Chapter 6: Into the Whispering Green
The jungle was alive with whispers.
Leaves rustled like murmured secrets. Insects hummed an ancient song. Somewhere above, the canopy filtered soft sunlight, casting shifting patterns on the earth.
Elric stepped carefully through the underbrush, a crude walking stick in hand, Fangshade at his side, and the Wildhorn fawn—whom he had lovingly named "Twig"—prancing a few steps behind.
> Shepherd's Domain – Unlock Progress: 2/3 Loyal Companions.
Objective: Form a true bond. Not a contract.
The System's words echoed in his mind.
No force. No command.
Just… bond.
Elric sighed. "You hear that, guys? No pressure."
Fangshade grunted, unimpressed. Twig licked his own nose and sneezed.
He crouched near a moss-covered root and pressed his palm to the soil.
"System," he whispered. "Show me the next thread."
> Tracking Wild Companion Thread… Searching…
Entity Detected: Proximity 78m – Type: Unknown, Injured.
Emotional Signature: Fearful… but curious.
Elric stood, heart beating faster. "Come on."
---
They found it hidden in a hollow beneath a fallen tree—barely more than a shadow.
A small creature, no bigger than a rabbit, with cracked stone skin and mossy fur that shimmered faintly in the light.
One leg was twisted. It tried to growl but only wheezed.
Twig lowered his head gently. Fangshade held his ground but didn't growl.
Elric knelt slowly. "Hey… I'm not here to hurt you."
The creature whimpered.
He took a slow breath. Reached into his satchel. Pulled out a strip of dried sweetroot.
Laid it just out of reach.
> Would you like to offer aid and wait?
Note: Patience may lead to deeper bonds.
He chose yes.
Minutes passed. Then longer.
The creature sniffed. Twitched. Shuffled forward.
It ate.
And then it pressed its cracked head to Elric's hand.
> Bond Formed: Mossback Sprite – Loyalty 1/100
Name: Unchosen (Awaiting Trust)
Traits: Stoneflesh, Burrower, Forest-Bound
Shepherd's Domain Unlocked – Level 1
A breeze stirred the trees.
The ground beneath Elric pulsed once, faint and warm.
> Domain Perk Activated: Heart of the Pack (Passive)
All bonded beasts within 10 meters gain calm and regeneration.
Pack Count: 3 / Unlimited
Title Gained: Whisperer of the Wild
Elric exhaled slowly, a smile tugging at his lips. "Welcome to the family, little one."
The sprite looked up at him, and for a moment—just a moment—it purred.
---
That night, back at home, Elric sat beneath the stars again. Twig rested across his lap. Fangshade on guard. The mossback sprite burrowed into a flowerbed nearby.
Three. His first three.
None of them fierce predators. Not yet. Not warriors.
But his. Chosen by instinct, by feeling, not force.
No taming. No tricks.
Only connection.
He grinned and whispered, "This is gonna take forever."
And that was exactly how he wanted it.