7: Into the Wild- II

Kael froze, his heart pounding in his chest as he faced the Sabercrawl. The beast's presence was overwhelming, its sheer size and power a stark reminder of how dangerous the wild truly was. For a moment, Kael considered retreating—after all, this was his first real venture into the wild, and the Sabercrawl was far more formidable than anything he'd encountered before.

But then, the determination that had driven him into the Whispering Woods surged to the forefront of his mind. He had come here to prove himself, to tame a wild beast and take the next step on his journey toward becoming a renowned tamer. Running away now would be a failure he couldn't accept.

Slowly, Kael reached into his pack and pulled out a taming orb—a simple, polished stone infused with energy that could be used to attempt a bond with a beast. He held it in one hand, while the other reached into a pouch for a small vial of calming herbs. The Sabercrawl watched him intently, its growl growing louder as Kael took a cautious step forward.

"Easy there," Kael murmured, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to see if we can understand each other."

The Sabercrawl responded with a sharp, barking growl, baring its long, curved fangs.

Kael's grip tightened on the taming orb, and he prepared himself for the possibility of a fight. But he also knew that the key to taming a beast wasn't just about overpowering it—it was about establishing trust, about convincing the creature that it didn't need to see him as a threat.

With steady hands, Kael uncorked the vial and poured a few drops of the herbal mixture onto the ground between them. The calming scent wafted through the air, and the Sabercrawl's growl faltered for a moment, its nose twitching as it caught the scent. Kael took another step forward, keeping his movements slow and deliberate.

"That's it," he said softly. "Just take it easy."

The Sabercrawl hesitated, its ears twitching as it continued to sniff the air. Kael could see the tension in the beast's muscles begin to ease, just a fraction, and he knew he was making progress. Encouraged, he crouched down to make himself appear less threatening and extended the taming orb toward the Sabercrawl.

For a long moment, the two of them stared at each other, neither moving. The cave was silent except for the sound of their breathing. Then, with a cautious step, the Sabercrawl lowered its head and sniffed at the orb. Kael held his breath, waiting for the beast to make its decision.

The Sabercrawl growled softly, a sound that was more curious than aggressive, and nudged the orb with its nose. Kael felt a surge of hope. He slowly began to channel his energy into the orb, allowing it to glow with a soft, pulsing light. The Sabercrawl flinched at first, but when Kael didn't make any sudden movements, it relaxed again, watching the orb with keen interest.

The bond was forming, Kael could feel it.

The taming orb was beginning to resonate with the Sabercrawl's energy, linking the two of them together. But the process was far from complete—it was one thing to establish a connection, and another to solidify it into a partnership.

"You're strong," Kael said quietly, meeting the Sabercrawl's gaze. "Stronger than anything I've faced before. But I think we could make each other even stronger, don't you?"

The Sabercrawl's eyes narrowed slightly, as if considering his words. It took another step forward, closer to Kael, and nudged the orb again. This time, the light from the orb grew brighter, and Kael felt the bond strengthen. The Sabercrawl was still wary, still cautious, but it was no longer viewing Kael as an enemy.

Slowly, Kael reached out with his other hand, moving to touch the beast's massive head. The Sabercrawl tensed, its muscles coiling like springs, ready to strike if it sensed any danger. But Kael kept his movements smooth and gentle, his hand hovering just inches from the Sabercrawl's fur.

"I won't hurt you," Kael whispered. "I promise."

The Sabercrawl huffed, a hot breath of air blowing past Kael's face. But it didn't move away, and Kael finally made contact, his fingers brushing against the coarse fur of the beast's head. The Sabercrawl stiffened, then let out a low rumble, a sound that Kael interpreted as reluctant acceptance.

Kael smiled, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and excitement. He began to stroke the Sabercrawl's head, feeling the tension slowly drain out of the beast's body. The taming orb's light continued to pulse, growing steadier with each passing moment.

"There we go," Kael murmured. "We're in this together now."

The Sabercrawl closed its eyes briefly, as if in agreement. The bond had solidified, and Kael knew that he had earned the beast's trust. It was a fragile trust, one that would need to be nurtured and strengthened over time, but it was a start. And for Kael, it was a victory—a hard-won step forward on his journey.

Kael spent the next few hours in the cave, allowing the Sabercrawl to adjust to his presence and their new bond. He shared some of his food with the beast, watching as it devoured the meal with a voracious appetite. The Sabercrawl, for its part, seemed content to stay near Kael, occasionally nuzzling his hand in what Kael could only describe as a gesture of cautious affection.

As the day wore on, Kael knew it was time to return to the village. He had succeeded in his goal—he had ventured into the wild, faced a dangerous beast, and tamed it. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, but so was the realization that this was only the beginning. There were countless more challenges ahead, each one more daunting than the last.

With the Sabercrawl by his side, Kael made his way back through the cave and into the Whispering Woods. The journey back to Elderglen felt different—less like a return and more like the first step in a new chapter of his life. The Sabercrawl moved silently beside him, its presence a constant reminder of the bond they now shared.

As they emerged from the forest, the village came into view, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Kael felt a swell of pride as he looked down at Elderglen, knowing that he had achieved something remarkable. But he also knew that this was only the beginning—there were more beasts to tame, more challenges to face, and more mysteries to uncover.

Kael glanced at the Sabercrawl, which looked back at him with its glowing eyes. A silent understanding passed between them—this was the start of something incredible, a partnership that would take them to the farthest reaches of the world and beyond.

With renewed determination, Kael began the descent back to the village, ready to face whatever lay ahead.