Rebirth of a Fey Lord

Once they were safely away from the town, Leanan dispersed the tornado, leaving a quiet calm in her wake. The teenage boy, still visibly shaken, finally spoke up.

"Who are you?"

Eogan flashed a charming smile. "I'll give you two options. You can know the full truth of who I am, but if you react poorly, I'll have to kill you. Or you can settle for a convenient half-truth that leaves out the most important parts of my identity."

The boy gulped, glancing nervously at Leanan. "Uh… I don't want to be killed... Could you just give me the half-truth?"

Eogan let out a soft laugh. "I was hoping you'd want the full truth. Oh well." As he spoke, his skin began to ripple and change. In seconds, his shapeshifting reversed, revealing his proper form. "I'm the son of the Lord who lives outside of town. My name is Eogan Dubhan. And this is Leanan, the wind sprite I've tamed."

Leanan fluttered over, giving the boy a playful curtsy. "Nice to meet you, Lorcan! Close your mouth. You might catch a fly."

Lorcan stared at Eogan, eyes wide. "Y-you can shapeshift?"

"Yeah, just learned how to do it earlier today," Eogan said with a smirk. "Don't worry, you don't have to be formal. I'm actually younger than you by a few years."

Leanan giggled, and Eogan couldn't help but think, In this life, that's true. But if you measure by the soul's age, you're centuries old.

Lorcan chuckled nervously. "Knowing the one who helped me is younger is more reassuring."

Leanan smiled brightly and sat on Eogan's head, humming a cheerful tune.

Lorcan seemed to ponder something before speaking again. "It's illegal to train monsters."

Eogan laughed heartily. "That won't stop someone as determined as me. I have a goal in mind." He raised his arms dramatically. "Besides, if you know that, why did you try to save a monster?"

Lorcan shifted uneasily, glancing at the baby imp he still cradled in his arms. "To be honest... I don't know. At first, I wasn't going to do anything. But then I felt this gut-wrenching pain, and I realized how terrified she was. It didn't seem right to let her die."

Leanan's excitement couldn't be contained. "MASTER!"

"Quiet down, Leanan. I know," Eogan said, his voice trembling with excitement. "This is rare. It's extraordinary."

Lorcan looked at the imp, still in his arms. "But why me? Why not someone else?"

Eogan smiled gently, poking the imp's nose. "Because young monsters have an instinct for who will help them in their time of need. You're the one she trusted."

Lorcan looked down, confused. "How is that possible? Most people know nothing about monsters except that they're dangerous."

Eogan frowned. "How is that possible?"

Lorcan shifted uncomfortably. "I have a request," he said hesitantly. "Could you be my teacher?"

Eogan raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

Lorcan gently rubbed the imp's back. "I don't know much about monsters, and I've always been an orphan. I've never had access to books on them. I want to raise her well, and you can teach me how."

Eogan grinned widely. "Of course! I'd be honored to teach someone who's forged such a legendary bond with a monster!" He placed his hands on his hips. "First things first, you should name her."

Lorcan looked relieved. "I'll take a few days to think about it. I don't want to rush it."

Leanan nodded approvingly. "Good choice. Her name will stay with her for life."

Eogan suddenly spoke up again. "You said you're an orphan?"

Lorcan looked confused. "Yes, is that a problem?"

Eogan's eyes lit up with an idea. "Not at all. I think I have a plan forming."

Leanan bounced excitedly. "Ooh, a devious plan!"

"Devious plan?" Lorcan raised an eyebrow.

Eogan smirked. "When morning comes, I'll introduce you to my father. To everyone else, you'll appear to be my servant. But whenever it's just the two of us, I'll pass on everything I know about monsters. You'll become the most talented tamer of this era."