Chapter 2: Voice of the Wild
The next morning, Elric woke before the birds.
Not because of excitement. Not entirely, anyway.
He woke because something was calling him.
Not in words. Not in sound. It was a presence. A pull, like gravity had changed its direction and was trying to tug him into the jungle.
> System Alert: Pact Quest Active
Objective: Locate and bond with your first beast companion
Warning: Time-limited window – Beast Signature Fading in 48 hours
Bond Trait: Voice of Kin (Passive) – All untamed beasts sense trust or fear toward you.
Elric slipped out of his bed, careful not to wake Lila and Miri, who were snoring in unison. Mael stirred slightly in his chair, one eye cracked open as usual.
"You walking again, boy?" he muttered.
"Just getting some fresh air," Elric whispered.
Mael grunted. "That jungle don't give fresh air. It gives teeth."
Elric only smirked. "I've got teeth too."
---
The Furious Jungle was less furious this morning. Mist clung low to the roots, and the trees whispered softly, like they were still dreaming. Elric moved confidently, barefoot on the soil, his system guiding his steps.
He passed glowing mushroom clusters, old spirit-trees, and rusted relics half-buried in vines. It wasn't his first time wandering here alone. But this time was different.
This time, he wasn't just a nosy kid with too many secrets.
He was a Shepherd.
> Beast Signature Detected: Type – Shadowfang Cub (Injured)
Bond Compatibility: High
Rank: F (Evolvable)
Distance: 290 meters
Elric's heart thumped faster.
"Fangshade," he whispered, remembering the name he had dreamed the night before. "Are you real?"
He crept forward, dodging vines and ducking under branches until he reached a clearing.
There it was.
A small black cub with glowing purple eyes, fur streaked with silver. It limped in a circle, panting. Blood marked its flank. Something had hurt it recently.
Elric stepped into the clearing slowly.
The cub snapped its head toward him and growled weakly.
> Bond Opportunity: Active. Use Voice of Kin to initiate contact.
Speak honestly. No lies. No commands. No fear.
Elric crouched low and kept his hands open.
"Hey there," he said softly. "I'm not a hunter. I'm not here to cage you. I'm… well, I guess I'm something new."
The cub didn't run. Its ears twitched. Its tail flicked.
"My name's Elric," he continued. "I've got no army. No power. Just a system, a shirt with a hole in it, and too much attitude for my age."
The cub let out a breathy snort—almost a laugh.
Elric grinned. "But I've got something else too. I can offer you something no hunter ever could: a bond."
The cub tilted its head.
"A pact. Not master and pet. Partners. You help me grow strong, and I help you survive. Together, we'll tear open the sky if we have to."
He paused.
"I'll even share my jerky stash."
> Voice of Kin recognized. Beast Resonance achieved.
True Name Unlocked: Fangshade
Pact Request: Initiating…
Bond Type: Foundational
Shared Growth Activated
The cub stepped forward and pressed its nose to Elric's palm.
A rush of energy exploded in his chest—wild, sharp, ancient.
> First Beast Companion Acquired: Fangshade – Shadowfang Cub (F-Rank)
New Trait Gained: Shared Senses (Lv. 1)
Beast Path: Darkness / Predator / Pack Alpha (Locked)
New Title Earned: First Shepherd of the Wilds
Elric gasped. His hand tingled with energy. Fangshade's fur glowed faintly as its wounds began to close.
And just like that—they were connected.
Not like leash and master.
But soul to soul.
---
They walked back together as the sun peeked over the treetops.
Fangshade padded beside him like a shadow that purred when it was happy. Elric kept glancing down at him, still half expecting to wake up.
When they reached the edge of the jungle, Mael stood there with a mug of steaming leaf-tea.
He raised one brow. "You went in with two legs and no tail. Came out with a wolf pup."
Elric shrugged. "Adopted."
Mael sipped his tea. "Beasts don't bond easy. Especially not Shadowfangs."
Elric grinned. "I've got a silver tongue."
"That tongue's gonna get you killed one day."
"Then I'll sweet-talk death."
Mael snorted, but there was pride in his eyes. "What are you gonna name him?"
"Fangshade," Elric said. "He already had it. I just… remembered."
"Mm. Good name." Mael turned back toward the house. "Breakfast's on. And your brother's gonna scream when he sees that furball."
Elric looked down at his new companion.
"You ready to meet the madness that is my family?"
Fangshade yawned.