The morning sun bathed Verdant Hollow in a warm glow, its dirt paths alive with villagers preparing for the academy trials. Kai trudged through the village, his Starborn Cub cradled in his arms, its silver fur sparkling like stars. His black hair, streaked with silver, fluttered in the breeze, and his green eyes shone with determination. The star-shaped scar on his left hand pulsed, matching the cub's warm glow. His blue robes, patched with silver runes, felt heavy with hope. The cub's bond, formed yesterday in the forest, was a spark of destiny, but controlling it was a challenge.
The trials were two days away, a chance to rise from Initiate to Novice and join Verdant Academy. Yesterday's fight with a corrupted Ironclaw Bear, its red eyes glowing with dark power, lingered in Kai's mind. The bear's strange Essence wasn't normal, and his cub seemed to draw it. Kai clutched the Binding Cord, its runes faint, ready to practice. He needed to be ready.
Lila caught up, her auburn ponytail bouncing, blue streaks in her hair catching the light. Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief, and her green robes swayed as her Windwing Sparrow perched on her shoulder. Her Windchime Pendant shone, boosting her Windslash and Windstep moves. "Daydreaming, Kai?" she teased, tossing a pebble. The cub yipped, batting it away with a tiny wing. "That cub won't help if you can't control it."
Kai grinned, her jab pushing him. "Worried I'll beat you, Lila?" Lila's sparrow chirped, as if laughing. She was his rival since childhood, her wind moves sharp from her family's old skills. Their teamwork against the bear showed they were stronger together, but the trials would test them alone.
They headed to Torren's hut, the village's taming hall. The old man sat inside, his gray beard long, his eyes sharp. His Rare Ironfang Wolf lay beside him, growling softly. "Kai," Torren said, eyeing the cub. "That Starborn is rare. It could make you great—or bring trouble." Kai swallowed, the cub nuzzling him. "How do I control it, Torren?" Lila leaned against the wall, her sparrow watching.
Torren handed Kai a scroll, its runes glowing. "Practice Essence Flow. It strengthens your bond. Lila, help him. Your Windstep is strong—show him focus." Lila huffed but nodded, her eyes glinting with challenge. Kai unrolled the scroll, ready to learn.
In a quiet meadow, ringed by old oaks, Kai and Lila trained. The cub bounded free, its silver fur glowing. Lila showed her Windstep, moving like a breeze, her sparrow weaving above. "Feel your Essence, Kai, don't just push it," she said, her pendant glowing. Kai nodded, his scar tingling as he channeled Essence. The scroll taught him to sync with the cub's heartbeat, letting Essence flow smoothly.
"Cub, move!" Kai called, pointing to a stump. The cub darted, leaving a trail of starlight, but tumbled past. Lila laughed, her sparrow circling. "Nice try, Kai." He grinned, trying again. His scar glowed, and the cub's Starflare sparked, lighting the grass. Lila's sparrow dove, its Windslash cutting a branch, showing off. Kai focused harder, the cub's Starflare growing steady, hitting the stump with a bright burst.
They trained for hours, their moves blending. Kai's cub unleashed a Starflare, and Lila's sparrow added a Windslash, creating a glowing swirl of light and air. "That's synergy," Lila said, eyes wide. Kai felt it too—a spark, not just with their beasts, but with her. Her hazel eyes met his, and for a moment, the trials faded. Then she smirked, tossing another pebble. "Don't get cocky, Kai."
The meadow shook, a low hum filling the air. The cub growled, its fur bristling. Lila's sparrow screeched, landing on her shoulder. A shadow moved in the trees, too big for a normal beast. Kai clutched the cub, his scar burning. Lila's pendant glowed, her hand on his arm. "That's no Fangboar," she whispered.
Torren appeared, his wolf snarling. "Back to the village!" he barked. The shadow vanished, but the hum lingered, chilling Kai. Torren's eyes flicked to the cub. "Your bond draws them, Kai. Corrupted beasts are waking. Be ready for the trials." Kai nodded, his heart racing. Lila's grip tightened, her voice low. "We're in this together, right?"
They ran back to Verdant Hollow, the cub warm in Kai's arms. The trials loomed, a chance to prove himself. Lila's words echoed: "We're in this together." Kai's scar pulsed, the cub's eyes meeting his. Whatever was coming—beasts or shadows—he'd face it with Lila by his side.