingering aura of the river dragon I had sensed earlier still hung in the air, creating a natural barrier that kept most of the creatures at bay. It seemed like the safest option for the night.

"Asura, carve out a hollow inside this tree for us," I instructed, pointing to the thick bark.

Without hesitation, Asura set to work, using his wax blades to cut through the wood and create a small shelter. Within minutes, we had a space big enough for us to settle in. The inside smelled like fresh wood and sap, and the walls, though rough, offered enough shelter to keep us out of sight.

While I rested, I knew I couldn't waste the opportunity to train. Rest was important, but so was honing our abilities. We couldn't afford to become complacent in this dangerous world.

"Asura, let's practice," I said, sitting cross-legged on the ground, watching the flickering light from his golden armor.

Asura stood before me, his wax and metal components shifting as he adjusted himself. I guided him through the motions, helping him refine his control over his wax and metallic parts. It was during this practice that the idea hit me—why not take advantage of his ability to reshape himself entirely?

"What if…" I muttered aloud, my mind racing with possibilities. "What if you could become a battle robot? Or even better, a suit of armor that I could wear? I could be inside you, controlling you from the inside."

Asura paused, considering the idea. His flames flickered slightly as he processed the suggestion.

"Let's test it," I said, feeling the excitement building. "Try to merge with me. Make me the pilot, or at least make me your armor."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a single, fluid motion, Asura's wax and metal parts shifted and reformed, enveloping my body. I stood up, feeling the weight of the armor settle around me. It was strange—both protective and empowering. The connection between us deepened as I could feel his energy coursing through me, giving me strength.

I flexed my arms, testing the new suit. "Not bad," I said, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. The armor moved seamlessly with me, like a second skin. "This could work."

After about an hour of rest, I knew it was time to move on. The sun was still hanging in the sky, but night was coming fast. Asura remained fused with me, offering both strength and protection.

I summoned the Shockfin from my tamer space. The little creature appeared in a flash of light, its green body shimmering faintly in the low light, the red fin on its back twitching with electricity. Its small round eyes blinked up at us in surprise, its tiny body quivering with curiosity.

"You've been quiet, little one," I said, crouching down to meet its gaze. "Do you have a name?"

Shockfin stared back at me, its eyes wide with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"A name? No... none that I know of," it replied, its voice soft and cautious, a mere whisper in my mind through the tamer connection.

"Then we'll give you one," I said thoughtfully. "How about... Voltis?"

The creature's red fin trembled at the name, and I could almost see a flicker of approval in its eyes.

"Voltis... I like it," it responded, its voice now more confident.

With that, the bond between us was solidified. Shockfin—no, Voltis—was now part of our growing team. As the darkness of night crept further across the sky, I felt a strange sense of calm. We had survived another day, and with Asura and Voltis by my side, I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

The forest was dangerous, but I wasn't alone anymore. Together, we could face whatever this world threw at us.

The shadows of the forest grew longer as the sun dipped lower in the sky. I glanced at Voltis, who was idly sparking the water around him with faint currents of electricity.

"Voltis," I began, watching his fin twitch in response. "We're going to help you reach Intermediate rank today, and we'll start working on turning you into a dragon."

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as I walked toward the river. While he didn't seem to object to the idea of leveling up, the mention of becoming a dragon visibly piqued his curiosity.

"How?" he asked.

"It starts with targeting the right prey," I explained. "To evolve, you'll need to absorb energy from creatures similar to you, ones that share draconic traits or powers."

Voltis didn't seem entirely convinced, especially when I mentioned killing his kind. Shockfins were territorial, but within their own groups, they didn't attack each other. His reluctance showed when he stopped moving, his red fin flaring slightly.

I crossed my arms and smiled. "Don't worry, we're not going after your tribe. We'll find another species."

With that assurance, Voltis resumed following me as we moved upriver. The area gradually became quieter, save for the occasional rustling of leaves or splashes of water. It wasn't long before we encountered a group of creatures—large pink shells resting near the riverbank.

I froze, instantly recognizing them. These weren't ordinary shells. The creatures inside were masters of illusion, capable of driving their prey into a hallucination-induced stupor before devouring them. Among the group was an even larger shell that exuded a thick, rolling fog.

"Not worth it," I muttered, motioning for Voltis to follow me away from the danger.

We moved further upstream, and soon, we found a promising target: red-scaled alligators with gleaming blue fins along their backs.

I knelt by the riverbank, motioning for Voltis and Asura to stay low. My eyes scanned the water until I spotted them: red-scaled alligators with gleaming blue fins slicing through the surface. Their presence was a warning, but it was also an opportunity.

"These are Advanced Iron rank predators," I whispered, pointing toward a lone alligator basking on the riverbank. Its massive jaws rested half-open, and its tail flicked lazily. "Voltis, this is your target. We'll handle it together."

Voltis chirped softly, his fin sparking with anticipation, though I could sense his nervousness. These creatures weren't pushovers, but I knew we could outsmart them.

I picked up a small stone, weighing it in my hand, and hurled it at the lone alligator. The rock struck its snout with a sharp crack, and its eyes snapped open, pupils narrowing into deadly slits. A guttural snarl escaped its throat as it lumbered toward me, its blue fins glowing faintly with water energy.

I stepped out into the open, deliberately exposing myself. Torn clothes, unarmed hands—I must have looked like the easiest meal it had ever seen.

The bait worked. The creature charged, its massive jaws snapping with enough force to crush steel. I turned and sprinted into the forest, leading it away from the riverbank. The sound of its heavy body crashing through the underbrush sent a shiver down my spine, but I kept running, knowing I couldn't let it catch me.

When I reached the clearing, I skidded to a halt and spun around. The alligator lunged, its jaws wide, but Voltis struck first.

A crackling bolt of lightning shot through the air, hitting the alligator square in the chest. The electricity coursed through its body, making it convulse violently. It roared in pain, but its momentum carried it forward.

"Asura, now!" I shouted.

Asura leaped from the tree above, his metallic lance forming into a spinning drill. He drove it into the alligator's side, piercing through its thick scales with a sickening crunch. The creature thrashed, trying to dislodge him, but Asura held firm, his flames searing through flesh.

I moved in, using a barrier to shield myself as I closed the distance. The alligator's movements grew weaker, and with one final thrust from Asura, it collapsed.

"Voltis, the heart," I said, pointing to the fallen predator.

Without hesitation, Voltis bit through the alligator's chest, consuming its heart. I watched as his body shivered, the energy from the creature flowing into him. His red fin gleamed brighter, and I could see faint golden scales starting to appear around his head.

After three successful hunts, Voltis had reached Intermediate rank. His body elongated slightly, and his movements became more fluid. He was stronger now, but the real test lay ahead.

Six alligators remained near the riverbank, their massive bodies scattered in small groups. This time, we wouldn't rely on stealth or bait.

"Asura, armor mode," I commanded.

He responded instantly, his wax and metal forming around me in a golden-red suit. The heat from his flames surged through me, filling my body with strength.

"Voltis, use Electric Terrain."

Voltis chirped in acknowledgment, and the ground around us began to crackle with electricity. Sparks danced across the surface, charging the water and the earth with a paralyzing current. The alligators roared in pain, their movements sluggish as the electricity disrupted their coordination.

I charged forward, my enhanced strength allowing me to move with speed and precision. One of the alligators lunged at me, its jaws snapping inches from my head. I sidestepped, summoning a barrier to block its attack. The shimmering shield held firm, giving me the opening I needed.

Using Asura's lance, I struck the creature's eye, driving the weapon deep into its skull. It roared, thrashing wildly, but the combined heat and force of Asura's flames finished it off.

Behind me, Voltis unleashed a flurry of Lightning Bolts, striking the other alligators as they tried to regroup. The sparks danced across their bodies, leaving scorch marks on their scales.

Two of the alligators managed to recover, their fins glowing as they summoned water barriers to block Voltis' attacks. One of them lunged toward him, jaws wide, but I intercepted it.

"Asura, Explosion!" I shouted.

An explosion erupted beneath the alligator, engulfing it in searing flames. Its roars echoed through the forest as it thrashed in agony, the intense heat breaking through its water defenses.

The remaining alligators charged together, their combined strength making them a formidable threat. Voltis hovered above the ground, using his newfound agility to dodge their attacks. He released another Electric Terrain, the charged ground making it difficult for them to move.

Seizing the opportunity, I leaped onto the back of one of the creatures, driving Asura's lance into its spine. The flames burned through its tough scales, and it collapsed beneath me.

The final two alligators were visibly weakened, their movements sluggish from the electric terrain and the burns inflicted by Asura. Voltis landed beside me, his body sparking with energy.

"Let's finish this," I said, gripping Asura's lance tightly.

Together, we attacked in unison. Asura's flames erupted in a blazing inferno, while Voltis delivered a devastating Lightning Bolt that pierced through the last creature's heart. By the time the battle ended, the energy coursing through my body told me I had leveled up to Advanced Iron rank. Asura's abilities improved as well—his flame capacity expanded, and he learned two new skills: Flame Pillar and Flame Boost. The former was a devastating area attack, while the latter enhanced the intensity of his flames during combat.

Voltis, after consuming more hearts, showed further signs of evolution. His body shimmered faintly with dragon-like traits, the golden color around his head growing more pronounced.

This was only the beginning. Voltis was stronger, Asura had grown, and I was one step closer to understanding the power of this world.