章 6: The Bonding [2]
Khalil swallowed, casting another look at the portal. Defeat or persuade. The concept of battling a magical beast seemed daunting and uncomfortable. He never wanted to fight without a proper reason.
'Anyway, let's see it first...'
He nodded once more, gripping his hands into fists, as the figure stepped back, leaving him to make his choice.
Despite the scene's intensity, an odd, detached thought struck him.
'Shouldn't I have a status screen?' he wondered, almost absently, as if the whole process should have been accompanied by a digital interface or some kind of prompt.
He should have been able to see his Tamer talent, his stats… his self. The immersion was remarkable indeed, but did he need to do something in order to see his status, perhaps a feature he hadn't read about? But the figure's voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him back to the task at hand.
"Time is of the essence, young one," they said, with a hint of urgency.
He drew a deep breath, nodding. Pushing his thoughts aside, he stepped closer to the portal. Its surface glistened with a mesmerizing, watery glow, almost inviting him to reach forward, to step into something unknown and wondrous. Closing his eyes, he took the final step, letting himself be engulfed by its liquid light.
A cool sensation washed over him as he passed through, leaving the warmth of the Bonding Hall behind. The air changed, filling with a heavy silence that throbbed with an ancient power. He could feel something, a presence—no, many presences—waiting in the shadows of his mind.
His eyes fluttered open, and as his eyes adjusted to the dim, misty light on the other side of the portal, Khalil took in the sight before him—a gathering of creatures he had never seen in his life.
They ranged from ethereal to formidable, each radiating a distinct energy that pulsed in sync with their breathing, the power within them alive and watchful.
A slender water dragon hovered in the air just a few paces from him, its translucent, sapphire scales refracting the mist in an iridescent glow. It eyed him intently, its gaze calculating yet calm.
"His element is similar to mine," it murmured, its voice like a ripple on a still pond, echoing faintly in his mind. "Him and I share an affinity. It should be me."
Khalil felt a strange connection, like a shared whisper, almost a bond of unspoken understanding. He blinked, unsure if he should reply, but before he could decide, another beast stepped forward.
A massive wolf-like creature, its fur an earthy blend of silver and onyx, fixed its intense amber gaze on him. Its muscles rippled as it held its head high, pride radiating from its stance.
"I am the strongest among them," the wolf declared, its voice a low, rumbling growl in his mind. "It should be me. I can protect him better than any other."
Khalil shifted, feeling both awe and an odd sense of embarrassment. He was the center of attention, and each beast was vying for his choice as if he were a king deciding on his most loyal knight.
To his right, a slender falcon-like creature with feathers in hues of deep teal and amethyst cocked its head, examining him with piercing eyes that seemed to read his very soul. Its voice was swift and sharp, like a gust of wind.
"Strength is nothing without speed. In times of need, I would carry him above all danger," it said confidently, its tone brisk and direct.
A phoenix with fiery red plumage gave an indignant screech, sparks flickering in its eyes. "Speed alone is folly without wisdom," it countered, its voice warmer, as if trying to appeal to his reasoning. "Only I, with fire and rebirth, can share my endless knowledge and guide him on his journey."
Khalil's gaze drifted between them all.
The dragon, the wolf, the falcon, the phoenix, and even more, each as distinct in personality as they were in appearance. A curious pang hit him—a feeling like he was peering into the hearts of each of these creatures, understanding them in a way that felt both intimate and alien.
'Are we supposed to understand them? Why my bonding is different from what I saw in the videos?'
'Wait... Could it be this is my Tamer Talent?'
'Is it because of that I can understand them?'
Khalil's mind was filled with questions.
Did he dare speak? What would he even say? He hesitated, glancing between the creatures as they continued their spirited discussions, each convinced that they were the right choice.
But then, suddenly, an unnatural silence fell over them. The creatures ceased their arguments, their gazes all shifting to him at once. Their eyes bore into him with a quiet intensity, as though waiting for him to make the final call.
"Umm..."
Khalil opened his mouth, swallowing nervously as he prepared to address the creatures. He raised a hand, the faintest smile forming as he muttered, "H-Hello—"
But a voice, soft yet commanding, cut through the air before he could finish.
"I will bond with him."
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