Eclipsed Realms: The Tamer's Path

The forest was alive with an eerie calm as night descended, casting long shadows across the trees. I chose this time deliberately—Nyx thrived in darkness, his power amplified by the absence of light. As I stood at the edge of the battlefield, I could feel his presence beside me, a shifting, almost liquid shadow waiting for the command to act.

Across the clearing, Elias stepped forward, his posture as confident as ever. He wasn't bothered by the change in scenery or time. If anything, he seemed amused.

"A good decision," Elias said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "But, just a reminder—your creature's fear aura won't work on anything with a dragonic presence. That includes my wyvern."

I nodded, keeping my tone calm. "Thanks for the reminder."

Elias raised a brow. "I'm not trying to be condescending, Akira. I know you just caught that shadow creature yesterday. It's impressive that you're using him already."

I didn't respond further. Of course, I knew about the fear aura's limitation. My Monster Encyclopedia had already outlined every strength and weakness of the Lava Wyvern. Its strong physique, durability, and fire-resistant scales made it a formidable opponent. But I also knew its weak spot—an area on its neck where the scales were thinner. Breaking through its energy armor, however, would be another story.

Nyx, for all his speed and agility, lacked the raw power to end this fight decisively. But he didn't need to. This wasn't about brute force; it was about strategy.

I relayed the wyvern's weakness to Nyx through our bond. He responded with a low, rumbling laugh.

"Impressive, human. Perhaps I shall keep you alive after all."

I didn't have time to question his ominous tone before he added something that made my stomach drop.

"I don't have to focus on the wyvern."

"Nyx!" I shouted through the bond, alarmed. "I command you to focus on the wyvern!"

The bond tightened painfully as the tamer seal activated, forcing Nyx to comply. He roared in defiance, the sound echoing through the night as a visible ripple of pain ran through his shadowy form.

The spectators murmured in hushed tones, clearly noting the struggle. Nyx was a newly acquired monster, one with a reputation for being nearly impossible to tame. Some even whispered about past tamers being betrayed by their shadows.

Nyx, angered by my command, snarled through the bond. "I will not forget this, Akira."

His frustration burned through me, but I pushed it aside. The battle demanded my focus.

The Battle Begins

Elias didn't waste time. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering Banner of Courage appeared, casting its protective energy over both him and the wyvern.

"Let's see how well your shadow adapts," Elias said, his voice filled with quiet confidence.

The wyvern, now shielded by the banner and its armor, began by creating a massive dust storm, trying to obscure its movements and drag Nyx into a close-range fight.

But Nyx wasn't easily trapped. He moved through the darkness with liquid grace, his form indistinguishable from the shadows around him.

"Use the darkness to tire it out," I commanded.

Nyx's growl rumbled through my mind, but he obeyed. His attacks were relentless—dark tendrils lashed out, striking the wyvern's armor repeatedly, searching for a weakness. But the armor held firm, shimmering with Elias's combined energy.

The wyvern, sensing the futility of Nyx's attacks, began erecting towers of earth to prepare for the Dragon Ravine ability.

"Don't let it finish!" I called.

Nyx's focus shifted, his attacks now targeting the towers. His claws ripped through them with precision, scattering chunks of earth across the battlefield. But in doing so, he left himself exposed.

The wyvern unleashed a magma breath, the searing flames cutting through the darkness like a blazing whip. Nyx dodged, his form twisting unnaturally to avoid the attack.

In retaliation, he created a pool of darkness beneath the wyvern, shadowy arms reaching up to drag it down. For a moment, it seemed to work—the wyvern roared in defiance as it struggled against the suffocating pull.

But it wouldn't go down easily. With a mighty flap of its wings, it took flight, unleashing a series of fiery blasts that scorched the battlefield.

Nyx retaliated with his Sound of Darkness, a dissonant wail that echoed through the clearing, slowing the wyvern's movements and weakening its resolve. Following that, he unleashed a Soul Call, a bone-chilling roar that froze even the strongest creatures for a moment.

It was the perfect setup. Nyx surged forward, preparing his World of Darkness attack, his form crackling with lethal intent.

But something about the battlefield didn't sit right with me.

"Nyx, stop! It's a trap!" I shouted.

The command hit him like a chain, yanking him back mid-charge.

Nyx roared in fury, his voice a searing flame in my mind. "Cursed human! You dare—"

Before he could finish, Elias clapped his hands.

"Well done, Akira. You're more cautious than I thought," Elias said with a grin, revealing a glowing seal on his hand.

"Release Restraint!"

The wyvern's power surged instantly, its body radiating fiery energy. The ground beneath it cracked and glowed as the battlefield transformed into a volcanic wasteland. Lava pooled and erupted around us, and the oppressive heat shattered the darkness.

Nyx faltered. The light sapped his strength, and the wyvern, now fully unleashed, roared triumphantly before unleashing a devastating breath attack.

"Brave Shield!" I shouted, activating the protective ability just in time. A shimmering barrier enveloped Nyx, granting him a brief moment of invincibility.

"Now, Nyx! Attack with everything you've got!"

For ten seconds, Nyx became a blur of darkness, unleashing every attack in his arsenal. Tendrils, claws, and shadowy beams struck the wyvern relentlessly, but even with his full power, it wasn't enough. The wyvern, bolstered by Elias's support and its enhanced form, withstood the onslaught.

As the shield's protection faded, Nyx collapsed to the ground, his form flickering weakly. The wyvern loomed above him, victorious.

The system's voice rang out, cold and final. "Combatant Nyx has been defeated."

After the second loss, it was painfully clear—I had no chance against Elias. The guy was a powerhouse, armed with a deep arsenal of skills and strategies to support his partners. Meanwhile, I was barely scraping by with basic abilities. I knew there was no point in sending Lilia into the fray. She would only suffer against such a well-prepared opponent.

Swallowing my pride, I made the call. "I surrender."

Elias's expression softened, and he nodded in approval. "I respect your choice, Akira. Knowing when to retreat is a form of wisdom, especially for a tamer."

He stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "To be honest, this fight should've been more challenging. But it's clear you're still lacking in tamer skills. I should've realized that sooner—you're from the outside, after all. That's on me for expecting something... exceptional."

I stiffened at his words, but then his tone shifted.

"That being said," he continued, "you're sharp. Quick to adapt. And your bond with your monsters is something most tamers here would envy. I see potential in you." His eyes gleamed with genuine interest. "How about joining us? I'd love to have you on my team. We'll train you, teach you everything you need to know. And soon enough, we can have a rematch—this time, it won't be so one-sided."

I wasn't surprised by the offer. Despite the losses, my performance had drawn attention. For someone new to this world, my strategies and unique partners were enough to turn heads. It was only a matter of time before offers like this came my way.

Before I could respond, another voice interrupted.

"Young man, before you make a decision, consider our proposal as well."

Turning toward the voice, I saw an older man approaching, his presence commanding yet warm. He was tall, with a flowing white beard and hair that matched the pristine robe he wore. A crystal staff gleamed in his hand, and a golden monocle perched on his nose. The emblem of a compass adorned his robe—a symbol of Silver Horizon, the guild known for exploration and magical research.

"Mister Atlas," Elias said with a playful scoff, "can't you see I'm trying to make a friend here?"

Atlas chuckled, his voice deep and kind. "Ah, little Elias. But I doubt this young man suits you. He's not a fighter at heart—you can see that, can't you? He's a scholar, a researcher."

Elias raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And how exactly did you deduce that, old man? From his single visit to the library?"

"No, no," Atlas replied with a twinkle in his eye. "My magic told me. It revealed that his spirit aligns with our guild's values. Watching him fight only confirmed it. He's a thinker, not a brawler."

The banter between them was growing tiresome, and I could feel the weight of exhaustion creeping in. I wasn't in the mood for a prolonged argument.

"Can you both just get to the point?" I said, cutting in. "Why should I join your guilds? Let's keep this simple. Send me your proposals, and I'll review them. I'll give you my decision within a week. I don't want to rush this."

Atlas smiled, clearly amused by my directness. "Fair enough. I'll wait for your response, young man." With a wave of his staff, he sent a glowing scroll my way, which materialized in my hand.

Elias smirked. "I don't care which guild you pick, Akira. Just make the choice that's best for you." He sent his proposal digitally, a small notification blinking on my interface.

With that, both men left the stage, though they lingered in the arena area to oversee other matches.

I, on the other hand, was done for the day. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't eaten since morning. All I wanted was food and rest.

Back in my room, I ordered the same meal as yesterday—simple, comforting, and easy. As I waited for it to arrive, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the two proposals on my screen.

Both guilds had their merits. Elias's team promised rigorous training and opportunities to improve my combat skills. Joining him would mean growing stronger as a tamer, maybe even becoming a contender for future tournaments.

But Silver Horizon was tempting for a different reason. Their focus on research and exploration resonated with me. I wasn't a natural fighter, and Atlas had seen through me faster than I liked to admit.

For now, I pushed the decision aside. It was a problem for another day. All I wanted was food, sleep, and a moment to think about how to move forward in this strange, unforgiving world.