The Beast Tamer Clan's Monster Overlord

Axelius narrowed his eyes, ready to step forward again, when suddenly a shadow loomed over him. He turned his head up just in time to see a fist swinging down at him like a hammer.

He leapt back, the wind of the blow brushing his cheek, and when he steadied his stance his lips curled into a grin.

"Gob…" he muttered.

Landing in front of him was Gob not the little red goblin anymore. Now she stood as a red young woman, tall and lean, her brown hair tied up high, her sharp ears twitching slightly as her knuckles gleamed with steel bracers.

"Master," she said with a smirk, cracking her knuckles. "Don't forget about me."

Before Axelius could respond, a deep bark erupted from the other side. The ground trembled as Nyx stepped forward, no longer a small skulkhound but a massive beast of bones and shadow, his howl echoing across the trees. The force of his bark sent waves through the grass, making the air itself shiver.

Axelius backflipped multiple times to create distance, landing lightly as the three of them surrounded him Owen slithering in low with his fangs bare, Gob tightening her fists, and Nyx growling with his tail raised high.

"Three against one?" Axelius chuckled, spinning his katana once in his grip before planting his feet firmly on the ground. "Fine. Let's make this fun."

Gob dashed first, her knuckles swinging in a flurry of punches. Axelius weaved left and right, his movements sharp and fast, sparks flying each time his katana clashed against the steel on her hands.

Her speed was incredible, her strikes heavy enough to crack the bark of the tree behind him when he slipped aside.

Before he could counter, Nyx roared and lunged, his jaws opening wide. Axelius ducked low, rolling across the dirt as the massive bite snapped where he had stood, the air whistling with the force of it.

He came up to his feet, only to have Owen's spiky scales suddenly shoot out like needles.

Axelius twisted his blade in a wide arc, black aura leaking faintly as he cut through the flying spikes. The air rippled as the pieces clattered down harmlessly.

But Gob was already behind him, her fist swinging straight to his ribs. Axelius twisted, blocking with the flat of his katana, though the impact sent him sliding backward across the dirt.

He skidded to a stop, lowered his stance, and smirked. "Not bad."

The three of them circled him again, Nyx barking so loud the leaves shook loose from the trees, Owen hissing as his body coiled tightly, and Gob cracking her knuckles with a grin.

For the first time in a long while, Axelius felt his blood burn with excitement.

"Alright," he said, raising his katana and pointing it at them. "Show me everything you've got."

Axelius launched forward, his katana flashing in a wide arc. Gob blocked with her bracers, the clash ringing like steel against steel, sparks scattering in the air. She gritted her teeth, pushing him back with raw strength, but Axelius twisted his wrist, slid under her guard, and kicked her lightly on the side, sending her stumbling back a step.

"Too slow," he teased.

Before he could press further, Nyx came crashing in, shadow flames leaking from his skeletal maw. Axelius crouched, his blade slicing up in a crescent, splitting the wave in half as he dashed sideways. He used a fallen branch as a stepping point and launched himself high into the air.

"Now!" Owen hissed.

From below, Owen shot up spiky scales like a storm of arrows. Axelius rotated midair, his katana spinning like a windmill as he deflected most of them, the rest grazing his coat. He landed neatly on Nyx's back, petting the beast's bony neck with a smirk.

"Good try."

But Gob was already there. She leapt high, twisting her body, and came down with both fists. Axelius blocked with his katana, the impact forcing him off Nyx's back and slamming him into the ground. Dust exploded upward as he rolled to his feet, laughing.

"That's more like it!"

Nyx pounced again, Owen hissed and coiled like a whip, and Gob charged with a sharp cry. The clash of fist, fang, and scale against katana echoed through the forest until finally Axelius leapt back, raising a hand.

"Enough. That was good training."

Gob exhaled, sweat dripping down her brow but a grin on her lips. Nyx barked proudly, his glowing eyes still sharp, and Owen slithered close, smug.

"You're all improving fast," Axelius admitted, sheathing his katana. "But you'll have to do better if you want to beat me."

The three exchanged a glance, and despite their exhaustion, their spirits were burning.

_____________________________

Far away, in a darkened throne room, a different atmosphere burned.

A man sat upon a high stone throne, his features hidden by the flickering shadows of torches. His fist suddenly slammed against the armrest with a thunderous crack, making the armored guards kneeling before him flinch violently.

The sound rolled through the hall like distant thunder.

"We… we apologize, my lord!" one of the guards stammered, his head pressed low to the cold floor. "We could not enter the forest! The miasma—it seeps into our skin! Even our armor corrodes… our flesh burns. No man can last long inside!"

The ruler's voice was calm, but it carried the weight of iron, enough to crush the will of those listening.

"Excuses," he muttered. "That forest… is festering. If left alone, it will become nothing more than a lair for monsters. A nest of nightmares that will spill beyond its borders."

His eyes gleamed like burning embers in the dark.

"Then there is only one solution," he said coldly. "Eliminate it. Burn it to ash. I will not allow my plan go to waste."

The guards trembled, bowing even lower. "Y-yes, my lord!"

_______________________

Crow's shadow moved over them as it circled above, letting out a loud caw. The big bird folded its wings and dropped down, landing beside Axelius with a heavy thud that shook the ground.

Crow jumped onto his shoulder, Owen's head shot up fast, his eyes wide after hearing what Crow said. "Shit! We forgot!"

Axelius clicked his tongue. "Tsk… Can I not go?"

"No, idiot!" Owen hissed, his voice sharp. "If you skip again, we'll have big trouble."

Crow cawed again, louder this time, like he agreed with Owen.

Owen flicked his tail. "Crow, let's go!"

Crow hopped back and grew big in a burst of feathers and mana, Axelius sighed and He put his katana away and walked toward Crow as Gob and Nyx went to his shadow.