The King's Summons

The village was in chaos. Kael could hear the clattering of swords, the cries of frightened villagers, and the roar of his beast, Thaloran, as it fought to defend them. The soldiers who had appeared out of nowhere were relentless, their eyes cold and lifeless. They were not ordinary men they were something far darker. Puppets, as the woman had said. And Kael had no idea who was pulling their strings.

"Stay close!" Draven shouted as he drew his twin daggers, spinning toward the nearest soldier. He moved with deadly precision, cutting through their ranks like a shadow in the night. Kael didn't hesitate. He jumped into the fray, sword drawn, his heart pounding in his chest. The soldiers may have been well-trained, but they were no match for the combined force of Kael and his companions, not with the fury of Thaloran by their side.

Kael's sword clashed with one of the soldier's weapons, the sound ringing through the air. His opponent was fast, but not fast enough. Kael spun, his sword slashing in a wide arc, and the soldier crumpled to the ground. He didn't have time to celebrate. More were coming, and the fight was far from over.

The woman who had warned them stood at Kael's side, her bow now in hand, an arrow notched and ready. She was calm, precise everything Kael admired in a fighter. Her aim was true, and with each release of an arrow, another soldier fell. But they were outnumbered, and Kael could sense that this was just the beginning. The true threat had yet to reveal itself.

"Where are they coming from?" Kael shouted, trying to get a better look at the battlefield.

"From the fortress!" the woman called back, her voice tight with urgency. "They must have been sent to delay us—keep us from reaching the king!"

The words hit Kael like a hammer. The king. What did he want with them? Kael's instincts told him that this was no coincidence. He had been running from shadows for so long that it felt like the very fabric of his life was being pulled in new, unpredictable directions. The king had summoned him, but Kael had no idea why.

As the fight raged on, Kael caught a glimpse of the distant silhouette of the fortress. It loomed over the land like a dark, imposing figure. The soldiers continued to pour out from its gates, an endless tide of enemies, but the real battle was yet to come. If they didn't act quickly, Kael feared they might not survive the night.

After what felt like an eternity, the last of the soldiers finally fell. Kael stood, panting and covered in blood, his body aching from the intensity of the fight. His heart still raced, but the immediate danger had passed. Thaloran stood by his side, its golden fur matted with blood but its eyes still sharp, scanning the horizon for any remaining threats.

"We need to move," Draven said, his voice steady but full of urgency. "The king is expecting us."

The woman, who had introduced herself as Lira, looked at Kael with an unreadable expression. "The king's invitation isn't a request. If you're summoned, you go. Whether you like it or not."

Kael felt a knot form in his stomach. He had no interest in the politics of the kingdom. The only thing he cared about was finding out who was behind the attack on his village and why they were targeting him. But the king might hold the key to those answers.

"I don't trust this," Kael muttered, his eyes flicking between Lira and Draven. "Why would the king want to see me now, after all this time?"

"Maybe he has answers you're looking for," Lira said, her tone level. "Or maybe he wants to use you as a pawn. Either way, you'll need to find out."

Draven gave Kael a reassuring look. "We're in this together. Whatever the king wants, we'll face it head-on."

Kael nodded, though doubt still gnawed at him. He wasn't a man who trusted easily, and the idea of walking into a royal court especially with everything he had learned about the Shadow Guild felt dangerous. But they had no choice. The king's summons was a matter of life and death, and ignoring it would only put them all at risk.

They set off toward the fortress, moving quickly through the darkening night. The road to the castle was long and winding, cutting through the dense woods and across small streams that reflected the pale light of the moon. Kael's thoughts churned with questions. What had the king learned about him? Why had he summoned someone like Kael, a Beast Master, when there were far more powerful men at court?

As they traveled, Lira stayed close, her watchful eyes never straying from their surroundings. She was clearly used to the dangers of the wilds, and Kael couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her than she was letting on. But for now, his focus was on the path ahead. The king's castle loomed ever closer, its silhouette growing larger against the backdrop of the mountains.

At last, they reached the gates of the fortress. The stone walls rose high above them, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The gates were massive, decorated with intricate carvings of animals and mythical creatures symbols Kael didn't recognize. As they approached, two guards stepped forward, their faces grim and their swords at the ready.

"You are expected," one of the guards said, his voice low. "The king will see you now."

Kael didn't reply. He didn't trust these men, or this place, but there was no turning back. The gates creaked open, and they were led inside.

The inner courtyard was even more intimidating. Massive stone pillars lined the path, their surfaces etched with ancient runes that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. Torches flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the royal guards who stood at attention. Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, not just by the guards but by something much more dangerous.

They entered the great hall, a massive chamber adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom's history battles, victories, and the rise of the royal family. At the far end of the room sat a throne, but it was empty. A heavy silence filled the space, and Kael could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

"Where is the king?" Kael asked, his voice echoing through the hall.

Lira stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room. "We'll see him soon enough. He doesn't appear for just anyone."

A moment later, the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows, and a tall figure emerged. The man was dressed in royal robes, his face obscured by a mask of gold. His eyes, however, were sharp and clear, cold and calculating.

"Kael, the Beast Master," the king said, his voice smooth but filled with authority. "I've been waiting for you."

Kael's heart skipped a beat. This man, this king, was nothing like the rulers Kael had heard about in stories. There was something dark about him something that made Kael uneasy.

"I don't know why you've summoned me," Kael said, his voice steady. "But if it's to use me in your games of power, then you've made a mistake."

The king's lips curved into a faint smile. "You misunderstand me, Kael. I didn't summon you for power. I summoned you because there's something you need to know. Something that will change everything."

Kael's pulse quickened. "What is it?"

The king stepped forward, his mask gleaming in the torchlight. "The Shadow Guild isn't just after you. They want something much greater. And you... you're the key to stopping them."

Kael frowned. "What do you mean? What do they want with me?"

The king's eyes darkened, and for the first time, Kael saw a flicker of fear in them. "The guild is planning to unleash an ancient power—a power that could destroy the kingdom. And the only way to stop it is by awakening a power that hasn't been seen in centuries. A power that's hidden in you, Kael."

Kael took a step back, his mind reeling. The king's words were like a punch to the gut. An ancient power? Hidden in him?

"How do you know this?" Kael demanded. "How do you know what's inside me?"

The king's gaze locked onto Kael's, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Because you are not just a Beast Master. You are the last of the Beast Lords. And the Shadow Guild knows it."

Before Kael could react, a deafening crash echoed from the far side of the castle. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the walls of the hall trembled.

"Get ready," the king growled. "The guild has arrived."

To be continued...