Dawn broke over the academy with a soft, amber light that filtered through the tall trees, casting long shadows across the training grounds. The air was crisp, and the faint scent of pine filled the morning breeze. A quiet excitement buzzed in the students' steps as they made their way toward the Grand Hall, where they would learn the true nature of the Trial of Echoes.
Aren stood with his teammates outside the massive stone doors, his nerves simmering beneath his calm exterior. He hadn't felt this way since his early days at the academy—back when he still doubted whether he was even worthy of bonding with Sharu. Now, standing alongside his team, he felt different. Stronger. But there was still the pressing weight of uncertainty. What was the Trial of Echoes? And what exactly would it reveal about him and Sharu?
Dorian was already pacing in front of the door, his boots tapping on the stone with each step. "I hate waiting. We should just start already." His Shockwave Lion, perched beside him, gave a low, rumbling growl in agreement, its electric mane crackling faintly in the cool air.
"Patience, Dorian," Liora said, her voice as composed as ever. "Rushing won't make it come faster."
Lyra, as usual, remained silent, her eyes distant as she examined the surroundings, her Shadow Falcon perched quietly on her shoulder. Talia, still adjusting to her new team, stood slightly off to the side, her Thorn Viper resting at her feet, flicking its tail nervously.
"Everyone's tense," Aric remarked, stretching his arms above his head. "But we'll handle whatever comes our way. We've been training for this."
Aren nodded but didn't say anything. His mind kept drifting back to the earlier feeling—the one that nagged at the back of his mind when he sensed Sharu's restlessness. His bond with the silver-furred beast had grown stronger, and Sharu's moods were becoming more apparent. But there was something in the air that made Aren feel as if something larger than the trial itself was looming.
The Grand Hall doors creaked open, and a wave of students flowed inside. Aren and his teammates followed, stepping into the vast chamber. It was more like a coliseum than a hall, with stone benches circling an open floor. The walls were adorned with ancient murals depicting legendary trials from the academy's past. Massive columns rose to support the high ceiling, where torches flickered in the quiet.
At the front of the hall stood Instructor Vale, an imposing figure in dark armor, his voice booming across the space as he addressed the gathered students.
"Welcome, students," he began, his tone stern yet controlled. "Today marks the beginning of your true test—the Trial of Echoes. You will discover not only the depth of your bond with your beasts but also the very nature of your strengths and weaknesses."
Aren's gaze flickered to the other teams, all of them standing in their assigned spots, some talking among themselves, others just as silent as him. Among them, he spotted Kael Rin, who stood with his usual aloofness, his shadow serpent coiling around his arm. He also saw Donas Brim, his mossy turtle by his side, and Velia Rune, her crystalline fox perched gracefully beside her. Lance Vermilion stood tall with his gryphon, his usual confidence evident in the way he held himself.
Instructor Vale continued. "The Trial of Echoes will take place in the Sylvan Wilds, deep within the forest. It is an ancient place where the echoes of beasts and their bonds can be felt in the very earth beneath your feet. There, you will face challenges that test both your strength and your connection to your beasts. Be warned—the forest has a mind of its own. It will seek to expose your deepest fears and desires. Only those who understand their bond truly will succeed."
The words hit Aren like a thunderclap. His mind raced as he processed what Vale had just said. Fears and desires? Could this trial expose his hidden insecurities about his bond with Sharu? Could it reveal something about the mysterious nature of his beast—something even Aren himself didn't fully understand?
The instructor's gaze swept across the room. "You will enter in teams. Each team will be assigned to a different section of the forest. Your success will not only depend on your ability to fight but also on how well you cooperate with your beasts. Those who fail to complete the trial will be marked as 'unfit,' and their future here at the academy will be reconsidered."
A tense silence followed Vale's words. No one dared to speak. The implication of what he had just said hung heavy in the air. Failing this trial meant much more than a mere loss—it could mean being expelled from the academy.
"Your trials will begin at dusk," Vale continued. "Rest well today, for tomorrow, the forest awaits. Dismissed."
The doors to the Grand Hall swung open, and the students filed out, their expressions a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Aren turned to his team, trying to make sense of what had just been said.
"Well," Aric said, breaking the silence, "this just got real."
"I've heard of the Sylvan Wilds," Liora murmured, her eyes narrowing. "It's an ancient forest, known for its… strange qualities. Beasts from all around the continent roam there. Many who enter don't return the same."
"Sounds like a nightmare," Dorian muttered, cracking his knuckles. "But hey, what's life without a little challenge?"
Talia's Thorn Viper hissed softly, and she placed a hand on its scaled back, as though to comfort it. "I've read about the Wilds, too. It's not the beasts we should fear, but the forest itself. It bends and shifts, twisting reality."
Aren swallowed, suddenly feeling the weight of the situation. This wasn't just about physical strength. It was about understanding his beast, his bond with Sharu, and what was lurking beneath the surface of both.
As his teammates discussed their plans, Aren stood apart, eyes drawn to Sharu. The silver-furred beast sat at his side, its tail curled around its paws. For a moment, Aren swore he saw a glint of something in Sharu's eyes—something more ancient, more knowing. It was as if the beast had sensed the danger too, but also… the opportunity.
"Sharu…" Aren murmured under his breath.
The beast met his gaze, and for a fleeting second, it almost seemed to smile, though it was the kind of smile that held a mystery Aren couldn't quite unravel.
"Let's get through this," Aren said, clapping his hands together. "Whatever the Wilds throw at us, we'll face it as a team."
His teammates gathered around, nodding in agreement. The Trial of Echoes was just ahead. And with it, the unknown.
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End of Chapter 18