Whispers of Power
Chapter 34: Whispers of Power
---
The Council's Next Move
The obsidian chamber grew quieter, the shadows stretching unnaturally as if listening intently. Vareon Dreykar leaned forward, his glowing eyes sharp with thought. Lady Mirena's sly smile remained as she tapped her finger on the table, each tap echoing like the ticking of a clock.
"Personal, you said," Mirena purred, her gaze distant yet focused. "He has a sister, does he not? A sibling bond is such a delicate thread, so easy to fray."
Rael's grin returned, wolfish and cruel. "If that thread snaps, he'll unravel."
"No," Vareon cut in, his gaze piercing through Rael. "Blunt force will only strengthen his resolve. Subtlety, Rael. If you cannot grasp that, then keep your mouth shut."
Rael scowled, biting back a retort.
"Offer him an opportunity," Vareon continued, his eyes calculating. "Power beyond his imagination. Knowledge from the Forbidden Archives. If he reaches for it, we can bind him by his own ambition."
"And if he doesn't?" Lady Mirena's eyes narrowed with doubt.
Vareon's grin was cold. "Then we give him a reason to."
The shadows flickered as unseen threads of fate began to weave.
---
Beast Synergy in Action
The first rays of dawn broke over the treetops, bathing the camp in a golden glow. The soldiers were already stirring, preparing for the next march. Training dummies were dragged out, and beasts stretched their limbs, ready for morning drills.
Kai stood at the edge of the training grounds, his eyes closed, focused entirely on his system.
[ Beast Synergy: Level 1 (2%) ]
"Two percent, huh?" Kai muttered as he examined the details. "If fighting together raises synergy, I'll have to put you all to work."
"Does this mean we get to play?" Yami's voice echoed in his mind, her playful yet dangerous tone clear as ever. "I'm curious to see what happens when I mix my venom with Nyx's lunar magic."
"That curiosity may be reckless," Nyx replied, her calm, mature voice like a lullaby. "But I am... intrigued."
Selene, perched on a nearby tree branch, watched them both in silence. Her presence felt different now. Her aura had changed since her bloodline awakened, and her threads shimmered faintly with silver light.
"Yami, Nyx, Selene," Kai called out, his voice sharp with purpose. "We're testing this Synergy system. Yami, you lead. Nyx, follow her rhythm. Selene, entangle them."
The three beasts moved instantly, their bond with him stronger than any order from a general.
Yami darted forward, her serpent body twisting like a flash of lightning. Her golden eyes locked on a target dummy.
"Venomous Mist." Her voice echoed, and a wave of purple mist burst from her fangs, spreading over the area like a creeping fog.
From behind, Nyx stepped forward, her hands glowing with soft silver light. Her eyes flashed gold as she raised a hand. "Lunar Veil." Silver light spread over the mist, infusing it with lunar energy.
The mist, now a swirling blend of violet and silver, surrounded the target. Threads of silver light shimmered through it.
"Fatebound Threads." Selene's soft, deadly voice resonated. Thin, nearly invisible strands of silver threaded into the mist. The mist condensed, and the threads converged on the target, binding it like prey caught in a web.
[ Beast Synergy +0.5% ]
Kai's eyes widened as he watched the system's notification appear. "So that's how it works. The more coordinated, the higher the growth."
He grinned. "I think I'm starting to like this system."
---
Lina's New Resolve
Near the center of the camp, Lina was already awake, her breaths visible in the cool morning air. Her Ice Fox sat beside her, frost swirling gently around its paws. The healer tree beast hummed softly, its leaves glowing faintly as it soaked in the morning light. Her newest beast, the silver-furred Fenrir wolf, lay beside her, its golden eyes alert but calm.
Across from her, Korin, Myra, and Falen watched her practice. Korin was the loudest, his grin filled with energy.
"Not bad, Lina! You're getting sharper," Korin called out, his lion beast roaring in agreement.
"You'd better stay sharp too, Korin," Myra said as she fed a small piece of meat to her hawk beast. "The tides are shifting. If you fall behind, you'll be the one playing catch-up."
Lina exhaled slowly, her eyes locked on her three beasts. She raised her hand. "One more time. Fenrir, howl. Tree, heal. Ice Fox, freeze."
The beasts responded.
The Fenrir wolf threw its head back, unleashing a deep, resonating howl that echoed throughout the camp. The soldiers nearby turned their heads, some freezing mid-swing.
The healer tree's leaves shimmered, releasing a wave of gentle, green light that washed over Lina and her team, soothing their bodies and refreshing their stamina.
The Ice Fox's eyes glowed with icy blue light as it raised its head. The frost swirling at its paws expanded outward, a cold mist forming around them.
The combination of howl, healing, and frost created a powerful atmosphere of unity, each beast's power overlapping and enhancing the others.
Korin's grin widened. "Looks like she's got a squad of her own."
"More than that," Falen said, his war bear snorting in agreement. "That's the look of someone who won't be left behind."
Lina's eyes blazed with fierce determination. "I won't be a burden. I'll stand with him. Side by side."
---
The Offer
As noon approached, Kai returned to his tent, sweat still on his brow from the morning drills. The air inside felt different. Colder.
He paused. His senses sharpened. Something was off.
A figure sat at his table, their face hidden beneath a hooded black cloak. Their presence was as still as death, yet undeniably palpable.
"Brave of you to sneak into my tent," Kai said, his voice calm but laced with quiet danger.
The figure chuckled, a soft, echoing laugh. "Sneaking implies you didn't notice. I didn't sneak. I waited."
Kai's eyes flickered with golden light as Yami's power surged within him. His shadow lengthened unnaturally. "Speak. You have five seconds."
"Patience, Warden of Shadows," the figure replied, pulling back their hood to reveal a woman with sharp, elegant features and eyes that glowed faintly blue. "I am here with an offer from the Council."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "The Council?"
"Power," she said, her voice sweet as honey but laced with venom. "Access to knowledge most never see. Forbidden techniques, ancient tomes, and guidance that even prodigies would kill for."
"And the price?" Kai asked, crossing his arms.
"Nothing but your cooperation," she said, tilting her head. Her eyes glowed brighter, her gaze piercing. "Refuse, and the Council will not be so kind next time."
Silence hung in the air.
Kai's grin was slow but dangerous. "Tell them I'll consider it."
The woman's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it. "Do not take too long, Warden. Fate waits for no one."
She vanished, her presence fading as if she had never been there.
Kai stared at the space she left behind. His grin vanished, his eyes cold as winter frost.
"The Council wants me bound?" He chuckled, his voice low and dark. "They're going to learn that the Warden of Shadows doesn't follow threads. He cuts them."
---
End of Chapter 34