Chapter 27: Taming Ambitions and a Frog’s Fate

The campfire crackled and spat embers into the twilight, painting the sky with the last remnants of gold and pink. Azazel, Kaela, and Shadow were gathered around the fire, finishing off a simple meal of roasted roots and dried meat. The fatigue of travel was starting to weigh on them, but the warmth of the fire and the comfort of each other's company made the long journey bearable.

Azazel leaned back, his hand resting lazily on Shadow's neck as he gazed at the flickering flames. Kaela, however, seemed lost in thought. Her eyes kept drifting to Azazel's chest, or more specifically, to the Mark of Valhalla that glowed faintly even through his shirt.

Curiosity finally got the better of her. "Hey, Azazel," she began, her voice hesitant but filled with intrigue, "does it... hurt?"

Azazel glanced down at the mark and then back at Kaela, raising an eyebrow. "What, this thing?" He tapped his chest, and the mark pulsed faintly in response. "Nah, not really. It's just... there. Sometimes it feels like it's burning when I'm about to use the Sky Serpent's power, but mostly it's just a part of me."

Kaela's eyes narrowed with interest, and before Azazel could react, she leaned in and pressed a curious finger to the mark. A spark of blue energy crackled beneath her touch, sending a tiny shock up her arm.

"Ouch!" She yanked her hand back, shaking her fingers and laughing. "That thing has a bite, huh?"

Azazel laughed, his voice rich and warm. "Well, what did you expect? It's not a pet dragon. Or are you thinking of taming it?"

Kaela's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Why not? Imagine it: me, Kaela, a powerful mage and beast tamer, with a dragon under my control."

Azazel snorted, trying and failing to keep a straight face. "A dragon, huh? That's pretty ambitious. How about starting small?" He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a mock-serious whisper. "Like... a frog."

Kaela rolled her eyes, swatting at him playfully. "A frog? Really? Come on, Azazel, give me some credit!"

Azazel threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, you have to start somewhere! Maybe you could befriend a frog first. Prove you have the heart of a true tamer."

Kaela groaned but couldn't hide her laughter. "Fine, fine. If a frog is all I'm worthy of, I'll take on the challenge."

Shadow, who had been lying quietly at their feet, lifted his head and let out a curious bark, as if to say, This, I have to see.

---

Not long after, the trio found themselves wandering through a patch of dense underbrush. The moon had risen, casting a silvery glow over the forest. Kaela had decided to take Azazel's joke seriously, announcing that she would find and "tame" a frog, just to prove a point.

Azazel trailed behind, trying his best not to snicker. "You know, if we actually find a frog, I expect you to befriend it properly. No half-hearted effort."

Kaela shot him a glare over her shoulder. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"I mean," Azazel said, grinning, "I can't help but picture you trying to give a frog a grand speech about the bond between beast and master."

Kaela paused mid-step, holding up a finger. "Actually, I think frogs would respond better to poetry. You know, something elegant and heartfelt."

Azazel clutched his chest dramatically. "A poet and a mage? Truly, you are full of surprises."

Shadow, clearly tired of the banter, padded ahead and barked sharply. Kaela frowned, moving toward where Shadow was sniffing at something. "What is it, boy?" she asked.

As she approached, she heard a distressed croaking sound. Pushing aside some ferns, she found a small, emerald-green frog tangled in the roots of a thorny bush. Its leg was trapped, and it struggled helplessly, its glossy eyes reflecting the moonlight.

Kaela's heart melted. "Oh no, you poor thing," she whispered.

Azazel leaned over her shoulder, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Looks like fate really wants you to have a frog."

Kaela shot him a playful glare but knelt beside the bush. "Hold still, little guy," she murmured, carefully untangling the roots. The frog stopped struggling, as if sensing she meant no harm. With gentle fingers, Kaela freed its leg, inspecting it for injuries.

"There you go," she said softly. "You're safe now."

The frog looked up at her, and for a moment, there was an odd sense of understanding between them. Then, with a cheerful croak, it hopped onto her shoulder and sat there, as if perfectly content to stay.

Azazel burst out laughing. "Oh wow, it really likes you! Guess you have the heart of a frog tamer after all."

Kaela crossed her arms, trying to look indignant, but the frog's presence on her shoulder made it hard to keep a straight face. "See? I didn't even have to give a speech or a poem. It knows I'm trustworthy."

Azazel wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "You know what? I'm impressed. You really are a natural."

---

They made their way back to the camp, Kaela carrying her new friend proudly on her shoulder. Shadow sniffed at the frog a few times, but when the frog let out a loud croak, Shadow backed off with a confused whine.

Azazel was still in high spirits. "Alright, you win this round, Kaela. But what are you going to name your noble companion?"

Kaela looked thoughtful, tapping her chin. "Hmm... How about 'Sir Croaksalot'?"

Azazel doubled over with laughter. "Sir Croaksalot?! Oh, that's perfect. A name fit for a knightly frog."

Kaela giggled, gently patting the frog's head. "Sir Croaksalot it is, then. Welcome to the team, noble one."

Shadow seemed less enthusiastic about their new teammate, lying down and covering his nose with his paws as if to block out the frog's occasional croaks.

Kaela rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Shadow. Give Sir Croaksalot a chance. He's small but brave."

Azazel sat down by the fire, still smiling. "Well, you did it, Kaela. You tamed a creature. Who knows? Maybe this is the start of your journey to becoming a beast tamer like me."

Kaela looked at the frog, then at Azazel, her eyes sparkling with determination. "You know what? Maybe it is. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?"

Azazel nodded, his laughter fading into a genuine smile. "Yeah. And who knows? One day, you might even tame something bigger. Like... I don't know, a sky serpent or a dragon."

Kaela's smile widened. "One day, maybe. But for now, I'm happy with Sir Croaksalot."

The night settled around them, the fire casting warm shadows on their faces. For a brief moment, the worries of their journey felt far away. They sat together, laughing and sharing stories, with a frog knight, a loyal wolf, and the bond of friendship that made even the darkest nights a little brighter.

And somewhere in the distance, beyond the trees and the shadows, the world waited for their next adventure.