Astro Beasts

Constellation Star Beasts—the summoned creatures bound to the Zodiac and awakened by those who'd reached Stellar rank or beyond.

They were prized assets, categorized by type: some beasts were bred for battle, others to guard, and a few to support. Up until now, summoning one had always been beyond my reach.

I'd spent time in the academy ranked as a Cosmic, the lowest, even as I was surrounded by students who entered at Stellar rank or higher. I was an outlier, accepted because of Asclepius' influence, my lineage, and my Celestial potential that the Academy couldn't ignore.

Today, though, my status had changed. I was now a Transcendent rank.

"Avant Dekus," Instructor Rhys called, his voice carrying across the beast summoning platform. "Step forward."

I took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform, feeling the heat of everyone's gaze. It wasn't often that I felt this many eyes on me, but the anticipation in the crowd was palpable. Those in the crowd are the ones who are waiting to summon their beasts.

I couldn't deny the thrill in my chest. Every Ophiuchus awakener at Stellar rank was granted the chance to summon their Constellation Beast. For me, the process was as unfamiliar as it was exhilarating.

"Remember, Avant," Rhys said, his face serious, "your Zodiac affinity will guide the nature of the beast. If the affinity you awaken favors Sagittarius, then your summons will follow suit. And given this is your first summoning, you'll be able to summon only one beast. Focus, center yourself—let the constellation energy guide you."

I nodded, tuning out the hushed murmurs and whispers around me. I shut my eyes, allowing the rhythm of my heartbeat to slow and my breathing to steady. This wasn't just about summoning a creature; it was about awakening a bond, a connection that only the strongest in the Constellation hierarchy could tap into.

The energy of the Sagittarius constellation flared to life, a spark that blossomed into a fierce, swirling light. I focused my mind, channeling the energy carefully. I could feel it pulse within me, a fierce wave echoing back from the Zodiac constellation that matched the essence of my own powers.

Summoning: Constellation Star Beast… Initiating…

"Come on, show yourself," I murmured, feeling the energy intensify. "You're there... I can feel it."

A sudden burst of energy made my breath catch, and before I knew it, the light solidified before me, taking shape with elegant, wolf-like agility. The figure moved, fur bristling with each shift, its eyes sharp and focused. The beast radiated an aura of ancient, untapped power.

Summoning successful.

Beast: Timebound Wolf 

Rank: Astral 

Breed: Temporal Wolf 

Element: Time 

Type: Battle Astro Beast

Trait: Celestial

Binding contracted summoned initiating...

Binding successful.

"A Timebound Wolf," Instructor Rhys breathed. "Astro class… time element. I can hardly believe it."

A wolf, but not just any wolf. It was ethereal, silver-touched, almost glowing with an otherworldly essence. The wolf's pelt shimmered with a celestial gleam, as if time itself flowed through every strand of fur. The Timebound Wolf was no ordinary beast; it was an Astro Beast, one of the rarest types, its essence attuned to the temporal element—one of the most difficult elements to control.

It let out a soft growl, its luminous eyes meeting mine. As if it could sense my thoughts, the wolf padded over, every step purposeful. I felt a surge of energy connecting us, like an unbreakable bond had just been formed.

"Did… did he just summon an Astro Beast?" a voice in the crowd whispered, a tone that was somewhere between awe and disbelief.

"A battle class, no less," another replied. "And a Celestial trait. That's unheard of in ARA!"

Rhys stepped forward, still processing what he saw. "Only a handful of awakeners have ever called forth an Astro Beast but never on their first attempt," he remarked, eyes wide. "And none so young. You… have impressed us, Avant."

But just as I felt the excitement of achievement settle, something shifted within me. The energy hadn't faded; if anything, it pulsed, restless, as if there was something left unsaid.

My breath quickened as a second flare of energy ignited, even stronger than before.

Detecting summoned beasts...

Summoning initiating...

I didn't understand what was happening—no one could summon more than one beast on their first attempt. This was unheard of. But I was in the center of it, caught in the grip of some unseen force as it pulled me into its momentum.

The light condensed again, swirling, forming and reforming until it solidified. The new beast hovered above me, wings spread wide, radiating a commanding presence that filled the entire arena. This one wasn't bound by the earth. It was a hawk, larger than any creature I'd seen, its wings laced with shimmering traces of stardust. A Void Hawk—the rarest of the rare, embodying the space element.

"Impossible!" Rhys said, his voice carrying a rare hint of alarm.

Summoning successful.

Beast: Void Hawk 

Rank: Transcendent 

Breed: Space Hawk 

Element: Space 

Type: Battle Astro Beast

Trait: Celestial

Binding contracted summoned initiating...

Binding successful.

The hawk locked its fierce, predatory gaze onto mine, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Its feathers shifted, swirling with shadows that seemed to bend light around them. Its presence was like a void in the world—a vacuum that consumed all light and sound, embodying the vastness of space itself.

"A Void Hawk, Transcendent rank," Rhys murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "With the space element…"

For a second, the entire arena was silent, all eyes fixated on the impossible. The summoning ritual should have ended with one beast; a second Astro Beast—especially one of this caliber—was something that no one could have anticipated.

"Two Astro Beasts… and both with Celestial traits," I muttered, hardly able to believe it myself.

The massive Void Hawk let out a piercing cry, a sound that echoed with authority. It circled above before descending beside the Timebound Wolf, both beasts aligning themselves beside me, as if awaiting my command.

"Avant," Rhys spoke, his voice a mix of awe and pride. "Do you understand what you've just accomplished? Summoning even one Astro Beast is a feat most seasoned Ophiuchus awakeners struggle to achieve. But two, both Astro and Celestial-class… that's unheard of. This could change everything."

"Guess I'll need a crash course in handling more than one," I replied, unable to suppress a grin. But beneath the exhilaration, I could feel a weight settling in. With great power came even greater responsibility, and these creatures—these allies—were no ordinary beasts.

Rhys, regaining his composure, cleared his throat. "From now on, these two will be your lifelong companions, bound to you and your Zodiac affinities. Use them wisely. And remember, as they grow, so will their strength—and yours. They're extensions of your own power."

I glanced at the Timebound Wolf, then the Void Hawk, feeling the gravity of his words settle in. These weren't just summons; they were reflections of my own potential, embodiments of what I was capable of if I continued down this path.

As I left the summoning platform, my beasts in tow, whispers followed, some admiring, some questioning, others veiled with doubt. But I didn't care. I'd proven to them, and to myself, that my limitations were far from set in stone.

Seeing the sheer size of the summoned beasts, I knew they'd draw way too much attention if I strolled around campus with them in tow. I decided it was best to send them back to their constellation until I needed them again.

"Return to your stars," I commanded with a firm thought.

The system chimed in almost immediately.

Summoning: Returning summoned beasts to constellation.

I glanced between the wolf and the hawk, their forms sharp and vibrant, yet I could feel their energies beginning to wane. As much as they seemed ready to stay by my side, something was pulling them back—a tether to the constellation they came from, a call they couldn't ignore.

The wolf's gaze lingered on mine, and for a heartbeat, I sensed its loyalty, fierce and unwavering, before it began to dissolve. Light surrounded it, particles spinning upward as its form dissipated, returning to the constellation of Sagittarius. I felt a tug at my heart as it vanished, but I knew this was the way of things. These beasts were not bound to remain in the physical realm; they were a force summoned in times of need, a connection I could call upon again.

The Void Hawk gave one final, piercing cry before its form too began to fade, the shadows trailing from its feathers like stardust. In moments, it was gone, leaving only the lingering echo of its presence.

A strange emptiness settled around me as their forms vanished, but I could feel their energy imprinted within me. They were not gone—not entirely. The bond was still there, waiting, ready to be reignited when the time came.

When I rejoined Squad 13, I was met with stunned silence when I showed them my beasts. Kairos, the Squad Captain, broke it with a slow, impressed nod. "So," he said, grinning, "you've summoned two Astro beasts, huh?"

"I knew it. You're our little monster!" Xander exclaimed all too excitedly.

I smirked back, feeling a rush of confidence. "Guess that means I'll have to take you on sometime, Captain."

"Anytime, Dekus," Kairos shot back, laughing, but there was a glint of respect in his eyes. "Just give me fair warning, alright?"

As the squad congratulated me, I caught myself stealing glances at the Timebound Wolf and Void Hawk, their forms almost blending into the background as they watched over me with unwavering focus. They were more than companions now; they were part of me, an extension of my strength and spirit. And for the first time, I felt like I was no longer bound by any ceiling.

But with that freedom came a new pressure—a sense of expectation, a target on my back, and a sense of responsibility for these beasts whose trust I now held. The real challenge, I realized, was only just beginning. As I looked around at my squadmates, my eyes lingered on the future, on battles yet to come.

If summoning them had been this intense, I could only imagine what kind of tests awaited us. And I couldn't wait to find out.