The Verdant Academy's starlit grove glowed softly, its old trees covered in vines pulsing with Essence. Kai stood in the clearing, his Starborn Cub bouncing at his side, its silver fur shining like a starry night. His black hair, streaked with silver, stuck to his sweaty forehead, and his green eyes burned with focus. The star-shaped scar on his left hand pulsed, matching the cub's warm glow. His Thorned Viper slithered nearby, its green scales catching the light. His blue robes, pinned with a Novice medallion, fluttered in the night breeze.
Three weeks into Verdant Academy, Kai's skills were growing. The tournament had unlocked Venomshade Bind, and Sylvara's praise pushed him forward. Veyra's shadowy moves against the corrupted Thornspike Wolf, her violet eyes fixed on his cub, worried him. Tonight, Sylvara had called Kai and Lila for a special training session to master a new move—Starveil Cloak. The cub yipped, wings twitching, ready to learn.
Lila stood close, her auburn ponytail swaying, blue streaks in her hair glowing faintly. Her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement, and her green robes moved with the breeze as her Windwing Sparrow perched on her arm. Her Windchime Pendant shone, boosting her Windslash and Windstep moves. "Nervous, Kai?" she teased, nudging him. Kai grinned, her warmth calming him. "Just ready to outshine you, Lila."
Sylvara stepped into the grove, 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 followed, its fiery scales lighting the clearing. "Kai, Lila," she said, her voice firm but kind. "Your tournament was strong, but power needs control. Tonight, learn Starveil Cloak—a shield move for your beasts. Master it, or trouble will win." Her eyes locked on Kai's cub, a warning clear.
Lila whispered, "Starveil sounds cool, Kai. Bet I'll get it first." Kai smirked, the cub nuzzling him. Sylvara clapped, her drake's flames flaring. "Channel Essence into a shield, syncing with your beast's rhythm. Watch." Her drake roared, a fiery cloak wrapping it, blocking a falling branch with heat.
Kai focused, his scar glowing as he synced with the cub's heartbeat. "Cub, Starveil!" A faint starlight cloak wrapped the cub, flickering. The viper's cloak was weaker, shimmering faintly. Lila's pendant glowed, her sparrow weaving a wind cloak with Windstep. "Not bad, Kai," she said, her cloak steadier. Kai pushed harder, the cub's Starveil Cloak glowing brighter, a solid shield.
Sylvara nodded, her drake pacing. "Good. Test it." She snapped her fingers, her drake sending a soft flame wave. Kai's Starveil held, the cub's light blocking the heat, but the viper's cloak faltered, making it slither back. Lila's sparrow danced through the flames, its wind cloak swirling. Sylvara's eyes gleamed. "Kai, your cub's strong. Lila, your control's sharp. Combine them."
Kai and Lila shared a look, their teamwork kicking in. "Cub, viper, together!" Kai shouted, his scar burning. The cub's Starveil mixed with the viper's, forming a glowing shield. Lila's sparrow added a wind cloak, making a bright dome. The drake's flame wave hit, sparks flying, but the dome held. Sylvara smiled, rare and warm. "Good work."
A deep hum shook the grove, chilling the air. The cub growled, its fur standing up. Lila's sparrow screeched, landing on her arm. A corrupted beast appeared—a Common Mistfang Lynx, its fur dark with veins, eyes glowing red. Its power felt heavy, twisting the vines. Sylvara's drake roared, flames ready, but a shadowy tendril pinned the lynx.
Veyra stepped forward, her black hair braided with dark runes, violet eyes sharp. Her Voidfang Scepter pulsed with strange power. "These pests keep coming," she said, her voice cold. The tendril crushed the lynx, its body fading into mist. Kai's cub growled, wary. Lila's pendant glowed, her voice sharp. "Why're you here, Veyra?"
Sylvara's drake snarled. "Leave, Veyra," she warned. Veyra smirked, her eyes on Kai's cub. "Your Starborn draws trouble, Kai. Be careful." She vanished, leaving a chill. Sylvara's voice was hard. "Your cub pulls in corruption, Kai. Keep training Starveil." She dismissed them, her drake's heat lingering.
Lila grabbed Kai's arm, her hazel eyes worried. "Veyra's bad news, Kai. Those lynxes are after your cub." Kai nodded, the cub's warmth calming him. "We'll handle it, Lila." In the dorms, Kai practiced Starveil, the cub's light glowing. Lila leaned against the door, her sparrow nearby. "You're trouble, Kai," she teased, her voice soft. Kai grinned. "Good thing you're here, Lila."