Tamer of Death

The shadow wraith towered over Dae-hyon, a swirling mass of darkness with piercing red eyes that burned like twin suns. Its presence was suffocating, pressing down on him with an unseen weight that threatened to crush his resolve. The air around him felt alive, charged with a malevolent energy that seemed to sap the strength from his body.

Seo-jin stood back, her expression unreadable. "This is the moment, Dae-hyon. Show them what you're capable of."

Dae-hyon's grip on his blade tightened. The hilt felt heavier than before, the weight of his task almost unbearable. He could feel the power inside him, a storm of light and energy, but it was erratic, wild, and difficult to control.

The beast, Eryon, growled low beside him, its sharp claws digging into the earth. The other tamed beasts shifted uneasily, their eyes locked on the towering shadow.

"Stay back," Dae-hyon said, his voice firm. "This fight is mine."

The wraith let out a guttural sound, somewhere between a growl and a roar, as it lunged toward him with startling speed. Dae-hyon barely had time to raise his blade, the impact sending a shockwave through his arms. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand his ground as the wraith pressed against him, its strength immense.

"Focus!" Seo-jin shouted. "Control your power, or it will consume you!"

Dae-hyon closed his eyes, blocking out the chaos around him. He let the storm within him rise, feeling the energy flow through his veins, brighter and stronger with each passing second. When he opened his eyes again, they glowed with a faint, golden light.

The wraith roared again, swiping at him with clawed hands made of shadow. This time, Dae-hyon dodged, moving with a speed that surprised even himself. He countered with a slash of his blade, and where the steel met shadow, the darkness recoiled, hissing as if burned.

"You're not invincible," Dae-hyon muttered, his confidence growing.

The wraith's form flickered, its body rippling as if struggling to maintain its shape. But it wasn't finished. With a deafening roar, it split into three smaller forms, each as deadly as the original.

Dae-hyon's heart sank. "Of course it wouldn't be that easy."

The three wraiths moved in unison, their attacks coordinated and relentless. Dae-hyon fought to keep up, his blade a blur as he parried and struck, each hit sending ripples of light through the darkness.

"Dae-hyon!" Seo-jin called out, her voice urgent. "You can't fight them like this forever. You need to use your bond with the beasts!"

He glanced at Eryon, who was still waiting at his side, its eyes locked on the wraiths. Suddenly, he understood. His connection to the beasts wasn't just a tool — it was a weapon.

"Eryon," he said, his voice steady. "Together."

The wolf-like beast let out a low growl and leapt forward, its massive form colliding with one of the wraiths. The two clashed in a frenzy of shadow and light, Eryon's claws tearing through the darkness with precision.

Dae-hyon turned his attention to the remaining two wraiths. "Let's finish this."

He raised his blade, channeling his power into the steel. The weapon began to glow, a brilliant light that cut through the darkness like the dawn. With a roar, he unleashed the energy in a sweeping arc, the light consuming one of the wraiths entirely.

The final wraith hesitated, its form flickering. Dae-hyon didn't give it a chance to recover. He surged forward, his blade striking true, and the wraith dissolved into a cloud of shadow, its haunting cries fading into silence.

The forest fell quiet once more, the oppressive weight lifting. Dae-hyon stood in the center of the clearing, his chest heaving, his blade still glowing faintly. Eryon returned to his side, its fur singed but its posture proud.

Seo-jin stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You've proven yourself," she said. "But this was only the beginning."

Dae-hyon turned to her, his eyes blazing. "What comes next?"

She smiled faintly, the kind of smile that held no warmth. "The real test. This was a warning, Dae-hyon. The darkness knows you now. And it won't stop until it destroys you."

The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting silvery beams onto the battlefield littered with fading remnants of shadow. Dae-hyon sat on a fallen log, his breath heavy, his muscles aching from the fight. Eryon rested beside him, licking its wounds with quiet dignity.

Seo-jin leaned against a nearby tree, her arms crossed, watching him with an expression that hovered between approval and caution.

"You did well," she said finally, breaking the silence.

Dae-hyon looked up at her, sweat trickling down his temple. "That wasn't just a random attack, was it?"

She shook her head. "No. The wraiths were sent for you."

His brows furrowed. "By who?"

"The darkness is not just a force; it has a will of its own," Seo-jin replied, her voice low. "It senses threats to its existence, and you, Dae-hyon, are a threat it cannot ignore."

Dae-hyon leaned back, running a hand through his damp hair. The Keeper's words echoed in his mind. You are the key. But to what? And why him?

"I don't understand," he admitted. "Why me? What makes me so important?"

Seo-jin stepped closer, her piercing eyes locking onto his. "The bond you share with the beasts is ancient, forged in a time when light and darkness were first divided. It's a power few possess, and even fewer can control. The darkness fears you because you have the potential to turn its own creations against it."

He glanced at Eryon, who was now curled up at his feet, its eyes half-closed. "But I don't even know what I'm doing. I barely survived that fight."

"You're stronger than you realize," Seo-jin said. "But strength alone won't be enough. To face what's coming, you'll need to master your bond with the beasts and learn to wield their power as your own."

Dae-hyon's gaze dropped to his hands, calloused and trembling. He could still feel the lingering heat of the light he had summoned, a force so potent it felt as though it might consume him.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" he asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

Seo-jin smirked faintly. "That's why I'm here."

She reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a small, ornate vial filled with a shimmering, golden liquid.

"What's that?"

"Essence of the Bond," she explained, holding the vial up to the moonlight. "It's a rare substance, drawn from the lifeblood of ancient beasts. Drinking it will strengthen your connection to the beasts you've tamed and open your mind to their thoughts and emotions."

Dae-hyon hesitated. "And the catch?"

Seo-jin's smile faded. "The bond goes both ways. Once you drink this, their pain becomes your pain. Their struggles become yours. If they fall in battle, it will feel as though you've lost a piece of yourself."

He looked down at Eryon again, the beast's steady breathing a reminder of its loyalty. Could he bear that kind of burden? To share not only their strength but their suffering?

"What if I refuse?"

"Then you'll remain as you are — half-trained, unprepared, and vulnerable," Seo-jin said bluntly. "The choice is yours, Dae-hyon, but time is not on your side. The darkness knows you now, and it won't wait for you to be ready."

Dae-hyon stared at the vial, the liquid inside swirling as if alive. He felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him, heavier than any blade he had ever held.

Finally, he reached out and took the vial from her hand.

"What do I have to do?"

Seo-jin's eyes gleamed with something akin to approval. "Drink it under the moon's light and speak the name of the beast you trust most. Your bond will be sealed."

Dae-hyon uncorked the vial, the scent of the liquid sharp and earthy. He glanced at Eryon, who had lifted its head, its golden eyes meeting his.

"Eryon," he said softly, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside him.

As he tipped the vial to his lips, the liquid was warm and almost sweet, spreading through his body like a fire that burned away his doubts. The world around him seemed to shift, the forest dissolving into a haze of light and shadow.

Suddenly, he was no longer alone.

He stood in a vast, endless plain, the sky above him a swirling canvas of gold and black. Eryon was there, its form larger and more imposing than ever, its fur shimmering like starlight.

"Do you trust me?" the beast's voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant.

"I do," Dae-hyon replied, his words firm.

"Then let us become one."

Eryon leapt toward him, its form dissolving into a cascade of light that enveloped Dae-hyon completely. He felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced, his body and mind merging with the beast's essence.

When the light faded, he was back in the forest, but everything felt different. His senses were sharper, his movements lighter, and the connection to Eryon was stronger than ever.

Seo-jin nodded approvingly. "You've taken the first step. But this is only the beginning."

Dae-hyon clenched his fists, the power coursing through him undeniable. For the first time, he felt truly ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The air around Dae-hyon felt electric, charged with the newfound bond he shared with Eryon. The forest seemed more vivid now — every rustle of the leaves, every whisper of the wind resonated with an intensity that hadn't been there before. He could feel Eryon's presence within him, not as a separate entity, but as a part of his very soul.

Seo-jin observed him silently, her sharp eyes scanning for any sign of instability. When she spoke, her tone was more solemn than before.

"The bond will amplify your strengths, but it will also magnify your weaknesses," she warned. "You must learn balance, or the power you've gained could consume you."

Dae-hyon turned to her, his expression a mixture of determination and unease. "What do you mean?"

"The beasts are creatures of instinct and emotion," she explained. "Their anger, their fear — it will flow through you as if it were your own. If you're not careful, you could lose yourself to it."

He glanced at Eryon, who was now pacing beside him. The beast's golden eyes seemed calmer, yet there was an edge to its movements, a tension that mirrored his own uncertainty.

"I'll manage," he said, though the confidence in his voice felt forced.

Seo-jin raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. Instead, she gestured toward a narrow path that twisted deeper into the forest. "Then it's time for the next step."

Without another word, she began walking, her cloak billowing behind her like a shadow. Dae-hyon hesitated for only a moment before following, Eryon moving silently at his side.

The path was treacherous, winding through dense undergrowth and jagged rocks. The further they went, the darker the forest became, as though the light of the moon was being swallowed by the shadows.

"Where are we going?" Dae-hyon asked after what felt like hours of walking.

"To the heart of the forest," Seo-jin replied. "There's something you need to see."

Her cryptic answer only heightened his unease, but he didn't press further. He focused instead on the sensations coursing through him — the faint hum of power in his veins, the rhythmic thrum of Eryon's presence in his mind.

As they descended into a narrow ravine, the air grew colder, carrying with it a faint, acrid smell that made Dae-hyon's nose wrinkle. The sound of rushing water reached his ears, and soon they came upon a wide, shallow river cutting through the rock.

On the far side of the river stood a massive stone gate, its surface covered in intricate carvings of beasts locked in battle. The gate pulsed with a faint, eerie light, as if it were alive.

"What is this place?" Dae-hyon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The Threshold," Seo-jin said. "It marks the boundary between this world and the Realm of Beasts. Beyond it lies the source of their power — and the heart of the darkness you must face."

Dae-hyon stared at the gate, a mixture of awe and apprehension washing over him. He could feel the energy emanating from it, a chaotic blend of light and shadow that made his skin prickle.

"What's on the other side?"

"Answers," Seo-jin said, stepping closer to the gate. "And dangers greater than anything you've faced so far."

Dae-hyon felt Eryon's unease through their bond, a low growl rumbling in the beast's chest. He placed a reassuring hand on its side, though he wasn't sure if the gesture was meant to comfort Eryon or himself.

"How do we open it?" he asked.

Seo-jin turned to him, her expression unreadable. "The gate will only open to one who carries the essence of a beast within them. You've already proven your worth by forging the bond. Now, the gate must judge whether you're ready to cross."

She stepped aside, gesturing for him to approach.

Dae-hyon swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he stepped forward. The carvings on the gate seemed to come alive, the beasts writhing and snarling as he drew closer.

Lifting his hand, he pressed his palm against the cold, rough stone. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a surge of energy shot through him, and the gate began to tremble.

The carvings glowed brighter, the light intensifying until it was almost blinding. Dae-hyon felt a pull, as if the gate were trying to draw him in. He gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly on the ground as the force grew stronger.

"Don't fight it," Seo-jin called out. "Let it see you. Let it know you."

Closing his eyes, Dae-hyon focused on the bond he shared with Eryon, letting the beast's strength flow through him. He opened himself to the gate, allowing it to sense the connection that bound them.

The force subsided, and a low, resonant hum filled the air. Slowly, the gate began to open, revealing a swirling void of light and shadow beyond.

Dae-hyon stepped back, his chest heaving.

"You've passed the first test," Seo-jin said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "But the real challenge lies ahead."

As the void pulsed with otherworldly energy, Dae-hyon felt a mixture of fear and anticipation. Whatever awaited him beyond the gate, he knew there was no turning back now.

The gate's heavy doors groaned as they swung open, revealing a swirling void of dark mist interwoven with streaks of shimmering light. It pulsed, almost like a living thing, breathing and beckoning. Dae-hyon felt a chill race down his spine, the pull of the void tugging at him like unseen hands urging him forward.

Seo-jin stood silently beside him, her face unreadable, though her eyes glinted with a hint of approval. "Beyond this point," she said, her voice low and steady, "there is no safety. No guarantee of survival."

Dae-hyon's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't flinch. "What's on the other side?" he asked, though he suspected the answer would only deepen his unease.

"The Realm of Beasts," she replied, her tone almost reverent. "A place where the natural laws of this world no longer apply. Time, space, even life itself — all are fluid, constantly shifting. It's a place of chaos, but also immense power. And it is there that you must face the truth of who you are."

He glanced at Eryon, the beast standing tall at his side. Its golden eyes burned brightly, though its body was tense, its muscles coiled as if ready to pounce at any moment. The bond between them thrummed with shared resolve and uncertainty.

"How do I survive there?" Dae-hyon asked, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

"You survive by remembering who you are," Seo-jin said. "The Realm will try to break you. It will force you to confront your deepest fears, your greatest weaknesses. But if you hold onto your bond with Eryon, if you trust in your own strength, you might endure."

Her words were meant to prepare him, but they only heightened the weight pressing on his shoulders.

"And if I fail?"

Her gaze softened, just slightly. "Then the Realm will consume you, and the beasts will remain untamed. The darkness will spread."

Dae-hyon took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I won't fail," he said, more to himself than to her.

Seo-jin stepped closer, her expression solemn. "Before you go, there's something you must understand."

She reached out, placing her hand on his chest, just above his heart. A faint warmth spread from her touch, and suddenly, images flooded Dae-hyon's mind — flashes of beasts, of battles, of a shadowed figure cloaked in malice.

"The power within you is ancient," she said, her voice echoing in his ears. "It doesn't belong to you alone. It is a legacy, passed down through countless Tamers before you. Each of them faced their own trials, their own darkness. Some succeeded. Others...did not."

Dae-hyon staggered slightly under the weight of the visions. "Why me?" he murmured, his voice barely audible. "Why was I chosen?"

Seo-jin withdrew her hand, her expression unreadable once more. "Perhaps it was fate. Perhaps it was chance. The truth is, it doesn't matter. What matters is what you choose to do now."

The swirling void loomed before him, its pull growing stronger. Dae-hyon tightened his grip on his sword, his resolve hardening.

"I choose to fight," he said firmly.

Without another word, he stepped forward, Eryon moving in perfect stride beside him. The moment they crossed the threshold, the world seemed to shatter around them.

---

The air was heavy and suffocating, filled with an eerie silence that pressed against his ears. The ground beneath his feet felt unstable, shifting like liquid yet firm enough to hold his weight. Shadows danced around him, forming vague, monstrous shapes that dissolved the moment he tried to focus on them.

Eryon let out a low growl, its hackles raised. Dae-hyon could feel the beast's unease through their bond, a mirror of his own disorientation.

"Stay close," he whispered, though the sound of his voice felt swallowed by the oppressive darkness.

As they moved deeper into the Realm, the shifting shadows began to solidify. Shapes emerged from the gloom — grotesque creatures with too many limbs, eyes that burned like fire, and mouths filled with jagged, unnatural teeth.

"They're watching us," Dae-hyon said, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his gut.

Eryon growled in agreement, its golden eyes glowing fiercely.

One of the creatures stepped forward, its movements jerky and unnatural. It towered over Dae-hyon, its elongated limbs ending in razor-sharp claws. Its mouth opened, and a guttural, inhuman voice echoed from its depths.

"Why have you come, Tamer?" it hissed.

Dae-hyon tightened his grip on his sword, his stance firm. "I'm here to tame the beasts and bring balance to this realm."

The creature laughed, a sound that was more a distortion than a true laugh. "Balance? There is no balance here. Only chaos. Only darkness. You will fail, as all before you have failed."

Its words struck a nerve, but Dae-hyon didn't waver. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice unwavering.

The creature lunged without warning, its claws slashing through the air. Dae-hyon barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to block the attack. The force of the blow sent him staggering, but he quickly regained his footing.

Eryon roared, leaping at the creature with feral precision. The two collided in a flurry of claws and teeth, their battle shaking the very ground beneath them.

Dae-hyon watched, his heart pounding, as the fight unfolded. The bond between him and Eryon surged with power, their connection strengthening with every passing moment.

"Remember who you are," Seo-jin's voice echoed in his mind.

Drawing on the energy within him, Dae-hyon raised his sword, the blade glowing with a brilliant light.

"This ends now," he said, charging toward the creature with Eryon at his side.

Together, they struck as one — man and beast united in purpose.

The creature let out a final, ear-splitting shriek before dissolving into shadow, leaving only silence in its wake.

Dae-hyon lowered his sword, his chest heaving. He looked at Eryon, who stood tall and unyielding, its golden eyes reflecting the determination they now shared.

"We're not done yet," he said, his gaze shifting toward the endless darkness ahead.

The path forward was uncertain, but one thing was clear: this was only the beginning.

The silence that followed the creature's defeat was oppressive, a heavy stillness that felt more like a warning than a reprieve. Dae-hyon stood motionless, his sword still glowing faintly in his hand. The faint hum of power coursed through him, but it was draining, each pulse leaving him more fatigued.

Eryon stepped forward, shaking its massive body, its golden eyes scanning the shifting shadows. The air in the Realm seemed to change, growing colder and thicker, as if the void itself had become aware of their presence.

Dae-hyon placed a hand on Eryon's flank, steadying both the beast and himself. "This place isn't going to let us rest, is it?" he muttered.

The response was immediate. From the surrounding darkness came a deep, guttural growl, followed by the sound of something massive moving. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, sending ripples through the liquid-like surface.

Eryon growled in response, its fur bristling as it crouched, ready to pounce.

"Stay sharp," Dae-hyon said, his voice low. "Whatever's coming, it's not going to be friendly."

The shadows ahead began to coalesce, forming a towering shape that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Eyes — dozens of them — opened across its massive form, glowing with an unnatural red light. The creature's limbs were serpentine, twisting and writhing like a mass of living vines.

"Another test?" Dae-hyon asked, though the question was more rhetorical than anything else.

The creature's many mouths opened, a cacophony of voices spilling forth. Some were deep and resonant, others high-pitched and shrill, creating an overwhelming chorus of sound that sent a sharp pain through Dae-hyon's head.

"You dare tread upon this sacred ground, Tamer?" the voices boomed in unison. "You seek to command us, to bind us to your will?"

Dae-hyon stepped forward, his sword raised. "I don't seek to bind anyone," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. "I seek to restore balance. To end the chaos that threatens both your realm and mine."

The creature's laughter was a horrible, dissonant sound. "Balance? Foolish mortal, there is no balance here. Only power. Only those strong enough to take it."

The creature lunged, its massive body moving with terrifying speed. Dae-hyon barely had time to dive out of the way, the ground where he had stood erupting as the creature's limb struck.

Eryon roared, leaping at the creature with unrelenting fury. Its claws raked across the creature's body, but the shadows that formed it simply re-knit themselves, the wounds closing almost instantly.

"We can't fight it like this," Dae-hyon said, his mind racing.

The bond between him and Eryon flared, and a surge of understanding passed between them. Eryon's strength was not just in its physical power but in its connection to him. Together, they could channel something greater.

Closing his eyes, Dae-hyon focused on the bond, drawing on the energy that flowed between them. A faint glow began to emanate from both him and Eryon, growing brighter with each passing moment.

The creature hissed, recoiling slightly as the light intensified. "What is this?!" it screeched, its many voices filled with rage and fear.

Dae-hyon opened his eyes, which now glowed with the same golden light as Eryon's. "This is your reckoning," he said, his voice filled with newfound authority.

Together, man and beast charged. Dae-hyon's sword blazed with radiant energy, and Eryon's claws glowed with the same golden light. They struck as one, their combined power cutting through the creature's shadowy form.

The creature let out a deafening roar, its body unraveling into tendrils of darkness that were consumed by the light. Within moments, it was gone, leaving only the faint echo of its cries.

The silence returned, heavier than before. Dae-hyon lowered his sword, his body trembling with exhaustion. Eryon stood by his side, its golden eyes glowing softly as it nuzzled against him, offering support.

"We did it," Dae-hyon said, his voice barely a whisper.

But the moment of relief was short-lived. The ground beneath them began to shake violently, and the darkness around them shifted, taking on a more menacing form.

Seo-jin's voice echoed in his mind once more. "This is only the beginning. The Realm will not let you leave so easily."

Dae-hyon clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "Then we'll face whatever comes next," he said, his gaze fixed on the darkness ahead.

As the shadows closed in, Dae-hyon and Eryon stood together, their bond unbroken, their will unyielding.