Eclipsed Realms: The Tamer's Path

Akira:

The air was still as I sat cross-legged, drawing in the energy of the world around me. Meditation had become second nature, a tool I had learned under the watchful guidance of the Emerald Knight. It wasn't just about calming the mind—it was about sharpening my senses, strengthening the bond with my partners, and preparing myself for whatever came next.

It had been over an hour since I'd begun waiting. But the wait didn't bother me. I had learned patience the hard way.

The subtle shift in the air, however, made me open my eyes.

Standing in front of me was a striking woman in her twenties. Her long, light blue hair cascaded like waves, and her sapphire eyes held a mixture of curiosity and confidence. She wore informal sportswear bearing the emblem of a guild I recognized instantly: Azure Striders.

This was no coincidence. It seemed yet another guild had come to pitch their offer.

"Good afternoon, Mister Akira," she said with a polite smile. "I hope I can have a bit of your time. I would be very grateful."

I studied her for a moment before nodding. "I have time to spare."

She gestured for us to move to a private meeting room, and I followed. The moment we were seated, she introduced herself.

"My name is Callista," she began, her voice smooth and confident. The name suited her—a name with power and elegance, like a figure from an old legend.

"I represent the Azure Striders Guild, and I must say, your achievements have left a deep impression on me. Your understanding of flight and speed is remarkable, and your partners are all natural in the skies. That's why I believe you would fit perfectly with us. We specialize in aerial combat, where strategy and finesse rule the skies. With our guidance, you could reach heights you've never dreamed of—literally and figuratively."

Her excitement was palpable, and I could tell she meant every word. The Azure Striders were renowned for their expertise in aerial combat, boasting elite tactics, specialized equipment, and a disciplined approach. It wasn't hard to see why they might think I'd be a good fit.

But I already knew where I belonged.

"Miss Callista," I said, keeping my tone respectful, "I appreciate the offer, but I've already made my decision. Silver Horizon suits me more than any other guild."

Her expression didn't falter. If anything, she seemed unsurprised. "I expected as much," she admitted. "Silver Horizon does have its allure—research and discovery are their strengths, after all. But are you sure that's what you want? Learning new skills and pushing your limits can also happen with us. Imagine exploring the wonders of the skies, leading an army against aerial monsters, formulating intricate strategies, and conquering dangerous regions. Doesn't that excite you, even a little?"

I hesitated for a moment. "That does sound exciting," I admitted. "But my focus is on research and understanding. Silver Horizon offers the environment I need for that."

Callista sighed, but there was no hostility in her demeanor. If anything, she seemed to respect my resolve. "Fair enough. I suppose you've made up your mind."

She paused, then smiled wryly. "Alright, I won't waste more time convincing you. Let's move on to my real reason for coming here: a trade."

Her sudden shift caught me off guard. "A trade?"

Callista leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp. "I've had my eye on your fire elemental—Asura. He's extraordinary. A rare partner like him would thrive in our guild. Would you be willing to trade him for another creature? We can offer you something equally rare, or even multiple creatures if that's what it takes."

I narrowed my eyes. Of course, she wanted Asura. Almost everyone did. But they didn't understand what he meant to me.

"No," I said firmly. "I would never trade my partner. That's betrayal in my eyes, especially when it involves someone I'm close to. I might consider trading a creature I caught for that purpose, but not someone like Asura."

Callista's expression didn't change much, but I could sense her persistence. "Are you sure? Think about what we can offer. Asura would be in a guild that truly understands his potential—"

"I said no." My tone was calm but unyielding. "He's not just a creature to me. He's family."

Her attempts didn't stop there. Even as I left the room, she followed me, trying different angles and offers. But I held my ground.

When my turn finally came to train in the arena, I couldn't have been more relieved. I slipped away, leaving Callista behind.

As I stepped onto the field, my thoughts lingered on the encounter. I couldn't blame her for trying—it was her job, after all. But it reinforced what I already knew: my partners weren't tools to be traded. They were my allies, my family, and my responsibility.

And nothing, not even the most tempting offers, could change that.

Stepping into the training room, I couldn't help but take a moment to absorb the scene. It was an enclosed replica of the arena stage but infinitely more versatile. The sheer scale of the possibilities—terrain customization, enemy selection—made my head spin with excitement.

A guide stood patiently by the entrance, waiting to assist. "Beginner Silver rank or below," they reminded me. It was a subtle nudge, almost mocking my Bronze rank. I smirked and walked toward the interface.

Choosing something different from a forest seemed obvious. I'd spent too much time among trees and shadows, and it was starting to feel like a crutch. What I needed was a battlefield where I wasn't comfortable.

I tapped the interface and called out Asura. Within seconds, he appeared, his molten metallic form shimmering under the room's artificial lights. Asura had always been more than a partner—he was my closest confidant, a soul untainted by the complexities of the world.

"Asura, how was training? Did you get bored inside?"

"No way!" Asura's deep, youthful voice rumbled with enthusiasm. "It's always fun with friends. Voltis came up with a new exercise. Explosives everywhere—it was insane!"

I chuckled. "Sounds like Voltis. He's coming into his own, isn't he? Well done, Asura. I'm proud of all of you for pushing yourselves."

Asura tilted his head, the red glow in his core flickering. "What about you? What's the plan?"

"We'll fight something different today. But first, tell me about the others. How were they?"

He scratched his head—well, metaphorically, as his metallic hand made a brief gesture. "Uh… I forgot. Sorry."

"No problem," I said, waving it off. "But, Asura, you need to start looking after them when I'm not there. Voltis and Lilia are fine, but the others… especially Nyx and Sangrelis. You know how they are."

Asura's core flared briefly. "I don't like those two. Can't we just kill them already?"

A sigh escaped me. "Asura, we can't kill or hurt everything that disagrees with us or mocks us. Sometimes, diplomacy achieves more. Those two are tools for now, and replacing them might bring worse problems."

"They're from the Dark Empire," he muttered, clearly unconvinced.

"Exactly why we need to try," I countered. "Just because they were raised in darkness doesn't mean they can't change. If they don't, then yes, we'll deal with them when the time comes. But until then, we'll keep trying. Sometimes, the most broken weapons become the sharpest blades."

Asura nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I'll try."

I smiled, placing a hand on his molten shoulder. "I know you will. Now, let's pick our opponent. What do you think?"

Asura scanned the options on the screen, his flickering core shifting hues as he thought. "How about… that one!"

The image on the screen morphed into a humanoid dragon encased in a mech suit. The creature stood at four meters tall, its sleek blue-and-white armor gleaming. Boosters on its back promised agility, while its electric lance crackled ominously.

"Good choice," I muttered, admiring the monster. "Lightning and darkness mastery… and that transformation mode."

"Yeah!" Asura exclaimed. "It's so cool when it goes on all fours. Those cannons on its shoulders—pure devastation."

"It's not just strong; it's versatile," I added. "Man, I'd love to have this guy on our team."

Asura's core pulsed brighter. "Maybe one day. But first, let's beat it."

"Where do you want to fight it?" I asked.

"The Volcano region," he replied instantly. "We'll have the terrain advantage. I want to see what it's like to dominate the battlefield."

I grinned at his strategic thinking. "Alright, Volcano region it is. This time, I'll fight alongside you. I'll even try some new energy manipulation techniques."

"Thumbs up, boss!" Asura said with an exaggerated gesture. "I know you've got this!"

His confidence in me was infectious. Together, we stepped into the glowing portal, ready to face the challenge ahead.