Chapter 12: **The White Tiger’s Bond**

Reed stood on the edge of the lush, towering forest that stretched endlessly before him, its dense trees so thick that only slivers of sunlight broke through the canopy, creating a shimmering patchwork of light on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of fresh rain, and the sound of distant waterfalls echoed through the misty woods. He was no longer the six-year-old boy who had first been thrust into this world of power and responsibility. Now, at nine, Reed had become stronger, faster, and more attuned to his powers. Yet, there was still something inside him that yearned for adventure, something that could not be satisfied by his father's expectations or the ever-tightening grip of duty.

He had spent countless hours studying the lands of the Crimean continent, learning about the different beasts and powers that roamed the earth. But today, something had called him beyond the borders of his homeland—something mysterious and untold. Reed knew that his father and uncle would disapprove of him venturing out alone, but his heart swelled with a sense of longing for something more than the polished halls of power. He wanted to experience the world for himself.

"Be safe, young master," his uncle had warned before he left. "The world is filled with dangerous creatures, even on lands outside our own."

Reed hadn't given his uncle's warnings much thought. He knew he had the strength of the Crimson Family coursing through his veins, and that was all he needed to face whatever awaited him.

He stepped into the unknown, his senses heightened, and the thunderous surge of energy within him kept his mind sharp. As he ventured further into the forest, the trees seemed to grow taller, the air heavier, as though the land itself was holding its breath in anticipation. There were no sounds of animals here—no rustling of leaves or birds singing their songs. Only an eerie silence lingered.

Hours passed, and Reed's confidence started to waver as the forest grew darker, the trees stretching like twisted fingers overhead, blocking out the sun. It was then that he felt it—the stir of power. A pulse, like a heartbeat, emanated from deep within the forest.

A low growl broke the silence.

Reed's eyes flashed with alertness as his senses flared to life. He could feel the power of the creature, strong and unyielding, like the force of a storm building on the horizon. The growl reverberated in his chest, a deep sound that seemed to rattle the very air. Reed's body instinctively tensed, readying itself for what was to come.

From the shadows emerged the creature.

It was like no beast Reed had ever seen before—its fur as white as the driven snow, its body sleek and powerful, with muscles rippling under its skin like coiled springs. The creature was roughly the size of a large tiger, but there was an undeniable aura of majesty and power about it, as though it was no mere animal, but something far more ancient and mysterious. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural, sapphire hue, and its teeth were long and sharp, gleaming like daggers in the fading light. The beast was magnificent, regal in its stance, but Reed could feel the intensity of its power. It was a level four monster, at least.

The creature's gaze locked onto him with the intensity of a predator, and Reed felt a surge of primal energy flow through him. Without thinking, he raised his hands, electricity crackling at his fingertips, ready to strike. Yet, as he prepared to unleash a bolt of lightning, something stopped him—a strange instinct told him this was not a simple battle for survival.

The beast growled again, its body poised for attack. But there was something different about this growl. It was not an attack; it was a challenge.

Reed's heart raced as his mind raced to process the situation. This creature was far stronger than anything he had faced before. Its sheer presence radiated power, yet there was a strange pull to it—a sense of curiosity and intelligence that he couldn't ignore. The beast was testing him, just as he had tested the world for so long. Reed took a deep breath and lowered his hands, deciding that the only way to move forward was through understanding, not violence.

The tiger's eyes never left him as Reed took a careful step forward. The crackling energy around his body calmed, and he let his aura spread outward, not as a weapon, but as an invitation. He was not here to fight; he was here to learn.

"I don't want to fight," Reed spoke softly, his voice steady but firm. "I sense your power, and I understand. But we don't need to fight. We can both learn from each other."

For a long moment, the white tiger didn't move, its glowing eyes locked onto Reed's. The tension in the air was thick, but slowly, almost imperceptibly, the creature relaxed its stance, though its eyes still watched Reed with wariness.

It was then that Reed felt it—a deep, vibrating pulse emanating from the tiger's chest. It was not a growl or a roar, but a hum, a resonance that seemed to echo through the very fabric of the air around them.

The tiger stepped closer, its powerful body moving with an eerie grace, its eyes never leaving Reed's. It was as if the creature was reading him, searching deep within, assessing his strength and his heart. Reed did not flinch, did not shrink back. Instead, he stood tall and still, letting his own energy flow outward, not as an attack, but as an offering.

The tiger stopped just a few feet away, its breath hot and heavy in the cold air. Then, slowly, it lowered its head in a gesture that could be interpreted as submission. Reed's heart surged with excitement. This was not a battle; it was a bond—a connection between two powerful beings.

Reed extended his hand, cautiously reaching out. The creature's eyes flickered as if it were deciding whether to trust him, and after a heartbeat, it reached forward with its massive head, nudging Reed's palm with the softest of touches.

A spark of understanding passed between them. Reed could feel it, a connection that transcended words, something ancient and primal. In that moment, he knew he had made a new ally—a partner.

The tiger let out a low, rumbling sound that was neither a growl nor a purr, but something in between. It was an acknowledgment, a promise. And in that moment, Reed understood. This creature—this magnificent, powerful white tiger—was now his to command, his to ride.

It was rare for such creatures to form bonds with humans, especially those capable of reaching the eighth level of power. Reed's connection with the beast was not just a chance meeting—it was something that had been destined to happen. This creature, capable of evolving into a being of unimaginable power, had chosen him. And Reed, in turn, had chosen it.

With a sense of newfound purpose, Reed mounted the creature, feeling the surge of power that flowed through him as they made contact. The tiger, sensing Reed's connection to the Crimson Family's bloodline, accepted him fully, and together, they became one.

The wind rushed through Reed's hair as they took off, racing through the forest with a speed and grace that left the trees in a blur. The tiger's movements were fluid, almost as though it were part of the very wind itself, and Reed's connection to it allowed him to steer it with precision, as if they had been riding together for years.

As they traveled through the wilds, Reed knew that this bond was the beginning of something monumental. The white tiger would become his ally, his companion, and together, they would face whatever challenges the world had in store for them.

And as the sun began to set over the horizon, casting long shadows over the land, Reed smiled. This adventure was only just beginning.

The tiger let out a triumphant roar, a sound that echoed across the forest, and Reed knew that with his new companion at his side, no force could stand in their way.

They were unstoppable.