Chapter 5: The Power Unleashed
Kael sat on the cold, charred ground of what was left of the village square, his body trembling. The eerie silence of the aftermath weighed on him. The beast had vanished, dragged into the earth by a mysterious power he didn't understand. The village was in ruins, the people either dead or fleeing into the forest. He was alone—completely and utterly alone.
The words of the disembodied voice echoed in his mind: "You are not ready, Kael. But you will be. Soon."
What did it mean? Who had spoken to him, and why had they intervened? The questions swirled in his mind, but there were no answers. All he knew was that something dark and powerful had stepped in when he had failed.
Kael's hands balled into fists. He couldn't let this be the end. He couldn't let himself be the helpless boy who stood by while his village was destroyed. His father's dying words came back to him, a spark of hope in the midst of despair: You have the power to control them, Kael. You're a Beast Master.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His father had believed in him, even if he didn't fully understand his own abilities. Somewhere deep within him, that power existed, waiting to be unlocked. He just had to find it.
Kael's focus turned inward, his breathing steadying as he tried to connect with the faint energy he had felt during his attempt to control the beast. It was still there, faint but steady, like an ember waiting to be stoked into a flame. He remembered the moment when he had almost succeeded—the bond he had felt with the creature before it was broken.
He concentrated harder, reaching out with his mind. At first, there was nothing but silence. Then, slowly, he felt it: a faint pulse, like a heartbeat, resonating deep within him. It wasn't just his heartbeat—it was something more, something alive.
The energy began to stir, growing warmer, stronger. It filled him with a strange sensation—a mix of fear and exhilaration. His muscles tensed as the power coursed through him, his mind racing with possibilities.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him began to tremble. His eyes shot open, and he saw faint glowing lines snaking across the earth, forming strange, intricate patterns. The air around him grew heavy, charged with an invisible force.
"What is this?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
The glowing lines pulsed, and Kael felt a surge of energy rush through him. It was overwhelming, almost too much to bear, but he didn't fight it. Instead, he embraced it, letting the power flow through him.
The lines on the ground converged, forming a circle around Kael. He felt the bond again stronger this time, unbreakable. It wasn't just with one beast; it was with something greater, something primal.
As the energy reached its peak, Kael heard a low growl behind him. His head snapped around, and his heart skipped a beat.
A creature stepped out of the shadows, its glowing eyes piercing through the darkness. It wasn't the beast that had destroyed the village this one was smaller, sleeker, with jet-black fur that shimmered like obsidian in the firelight. It moved with a predator's grace, its sharp claws clicking against the stone.
Kael froze, his instincts screaming at him to run, but he didn't move. Instead, he focused on the bond, on the power he now held. He could feel the creature's presence in his mind wild, dangerous, but not hostile.
"Who are you?" Kael whispered, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him.
The creature tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing. It didn't speak, but Kael felt its answer, as clear as if it had been spoken aloud: I am yours.
The bond solidified, and Kael's fear melted away. He reached out a hand, and the creature stepped closer, its movements cautious but curious. When its nose touched his palm, Kael felt a surge of warmth—acceptance, trust.
He smiled faintly, his confidence growing. This was what his father had meant. This was the power of a Beast Master.
Kael's moment of triumph was short-lived. The ground trembled again, this time more violently, and a familiar roar split the air. His blood ran cold as he turned to see the beast the one that had destroyed his village emerging from the forest. Its eyes burned with fury, its massive form towering over the trees.
The smaller creature growled, stepping in front of Kael as if to protect him. Kael's heart pounded in his chest. He wasn't ready for this. He had barely begun to understand his power, and now he was face-to-face with the monster that had taken everything from him.
The beast charged, its claws tearing through the earth as it barreled toward them. Kael's instincts screamed at him to run, but he stood his ground. This time, he wouldn't back down.
He focused on the bond, on the power coursing through him. The smaller creature responded, its muscles tensing as it prepared to fight.
"Together," Kael said, his voice firm.
The smaller creature let out a fierce roar and leapt at the beast. The two collided in a flurry of claws and teeth, the force of the impact shaking the ground. Kael watched in awe and terror as the two creatures fought, their movements a blur of speed and power.
But it wasn't enough. The smaller creature was fast and agile, but the beast was stronger, its massive claws slamming into its opponent with devastating force.
Kael felt the bond weaken as the smaller creature faltered, its strength fading. Panic surged through him. He couldn't lose it—not now, not after everything.
"Hold on!" Kael shouted, reaching out with his mind.
The bond flared to life, stronger than ever. Kael felt the creature's pain, its determination, its unyielding will to protect him. He poured his own strength into the bond, his power merging with the creature's.
The smaller creature let out a deafening roar, its body glowing with the same strange energy that pulsed through Kael. It surged forward, its movements faster, more precise. It struck the beast with a force that sent it reeling, its claws slashing through its thick hide.
Kael's chest heaved as he maintained the bond, his power pushing the smaller creature to its limits. The tide of the battle was turning, but he knew it wasn't over.
As the smaller creature landed another blow, the beast let out a roar of pure rage. Its eyes burned brighter, its form swelling with dark energy. Kael's heart sank as he realized the beast was changing, growing stronger.
The air grew thick with tension, and the ground cracked beneath the beast's feet. Kael felt the power inside him waver, the strain of the bond taking its toll.
The beast let out a final, earth-shaking roar, and the darkness around it exploded outward in a wave of energy. Kael and the smaller creature were thrown back, the force of the blast knocking the air from his lungs.
When Kael struggled to his feet, his vision blurred, he saw the beast standing tall, its form more monstrous than ever. The glow in its eyes was no longer red—it was black, an endless void that seemed to swallow the light.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. This wasn't just a beast. It was something far worse.
And it wasn't done with him yet.
To be continued…