Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast)

Episode 3: Shadows in the Forest

Ethan awoke the next morning with a lingering sense of unease. The events of the previous day felt like a surreal dream, but the artifact’s weight against his chest and Silver’s soft breathing at the foot of his bed were undeniable reminders that his life had irrevocably changed.

“What now?”he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. Silver’s ears perked up, and the wolf like creature jumped onto the bed, nudging Ethan with his nose.

“Alright, alright,” Ethan said, chuckling despite himself. “Let’s get moving.”

Downstairs, his mother was humming a tune in the kitchen. She greeted him with a warm smile as he grabbed some toast.

“You’re up early,” she said. “Big plans today?”

Ethan hesitated. “Uh, yeah. Just meeting Mia to work on a project.” It wasn’t a total lie, but he still felt a pang of guilt. How could he explain the truth?

Mia was waiting for him at their usual meeting spot under the oak tree. She looked up from her notebook as he approached, her expression serious.

“I did some digging last night,” she said, holding up a page filled with notes and sketches. “If Mrs. Kline’s right about the artifact being one of the Seals of Eryndor, then there’s a lot more to this than just taming monsters.”

“Like what?”Ethan asked, sitting down beside her.

“For starters, the seals are supposedly connected to something called the Nexus,” Mia explained. “It’s this ancient source of energy that keeps the balance between light and dark. If the seals are corrupted or destroyed, the Nexus could collapse.”

Ethan’s stomach tightened. “So if something happens to this thing…” He touched the artifact around his neck.

“Bad news for everyone,” Mia finished.

Before Ethan could respond, Silver’s ears pricked up, and he let out a low growl. The air around them grew heavy, and a chill ran down Ethan’s spine.

“What is it?”Mia asked, glancing around nervously.

“I don’t know,” Ethan said, standing. “But it’s close.”

The forest was eerily quiet as Ethan and Mia ventured into the woods, following Silver’s lead. The wolf-like creature moved with purpose, his glowing blue eyes scanning the shadows.

“I don’t like this,” Mia whispered. “It feels… wrong.”

Ethan nodded. The usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves were absent, replaced by an oppressive silence. The artifact pulsed faintly against his chest, as if responding to the tension in the air.

They didn’t have to wait long to find the source of the disturbance. A clearing opened up before them, and in the center stood a creature unlike any Ethan had seen before. It was humanoid in shape but twisted and grotesque, its skin covered in jagged black scales. Red energy crackled around its clawed hands, and its glowing eyes locked onto them with predatory intent.

“That’s definitely not friendly,” Mia said, taking a step back.

The creature let out a guttural roar and charged. Ethan barely had time to react.

“Silver, go!”he shouted, the artifact flaring to life.

Silver leapt forward, meeting the creature head-on. The two clashed in a flurry of movement, Silver’s speed and agility countering the creature’s brute strength. Ethan could feel their connection, a thread of shared energy that allowed him to sense Silver’s every move.

“What can I do?”Mia shouted, her voice tinged with panic.

Ethan glanced at her, then at the artifact. “I think… I think it can amplify our bond. Maybe I can give Silver more power.”

“How?”Mia asked.

“I don’t know! I’m figuring this out as I go!”Ethan closed his eyes, focusing on the artifact and the bond he shared with Silver. He imagined his energy flowing into the creature, strengthening it.

The artifact glowed brighter, and Silver’s form shimmered. His fur took on a metallic sheen, and his movements became faster, more precise. He dodged the creature’s claws and landed a powerful strike that sent it stumbling back.

But the victory was short-lived. The creature let out a roar, and the red energy around it flared, forming jagged spikes that shot toward Silver. One grazed his side, and he yelped in pain.

“No!”Ethan shouted, the artifact pulsing wildly. He felt a surge of anger and determination, and before he knew it, the energy from the artifact enveloped him and Silver in a blinding light.

When the light faded, Ethan found himself standing beside Silver, their forms partially merged. He could feel Silver’s strength coursing through him, and his vision was sharper, his reflexes quicker.

The creature hesitated, as if sensing the change. Ethan didn’t wait. He charged forward, Silver’s instincts guiding his movements. Together, they struck the creature with a powerful blow, the artifact’s energy amplifying the impact.

The creature let out a final, anguished cry before disintegrating into ash. The clearing fell silent once more, and Ethan felt the energy around him dissipate. He staggered, the bond with Silver returning to its normal state.

“Ethan!”Mia ran to his side, her eyes wide. “What just happened?”

“I… I don’t know,” Ethan admitted, his voice shaky. “But I think we’re stronger together than I realized.”

Silver nuzzled him, his eyes filled with trust and gratitude. Despite the exhaustion, Ethan felt a spark of hope. They had won this battle, but he knew it was only the beginning.

That night, Ethan sat on his bed, turning the artifact over in his hands. The events of the day replayed in his mind, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that the creature they had faced was just a glimpse of the challenges to come.

“We’ll figure this out,” he said softly, glancing at Silver, who was curled up at the foot of the bed.

As he drifted off to sleep, the artifact pulsed faintly, as if in agreement. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Ethan felt ready to face it.

Ethan’s footsteps echoed in the empty school hallway as he made his way to his locker. The normalcy of the day felt like a thin veil over the chaos of the last few days. As he grabbed his books, a familiar voice broke his thoughts.

“Ethan, wait up!”Mia called, jogging toward him. She looked excited, her backpack slung over one shoulder and a notebook in her hand.

“What’s up?”Ethan asked, shutting his locker.

Mia held up her notebook. “I found something last night. There’s a legend about the Seals of Eryndor that mentions a ‘Hunter’ someone who’s tasked with destroying corrupted creatures and anyone who wields a seal.”

Ethan’s stomach sank. “Destroying? As in… killing? ”

Mia nodded grimly. “It’s not clear if the Hunter’s good or bad, but if they’re real, it means we’re not just dealing with monsters anymore. We’re dealing with someone who might come after you.”

Ethan’s mind raced. The thought of someone actively hunting him was terrifying. “Do we know anything about this Hunter?”

“Not much,” Mia admitted. “Just that they’re skilled, and they’ve been around for centuries. They might have some connection to the seals themselves.”

Before Ethan could respond, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class.

“We’ll talk more later,” Mia said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Just… be careful, okay?”

That evening, Ethan and Silver walked through the forest near his house. The quiet rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl were the only sounds. Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

“You feel it too, don’t you?” Ethan asked, glancing at Silver. The wolf-like creature’s ears were perked, his body tense.

Suddenly, a shadow darted between the trees. Ethan froze, his heart pounding.

“Who’s there?”he called, trying to keep his voice steady.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, cloaked in black. Their face was obscured by a hood, but their stance was confident and deliberate. In their hand was a sleek, glowing weapon that looked like a cross between a blade and a staff.

“Ethan Carter,” the figure said, their voice calm but firm. “You’ve been chosen by the Seal of Eryndor. Do you understand the danger you’ve brought upon yourself?”

Ethan clenched his fists. “Who are you?”

“I am the Hunter,” they replied. “My duty is to ensure the seals do not fall into the wrong hands. If you cannot control its power, I will end this before it becomes a threat.”

Silver growled, stepping protectively in front of Ethan. The Hunter tilted their head slightly, as if assessing the creature.

“I’m not a threat,” Ethan said, his voice shaking. “I didn’t ask for this. I’m just trying to figure it out.”

The Hunter’s weapon glowed brighter. “Intentions mean little when the balance of the world is at stake. Show me your strength, or surrender the seal.”

Ethan’s grip tightened on the artifact. He could feel its energy pulsing, responding to his fear and determination.

“I’m not giving it up,” he said. “If you want it, you’ll have to fight me.”

The Hunter nodded, as if expecting this answer. “Very well.”

They moved with incredible speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Silver lunged to intercept, but the Hunter dodged effortlessly, striking with precision. Ethan barely had time to react, raising the artifact and summoning a burst of light to push the Hunter back.

“Good,” the Hunter said, their tone almost approving. “But you’ll need more than that.”

The battle intensified, the forest around them becoming a blur of movement and light. Ethan and Silver fought as one, their bond strengthening with every attack. But the Hunter was relentless, their skill unmatched. Every move Ethan made seemed to be anticipated, every strike countered.

“You’re holding back,” the Hunter said, their voice cutting through the chaos. “If you don’t embrace the seal’s power, you’ll never survive.”

Ethan gritted his teeth. He could feel the artifact’s energy building, a wellspring of power waiting to be unleashed. But something held him back fear of losing control, of becoming something he didn’t understand.

“Ethan, you have to trust it!” Mia’s voice echoed in his mind, a memory from earlier that day.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan let go of his hesitation. The artifact flared to life, enveloping him and Silver in a brilliant light. When the glow subsided, they stood transformed, their forms merged into a single, powerful being. Ethan could feel Silver’s strength coursing through him, their thoughts and instincts perfectly aligned.

The Hunter paused, their weapon lowered slightly. “So, you’ve taken the first step. Good. But this is only the beginning.”

With a swift motion, they vanished into the shadows, leaving Ethan and Silver alone in the clearing. The forest was silent once more, but the weight of the encounter lingered.

Back at home, Ethan sat on his bed, the artifact glowing faintly in his hand. Silver lay beside him, his breathing steady.

“The Hunter…” Ethan murmured. “They’re not just after me. They’re testing me.”

Silver’s ears twitched, as if agreeing. Ethan sighed, leaning back against the wall. The path ahead was growing darker, but he was determined to see it through. For the first time, he felt a flicker of confidence. He wasn’t just a boy with an artifact anymore. He was a tamer, and he was ready to face whatever came next.