The sun rose on the sixth day of the Trial Island Theta, painting the eastern sky in hues of fiery orange and soft violet. The new day felt different. The air, usually thick with the unspoken tension of competition, now held a quiet promise.
Sebastian and Kael sat at the mouth of their hidden cave, sharing a meal of dried bread and wild fruits. The spoils of yesterday's gambit were vast, but they were not on their minds. What mattered was the new morning, and the new companion who now joined their small, formidable squad.
The Seraphaquor, its celestial form radiating a soft, gentle light, was coiled gracefully beside Sebastian. Its opaline scales shimmered in the morning sun, a living testament to its immense power and beauty. The Springshoot Panda, its energy fully restored, was now playfully nudging the great serpent's tail, a silent show of affection. The Stribane Tiger, once a fiercely independent beast, lay a short distance away, its powerful form relaxed, its black flames a mere flicker of its true power. Even Kael's Umbralwing and Mystaflora had a new, respectful energy about them, as if they knew they were in the presence of a being of ancient, divine lineage.
"The wind feels different today, My Lord," Kael said, taking a bite of his bread. He glanced at the Seraphaquor before turning his attention to Sebastian. The success of their last venture had instilled a profound confidence in him, a feeling that with Sebastian, anything was possible. "Are we going to work today?"
Sebastian smiled, a rare, genuine expression that reached his eyes. "Of course. The Trial doesn't stop for anyone. Besides, we have a whole new world of opportunities waiting for us." He finished his fruit and brought out the information Rune-scroll, its holographic interface glowing with the details of the island's most coveted treasures. He scrolled through a list of powerful, un-bonded Rune-Beasts, his gaze lingering on two in particular.
"Today, we are going for these," Sebastian said, his finger hovering over the two holographic images. One was a majestic horse with a flowing, starlit mane, and the other a fierce, fiery beast of pure rock and flame. "These are the two most sought-after Rune-Beasts in the inner sectors. Their Rune Power Levels are exceptional, and their bonding difficulty is high. They are a prize that would make any Rune-Beast trainer a legend."
Kael's eyes widened. "Sir, are we going to hunt them?"
Sebastian shook his head, a look of disapproval on his face. "Of course not. Who would kill such beautiful Rune-Beasts? We are going to take them." His voice held a conviction that left no room for doubt. "These creatures are too magnificent to be reduced to mere materials. We will offer them a partnership, a chance to join a family that will respect their power and their nature. Now," he gestured to the two holographic images. "Choose one among the two whom you are taking."
Kael, his mind reeling with the sheer audacity of the plan, took a moment to study the two creatures. The fire beast, with its aggressive posture, seemed too volatile. His gaze settled on the serene, majestic horse, and he felt a pull of familiarity. "Umm, I will be taking the Tier IV: Duskmane."
"Good," Sebastian nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Then I will be taking on the Tier IV: Ignarok. Now, let us move towards our first destination: the Shady Grasslands, where the Duskmane resides."
The journey from the coastal caves to the inner island was long, but Sebastian and Kael moved with a purpose that defied their previous night's exhaustion. The landscape shifted dramatically as they moved inland. The salty air was replaced by the scent of damp earth and wild herbs. The terrain grew more rugged, the trees denser, their leaves forming a canopy that blocked out the direct sunlight. The atmosphere grew thick and heavy, a palpable aura of ancient magic hanging in the air.
As they approached the Shady Grasslands, the landscape underwent a final, profound transformation. The sun, which had been a bright presence moments ago, seemed to lose its power, casting long, deep shadows that clung to the ground like a second skin. The grass was a deep, ethereal green, swaying in a perpetual, silent breeze, and the air hummed with a mystical energy that felt both calming and unnerving. This was a place where light and shadow danced in a timeless waltz, and where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual were blurred.
Sebastian, ever the pragmatist, knew they couldn't just wander aimlessly in a place this large and mystical. "Kael," he said, "use your Umbralwing to locate the Duskmane. They have the same elemental affinity, a bond with the shadow and the mystic. Your Umbralwing should be able to sense the Duskmane's aura, a kindred spirit in this shadowy world."
Kael nodded, his eyes glowing with a newfound resolve. He brought out his Umbralwing, the shadowy creature's form dissolving into a plume of black smoke before coalescing into a living, breathing creature of twilight. "Find it," Kael commanded, his voice a low whisper.
The Umbralwing took to the air, not in a flight of flapping wings, but in a silent, gliding motion that seemed to melt in and out of the shadows. It was a beautiful and unsettling sight, a creature of pure darkness searching for a creature of twilight. The Umbralwing began its hunt, its form a mere wisp of smoke as it wove through the tall grass, a silent hunter in a silent world. It was looking for a specific resonance, a unique spiritual frequency that would lead it to its target. The Duskmane was a creature of pure spirit, and the Umbralwing, with its deep connection to the mystical and the shadowy, was the perfect tracker.
After a few tense hours, the Umbralwing let out a high-pitched cry, a sound that resonated not in the air, but in Kael's mind. It had found its target. Sebastian and Kael followed the path the Umbralwing had shown them, their steps a quiet, rhythmic march through the whispering grasslands. They found the Duskmane in a small, moonlit clearing, a place where a stream of liquid starlight flowed down a small cliff into a pool of glowing water.
The Duskmane was a vision of breathtaking beauty. It was drinking from the luminous pool, its majestic body a sleek, muscular build of pure black fur that shimmered with faint, galaxy-like patterns. Its mane and tail flowed like liquid night, streaked with luminous silver threads. Its eyes, a deep violet, were like two sparkling pools of stardust. A spiraled spiritual horn, glowing with an ethereal light, pulsed gently on its forehead. It was a creature of immense power, but there was an air of profound serenity about it, a gentle soul in a powerful body.
The moment Sebastian's eyes fell upon the Duskmane, his Book of Beast Records began to glow. The pages turned on their own, a faint, mystical hum filling the air as the book came to life, its pages stopping on a specific entry, the holographic text floating in the air for all to see.
[Newly Encountered Rune-Beast:-
*Name: Duskmane
*Tier IV: Arcane Protector
*Rune Power Level: 1,247
*Bonding Difficulty: Expert (8 Rune Requirements)
*Magical Resonance: Very High
*Type: Twilight Warhorse
*Primary Element: Shadow/Mystic
*Height: 16.5 hands (5.5 feet at shoulder)
*Weight: 1,200 lbs
*Lifespan: 650-800 years
*Encounter Rate: Rare (2-4% in volcanic twilight zones)
*Physical Properties:
-Body: Majestic stallion with a sleek, muscular build and jet-black fur that shimmers with faint, galaxy-like patterns under moonlight.
-Horn: A glowing, spiraled spiritual horn that pulses with ethereal light—used to purify or protect.
-Eyes: Deep violet with stardust sparkles.
-Mane & Tail: Flowing like liquid night, streaked with luminous silver threads.
-Aura: Surrounded by a soft mist of spiritual energy—appears when it gallops or casts protective blessings.
*Abilities:
-Luna Grace: Heals allies and calms aggressive creatures.
-Shadow Leap: Instantly teleports through darkness or moonlight beams.
-Spirit Pierce: Uses its horn to dispel curses and strike down evil beings.
-Midnight Howl (Legendary Move): A protective barrier of starlight shields its allies and blinds enemies temporarily.
*Habitat:
-Often found near sacred moonlit groves, ancient ruins, or spiritual springs deep in enchanted forests.
*Temperament:
-Gentle with the innocent, fiercely protective against evil. It bonds with pure-hearted beings and is said to appear in dreams to guide lost souls.
[SAVING INFORMATION]
Sebastian and Kael stood in silence, the glow of the holographic text illuminating their faces. The information in the book was a roadmap, a perfect guide to the creature they were about to encounter. Sebastian looked at the majestic horse, his eyes filled with respect. It was a beautiful creature, a noble beast of myth and legend. He knew that bonding with it would not be a matter of force, but a matter of trust. The challenge was immense, but so was the reward.
Kael's heart hammered in his chest with anticipation, his gaze fixed on his potential new companion. The time for observation was over; now began the most important task of the day.