Tamer's Path

A.N. Is third person view better?

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The aftermath of the battle left Akira in a good mood. He carefully divided the energy they had harvested from the defeated orangutan, balancing the need for growth with caution. He couldn't afford to let Sangrelis or Elythia rank up yet. Both were powerful in their own right, but if they advanced too quickly, they might outgrow their current roles—or worse, become liabilities in an unbalanced team.

The majority of the energy flowed into Akira himself. He believed it was essential to stay ahead of his partners in terms of strength. If something went wrong, he needed to be the pillar they could rely on. With this infusion, he inched closer to his goal: absorbing the energy of fourteen more bronze-ranked intermediate creatures—or double that of beginner-ranked ones—to break through to the next stage.

Afterward, Akira approached Elythia, who was methodically cleaning her stingers. Her insectoid eyes glinted with something akin to disdain—or maybe it was just her natural coldness.

"Good work, Elythia," Akira began, his tone calm and measured. "You adapted well, even though the equipment is new to you. I expected some delays, but you handled yourself efficiently."

Elythia didn't respond immediately. She continued polishing the edge of her stinger, seemingly engrossed in her task. Then, without looking up, she replied, her voice sharp and clipped, "Efficient isn't sufficient."

Akira smirked at her response. She was as pragmatic as ever, not one to sugarcoat or seek praise. "True. But we're working on refining your tactics. For now, efficiency is the first step."

He paused, then decided to push the conversation further. "I noticed you avoided using the invisibility feature of your armor or creating decoys with your drone wasps. Was that a conscious choice?"

Elythia's mandibles clicked faintly—a sign of irritation. "I didn't forget. I calculated that those tactics weren't necessary for this prey. Why waste energy on distractions when a direct approach would suffice?"

"Fair point," Akira conceded, nodding. "But consider this: you could've used the decoys to confuse it and set up a perfect shot for the charged beam. That would've ended the fight faster."

Elythia finally looked at him, her multifaceted eyes narrowing. "Fast isn't always better. Precision matters. I'll incorporate your suggestion if it proves more effective next time."

Satisfied with her willingness to learn, Akira activated their bond and projected a series of mental images—tactics and strategies involving her armor's features. He showed her how she could use the decoys to lure stronger foes into traps and how invisibility could create openings for ambushes. Elythia absorbed the information silently, her antennae twitching occasionally as she processed his ideas.

Though she remained stoic, Akira could sense her approval. She valued logical explanations over emotional appeals, and his straightforward teaching method suited her well.

After wrapping up, Akira gathered the team. "Alright, we're done here. The next target is the Umbra-Venator Ophidian."

Elythia, who had been inspecting the remains of the orangutan one last time, froze mid-motion. Her wings buzzed faintly in protest. "Titan boa?" Her tone was sharper than usual, and her body language betrayed a rare flicker of apprehension.

Akira chuckled lightly, amused by her reaction. "Relax. I was joking."

Her glare was immediate and intense, her multifaceted eyes locking onto him with unsettling precision. "I dislike such jokes."

"Noted," Akira replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Your next target is the beetle boss. It's strong, but manageable."

Elythia didn't respond, but her glare lingered, making Akira shift uncomfortably. She wasn't one to express her emotions openly, but this was different. He could feel her annoyance radiating off her like a tangible force.

As they walked toward their next destination, the tension between them hung in the air. Elythia maintained a cold silence, her sharp gaze occasionally flicking toward Akira as if assessing him anew.

Akira sighed internally. "She's testing me," he realized. Elythia didn't trust him completely—not yet. She was an apex predator by nature, and while she obeyed his commands, she needed proof that following him would lead to greater strength and power.

For Elythia, this was more than a battle. It was a test of Akira's worthiness. Could he truly guide her to the path of ultimate power? Or was he just another weak leader, hiding behind clever tactics and technology?

For Akira, the stakes were just as high. Gaining her trust wasn't just about survival—it was about building a team capable of overcoming any challenge. He couldn't afford to fail, not with the looming dangers ahead.

As they neared the beetle's territory, Akira glanced at Elythia. Her wings buzzed faintly, her stingers glinting in the sunlight. She was ready, her predatory instincts sharpened and honed.

He smiled to himself. "One step at a time. She'll see soon enough that I'm the leader she's been searching for."

The next target for Akira and his team was the Titan Boa, a shadowy predator that had once been a source of nightmares for them. This colossal snake, spanning an intimidating 20 meters, was no ordinary beast—it was a cunning, solitary hunter and a creature of darkness that thrived in the shadows of the forest.

As the group ventured into the forest, Akira decided to give Elythia and Sangrelis a chance to rest and recover. Elythia had just finished absorbing the nutrients and power from her recent battle with the orangutan, and Sangrelis was still processing the blood he had consumed. For this encounter, Voltis would take center stage.

Voltis, Akira's lightning dragon partner, had a personal vendetta against the Titan Boa. The last time they encountered this serpent, it had ambushed them in the dead of night, leaving Voltis injured and humiliated. But now, Voltis had grown stronger, and he was eager to repay the favor.

"Voltis," Akira called, releasing the dragon from his taming space, "this one's all yours. Make it count."

Voltis stretched his wings and crackled with electricity, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I've been waiting for this moment. That snake won't know what hit it."

The Umbra-Venator Ophidian was not easy to find. As a nocturnal hunter, it preferred to hide during the day, blending seamlessly into the shadows. Its mastery over darkness made it nearly impossible to detect. However, Nyx, the shadow entity of Akira's team, seemed to have a personal grudge against the serpent.

"It's nearby," Nyx hissed, its voice echoing like a whisper in the void. "This one has always been a thorn in my side—a rival in the art of fear."

Nyx's guidance led them to a secluded area deep in the forest where the Titan Boa was coiled up, sleeping peacefully in the shade of ancient trees.

Voltis' claws scraped against the trees with his claws as he approached. "Sleeping? How disrespectful. Let's wake it up the hard way."

Voltis began the attack by unleashing a devastating technique he had been perfecting. Eight crackling spheres of lightning materialized in a hexagonal formation around the snake's resting spot. With a roar, Voltis activated Chain Lightning, connecting the orbs in a blinding display of electrical fury.

The lightning leapt between the spheres, intensifying with each pulse until it culminated in a focused beam that struck the Titan Boa. The ground sizzled, trees were scorched, and the serpent let out an ear-splitting hiss as it writhed in pain.

The ambush had worked. The Titan Boa, though warned by its heightened senses, had no time to escape the range of the attack. Its dark scales were charred, and arcs of electricity still danced across its massive body.

"Direct hit," Voltis growled, his wings flaring. "How does that feel, you overgrown worm?"

Despite its injuries, the Titan Boa wasn't ready to give up. Its instincts screamed for survival. The serpent melted into the shadows, using its power over darkness to disappear into the forest.

"It's running," Akira observed, his visor tracking the faint disturbances in the environment.

"Let it run," Voltis said, his voice crackling with static. "The chase makes the hunt more satisfying."

Voltis shot into the air, a streak of lightning against the sky, pursuing the serpent with unrelenting speed. The forest became a blur as he dodged trees and unleashed smaller lightning bolts to keep the snake in his sights.

"Stay on it," Akira advised through their mental link. "Don't let it double back."

"I don't need you to tell me that," Voltis snapped, though there was no malice in his voice. He was too focused on his prey.

The chase continued for several minutes, with the Titan Boa attempting to lose its pursuer in the labyrinth of trees and shadows. But Voltis was relentless. Finally, he cornered the serpent in a clearing near a rocky outcrop.

"This ends now," Voltis declared, hovering above the snake. He summoned lightning around his body, this time channeling all his rage and power into it.

The Titan Boa lunged at him in a last-ditch effort, its jaws wide open and dripping with venom. Voltis avoided the attack like a bolt of lightning and bit the snake from the side. The energy charged inside the mouth along with the biting force was enough.

When the dust settled, the Titan Boa lay motionless. Voltis landed beside it, his chest heaving. "Never again," he muttered.

Akira approached as Voltis dragged the lifeless serpent back to the group. Sangrelis eagerly collected the snake's blood in a specially crafted bottle, muttering about its rich potency. Nyx absorbed the serpent's soul and the lingering fear and pain it had experienced in its final moments.

Voltis took his time consuming the Titan Boa, savoring the taste of victory. This snake was no ordinary creature—it was a descendant of Jörmungandr, the world serpent. Its genetic lineage made it a valuable source of strength for Voltis.

As Voltis finished his meal, he turned to Akira with a sheepish expression. "By the way, can we make a quick detour to the river?"

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I... need to send a message to my parents," Voltis admitted. "If they don't hear from me soon, they might assume the worst and send someone to hunt you down."

Akira blinked. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

Voltis scratched the back of his head with a claw. "Yeah... my parents are kind of overprotective. You wouldn't want them as enemies, trust me."

With an exasperated sigh, Akira called Asura. "Alright, let's move. Everyone, back into the taming space. This just became a priority."

Voltis gave a relieved smile, letting Lilia ride on his back as they took off toward the river. "Thanks, Akira. I promise they'll back off once I explain everything."

"Yeah, they better," Akira muttered, his mind racing with the implications. If Voltis' parents were anything like their son, he was in for a wild ride.

The journey to the river where the Shockfins lived was calm yet filled with anticipation. Akira and his companions traveled swiftly, their figures cutting through the clear waters as Voltis led them. The river shimmered in hues of blue and green, illuminated by the sunlight that filtered through the surface. The terrain shifted as they descended deeper, revealing aquatic trees with electric-blue vines that pulsed faintly with energy. This was the home of the Shockfins, a place both serene and dangerous.

When they reached the area, the nest of Shockfins nestled among the aquatic trees came into view. These creatures, with their sleek, eel-like forms and sharp fins glowing faintly, were on high alert. Sensing intruders, they retreated into their fortified homes made of interwoven electric vines.

Voltis, however, swam forward confidently, his radiant form exuding authority. He called out in a tone that was unmistakably casual but commanding—a tone Akira quickly recognized as that of a delinquent.

"Hey, losers! Get out here, it's me!" Voltis bellowed, grinning as if he owned the place.

Akira raised an eyebrow at the display. So, this guy really was a delinquent before? Explains a lot.

The Shockfins slowly emerged, their curiosity outweighing their caution. Around twenty of them appeared, surrounding Voltis. They gushed over his new form, their voices a mix of awe and envy.

"Voltis! Is that really you? Look at those scales—are you a dragon now?"

"Man, you look amazing! Did you finally get your act together?"

The leader of the group, a larger Shockfin with dark, streaked patterns on its fins, swam forward. "Voltis, you've really stepped up. So, are you here to take my position as leader?"

Voltis scoffed, waving him off. "Nah, I'm not interested. Got my own gig now. I'm with Akira." He gestured toward Akira, who hovered silently in the water, observing.

The leader's eyes flicked toward Akira, curiosity piqued. "A tamer, huh? Any chance you could introduce us to someone like him? You know, someone strong?"

Voltis puffed out his chest, pride evident in his voice. "Listen, my tamer isn't just strong. He's one of a kind. There's no one like him. But yeah, I'll keep an eye out for you guys."

The conversation shifted to more personal matters. Voltis requested that the Shockfins send a message to his parents, letting them know he was alive and thriving. He spoke with a rare softness, showing a side Akira hadn't seen before.

However, the atmosphere changed when the leader mentioned someone else. "By the way, your girl was here two days ago. She's been looking for you."

Voltis froze, guilt flashing across his face. "Electra…?" he muttered, almost to himself.

Before anyone could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows of the aquatic trees. A sleek, graceful creature with pink eyes and fins swam forward. Her white, shimmering body glowed faintly under the water's natural light.

"Electra…" Voltis whispered, his voice trembling.

The creature swam straight toward him, her movements graceful yet determined. Without hesitation, she wrapped her fins around him in a tight embrace. "Voltis, you idiot! I thought you were dead!" she cried, her voice filled with relief and anger.

Voltis hesitated before hugging her back, his demeanor uncharacteristically gentle. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to make you worry."

Electra pulled back, her eyes scanning his new form. "What happened to you? How did you…?"

He explained everything—his journey, his encounter with Akira, and how his tamer had helped him evolve into a dragon. Electra listened intently, her eyes wide with amazement.

"So, this human… he's the reason you've come so far?" she asked, her tone skeptical but curious.

Voltis nodded firmly. "Yeah. Akira's amazing. He's not just a tamer—he's like family. He helped me see my potential and made me stronger. You'll like him."

Electra hesitated before speaking again. "Voltis, do you still… want me? I mean, look at you now. You're a dragon."

Voltis smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Of course, I do. You're the most beautiful girl in the world."

Electra blushed, her pink fins fluttering. "When did you become so sweet?"

Voltis chuckled. "I've been hanging around Akira. He's kind of a romantic, so I've picked up a few things."

Akira, observing from a distance, smirked at the interaction. "Is that so, Voltis? Taking notes from me, huh?" he called out, his voice teasing.

Voltis turned to him, grinning. "What can I say, boss? You're a good influence."

The three of them eventually came together, and Akira addressed Electra directly. He admired her form, noting her potential. "You've already evolved into a Thalassorian, which is impressive. With the right resources, you could become a minor water dragon."

Electra seemed hesitant. "Do you really think I can do that?"

"I know you can," Akira said firmly. "But it'll take time, effort, and some dragon blood. Focus on mastering water control and increasing your energy reserves. I'll help you get what you need."

Electra glanced at Voltis, who nodded encouragingly. "See? I told you he's the best."

With the reunion complete, Akira decided to leave Voltis with the Shockfins and Electra while he and the others moved on to their next target. Voltis promised to rejoin them soon, but for now, he wanted to catch up with his family and fiancée.

As they swam away, Akira couldn't help but smile. Even delinquents deserve a happy ending.