Mara snarled, dodging a swipe. Rigg yelled, "Thom, chill, this ain't—"
But Thom cut him off. "Shut it, Rigg! He's done!"
Thom snapped, pointing. The Razorquill charged again, quills firing—three sharp darts whistling toward Kael.
He ducked and dove, but one managed to graze his arm, blood welled immediately.
Pain sparked his anger, and he gritted his teeth. There was nothing he could do to avoid the fight. There was no holding back now—Thom wanted a fight, he'd get one.
"Are you scared now, Runt!?"
Kael clutched his injured arm. Then he laughed lightly.
"What's funny, Runt?"
Kael took a deep breath. "I really didn't want anyone to know..." His hand suddenly sparkled and he shot a fireball at Thom.
"Inferno Spark!"
Thom's pupils constricted as he stared at the huge fireball that shot towards him, looming larger than life. He didn't expect it, that move would kill him.
Luckily for him, Rigg reacted fast enough. Rigg appeared in front of him immediately, Rigg placed his hand on the floor.
"Rise!'
The earth around them cracked and large chunks of earth rose up, blocking the fireball.
Rigg wiped a sweat from his forehead, the fire had been hot. Really hot.
Thom raised a brow, his face twisted in surprise. "Y-you…you can use magic?"
Thom was enraged and annoyed at the same time. At their level, all they had was their beasts, they weren't even able to use magic properly, not yet. Rigg was one of the few gifted people who was already able to use magic at this age.
Rigg was a close friend, so he could stand it. However…Kael? That, he couldn't stand.
Thom's face suddenly contorted in anger.
"Razorquill!"
"Mara, go!"
Kael shouted, whistling—high-low, attack. Mara shot forward, heading straight on for the and Razorquill.
Kael blew his notes again, and Mara moved, stepping the side and clawing at the Razorquill's side.
It screeched, its quills bristling, but burns lingered on the affected area, smoke curling from its hide.
"What's that…?" Thom was shocked now. He had initially thought Kael was being cocky just because he possessed magic now, but Kael shocked him even more. Mara suddenly growing into something bigger than his Razorquill was scary. He hated it.
Kael focused, shooting his arms forward again. He had no intention of killing Thom or anything like that, but he wasn't a saint. Thom was partaking in the Cresthaven scouting exams, he was an opponent. The exam was in a few days, he had to make sure to cripple the Razorquill.
"Inferno Burst!"
A fireball shot out, wide and hot, slamming the Razorquill's shoulder.
The Razorquill staggered, a huge part of its fur charred, but it shook it off, its eyes locking on Mara.
Thom laughed, his eyes having a wild glint to them . "That's it? My beast'll eat yours, Kael! Rip 'em apart!"
The Razorquill spun, firing another set of quills. Kael ducked, but one hit Mara's leg, and she groaned slightly, limping.
Kael's chest tightened—no, not her— he gritted his teeth as he stepped backwards, making sure to leave a good distance from them.
"Tag!"
He yelled, mana dragged him across the clearing. He swapped places with Mara, landing where she'd been, the Razorquill's claws inches from his face.
He rolled, his heart pounding, and Mara was safe, growling from the spot he just left.
Thom's jaw dropped, confusion flickering. Kael was shocking him even more.
"What the—how'd you—?"
"Shut up,"
Kael growled, standing. Mara's gold eyes met his, and in that one instant, he felt the both of them become one. It was just as Lila had said, they would as one, not two units.
Kael blew.
She charged, faster than before, her ashfox form weaving through quills like smoke. She dashed past Kael and dived at the Razorquill who growled loudly, ready for the attack. But the next moment, Kael had appeared in front of the Quill.
He placed his hand on its skull, going full power.
"Burn!"
He wasn't strong enough to kill it yet, but he could some serious damage.
The Razorquill groaned in pain, shaking violently as the fire ravaged it, before the fire died out.
It's eyes steadied on Kael now, angry as hell.
It charged at Kael, opening its mouth to devour him, but Kael placed his hand together, a small smile appearing on his lips.
He blew, one high note, one low note. Mara suddenly lunged, even from a distance, then suddenly she disappeared.
"Tag!"
Mara was in front of the quill in an instant, her paws already outstretched for the attack, the Razorquill couldn't stop it.
Her claws raked the Razorquill's side, her Ember Pulse flaring, Mara howled, the burns spreading very fast.
Kael raised both hands, his SP draining fast.
"Inferno Burst!"
Another fireball exploded, catching the beast's face. It collapsed, twitching, its quills limp in the dirt.
Mara lunged at it, ready for the kill. But Kael blew, stopping it.
Ding!
The System chimed, but Kael ignored it, his eyes locked on Thom who was staring in horror.
Mara pounced on him, tackling him before he could blink. She pinned him, her claws hovering over his chest, her growl was deep, the mere heat of her claws was already burning his chest.
Thom's face went white, his breath hitching, there no trace of his swagger.
"Call it off!"
Thom gasped, his voice cracking. "Kael, please—don't let it kill me!"
Kael stepped closer, his pendant swinging, his blood was still hot from Mara's yelp. He had actually tried to kill Mara…again.
Mara's eyes burned, waiting for his word, and part of him wanted to let her finish it.
Thom's taunts, his kicks, the shelter door suddenly flashed in his mind. That finality of it that had changed his life. That had taken away his precious sister.
For a moment, it seemed like he was going to end Thom, while Rigg just stood there, stunned beyond belief. However, Kael sighed.
"Mara, hold,"
Kael said, his voice steady. She froze, her claws only an inch from Thom's throat, her tail wagging slowly.
He crouched, meeting Thom's wide eyes. "You're not worthy enough to be killed by her. Never were."
Mara's heat singed Thom's skin, just enough to make him flinch, and Kael stood, tapping her flank—back off.
Mara stepped away, slow, her growl fading. Thom scrambled up, shaking, the Razorquill whimpering behind him, too beat to move.
Rigg grabbed his arm, muttering, "it's enough man, let's go," and Thom stumbled off, throwing one last look at Kael. He was going to get payback, for sure.
A rustle snapped Kael's focus. At the clearing's edge was a cloaked figure who stood there, his face hidden. A stormhawk was perched beside him, its B-rank feathers sparkling.
"You're Ardyn's kid," The figure said, its voice gravelly, no hint of man or woman.
Kael stared at him, not saying anything. He didn't know if this person was hostile or not, but he was sure he didn't stand a chance against him.
"You've got a spark, but you're sloppy. I'm expecting a lot from you. Don't disappoint."
That was all the figure said. The stormhawk's eyes glinted, like it was sizing him up too.
Kael swallowed . "I won't."
The figure gave a curt nod, then turned, the hawk screeching once as they flew into the skies , going right over the trees.
Kael's eyes opened in realization. That was none other than a scout. That much power, that beast…it was definitely one of the scouts from the academy.
But how did they know him?
****
Kael didn't sleep easy that night. His shack was too small, the air was thick with echoes.
Mara curled against him, quiet and just breathing, but his mind wouldn't quit thinking.
The fight had shown too much. Mara's power, his tricks. But he had won, and Thom wouldn't forget it.
The System glowed when he checked: Level 11, 450/800 XP now, he was steadily getting better. He and Mara worked like a real team now. Mara's sync was 42%.
Her scratch from the quill was shallow, and it was already healing.
"Two days," he whispered, his fingers on her ears. She wagged her tongue, soft, like she knew they'd make it.
The pendant caught the moonlight, Mara's dream alive in its curve.
He wasn't the kid begging at locked shelter doors anymore. Thom got that lesson. The scout had seen something worth watching.
Cresthaven would see it all.
Kael shut his eyes, the forest scenes replaying—Mara's claws, the Razorquill's fall, the scout's stare.
"Don't blow it." He said to himself.
He wouldn't. For both Maras, he'd light the exams up.