A Berus

"How is it doing?"

I asked as I entered the cave. The wolf is lying on the ground, it seems to be okay now.

Zephyr stood by the wolf's side, her eyes softening as she glanced at me. "It's stable now. Your healing worked perfectly, Master. It's resting."

The silver-furred wolf's chest rose and fell steadily, its wounds mostly healed, though a few scars remained as a testament to whatever ordeal it had been through. The aura of desperation and pain I had sensed earlier had faded, replaced with a calm, though slightly wary, energy.

I walked over to where the wolf lay, feeling a sense of relief as I knelt beside it. The wolf's steady breathing and calmer aura told me it would recover soon enough. It was still an imposing creature, even in this weakened state—its sheer size and strength were undeniable.

The wolf stirred slightly, its glowing blue eyes opening halfway. It met my gaze again, and this time, there was a flicker of recognition in those eyes. Slowly, it attempted to rise to its feet.

"Easy there," I said, placing a hand on its side to steady it. "You're not ready to move yet."

The wolf let out a low rumble, somewhere between a growl and a sigh, but it didn't try to stand again. Instead, it leaned into my touch, its fur warm and surprisingly soft beneath my hand.

"Why don't you tame it too, Master." Zephyr suggested.

I glanced at Zephyr, her words catching me slightly off guard. The idea of taming the wolf hadn't crossed my mind yet. I looked down at the massive creature, its silver fur gleaming in the dim light of the cave. Its eyes, still glowing faintly, met mine once more. There was a bond forming, something subtle but undeniable.

"Tame it, huh?" I murmured, running my hand gently along its side. The wolf seemed to sense my hesitation, its breathing steady but watchful. "It's not like Zephyr, though. This wolf has already been through a lot. I'm not sure if it's ready to trust anyone yet."

[Notice: You have 5 chances to try.]

I let my hand rest on the wolf's fur, feeling the steady rise and fall of its breathing. It wasn't just about commanding it into submission; this wolf had its own mind, its own experiences. I wanted to respect that.

Zephyr watched me quietly, sensing the weight of my decision. "Master, I think it understands more than we realize. If you approach it the same way you did with me, I'm sure it'll choose you."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's give it a shot."

I closed my eyes, focusing on my mana, letting it flow outward in a gentle, non-threatening manner. I wanted to reach the wolf, not overpower it. Slowly, I opened my mind to its thoughts, allowing for a deeper connection, much like I had done with Zephyr.

[Attempt 1…]

A faint ripple of resistance greeted me, like a closed door being nudged. The wolf's aura flickered in response, cautious but not hostile. Its blue eyes flicked toward mine, and I could sense its wariness. It wasn't ready yet.

[Failed. 4 chances left.]

I could feel the wolf's caution, like a barrier keeping me at a distance. It wasn't outright rejecting me, but it wasn't ready to open itself fully either. I let out a slow breath and withdrew my mana for now, not wanting to push too hard. This wasn't about domination, it was about trust.

Zephyr gave me a nod of understanding, her gaze flicking to the wolf. "It's still unsure. But I think it can feel your intentions, Master. Don't rush it."

I knelt there for a moment longer, keeping my hand gently resting on the wolf's side. "You're right. I'll give it some space."

The wolf's blue eyes followed me as I stood up, though it remained lying down. It seemed to be waiting, contemplating. I gave it a small smile, letting it know that I wasn't giving up, but I also wasn't going to force anything. With a final glance at Zephyr, I stepped back to let the wolf rest again.

I leave the cave, my thoughts wandering to the corrupted magic earlier. It was powerful, I can sense it, but it's not powerful enough to defeat me.

"Aether, give the full analysis of the corrupted magic earlier."

[Processing...]

...

[Analysis complete: The corrupted magic encountered contains a complex matrix of necrotic and parasitic energy, linked to a larger force. Its essence suggests influence from a dark elemental core, likely an external entity. The magic spreads by latching onto living beings, slowly eroding their natural mana while feeding off their life force.]

I frowned. That sounded worse than I expected. This wasn't just a rogue force of nature, it was deliberate and highly destructive.

[Further analysis reveals signs of necromantic alterations. The corruption is capable of reanimating or altering creatures it comes into contact with. The wolf was affected but resisted full transformation due to its innate strength and connection to dark mana.]

"Hmm... Then, what's a dark mana?"

[Explanation: Dark mana is a form of energy derived from negative or destructive forces, often associated with necromancy, curses, or forbidden magics. It feeds off decay, suffering, and death, and it corrupts whatever it touches. Unlike normal mana, which sustains and enhances life, dark mana seeks to erode, alter, or consume the essence of living things.]

"Then why does the wolf have it?"

[Explanation: The wolf you encountered is called a 'Berus' a unique breed that can only be found in the underworld.]

"A Berus?"

[Explanation: The Berus is a rare and powerful wolf species that hails from the underworld. It is naturally attuned to dark mana but not inherently malevolent. Due to their unique biology, they are capable of resisting and even harnessing dark mana without being corrupted by it. However, prolonged exposure to necrotic forces, like the corrupted magic you encountered, can overwhelm their defenses.]

"I see... Then, is there a possibility that the wolf or 'Berus' can lead me to the source of corruption?"

[Affirmative: The Berus can likely trace its origins, especially if the corruption in the area is linked to a larger source. Its natural resistance allows it to navigate areas saturated with dark magic, making it a potential guide.]

I glanced back at the resting Berus, considering my next move. If this wolf could lead me to the source of the corruption, it might provide answers... maybe even solutions. But the bond wasn't yet fully formed, and I needed its trust before I could ask that of it.

"Looks like I'll need to earn its loyalty," I murmured to myself. This would take more than just taming the Berus with magic, it required a mutual understanding.

...

In the castle's throne room. One day ago. The king is seated on the throne, discussing the recent disturbances in the kingdom. His advisors stood by, their expressions tense. Lady Aurelia, the queen's advisor, was at his side, her calm demeanor masking the severity of the situation.

"The corruption is spreading faster than we anticipated, Your Majesty," One of the advisors said. "Villages near the western border have reported strange phenomena. Livestock falling ill, crops withering overnight, and some say they've seen unnatural creatures roaming the outskirts."

The king's brow furrowed in thought. "This is no ordinary blight. What of the royal mages? Have they uncovered anything about the cause?"

Lady Aurelia stepped forward, her eyes sharp with focus. "Our mages have confirmed the presence of dark mana, a force not seen in this region for centuries. It is far stronger and more deliberate than natural decay. This is the work of someone—or something—manipulating forbidden magic."

Then the large door opens and Seraphina stride forward.

"Seraphina," The king greeted, rising from his throne. "I see you've come... What'sthe news?"

"Tch... The Stormfeather Roc got away, someone helped it."

The king's eyes widened slightly at Seraphina's words. "The Stormfeather Roc? That was a key target... Are we certain it escaped?"

"It didn't just escape. A man helped it with teleportation magic."

The tension in the room grew palpable as the advisors exchanged worried glances. Lady Aurelia remained composed but her gaze sharpened. "This intervention... Could it be related to the white-haired man, the individual I mentioned earlier?"

Seraphina crossed her arms, deep in thought. "Yes, it's him, the white-haired man is the one who helped it escaped. If he can tame a Stormfeather Roc, that would suggest immense control over mana and beasts."

The king's expression darkened. "If this white-haired man possesses that level of power, we need to know his intentions. He could either be a powerful ally or a dangerous foe."

Lady Aurelia nodded thoughtfully. "We cannot afford to let such a force roam unchecked, Your Majesty. Especially with the growing threat of the dark mana. If he is linked to it in any way, we must tread carefully."

"That's the problem, Your Majesty... After helping the Stormfeather Roc to escape, I declared him as an enemy of the kingdom."

The king's eyes narrowed at Seraphina's words, his expression hardening. "You declared him an enemy of the kingdom? Without further information?"

Seraphina met his gaze, unflinching. "He directly interfered with our mission, Your Majesty. I'm sorry for acting hastily."

The room fell into a tense silence after Seraphina's words. The king stood, his posture stiff, clearly weighing the gravity of the situation.

Lady Aurelia broke the silence, her voice calm but with a hint of urgency. "Your Majesty, if this white-haired man is as powerful as we believe, and if he has control over creatures like the Stormfeather Roc, we must proceed with caution. Declaring him an enemy prematurely may complicate things. He could become a valuable ally in combating the dark mana—if we can convince him to join our cause."

The king nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Seraphina, your actions were driven by the need to protect the kingdom, but we cannot afford to make more enemies while dealing with this corruption. We need to understand his intentions."

Seraphina's face remained neutral, but there was a flicker of realization behind her eyes. "I understand, Your Majesty. But what would you have me do? He's already been declared an enemy. If I meet him again, he may not be willing to listen."

The king paced before turning to Lady Aurelia. "Is there any way we can track this man? Learn more about him before we make our next move?"

Lady Aurelia's eyes gleamed with a hint of intrigue. "There are ways, Your Majesty. I can use a tracing spell to find his mana signature. It will be risky, but it might lead us to him before he becomes a true threat—or, perhaps, we can reach out to him diplomatically."

Seraphina remained silent but attentive, understanding the delicate nature of the situation now. The king's tone softened slightly as he addressed her. "For now, we need to gather more information. Let Aurelia attempt her spell. Seraphina, I want you to prepare for a diplomatic mission. If we do manage to contact this man, I want you to be the one to speak with him."

Seraphina's eyes widened slightly, but she bowed her head. "As you command, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

...

Back at the cave, I felt the atmosphere shift slightly. The Berus stirred from its rest, its blue eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. I knelt down beside it once more, sensing the bond between us slowly deepening, but not quite fully formed yet.

"I'll give you some time," I said softly. "But soon, I'll need your help."

Zephyr stood beside me, watching the Berus with a curious expression. "It seems like it's starting to trust you, Master."

"We're getting there, but it's still cautious. I don't blame it."

As I spoke, I could sense something stirring in the distance, a faint ripple of power, like a beacon calling out to me.

Zephyr's eyes flicked to the cave entrance again. "That presence... It's closer now."

"We're not alone."

The Berus let out a low growl, its ears twitching toward the cave entrance. I stood, feeling the shift in the air as Zephyr's storm-infused aura subtly flared, her gaze sharp. Something was definitely approaching, and it wasn't friendly.

"Stay alert," I said, moving toward the cave's mouth. Zephyr moved in sync with me, her body tense, eyes scanning the surroundings.

As we stepped outside, the wind picked up, carrying with it the faint stench of blood. In the distance, a shadow moved across the landscape, slowly advancing toward the cave.

The figure that emerged from the shadows was tall and broad, carrying the lifeless body of a large creature slung over his shoulder. His steps were slow and deliberate, but there was something unsettling about the way he moved... too calm, too composed for someone in the midst of a dangerous forest.

I narrowed my eyes, feeling the sharp tension building in the air as Zephyr stepped closer to my side, her body radiating silent vigilance. The Berus stirred behind us, its low growl echoing through the cave as it sensed the unfamiliar presence.

The man stopped a few meters away, lowering the carcass of the creature to the ground with a casual ease. He looked up, his eyes locking onto mine with an eerie familiarity. The creature he had killed was nothing short of a beast, with large, clawed limbs and darkened fur tainted by the same corrupted magic I had sensed earlier. The stench of decay clung to it, and my instincts told me this was no ordinary man.

"You're the one causing a stir around these parts," The man said in a voice that was both gruff and mocking. "The white-haired man. I've heard a lot about you."