Alden sat across from Lyra in a small, private booth at a high-end tavern within the guild district. It wasn't exactly what he expected after their earlier encounter, but here they were—locked in a silent battle of wits.
Lyra had ordered tea. Alden, out of sheer defiance, had ordered ale.
Neither had touched their drinks.
The tension in the air was thick. Not hostile, but charged.
Lyra studied him, her crimson eyes sharp yet unreadable. She rested her chin lightly on her fingers, the candlelight reflecting off her silver hair.
Alden, for his part, wasn't about to let her intimidate him. He matched her gaze with an easy smirk, leaning back in his chair as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"So," he finally broke the silence, "are you always this dramatic, or am I just special?"
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "You are."
Alden blinked. He hadn't expected her to admit it so easily.
She took a slow sip of her tea before setting the cup down with deliberate care. "You intrigue me, Alden Draven."
Ah. She knew his full name.
That wasn't good.
He kept his expression neutral. "I'm flattered. But usually, when someone's interested in me, they don't drag me into a tavern for an interrogation."
Lyra exhaled softly—almost a laugh. "You're interesting because you defy expectations."
She gestured slightly toward the Bloodfang Stalker, who lay curled near Alden's feet, its massive form a silent sentinel. The beast had refused to be left outside, and Alden wasn't about to force it.
"A rookie tamer shouldn't have been able to tame a Bloodfang," Lyra continued. "And yet, here you are."
Alden shrugged. "What can I say? I like challenges."
Lyra's gaze sharpened. "Then fight me."
Alden nearly choked on his ale. "Excuse me?"
"A duel." Lyra leaned forward slightly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk. "You said you like challenges. Prove it."
Alden exhaled, setting his mug down. "I don't make it a habit of fighting noble ladies."
Lyra tilted her head. "Because you think I'm weak?"
"No, because nobles tend to get petty when they lose."
Her smirk widened. "Then don't lose."
Alden sighed. Of course, she wasn't going to let this go.
He glanced at the Bloodfang, who merely flicked an ear, unimpressed. Shadowfang, who had been lying behind him, chuffed softly—his way of saying, just humor her.
Alden turned back to Lyra, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. But don't cry when I win."
Lyra's expression was pure amusement. "We'll see about that."
The Duel Begins
They moved to the guild's private training grounds, an open courtyard reinforced with enchantments to prevent excessive destruction.
A small crowd had gathered—not surprising, given that Lyra Solenne herself was fighting a no-name tamer.
Lyra stood at one end of the battlefield, poised and graceful. She summoned a gleaming silver beast—a Lunaris Direwolf, its fur shimmering under the moonlight, eyes glowing like twin stars.
Alden whistled. "Fancy."
Lyra merely smirked. "Let's begin."
Alden didn't hesitate.
"Shadowfang—go!"
The black-furred abyssal wolf lunged forward in an instant, his speed blurring as he streaked toward the Lunaris Direwolf. The two wolves clashed in a flurry of fangs and claws, their growls reverberating through the courtyard.
Alden immediately followed up. "Bloodfang—support Shadowfang!"
The Bloodfang Stalker didn't need to be told twice. With unnatural speed, it dashed into the fray, its movements precise, weaving between attacks like a shadow.
But Lyra wasn't fazed.
"Lunaris—Moon Veil."
A silvery mist exploded from the Direwolf, shrouding the entire battlefield in blinding light.
Alden's vision flickered—his beasts were still moving, but he couldn't see clearly.
Lyra's voice rang through the mist. "You're good, Alden. But let's see if you can fight without sight."
Alden smirked.
"You're making this too easy."
Closing his eyes, he synchronized his senses with his beasts.
A Tamer's true strength wasn't just in summoning creatures—it was in understanding them completely.
He felt Shadowfang's sharp focus, the pulse of Bloodfang's killer instincts—and most importantly, the position of the Lunaris Direwolf within the mist.
Alden's eyes snapped open.
"Shadowfang—left! Bloodfang—flank from behind!"
The two wolves moved instantly.
A blur of black and crimson cut through the mist, launching a devastating counterattack before Lyra could react.
Her wolf was fast. But Alden's beasts were faster.
Shadowfang hit first, his claws raking against the Direwolf's flank. Bloodfang struck from behind, its fangs sinking into the enemy's hind leg.
The Lunaris Direwolf let out a sharp yelp, stumbling.
Lyra's gaze flickered in surprise—but only for a moment.
Then, she smiled.
"You really are something."
She raised a hand.
"Lunaris—Astral Howl!"
A piercing howl shattered the mist, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
Alden felt it before he saw it.
His connection with his beasts wavered for a split second—just enough for Lyra's Direwolf to recover, darting backward.
Alden clicked his tongue. "Annoying."
Lyra tilted her head. "Likewise."
The two stared at each other for a long moment.
Then, Lyra lowered her hand. "Let's call it here."
Alden blinked. "Huh?"
Lyra smirked. "I got what I wanted."
She turned on her heel, calling her wolf to her side. "You're better than I expected, Alden Draven. This won't be our last match."
Alden watched her leave, crossing his arms. "Well, that was cryptic."
Shadowfang chuffed in agreement. Bloodfang just sat down, looking utterly unimpressed.
Alden exhaled.
Lyra Solenne…
Something told him that she was going to be a problem.
But for some reason…
He didn't really mind.
Elsewhere…
In the shadows of a distant tower, the golden-eyed figure watched the duel unfold through an enchanted mirror.
They chuckled softly.
"The boy continues to grow. But power alone is not enough."
The mirror flickered.
"Soon… we will see if he is truly worthy of the abyss."
The darkness stirred.
And the game continued.