GGwrites

In a world where bonding with a powerful beast is the key to success and survival, Aren Valen has always been seen as an outcast. Unlike most children, Aren couldn’t bond with a beast by the age of twelve, the typical age for such bonds. At fifteen, when the expectation to tame a beast is all but a memory, Aren ventures into the dangerous, beast-infested forest—ready to risk it all. There, he encounters a small, mysterious, and seemingly weak creature with silver fur—Sharu. Unlike any beast he has ever heard of, Sharu forms a bond with Aren, marking the beginning of an unlikely partnership.

Upon returning home, Aren is met with a range of reactions from his family. His father, Gareth Valen, the cold and stern head of the family, finally seems to accept him, albeit with reservations. His sister, Lina, is delighted, wanting to pet Sharu as though it were a normal creature, while his brother, Cale, remains distant, focusing on his own success with his powerful beast. Yet, the elders remain unimpressed, declaring Sharu an unknown beast with uncertain potential.

Determined to prove his worth, Aren embarks on a new journey by enrolling in a prestigious academy for beast tamers. The academy, however, is not just a school—it’s a battleground where the strong rise and the weak fall. No entrance exams are required at first, but after a month, a competition will determine each student’s strength. Here, Aren must navigate new alliances and rivalries, forming friendships with students like Aric Sunflare, the optimistic boy with a playful fire salamander; Liora Frostwind, the noble, aloof ice beast tamer; Dorian Thorne, the ambitious commoner; and Lyra Stormcloud, a mysterious girl with a shadowy bird-like beast.

As Aren trains and grows stronger, his bond with Sharu deepens, leading him toward the ultimate goal—proving his place in a world where only the strongest survive.

But Aren’s journey isn’t just about strength; it’s about discovering his true potential, uncovering Sharu’s mysterious origins, and navigating the complexities of his family, the academy, and the dangerous world that awaits him.

Bondless

Back at the academy, the sense of relief that should have come with their survival never quite settled in Aren's chest. Instead, a quiet unease lurked beneath the surface, shadowing his every thought. The forest challenge had ended, but the mysteries it had left behind gnawed at him like a splinter lodged too deep to reach.

The infirmary was bustling with activity—students receiving medical attention for bruises, cuts, and exhaustion. Some teams sat huddled together, whispering about their encounters, while others rested in silence, too weary to talk. Sharu sat at Aren's feet, his silver fur cleaned of blood and dirt but his eyes still alert, as if expecting another threat.

Dorian, nursing a scraped arm, glanced around with a wry smile. "Well, we made it out. Not everyone did, it seems."

Aren looked up. "What do you mean?"

Dorian gestured subtly toward a bed where Kael Rin lay, unconscious, his Shadow Serpent coiled protectively around his torso. "Some of us didn't just face beasts. We faced each other. A few teams didn't make it back whole."

Liora approached, her Ice Wolf padding gracefully beside her. She gave a brief nod to Dorian before focusing on Aren. "I've been listening. Some of the other students are talking about sightings of corrupted beasts appearing more frequently. They think something's drawing them closer to the academy."

Lyra's dark eyes flickered as she leaned against the wall, her Shadow Falcon perched above her. "It didn't feel random, did it? That beast at the ruins—it wasn't just wandering. It was guarding something."

Aric chimed in, his usual cheer dimmed by fatigue. "Maybe it wasn't the only one. What if there are more ancient beasts out there? Ones that woke up after years of slumber."

Dorian scoffed lightly. "You're getting superstitious. Beasts don't just wake up—they're corrupted or they aren't. Maybe that one just found something it wanted to keep."

Aren couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't that simple. "What if it wasn't keeping something... but protecting it? Or hiding it?"

Before anyone could ponder that further, the infirmary door swung open, and the judge entered, his wind hound trailing behind with its sharp, graceful stride. The room fell silent.

"Students," the judge began, his tone as commanding as ever, "You've survived the first trial. Tomorrow morning, your team standings will be posted. For now, focus on rest and recovery. The next challenge will be announced shortly after."

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. "However, be mindful of the forest. We are investigating the increased number of corrupted beasts. If any of you encountered something particularly unusual, report to the instructors immediately."

Aren exchanged glances with his teammates. Was it worth mentioning the ruins? The ancient carvings still haunted his mind, but he hesitated, unsure if sharing their discovery would bring more trouble than answers.

Once the judge left, Liora whispered, "If they know something, they aren't telling us."

Lyra's voice was softer than usual. "They wouldn't. Not unless they were sure. The academy can't afford panic."

Dorian shrugged. "Either way, we did our part. Let the teachers handle the rest."

Aric grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, we're alive. Let's not forget that part. And tomorrow, we'll see where we stand."

Despite his friend's optimism, Aren couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous. As the night deepened and the infirmary quieted down, he couldn't help but replay the battle in his head—the way the beast had fought not just with fury, but with purpose. As if it had something to protect, or something it feared.

Sleep didn't come easily, but when it finally did, it brought dreams filled with shadows and whispers, ancient symbols carved into stone, and eyes

glowing from the depths of the forest.

Chapter 28: Restless Shadows