Chapter 6 – The Bonds of Companionship

A Long-Awaited Visit

Samuel sat on the stone steps of the royal training ground, staring at the fading light of the evening sky. His muscles ached from constant training, but his mind was elsewhere. The past days had been relentless—his battle with Ezekiel, the King's demands, Lyra's cryptic warnings—it felt as if everything was moving too fast.

A familiar voice snapped him from his thoughts.

"So, this is where you've been hiding?"

Samuel turned to see Elaine, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. Behind her stood Marianne and Sylvia, both looking relieved to see him.

He felt a weight lift from his chest.

"You came," he said, standing up.

Elaine scoffed. "Of course we did. You think we'd let you handle all this alone?"

Marianne stepped forward, her expression softer. "We heard everything… about the battle, Ezekiel, and the dragon you summoned."

Sylvia, usually quiet, studied him carefully. "You look exhausted," she noted. "How bad has the training been?"

Samuel sighed. "They push me to my limit every day. But I need it."

Elaine walked closer and punched his arm lightly. "Then it's a good thing we're here."

He raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

Marianne smiled. "We're forming a party. Officially."

---

An Unbreakable Team

Samuel blinked in surprise. "You're serious?"

Elaine nodded. "We talked it over. The capital is still recovering, and the Bloodbound Order isn't going to stop. You're not facing this alone."

Sylvia adjusted her gloves. "We've all been training too, Samuel. It's time we fought together."

Samuel looked at them, feeling a mix of gratitude and concern. "It won't be easy."

Marianne chuckled. "Did you think we were expecting an easy journey?"

Elaine smirked. "Besides, someone has to make sure you don't do anything stupid."

Samuel shook his head but smiled. "Alright. We're a party."

Marianne pulled out a parchment. "Then let's make it official."

She handed it to him—a Guild Registration Form. Their names were already written:

Samuel – Leader, Beast Tamer

Elaine – Swordswoman

Marianne – Mage

Sylvia – Scout & Support

"Sign it," Elaine urged.

Samuel took a deep breath, then signed his name.

They had officially become a party.

---

A Night of Celebration

That night, they gathered at a local tavern. The air was filled with the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread, and the sounds of laughter and music filled the room.

Elaine raised her mug. "To the strongest party in the kingdom!"

Samuel chuckled and lifted his drink. "We're not there yet."

"Then we'll get there," Sylvia said simply.

As they ate and talked, Samuel felt something he hadn't in a long time—peace.

Marianne leaned closer. "So… you and Lyra?"

Samuel's expression darkened. "It's complicated."

Elaine rolled her eyes. "I never liked her."

Samuel sighed. "She warned me about Ezekiel. She's part of the nobles controlling the city, but I can't figure out where she really stands."

Sylvia watched him carefully. "You still trust her?"

Samuel hesitated. "...I don't know."

Elaine leaned back. "Then be careful. Just because someone warns you doesn't mean they're on your side."

Marianne changed the subject. "Enough about that. We should focus on what's next."

Sylvia nodded. "Now that we're a party, we need a mission."

Samuel thought for a moment. "Then we'll start

Finalizing the Party and Guild Registration

The tavern's air buzzed with laughter and conversation as Samuel, Elaine, Marianne, and Sylvia sat at a wooden table, their drinks untouched. The Guild Registration Form lay between them, now bearing Samuel's signature.

"It's official now," Elaine said, tapping the parchment. "We're a party."

Samuel looked at each of them. Elaine, his steadfast friend, always confident and unyielding. Marianne, calm and calculating, with an intuitive grasp of magic. Sylvia, quiet but sharp, her presence a steady anchor.

"Now we just need a mission," Marianne said, folding her arms.

Sylvia pulled out a rolled-up parchment. "I already found one."

Samuel took the paper and read aloud:

Mission: Investigate and eliminate a beast sighting near the ruined village of Belcroft.

Reward: 500 gold pieces

"Belcroft… that place was abandoned years ago," Elaine murmured. "Why would beasts gather there now?"

Marianne adjusted her glasses. "Something's probably drawing them in."

Samuel exhaled slowly. "Then we'll find out."

Preparing for Their First Mission

The next morning, the party gathered outside the capital's gates. They had stocked up on supplies—food, water, potions, and weapons.

Elaine patted the hilt of her sword. "Ready?"

Samuel nodded. "Let's move."

They traveled on foot, the path leading them away from Zoria's towering walls into the wilderness. The air grew thick with humidity, and the dirt road was lined with overgrown grass.

Sylvia scouted ahead, her movements precise and silent. Marianne walked beside Samuel, her staff resting against her shoulder. Elaine stayed at the rear, ensuring nothing followed them.

By midday, they reached the outskirts of Belcroft, a ruined village covered in vines and decay.

"This place gives me a bad feeling," Marianne muttered.

Samuel tightened his grip on his weapon. "Stay alert."

Departing for the Mission Site

They ventured deeper into the ruins. Houses lay in shambles, roofs caved in, and walls reduced to rubble. The stench of rotting wood and damp earth filled the air.

Sylvia crouched and examined a fresh set of tracks. "Something large passed through here recently."

Elaine peered at the tracks. "A beast?"

"Likely more than one," Sylvia confirmed.

Samuel scanned the surroundings. "Let's find them before they find us."

Encountering Their First Real Challenge

As they moved forward, a low growl echoed through the ruins.

Elaine drew her sword. "We're not alone."

From the shadows, three massive beasts emerged. Their fur was matted with dirt, their yellow eyes glowing with hostility.

"Direwolves," Marianne whispered.

Samuel stepped forward, activating his beast-taming abilities. He reached out with his mind, attempting to command them—

But the wolves snarled and lunged.

"They're resisting!" he shouted.

Elaine met the first wolf head-on, her sword clashing against its fangs. Marianne muttered an incantation, sending a burst of fire toward another. Sylvia moved swiftly, slashing at the third with her daggers.

Samuel focused, summoning the soul of an ancient wolf. A spectral beast materialized beside him, its presence causing the direwolves to hesitate.

"Stand down," Samuel commanded.

The spectral wolf howled, and the direwolves backed away before retreating into the ruins.

Sylvia exhaled. "That was close."

Marianne adjusted her grip on her staff. "Something's wrong. Normally, wolves don't attack without reason."

Samuel looked toward the deeper part of the ruins. "Then we find out why."

Samuel's Leadership is Tested

They pressed forward, tension thick in the air.

Elaine turned to Samuel. "What's the plan?"

Samuel considered their options. "We don't know how many more beasts are out there. Sylvia, scout ahead. Marianne, stay close to me. Elaine, be ready for anything."

Sylvia nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

Minutes later, she returned. "There's something deeper in the ruins… a beast much larger than the wolves."

Samuel clenched his fists. "Then that's our target."

A Fierce Battle Against a Dangerous Beast

The ground trembled. A deep roar shook the ruins. From behind a collapsed house, a massive creature emerged.

A Direbear.

Its black fur bristled, saliva dripping from its jagged teeth. Its eyes locked onto the party, filled with aggression.

Samuel took a step forward, extending his beast-taming abilities. The bear resisted, shaking its head violently.

"It's too enraged to control!" Samuel shouted.

Elaine charged first, dodging a massive claw swipe. Her sword slashed its side, but the wound barely fazed the beast.

Marianne summoned a bolt of lightning, striking the bear's back. It roared in pain but didn't fall.

Sylvia darted behind, slashing at its legs to weaken its stance.

Samuel raised his hand, summoning the soul of a mighty stag. A translucent figure formed, its antlers glowing with energy. The stag charged, ramming into the Direbear's chest.

The beast staggered.

Elaine seized the moment, delivering a final blow to its throat. The Direbear collapsed, its massive body shaking the ground.

Silence followed.

Sylvia wiped sweat from her forehead. "That was harder than expected."

Marianne knelt beside the beast. "Something was affecting it… Look."

She pointed at a strange red mark burned into its fur.

Samuel frowned. "This wasn't just a random attack. Someone did this."

Victory and Lessons Learned

Elaine sheathed her sword. "So what now?"

Samuel turned to the others. "We report this to the guild. And we prepare for what's coming."

Sylvia nodded. "If someone is controlling beasts, we need to find out who."

Marianne folded her arms. "And stop them before it gets worse."

Returning to the Capital and Future Plans

They returned to Zoria, the city lights welcoming them back.

At the guild, Samuel handed in their report. The guildmaster read it carefully, his expression grim.

"Red marks on beasts… I've heard rumors about this before," he muttered.

Elaine leaned forward. "What kind of rumors?"

The guildmaster exhaled. "That a new beast-taming faction is rising. One that doesn't just tame beasts—but corrupts them."

Samuel clenched his fists. "Then we need to stop them."

The guildmaster nodded. "Rest for now. More missions will come soon."

As the party left the guild, Elaine looked at Samuel. "So, what now?"

Samuel took a deep breath. "We get stronger. And we prepare for whatever's coming."

They walked through the city streets, their first mission complete. But Samuel knew this was only the beginning.

A storm was coming. And they had to be ready.