Leon stood before Elric, the morning sun casting long shadows across the village square. The chief's gaze lingered on the Phantom Stalker at Leon's side, its shifting form barely solid, flickering in and out of visibility.
The villagers had gathered nearby, keeping a cautious distance. Some whispered among themselves, eyes darting between Leon and the creature. Others simply stared, unsure of what to make of the young man who had tamed the beast that had haunted their nights.
Elric folded his arms. "A Phantom Stalker." His voice carried neither fear nor doubt, only calculation. "You realize what this means?"
Leon nodded. "It didn't appear here by chance."
The chief's brow furrowed. "And yet you tamed it instead of killing it. Why?"
"Because it's useful," Leon said simply.
A flicker of something passed through Elric's expression—approval, perhaps. Or curiosity.
"That's a dangerous mindset," the chief mused. "One that could get you killed."
Leon smirked. "Only if I don't know what I'm doing."
Elric let out a low hum, his sharp gaze appraising him. Then, he turned his attention to the crowd.
"You all saw what happened last night," the chief said, his voice carrying over the murmurs. "Leon risked his life to protect this village. Not only did he stop the beast that's been terrorizing us—he tamed it."
A wave of hushed murmuring spread through the villagers. Some looked skeptical. Others impressed. A few still wary.
Elric continued, his tone firm. "A Beast Tamer is not something we see often. And one skilled enough to subdue a creature like this?" His eyes flickered toward Leon. "It's rare. Very rare."
Leon remained silent, letting the words sink in.
Then, the chief turned to him. "What do you intend to do now?"
Leon met his gaze without hesitation. "Train. Grow stronger. And find out why this creature was here in the first place."
A heavy silence followed.
Then—Elric nodded. "Good."
Leon arched a brow. He had expected resistance. Caution, at the very least.
The chief must have noticed his expression because he smirked. "This village isn't blind, Leon. You've already proven yourself capable. We won't stand in your way."
Leon inclined his head. That was as much approval as he could ask for.
Elric turned back to the villagers. "That settles it. The matter of the beast is resolved. Everyone, return to your work."
Slowly, the crowd began to disperse, though not without a few lingering glances in Leon's direction. Some muttered among themselves. Others gave small nods of respect.
Leon took it all in stride.
He hadn't come here for recognition.
He had come to prepare.
And now?
The real work began.
---
A Tamer's Growth
Leon made his way back to his small house on the village outskirts, the Phantom Stalker trailing behind him. Its form still flickered, but it no longer moved with hostility. It stayed close, almost cautious—testing the invisible bond between them.
Leon understood its hesitance.
Beasts like this didn't submit easily. Even tamed, they retained their instincts. Their own will.
And that meant it could still turn on him if he wasn't careful.
Good.
Leon had no interest in mindless subservience. A strong beast was only useful if it chose to follow him.
As he stepped inside, he turned to face the Phantom Stalker. Its glowing eyes met his, unreadable.
"You're not truly mine yet," Leon said quietly. "You're waiting. Watching."
The creature didn't respond. But it didn't need to.
Leon smirked. "That's fine. I'll earn it."
With that, he shut the door behind him.
The path of a Beast Tamer wasn't an easy one.
But Leon wouldn't have it any other way.
---
Elsewhere…
Far beyond the village, deep in the forests where no human dared tread, something stirred.
A figure knelt in the darkness, a hood pulled low over their face. In front of them, strange symbols pulsed across the forest floor—etched in a language long forgotten.
A flicker of energy danced through the air. A whisper. A presence unseen.
The figure exhaled. "So… it failed."
They lifted a small, jagged stone—a Beast Mark.
Its glow had faded. Its connection severed.
The figure's fingers tightened around it.
"Interesting."
Then, with a soft chuckle, they crushed the stone in their palm.
"Let's see how far you'll go, Beast Tamer."
---