Lessons at the Edge

Chapter 16: Lessons at the Edge

The edge of the Lumina Glades was quieter than Rylan expected. The towering trees stood as silent sentinels, their faint golden glow barely piercing the dense foliage. Shadows stretched long in the fading light as Rylan made his way toward the agreed meeting point. His bird perched on his shoulder, its feathers shimmering faintly with each step.

"This better not be another ambush," Lira muttered beside him, one hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.

"It's Bran," Rylan said, though his tone wasn't entirely convincing. "I don't think he'd pull something like that."

"You don't know him," Lira said sharply. "Just because he gave you a hand doesn't mean he's trustworthy."

Before Rylan could respond, a low growl rumbled from the shadows ahead. Frostclaw stepped into view, its sleek silver-blue fur gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Bran followed close behind, his calm expression illuminated by the faint glow of the glowing tree far behind them.

"Glad you made it," Bran said, his tone as level as ever. He glanced at Lira. "Didn't expect you to bring a bodyguard."

"I'm here to make sure he doesn't get himself killed," Lira replied flatly.

Bran chuckled softly. "Fair enough. But if I wanted him dead, I wouldn't have bothered with the invite."

"Convenient," she muttered, but she stayed close as Rylan stepped forward.

"So, what's the plan?" Rylan asked, his bird chirping softly as it shifted on his shoulder.

Bran motioned toward a patch of open ground at the base of a massive tree. "The plan is to get you and your bird ready for what's coming. You've got potential, but potential doesn't mean anything without control."

Rylan frowned, his hand brushing over the hilt of his sword. "Control? What are you talking about?"

Bran stepped closer, his sharp eyes locking onto Rylan's bird. "That creature of yours—it's not like the others. Its power isn't just a result of training. It's tied to something deeper. Instinct, yes, but also… emotion."

Rylan hesitated. He'd always felt there was more to his bond with the bird, but Bran's words made it sound far more significant than he'd imagined.

"What kind of emotion?" he asked.

"Fear. Trust. Anger. Resolve," Bran said. "The stronger your bond, the more your beast will reflect you. But that cuts both ways. If you lose focus, if you let doubt or fear cloud your judgment, it'll mirror that too. And that's when things spiral out of control."

Rylan exchanged a glance with Lira, who looked more skeptical than ever. "So, what? I'm supposed to control my emotions perfectly now?"

Bran smirked faintly. "Not perfectly. But enough to give your bird the direction it needs."

He gestured toward the open space again. "Let's start. You, me, and our beasts."

Rylan blinked, his bird letting out an indignant chirp. "Wait, what? You want me to fight you again?"

"Not a fight," Bran said. "A lesson. Frostclaw won't go easy, but this isn't about winning. It's about understanding."

Rylan's stomach tightened, but he stepped forward, his bird taking to the air. Frostclaw prowled to the center of the clearing, its glowing eyes fixed on the bird as Bran raised a hand.

"Begin."

Frostclaw moved like a blur, its sleek form cutting through the clearing with startling speed. Rylan's bird darted upward, its golden feathers glowing faintly as it tried to stay out of reach.

"Stay calm," Bran called. "Your bird's fast, but speed alone won't save it."

Rylan gritted his teeth, his eyes darting between the two creatures. Frostclaw leapt, its claws raking through the air, but the bird twisted sharply, narrowly avoiding the attack. It dived low, its feathers flaring brighter, and Rylan felt a familiar rush of adrenaline.

"Now, blind it!" Rylan shouted.

The bird let out a piercing screech, its light bursting across the clearing. Frostclaw skidded to a halt, shaking its head violently as the glow filled its vision.

"Good," Bran said, his tone calm. "But not enough."

Rylan barely had time to process the words before Frostclaw lunged again, its movements sharper and more calculated. This time, the bird wasn't fast enough. The beast's claws raked across its side, sending it tumbling to the ground.

"Get up!" Rylan called, his heart pounding.

The bird staggered to its feet, its feathers dimming slightly. It flared its wings, letting out another screech, but Rylan could see it was struggling.

"Don't focus on power alone," Bran said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Your bird's strength isn't in its light—it's in its bond with you. Give it direction."

Rylan clenched his fists, his thoughts racing. He could feel the bird's frustration, its fear, its determination. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus.

"Fly low!" he called. "Keep moving!"

The bird obeyed, darting just above the ground as Frostclaw gave chase. Its golden feathers flickered like sparks, and Rylan felt a sudden surge of clarity.

"Lure it toward the tree!" he shouted.

The bird twisted sharply, angling toward the massive tree at the edge of the clearing. Frostclaw followed, its claws digging into the earth as it closed the distance. Just as it lunged, the bird flared its wings, shooting upward in a burst of light.

Frostclaw skidded to a halt, its momentum carrying it into the base of the tree. The impact sent a shower of leaves falling to the ground, and the beast let out a low growl, shaking itself off.

"Enough," Bran said, raising a hand.

The tension in the clearing dissolved instantly. Frostclaw padded back to Bran's side, its glowing eyes calm and steady. Rylan's bird landed on his shoulder, its feathers dim but intact.

"Not bad," Bran said, his smirk returning. "You're learning."

Rylan exhaled heavily, his legs trembling as he lowered his sword. "That… was intense."

"That's the point," Bran said. "Out there, you won't have time to think. You need to trust your instincts—and your bond."

Rylan glanced at his bird, who chirped softly and nudged his cheek. He felt a flicker of pride, even through his exhaustion.

"Thanks," he said, though his tone was still cautious. "For the lesson."

Bran nodded, his expression serious. "You've got potential, Rylan. But potential isn't enough. If you want to survive what's coming, you'll need more than just tricks and speed. You'll need trust. Focus. And a lot of luck."

Lira stepped forward, her arms crossed. "Are we done here?"

"For now," Bran said. "But the real tests are still ahead."

Rylan nodded, his resolve hardening. The fight had left him drained, but it had also shown him something important: he and his bird weren't just partners. They were a team.

And together, they might just stand a chance.

End of Chapter 16