A Dragon's Call

Andre strode down the cobblestone path toward home, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. The late afternoon sun cast golden streaks through the treetops, painting the road ahead with flickers of light and shadow. He couldn't help but grin, his steps lighter than they had been in years.

Even though Marcus had bested him in their duel, Andre felt something unfamiliar swelling in his chest; pride. For the first time, he had stood on even ground with someone like Marcus in close combat, a feat not many could boast of.

He could see briefly before he had left, mouths hanging wide open and dilated eyes. He hadn't been the talentless boy everyone mocked; he had been Andre, the challenger.

As the duel replayed in his mind, he touched his shoulder where Marcus had landed a decisive blow, it was also the part Idel's jet stream attack had hit. It still stung quite a bit, but the pain was a badge of honor. He adjusted his grip on his bag and looked up toward the sky, watching a few birds flit between the branches.

"You held your own, Andre," Kael's voice echoed in his mind,"Marcus didn't expect you to last even two moves, yet you went toe-to-toe with him. That's something to celebrate."

Andre chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I still lost, though. His techniques were sharper, his timing better. If anything, it showed me how far I have to go."

"True," Kael admitted, his voice tinged with amusement. "But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? Growth isn't a straight path. Today, you proved to Marcus and to yourself that you're not the boy who once fumbled and cowered through every sparring session."

Andre smiled, the words resonating within. For years, he had struggled with his peers' derision. His lack of natural talent made him the butt of jokes, everyone had always underestimated him. But not today, with Idel and his crew getting a taste of their medicine and a statement piece against Marcus,

'What a day to be alive!'

It had taken no longer than an hour after he got home, he made his way to the woods - his sanctuary - only this time he had something different in mind, all thanks to Kael.

As his favorite spot came into view untouched by the noise of the outside world Andre's footsteps slowed, and he veered off the path to sit beneath the tree, leaning back against its sturdy trunk.

Closing his eyes, he tried to map out his plans. The plan was to actually go hunt some beasts deep in the woods to see how he would fare against them.

Andre had never seen much beasts in his lifetime asides the holographic images displayed at school to give them ideas on how beasts were and on rare occurrences where a beast had gone rogue and past the barrier as a result of a malfunction in the barrier to cause rampage in town but were quickly subdued by the mages before any real damage was done, the last of such case he could remember was over five years ago.

Unlike his practice and recent duels, beasts were different - there was an intention to kill - a new concept to Andre.

He stood and stretched, the muscles in his arms and legs still warm from the duel. His body felt different now - stronger, more fluid. He dropped his hands onto the grass and assumed a fighting stance, his feet planted firmly in the soft earth.

"Care to critique?" Andre asked, his tone playful.

"Your timing has improved," Kael said. "And your stance is more balanced. But your follow-through could use some work."

Andre grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'll take it. Progress is progress."

He practiced for a while longer, testing combinations of moves and experimenting with the energy that surged within him. With each strike, he felt more in tune with himself, more confident in his abilities.

Andre with a high morale, and urged by Kael advanced deeper into the woods.

With the general knowledge, beyond the barrier were ferocious beasts. The barrier was placed and fortified by the mages from time to time to restrict access to the beasts, but this barrier however could not hinder a human from passing through. Beasts, were said to have a hierarchical way of life where similar class beasts stayed in the same region and as you moved deeper, the order ascend.

With no particular direction in mind, Andre could only follow his instinct coupled with Kael's nudge. Deciding on a route, he had taken the eastern route as opposed to the one he had taken when he had gone up the cliff.

The air grew cooler the deeper Andre ventured into the forest. The scent of pine and earth filled his senses, his body alert in the moment.

Andre hesitated.

"Are you sure about this?" Andre asked, his voice quiet. "I don't think beasts are exactly practice dummies."

"They're not," Kael agreed.

Andre glanced at the almost invisible threshold ahead emitting energy, his pulse quickening. Within him, a yearning to push past his limits, to prove to himself that he wasn't the weakling he had once been.

With a determined breath, he stepped forward.

***

The forest's ambiance shifted as Andre crossed the barrier. The air grew heavier, filled with an oppressive energy that prickled his skin. The trees seemed taller, their shadows deeper, and every sound was sharper - the rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, and the occasional guttural growl in the distance.

Andre tightened his fists, his senses heightened. "It's different here."

"Good observation," Kael said. "The energy of the beasts seeps into the environment. Stay alert."

Andre nodded, his eyes scanning the dense foliage. It wasn't long before he encountered his first challenge.

A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the underbrush, followed by a low, menacing snarl. An Ember-class badger stepped into view, its fur bristling and flames flickering along its body.

He could tell this was a creature wanting to tear him apart, the killing intent obvious - the first time he had felt one. Surprisingly, Andre's lips curled into a smile. "Perfect warm-up."

The badger lunged, but Andre was faster. He sidestepped, his movements fluid, and delivered a precise strike to the beast's side coupled with fiery release from his palms. The fight was over in moments, the badger collapsing in a heap as its fiery essence dissipated into the air.

"That was too easy," Andre muttered, brushing soot from his sleeve.

Asides the joy Andre felt at easily defeating an ember class beast. His body seemed to be having an unfamiliar but pleasing feeling, the flame seemed to be feeding on his kill. It raged, flowing through his entire body more energetically, getting stronger.

"You're stronger than them already," Kael said. "Move on."

Andre pressed forward, his confidence growing with each step. More ember class beasts crossed his path from snarling foxes wreathed in flame to serpents with glowing scales, and shadowy panthers that prowled the underbrush. Each encounter ended swiftly, Andre dispatching them with a combination of skill and the energy coursing through him.

By the time he reached a small stream, his body was warm, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He crouched by the water's edge, splashing his face.

"You're handling these beasts well," Kael remarked.

"They're not much of a challenge," Andre admitted.

"There's more to learn. Keep going." Kael said.

Andre straightened, wiping his face with the back of his hand. The forest seemed to grow quieter as he ventured further, the smaller beasts retreating into the shadows. The oppressive energy in the air thickened, and Andre felt a shiver run down his spine.

"I feel something watching me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kael's tone turned serious. "You're approaching Earl territory. Be prepared."

Andre steeled himself, every muscle in his body tense. The trail narrowed, leading to a rocky outcrop overlooking a small clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a creature that made Andre's breath catch in his throat.

The earl class beast was massive, its presence commanding. Its body was sleek yet muscular, its fur a deep obsidian that shimmered in the dim light. Crimson streaks marked its flanks, and its eyes burned like molten lava. The air around it crackled with energy, a typical killing machine.

Andre crouched low, observing the beast as it sniffed the air, its ears twitching. A surge of adrenaline coursed through him, but he didn't move.

"An obsidian lynx," Kael whispered. "Earl-class. Fast, powerful, and deadly. Are you ready?"

"I don't think ready is the right word."

Kael chuckled, though his tone was serious. "Stay calm. Rely on your training and instincts. Remember what you've learned."

Andre nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He stepped into the clearing, his presence immediately drawing the lynx's attention. Its eyes locked onto him, and a low growl rumbled from its throat.

The two stood still, sizing each other up. The tension in the air was palpable, every second stretching into eternity.

Andre tightened his stance, his body coiled like a spring. The lynx crouched, its muscles rippling as it prepared to pounce.

And then, with a blur of motion, the fight began.