Dusk descended slowly upon the forest, painting the tree trunks with a golden gleam. The light seemed beautiful, yet it carried a strange, heart-pounding aura. Rian followed a narrow path, accompanied by the scent of damp earth and the sound of insects that occasionally fell silent, as if the entire forest were holding its breath. The silence itself confirmed that something was lurking nearby.
He unrolled the old map he had found earlier, his eyes tracing a faint mark that indicated a village to the northwest, beyond a mountain.
"If there are really people there, I can get a lot of information", he thought. "I could learn about the governing system, news of monster sightings, maybe even rumors of magical crystals".
The excitement of understanding this new world strengthened his resolve, even as he knew danger could arise at any moment.
Suddenly, his sharp instincts spoke. A piercing gaze, like a needle, pressed on his back from behind the trees. From a gap in the bushes, he saw a pair of gleaming eyes.
Rian instantly changed his stance. His knees bent, his hand gripped the sword, taking a pose just like the heroes in the comics he used to read. With full confidence, he began to chant a spell.
"Moal aya seneu anu nempel kawas kieu, geura hurung geura kuat… BLADE FIRE!"
A split second later, blue flame engulfed the sword's blade, spreading a sulfurous odor and a wave of heat. Rian lifted his sword confidently.
"Come out! Show yourself! I'm ready."
There was no answer—only the rustle of wind whispering among the branches. Carefully, Rian approached the bush where he had seen the glimmer. Each step drew cold sweat down his temples.
When the last branch was pushed aside, his flame instantly died.
A large black cat appeared. Its body stood as tall as Rian's shoulder, with jet-black fur that gleamed in the twilight. Its eyes, however, held no savagery—only wariness. A long wound sliced across its front leg, and a gash from a claw mark gaped on its back.
The sight brought back memories of Rian's own wounds from training in the cave.
The cat hissed, the sound sharp and snake-like. Rian raised his empty hands, trying to calm it down.
"Easy… I'm not your enemy. Look into my eyes, watch my movements. I don't intend to attack."
The cat remained ready to pounce. Its claw slashed forward, but Rian dodged quickly. He continued to back away, speaking gently.
"I know what it's like to be hurt. I know the pain. Let me help you."
Hesitation flickered in the animal's eyes. Rian dared to approach, then chanted a healing spell.
"Jampe-Jampe Harupat, geura gede geura lumpat… HEAL!"
A green light flowed from his palm, soaking into the wounds. Slowly, the torn flesh closed, the blood stopped, and the cat stood tall again without pain. Its tail swayed, its eyes sparkling—for the first time, it looked relieved.
"Done. Now you can walk again," Rian said with a smile.
Then, without hesitation, he added loudly, "If you're willing… become my companion. I need a friend; I don't want to be alone anymore."
As the words left him, the ground beneath them radiated a silver-green light. Circular lines formed, adorned with ancient runes that pulsed slowly. In the center, the silhouettes of Rian's hand and the cat's paw connected by a flow of light like a beating vein.
A warm vibration spread through Rian's chest, as if his soul was merging with the creature before him.
A soft voice echoed in his head:
A warm pulse caressed his mind. "Master", a gentle thought breathed, "our souls are bound". No lips moved—yet her fear and hope sang clear as day.
Rian's eyes widened.
"You… can talk?!"
‹‹Not talk, Master. Telepathy. When you wished me as a companion and I agreed, the contract was instantly formed.››
Rian suppressed a grin.
"Then, from now on, you are my friend. But… you don't have a name yet, do you?"
‹‹I have never been given a name.››
"Then… I'll call you Catty. Simple, but it suits you."
A moment of silence passed before the creature's eyes glowed softly.
‹‹Catty… meow.››
A surge of emotion rippled through the telepathic link. For the first time in her life, she felt recognized—like she belonged. Gratitude flowed into Rian's chest, warming his heart.
But their togetherness was immediately tested. From behind the bushes, a horde of goblins appeared. Small green bodies carried crude spears and rusty knives. Their eerie laughter filled the air.
Rian raised his sword, the blue flame igniting again.
"Catty, get ready."
The goblins charged in great numbers. Rian slashed nimbly, his fiery sword cutting arcs through the air. Catty leaped into the crowd, her claws ripping into two goblins at once.
They protected each other, fending off attacks in turn. Goblin blood splattered, mixing with the wet earth.
When one goblin lunged at Rian's back, Catty pounced to shield him. Conversely, when another tried to stab Catty's stomach, Rian's blade intercepted faster.
In a short time, the ground was littered with lifeless goblin bodies.
Rian was out of breath, his shoulder wounded, but he still stood tall. Catty looked at him, her tail flicking.
‹‹We… did it, Master.››
Rian nodded and sat under a large tree to rest. Catty lay beside him, her breathing heavy. The forest was calm again, broken only by rustling leaves.
"Catty," Rian said, looking at the twilight sky, "I'm glad you're by my side. It feels like… I'm not alone anymore."
‹‹Me too, Master. I've been hiding for so long, afraid. But with you… I feel like I have a purpose.››
Their bond deepened. Yet seriousness quickly replaced the calm.
"Catty, who hurt you before?" Rian asked.
The cat's eyes dimmed.
‹‹A troll monster, Master. He killed my parents. They sacrificed themselves so I could escape.››
Rian clenched his fist.
"Show me the place. I will avenge your parents' death."
Catty trembled, her ears drooping.
‹‹Master… don't. That troll is too strong. I don't want to lose you too.››
Rian smiled faintly, his voice steady with confidence.
"I've killed a troll before. With my basic magic, I'm sure I can do it again."
Catty bowed her head lower, her fear plain. But Rian was already standing, his sword strapped to his back, his steps steady.
"Show me the way, Catty. I want to avenge you."
The forest fell silent, as if watching two souls: one burning with determination, the other trembling with fear. Yet the path to a new battle had already been set.