The Arcane Beast Tamer

Kael exhaled in relief as the twisted trees of the Forest of Whispers finally gave way to open grasslands. The cool night air was a stark contrast to the suffocating, oppressive atmosphere of the forest. Overhead, stars glittered in the clear sky, offering a sense of calm that Kael hadn't felt in hours.

They had made it out alive.

"Never again," Lira muttered, slumping against a nearby boulder. She pulled her flask from her belt, taking a long swig. "I don't care how rare or valuable that thing is—it's not worth dealing with a guardian like that."

Kael adjusted his satchel, feeling the weight of the crystal within. The artifact pulsed faintly, almost as if it had its own heartbeat. Its golden light seeped through the edges of the leather, illuminating Kael's side.

Ember padded closer, her tails dimmed to glowing embers. "What does it feel like?" she asked, her fiery eyes fixed on the satchel.

Kael hesitated. "It's… hard to describe. It's warm, but not like fire. It feels alive, like it's trying to tell me something."

Umbra, lying in the grass nearby, perked up his ears. "The thread connects to it," he said quietly. "I can feel it."

Kael frowned, pulling the crystal from the satchel. Its golden glow intensified as he held it, the warmth spreading through his hand and into his chest. The golden thread pulsed in response, intertwining with the artifact's energy.

Lira raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—it's 'special.'"

Kael shot her a look. "This isn't a joke, Lira. This thing is powerful."

"Yeah, and powerful things tend to attract the wrong kind of attention," she retorted. She gestured toward the crystal with her flask. "I'm just saying, if the Serpent Guard wasn't already hunting you, they definitely will be once they figure out you've got that."

Ember growled softly, her flames flaring. "They won't get the chance."

Kael glanced at the crystal again, a knot of unease forming in his stomach. Lira wasn't wrong. The artifact's energy was incredible, but it was also dangerous. If someone like the Serpent Guard—or worse, the mage who had cursed Umbra—got their hands on it, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"We can't let anyone take it," Kael said firmly, tucking the crystal back into his satchel. "It's too dangerous."

"Agreed," Ember said. She turned her gaze toward the horizon, where the faint outline of Draycott's walls was visible in the distance. "But we're not done yet. We still need the other two artifacts, and that collector Orlin mentioned—Calder Venric—won't give his up without a fight."

Kael nodded, though the thought of dealing with someone like Venric made his stomach churn. The collector's name alone carried a reputation of wealth, power, and ruthlessness. If he truly possessed one of the artifacts, getting it wouldn't be as simple as sneaking into the Forest of Whispers.

"How do we even get close to someone like him?" Kael asked, glancing at Lira.

She smirked, leaning back against the boulder. "Lucky for you, I have a few connections. Venric doesn't deal with just anyone, but I know someone who owes me a favor. They might be able to get us into his inner circle."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "How do you know so much about him?"

Lira shrugged, her grin widening. "Let's just say I've had dealings with him before. He's not exactly the forgiving type, so we'll need to be careful. One wrong move, and we're dead."

"Great," Kael muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just what I needed to hear."

Umbra stood and stretched, his glowing blue eyes flicking between Kael and Lira. "If we're to face him, we need to be prepared. The guardian was strong, but something tells me this Calder Venric will be even more dangerous."

Kael nodded, his thoughts heavy. The golden thread pulsed faintly in his chest, a steady reminder of the path they had chosen. They couldn't afford to fail—not with so much at stake.

"Then we'll head back to Draycott," Kael said. "Lira, contact your connection. Ember, Umbra, and I will figure out a plan for getting into Venric's estate."

"Sounds like a party," Lira said with a smirk, though her tone held an edge of seriousness.

They began their journey back to the city, the grasslands stretching out before them in rolling waves. The night was calm, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His mind drifted to the whispers in the forest, the guardian's glowing green eyes, and the strange connection he had felt with the crystal.

"What do you think the artifacts are for?" he asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Ember glanced at him. "Orlin said they're part of the ritual to sever the curse, but he didn't say how."

Kael frowned. "They feel… connected. Like they're part of something bigger."

"They probably are," Ember replied. "Arcane artifacts like this are rarely created for just one purpose. They might have power beyond what even Orlin realizes."

Umbra walked beside Kael, his small body tense. "We should be cautious. The more we use the artifacts, the more attention we'll draw—from allies and enemies alike."

Kael nodded, his grip tightening on the strap of his satchel. "We'll be careful."

The journey to Draycott was uneventful, though Kael's nerves remained on edge. By the time the city's gates came into view, the first light of dawn was creeping over the horizon, bathing the walls in hues of gold and pink.

The streets were quieter than before, most of the merchants and travelers still asleep. Lira led them through the twisting alleys of the lower quarter, her steps quick and purposeful.

They stopped outside a nondescript building with a weathered sign that read "The Rusty Kettle." Lira motioned for them to wait, then slipped inside without another word.

Kael leaned against the wall, his gaze scanning the empty street. "Do you think we can trust her?" he asked.

"She's a rogue," Ember said flatly. "Trust doesn't come easily to her, and it shouldn't come easily to us either. But for now, she hasn't given us a reason to doubt her."

Kael nodded, though doubt still lingered in his mind. They didn't have much of a choice—if Lira's contact could get them close to Venric, it was their best chance of retrieving the second artifact.

The door to the Rusty Kettle creaked open, and Lira stepped out, a satisfied grin on her face.

"Good news," she said. "We've got a meeting with one of Venric's associates. They'll get us in, but we'll need to play it cool. Venric doesn't tolerate mistakes."

Kael's chest tightened, but he forced himself to nod. "When's the meeting?"

"Tonight," Lira replied. "Which gives us just enough time to prepare."

Kael exhaled slowly, his mind already racing. The golden thread pulsed faintly, a steady rhythm that reminded him of the stakes.

They couldn't afford to fail.