The morning air smelled of salt and seaweed as Jett walked north along the coast road. His pack was light: bread, dried fish, a waterskin, and a coil of rope. Sparkpup trotted ahead, tail crackling like a tiny lantern. Clawfin circled overhead, feathers glinting in the early light.
The Bond Band pulsed faintly with each step, its glow steady. Jett couldn't help but check it every few minutes, making sure the Core Stones were still in place. They were. Yellow for Sparkpup, silver for Clawfin, gray for a Stone slot he hadn't filled yet.
Behind him, Ember Coast shrank into mist. Ahead, the cliffs rose higher, jagged and green at the top. Beyond them lay the Keeper's Road and the Ember Coast Trials.
"You ready?" Jett asked.
Sparkpup barked.
Clawfin cried from above.
That was answer enough.
The Keeper's Gate
By noon, they reached a wide arch of carved stone built into the cliffs. Strange symbols spiraled up the arch, glowing faintly in the sun. Two armored guards stood watch, their Bond Bands shining with polished stones.
"This is it," Jett muttered.
One guard stepped forward. "State your name."
"Jett Ember." He lifted his wrist. "New Keeper. Bonded Glow and Wind types."
The guard studied the band, then glanced at Sparkpup and Clawfin. "Untrained, but real. You've got fire in your eyes, boy. You're cleared for the Ember Coast Trials."
The second guard handed Jett a small wooden tag carved with the mark of a wave. "Trial token. Lose it, and you're done. Keep it safe. Ten trials lie ahead. Pass them, and you'll earn the Coast Crest."
Jett held the token tight. Ten trials. It sounded like forever—but also like the beginning of something huge.
A Rival Appears
Inside the gate stood a wide training field, alive with noise. Dozens of young Keepers moved with their Arclings—sparring, running drills, sharing food. Fire, leaf, frost, and metal types flashed across the field in bursts of color.
Jett's stomach fluttered. He wasn't alone anymore.
"Hey."
The voice came sharp from his left. A boy about his age leaned against a post. He had dark hair tied back and eyes like storm clouds. Beside him crouched a sleek, wolf-shaped Arcling with black fur and faint purple streaks. Its fangs glimmered when it yawned.
"I'm Kael Rynne," the boy said. "Keeper candidate. And this is Nightfang."
Jett nodded. "Jett Ember. Sparkpup, Clawfin."
Kael's lips curved in a half-smile. "Glow and Wind? Cute. But you won't last long in the trials with those. Nightfang's Shadow type. Strong, fast, clever. We'll be at the top before you take your second step."
Sparkpup bristled, sparks popping along its fur. Clawfin swooped lower with a hiss.
Jett set his jaw. "We'll see who lasts."
Kael shrugged, eyes already scanning the field like Jett wasn't worth his time. But Jett felt the challenge spark in his chest. A rival. He hadn't expected one so soon.
Trial One — The River Crossing
That afternoon, the first trial began. The young Keepers gathered at the river north of the cliffs. The water rushed fast and cold, broken by jagged stones. A wooden sign read:
TRIAL ONE: CROSS WITHOUT FALLING.
ONLY KEEPER AND ARCLINGS MAY HELP.
Jett watched the river foam and churn. It looked impossible. But the other Keepers were already stepping onto the stones, their Arclings helping with vines, ice bridges, or wings.
Mira's voice echoed in his memory: Use your ground. Use your head.
"Sparkpup, Clawfin—listen. We'll do this together."
Sparkpup crouched, sparks sparking at its paws. Clawfin hovered, feathers flickering in the spray.
Jett stepped onto the first stone. It was slick, but Sparkpup darted across to the next, claws digging for grip. Clawfin beat its wings, sending a gust that steadied Jett's balance.
Stone by stone, they moved. At one point, a wave crashed and nearly swept Jett off. Sparkpup barked sharply, sparks flashing to warn him. Clawfin swooped low and lifted him just enough to regain footing.
Halfway across, Jett heard a shout. Kael was on another path upriver. Nightfang leapt easily from stone to stone, its body a blur of shadow. Kael grinned at Jett as he passed. "Too slow!"
Jett grit his teeth. "We'll catch him. Sparkpup—Quick Pounce! Clawfin—Wind Push!"
The pup dashed, leaping farther than before, landing with sparks that lit the spray. Clawfin blasted a steady gust behind Jett, carrying him over a wide gap. They hit the far bank together, soaked but standing.
The guard on shore blew a horn. "Pass! Jett Ember and bond team—trial one complete!"
Jett pumped his fist. Sparkpup shook water everywhere, barking. Clawfin screeched proudly.
Kael reached the far side moments later, Nightfang landing smooth as silk. He shot Jett a glance, cool but sharp. "Not bad, Ember. But this was only the first step."
Jett smiled, breathless. "Yeah. And we're just getting started."
Toward the Next Trial
As the Keepers dried off and camped by the river, Jett sat with his Arclings close. The Bond Band pulsed with warmth, carrying their strength into him. For the first time, he felt not like a dock boy pretending, but a real Keeper standing on the road of trials.
He looked at the wooden token in his hand. One down, nine to go.
Tomorrow would bring another test. And maybe another clash with Kael.
Jett lay back on the grass, Sparkpup curled against him, Clawfin roosting nearby. The stars blinked alive overhead. The road stretched long, but his heart raced at the thought of it.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "we go again."
The night wind carried his words north, toward the trials yet to come.