The Verdant Academy arena glowed under torchlight, its stone benches filled with villagers cheering loudly. Kai stood on the dirt field, his Starborn Cub bouncing beside him, its silver fur shining like a starry sky. His black hair, streaked with silver, stuck to his sweaty forehead, and his green eyes scanned the crowd with a mix of nerves and excitement. The star-shaped scar on his left hand pulsed, matching the cub's warm glow. His Thorned Viper coiled nearby, its green scales catching the light, now moving smoothly with their bond. His blue robes, pinned with a Novice medallion, felt like a badge of progress.
Yesterday's fight against Lila, interrupted by a corrupted Direwolf with creepy red eyes, had shown Kai's cub was drawing danger. The wolf's dark power, like the fox in the maze, hinted at something bad out there. Today was the final trial—a team challenge to test how well tamers worked together. Winning meant locking in Novice rank and a spot in Verdant Academy. Losing meant fading into the village's shadows, and Kai wasn't about that.
Lila stood close, her auburn ponytail swaying, blue streaks in her hair glowing under the torches. Her hazel eyes sparkled with fire, and her green robes fluttered as her Windwing Sparrow perched on her arm. Her Windchime Pendant shone, boosting her Windslash and Windstep moves. "Ready to shine, Kai?" she teased, nudging his shoulder. Kai grinned, her confidence lifting him. "Just don't slow me down, Lila."
Sylvara stepped onto the platform, her red hair blazing under her Ember Crown. Her amber eyes burned with strength, and her crimson robes glowed with flame runes. Her Blazefury Drake loomed behind, its fiery scales casting heat. "Novices!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "This trial tests teamwork. In teams of four, enter the Verdant Crucible—a gorge full of beasts—and grab a Verdant Crystal. Get back by dawn, or you fail. Stay sharp—danger's close." Her eyes locked on Kai's cub, a warning clear.
Torren stood beside her, his Rare Ironfang Wolf growling. "Teams!" he called, pointing to Kai and Lila. "You two, with two others." Kai glanced at Lila, their teamwork from the maze and duel giving him hope. Sylvara added, "Work as one, or you'll lose." Kai's scar tingled, the cub nuzzling him. Lila whispered, "Let's do this, Kai."
The horn sounded, and teams rushed toward the Verdant Crucible, a jagged gorge lined with glowing vines. Kai's team sprinted in, the cub's Starflare lighting the way, its silver glow bouncing off rocks. Lila's sparrow flew above, its Windslash clearing vines. The other two Novices followed, their beasts—a Stone Beetle and a Vine Lizard—helping with small moves, but Kai and Lila led. "Stay close!" Kai called, his scar glowing as he channeled Essence.
The gorge was alive with beasts—Fangboars, Vine Lizards, and Stone Beetles rustled in the shadows. Kai synced with the cub's heartbeat, his Binding Cord ready. "Find the crystal!" he whispered. The cub darted forward, its Starveil Cloak shimmering faintly from Sylvara's training. Lila's sparrow scouted, their moves blending like in practice. "Nice lead, Kai," Lila said, her pendant glowing.
A deep hum shook the gorge, making Kai's skin crawl. The cub growled, its fur standing up. Lila's sparrow screeched, landing on her shoulder. The air felt heavy, like before the wolf attack. A corrupted beast appeared—a Common Stonefang Boar, its hide dark with veins, eyes glowing red. Its power felt wrong, like a shadow over the gorge.
"Spread out!" Kai yelled. The team scattered, the boar charging. Lila's sparrow dove, its Windslash cutting the boar's side. Kai's cub unleashed a Starflare, the starlight burning its hide. The viper lunged, its Venomcoil Strike wrapping around the boar's leg, slowing it. The other Novices' beasts helped—a beetle's Stonecarve cracked the boar's hide, and a lizard's Vinewhip tangled its feet. Kai's scar burned, his Essence strong. "Cub, hit it!" The cub's Starflare burst brighter, staggering the boar.
Lila's Windstep blurred, her Windslash hitting hard. "Nice one, Kai!" she called, her eyes sharp. The boar roared, breaking free, its tusks aiming for Kai. Lila pushed him aside, her sparrow's Windslash driving it back. Kai's cub and viper struck together, Starflare and Venomcoil mixing in a bright attack. The boar fell, its dark power fading.
Lila pointed to a glowing cavern. "The crystal's there!" They rushed inside, finding a Verdant Crystal on a stone altar, its green light pulsing. Kai grabbed it, the cub yipping happily. They sprinted back, the gorge shaking again, a bigger shadow moving in the mist. Sylvara's drake roared from the entrance, flames lighting the sky. "Hurry!" she shouted.
They crossed the finish line as dawn broke, the crowd cheering. Sylvara took the crystal, her eyes warm. "Good work, Kai, Lila. You're Novices now." She handed them medallions, her drake's heat lingering. Lila bumped Kai's shoulder, her grin soft. "We nailed it, Kai." Kai smiled, the cub warm in his arms. "Yeah, Lila. Teamwork."
Sylvara's voice dropped. "Your cub draws danger, Kai. Stay ready." The shadow in the gorge stuck in his mind, its red eyes hidden but close. Lila's hand brushed his, her hazel eyes soft. "We'll handle it, Kai." He nodded, his scar pulsing. The trials were done, but something bigger was coming.