Nyra stood at attention beside the stranger, her glowing blue eyes never leaving Raghav. She was no mere wolf. There was something deeply intelligent in her gaze, something almost... human.
"You're lucky," the stranger said, his tone more serious now. "Not many survive the wilderness of Dominion alone. Most get eaten, or worse. But Nyra," he nodded to the majestic wolf, "she's not just any wolf. She's the leader of the Silverfang Pack. A pack of fifty wolves, each more deadly than the last."
Raghav's heart pounded in his chest. The reality of his situation was sinking in. He had no idea where he was, how he had gotten here, or even why he was here. But one thing was certain—he wasn't in Varanasi anymore.
Nyra's eyes met his once more. For a moment, there was silence. Then, she lowered her head in a sign of respect, as if acknowledging something profound.
"You... you are the Tamer," the man said. "I sensed it the moment you stepped through the portal. Your bond with the beasts of Dominion will be unlike any other."
"Wait," Raghav said, his voice shaking. "A Tamer? What do you mean?"
"You'll learn soon enough," the man said, stepping closer. "I'm Aarav, a Tamer of Dominion, and I'm here to guide you. That wolf... Nyra, she has chosen you. She's not just any wolf—she's the Queen of her pack, and she leads them with strength and wisdom. But more than that... she sees something in you."
Raghav turned to Nyra, his heart still racing. The wolf stood tall, her fur gleaming with an almost ethereal glow as the moonlight intensified. There was no fear in her eyes, only something akin to understanding.
Aarav continued, "In Dominion, the beasts are not just animals. They are powerful creatures, and the ones who tame them become their masters. But it's not about force or strength. It's about connection. You, Raghav, have a gift. You can bond with beasts... like no one else."
Nyra took a step forward, her gaze still fixed on Raghav, as if waiting for him to make a decision. The winds howled around them, carrying the distant howls of other wolves.
"Will you accept her?" Aarav asked, his voice grave. "Will you become her Tamer? And, more importantly, will you join her to face the coming darkness that threatens all of Dominion?"
Raghav's heart raced. He didn't understand this world, but he understood one thing: this was no accident. There was a purpose behind it all. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air, and as he looked into Nyra's eyes, a sense of destiny washed over him.
He nodded slowly. "I will."