New Day

A painfully slow and unsteady three weeks have passed.

Eric got from bed and picked up Zeus, taking a step.

He had not left his shack since snapping at Odin.

No, it was unfair to say he hadn't left, but that he couldn't.

Every day he tried, taking a step towards the door.

Pushing himself to the limit, he had finally made it.

Reaching for the handle, he froze.

It was like a massive wall loomed in front of him, stopping his progress.

The harder he tried, the taller the wall stood.

It had shattered his frail resolve, collapsing to his knees, and questioned himself again.

"Zeus, do you really think I can leave, or will I be stuck here until I die?" Eric asked while staring at the door.

"I'm sure you will, but for today, you made enough progress. How about you go back to bed? I need to go check on something." reassured Eric.

Wrapping himself in his blanket and bringing his knees to his chest, Eric sat back on the wall, staring at the door.

With a small satisfied nod, the crow disappeared from the shack, and Eric was alone, left to his thoughts.

Reappearing outside the shack, Zeus, with a quick beat of his wings, landed on a branch.

"He made it to the door today." said Zeus to the raven pitched on the same branch.

"It's been weeks. He should already be out, we've wasted too much time already." said Odin.

"Then what? Do we drag him out? If that is what you are plotting, I will not let you." said Zeus.

"If that's what needs to be done, so be it." Said Odin.

"He needs to get over this on his own, otherwise it will come back to bite us. I know you also want the best for him, but dragging him out will do more harm than good." Zeus warned, before swooping down and disappearing.

Seeing the white bird reappear, Eric relaxed and laid down on his side, still watching the door.

Finally, he wasn't alone with his thoughts. Now he could calm himself and fall into a peaceful sleep.

Taking a few more days, Eric could finally grab the handle.

Grabbing the handle, he began to twist. With every little movement, he was filled with dread and anxious thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him.

Just before it overwhelm him, he heard a familiar voice that calmed him.

"Don't worry, this lord crow will make sure no harm comes to you." Zeus said, once again exuding pride.

Having his resolve renewed, Eric opened the door.

Greeted by the early morning light dancing through the leaves and dew.

Eric never paid this sight much mind before now, but after a month of bleak low light and shadows, it was simply breathtaking.

Brought back to the present in an unfamiliar voice.

"It took you long enough to come outside. Now, are you calm enough to let me continue my explanation?" Asked Odin.

"I don't need the explanation." Said Eric.

"Then how are you going to know how to use it in the future?" asked Odin

"I won't because I won't be using it!" Yelled Eric, shutting down any further questions.

"Shall we go into town and grab something to eat?" Zeus asked, trying to salvage the atmosphere.

"Not today. I'd like to lie down again." Eric answered, walking back into the shack and closing the door.

That evening, a knock came on Eric's door.

Grabbing the handle, but hesitating for a second, he opened it.

Greeted by the sight of a young man with an athletic build and dirty blond hair, standing taller than Eric and with a shield slung over his shoulders and a sword at his waist.

"Hello, my name is Conor. I'm looking for someone named Eric." the young man said.

"Well, you found me, what do you need?" Asked Eric.

"I've heard you know this area very well and I'm looking for a guide. I'm from Tharen academy."

The academies took in young tamers that just signed their contracts and thought them the basics and how to advance, alongside how to fight and hunt beasts.

They also acted as a type of mercenary to any city or town nearby that were having problems with their surrounding animal populations.

Before Eric could decline his request, Zeus landed on his shoulder and nudged him.

"You should help him. It would do you some good to be around someone else for once. It will also help you get out and return to normal." Zeus's voice rang out in his head.

"Are you also a tamer?" asked Conor.

"Yes, I only formed my contract last month. This is Zeus." said Eric.

"I see, my partner is stubborn but her name is Fun." Conor said, as he reached around to his hood and shook it.

A small head popped up, with a short black snout with beady eyes with everything above them being white with seemly one hole on each side of its face.

"Fun is a honey badger, although she is lazy. Most of the time, she will put in her fair share of work." Conor said.

"I'm guessing you want to set out early tomorrow, then?" asked Eric.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow at first light then." Said Eric.

Eric closed the door and wondered if was he ready for this.

After all, he just managed to leave the house this morning.

Why did he go along with what Zeus asked?

Maybe it could be good for him, but it could also blow up in his face.

Guiding someone and helping them hunt was nothing new to Eric and he could do it.

Normally that is, but now could he, after all, one wrong turn or path could lead to death?

After all, what good is knowledge without the ability to use it?

Eric's confidence was crushed by his fear of screwing up and dying.

In such a state, how could anyone perform anywhere near their best?

All he could do now was prepare for tomorrow.