The last Test

On the third day of their camping trip, Aric woke up early once again. The first light of dawn was just beginning to break through the dense canopy of trees, casting a soft, golden hue over the campsite. Aric took a deep breath of the cool morning air, savoring the earthy scent of the forest floor mixed with the lingering smoke from last night's fire. He moved quietly around the campsite, careful not to wake Van, who was still sound asleep in the tent.

Aric rekindled the fire with a few sticks of dry wood, watching as the flames leaped to life, crackling and popping as they consumed the wood. He then pulled out the food supplies they had brought—a few eggs, slices of cured meat, and some bread. He cracked the eggs into a pan, the familiar sizzle filling the stillness of the morning, and placed the meat on a hot stone near the fire to cook slowly. As the savory smells filled the air, Aric prepared a pot of herbal tea, its calming fragrance adding to the peaceful ambiance of the early hour.

Once breakfast was ready, Aric walked over to the tent and knelt beside his sleeping son. He gently shook Van's shoulder, a soft smile on his face as he watched his boy stir.

"Van, wake up," Aric said in a warm, low voice. "Breakfast is ready."

Van blinked awake, his eyes slowly focusing on his father. A sleepy smile spread across his face as he yawned and stretched his small limbs. "Good morning, Dad," Van mumbled, still shaking off the remnants of sleep.

Aric chuckled and ruffled Van's hair playfully. "Morning, sleepyhead. Come on, get up. We've got a big day ahead, and you'll need your energy."

Van climbed out of the tent, rubbing his eyes as the cool morning air hit his face. The smell of breakfast quickly banished any lingering sleepiness, and he followed his father to the fire, where the eggs and meat were sizzling invitingly. They sat down to eat, the fire crackling cheerfully beside them.

As they dug into their breakfast, Van looked at his father with a mischievous grin. "Dad, do you think Mom will be impressed by our camping and cooking skills when we get back?"

Aric smirked, playing along. "Oh, I'm sure she'll be impressed. Especially when she hears how her son almost burned the eggs yesterday."

Van laughed, shaking his head. "Hey, that was your fault, Dad! You were the one telling all those funny stories."

"Oh, so it's my fault now, is it?" Aric replied, feigning indignation. "Well, maybe I should let you cook all by yourself today."

Van pretended to think it over, then grinned. "Nah, I think I'll stick with being your assistant for now."

They shared a laugh, the easy banter between them setting a light-hearted tone for the day. Once they had finished eating and cleaned up their campsite, Aric stood up and stretched his arms over his head.

"Alright, Van, let's start with our stretching routine," Aric said, motioning for Van to join him.

Van nodded eagerly, jumping to his feet. They moved to the center of the clearing, where they began their stretching exercises. Aric led the way, making sure Van mimicked his movements correctly. They started with the basic stretches—arms, legs, back, and neck—before moving on to more dynamic movements to get their muscles warmed up.

"Stretching is crucial, especially before a big hunt," Aric explained as they stretched. "It not only prepares your body for the physical demands ahead, but it also helps prevent injuries. You want to be flexible and agile, especially when dealing with fast-moving creatures like the Duskfang."

Van listened attentively, following his father's lead. He could feel his body loosening up, the tension from the previous day's training easing out of his muscles. The early morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground as they moved through their routine.

After they finished stretching, Aric looked at Van with a serious expression. "Van, today we're going to hunt some Duskfangs. They're an advanced version of the Shadowfang we encountered before. Their Aether Cores are valuable, and they're much stronger and faster than their lesser kin."

Van's eyes lit up with excitement. This was the challenge he had been waiting for—a chance to see how much he had improved over the past few days. "I can't wait, Dad," Van said, his voice filled with anticipation. "I'll be able to see if there's been any real change in myself."

Aric smiled at his son's enthusiasm. "That's the spirit, Van. But remember, these Duskfangs are no joke. They're smarter, stronger, and more cunning. We'll need to be on our toes."

"Got it, Dad," Van replied, determination shining in his eyes.

"Alright then, pack your things, and let's get moving," Aric said as he began gathering their gear.

Van quickly packed his belongings, his mind already running through the possible scenarios they might face. Once they were ready, they set off on a long hike deeper into the forest, heading toward the mountains where the Duskfangs were known to reside.

As they walked, Aric explained the differences between the Shadowfang and the Duskfang. "Duskfangs are much more territorial than their lesser kin. They're nocturnal hunters, but during the day, they sleep in well-hidden dens. They're incredibly fast and can blend into the shadows almost perfectly. But the real danger is their coordinated attacks—they work together to take down prey much larger than themselves."

Van knew about the beasts of Eldoria from his past life, but he still listened carefully to his father. It was a valuable opportunity to hear how Aric approached the hunt, and it also gave Van more insight into his father's knowledge and experience. He was starting to appreciate the bond they were forming through these shared experiences.

After a long walk, they finally arrived at the base of a rocky hill, where the trees thinned out, revealing a series of caves and crevices. The area was eerily quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze to break the silence. The ground was littered with bones and tufts of dark fur—evidence of past hunts by the Duskfangs.

Aric pointed to a den nestled between two large boulders. "Van, do you see that den?" he asked.

"Yes, Dad," Van replied, his voice low with concentration.

"Usually, there are about five to seven Duskfangs in a den like this. Since it's daylight, they're likely sleeping inside. We're going to lure them out. I'll be the bait, and I want you to hide at the top of that tree over there," Aric instructed, pointing to a tall, sturdy tree nearby. "When they get close to where you're hiding, jump down and take the ones at the back. I'll handle the ones at the front."

Van was surprised by his father's strategy—it was bold and required precise timing. But he trusted Aric's judgment. "Copy that, Dad," Van said, his voice steady with resolve.

"Let's start," Aric said, giving his son a reassuring nod before moving toward the den.

Aric approached the den quietly, then suddenly lit a small fire at the entrance. The flames quickly spread, sending smoke billowing into the dark recesses of the den. Within moments, the Duskfangs began to stir, their low growls turning into snarls as they realized their home was under attack.

As the first Duskfang emerged, Aric took off running, drawing them away from the den and towards the tree where Van was hidden. The Duskfangs, sleek and deadly, were hot on his heels, their sharp claws and teeth glinting in the sunlight. They leaped and lunged at Aric, but he skillfully dodged their strikes, his movements fluid and precise.

When Aric neared Van's hiding spot, he shouted, "Now, Van!"

Van didn't hesitate. He leaped down from the tree, landing with precision behind the Duskfangs. With the element of surprise on his side, he quickly closed in on the two Duskfangs at the back. Meanwhile, Aric turned to face the three at the front, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the fight.

The Duskfangs were cornered, with three in front of Aric and two behind, facing Van. Van analyzed the situation, noting that the Duskfang on the right seemed slightly weaker, its movements less fluid than the others. *I know Father can take down those three quickly, but can I handle these two?* Van thought to himself, feeling the weight of the challenge.

The Duskfangs were larger than their Shadowfang cousins, with sleek, jet-black fur that seemed to absorb the light around them. Their eyes, a cold, predatory blue, glowed faintly in the dimness of the forest, giving them an otherworldly appearance. Their bodies were lean and muscular, built for speed and agility, with sharp claws that could tear through flesh with ease. Van could see the tension in their coiled muscles, ready to spring at a moment's notice. Despite their fearsome appearance, they moved with an eerie grace, their steps silent as they circled their prey.

*Let's find out just how much I've improved,*

Van decided, his resolve hardening.

"Let's go, Dad!" Van shouted, and they both launched into action.

Aric moved with incredible speed, his fists and legs striking out with deadly precision. The first Duskfang lunged at him, but Aric sidestepped and delivered a powerful kick to its side, sending it crashing into a nearby rock. The second Duskfang tried to attack from behind, but Aric spun around, delivering a sharp elbow to its throat, followed by a punch that knocked it out cold. The third Duskfang hesitated for a moment, sensing the danger, but Aric didn't give it a chance to escape. He grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and slammed it into the ground, ending the fight in an instant.

Van, watching his father's swift victory, felt a surge of determination. *I can do this too,* he thought as he turned his attention to the two Duskfangs in front of him.

Van knew he had to act quickly. He focused on the weaker Duskfang to his right, dodging its initial swipe and countering with a quick, decisive slash of his knife. The blade cut through the air, finding its mark as Van followed through with a swift kick to the Duskfang's side. The beast staggered, and Van pressed his advantage, striking again with a powerful thrust that finished it off.

As the first Duskfang fell, Van turned to the second one, which was already retreating, realizing it was outmatched. Van prepared to chase it, but before he could move, Aric's hand was on his shoulder.

"That's enough, Van," Aric said gently. "We need to let at least one of them live. It's important for the ecosystem."

Van stopped, letting the Duskfang flee back into the forest. He turned to his father, breathing heavily but feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. "I did it, Dad," Van said, a grin spreading across his face.

Aric beamed with pride. "I'm so proud of you, my son. You've come so far in such a short time. Your mother and I always knew you were special, but to see it in action is truly something else."

Van felt a warmth in his chest at his father's words. He had always been determined to make his parents proud, but hearing it directly from Aric filled him with a new level of motivation. "Thanks, Dad," Van said, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

"Now, let's gather those Aether Cores," Aric said, kneeling down beside the fallen Duskfangs.

As they worked together to extract the glowing, ethereal Aether Cores from the beasts, they chatted lightheartedly, enjoying the quiet camaraderie of the moment. Aric explained more about the properties of the Cores, how they could be used in various ways, and the importance of handling them with care.

"All done, Van?" Aric asked as he finished extracting the last Core.

"Yes, Dad. Here's the Aether Core," Van replied, handing over the small, glowing orb.

Aric took the Core and placed it carefully into a small pouch. "It's the last day of our camping trip, Van. How about we head down to the river and cool off before we pack up?"

Van's eyes lit up at the idea. "That sounds great, Dad!"

With the Aether Cores secured, they made their way through the forest, following the sound of rushing water until they reached a clear, bubbling river. The sunlight sparkled on the surface of the water, reflecting off the smooth stones beneath. The river was lined with tall trees, their branches creating a dappled shade over the cool, inviting water.

Aric and Van quickly shed their gear and waded into the river, the cold water a welcome relief after the intensity of the hunt. They splashed each other playfully, laughing as they washed away the grime and sweat of the past few days.

As they floated in the gentle current, Aric looked over at his son, his heart swelling with pride and love. This camping trip had not only been a test of Van's growing strength and abilities but had also brought them closer together as father and son. It was a memory Aric knew he would cherish for the rest of his life.

Van, too, felt a deep sense of contentment. For the first time in this new life, he truly felt at peace. The love and support of his parents, the thrill of training and growing stronger, and the simple joys of moments like these were more than he had ever hoped for.

As the sun began to set, casting the forest in a warm, golden glow, they reluctantly climbed out of the river and dried off. They packed up their campsite, each lost in their thoughts about the incredible experiences they had shared.

With the campsite cleared and their gear packed, they began the walk back home. Van couldn't help but glance back at the forest as they left, a small smile playing on his lips. He knew he would return here someday, stronger and more capable, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they walked, Aric placed a hand on Van's shoulder. "You did great, Van. I couldn't be prouder to call you my son."

Van looked up at his father, his heart full. "Thanks, Dad. I'm just happy we got to do this together."

With that, they continued on their way, the bond between them stronger than ever, ready to face whatever the future would bring.