Beasts of Anomaly

Azhaan woke to the faint light of dawn filtering through the dense canopy of the Verdantwilds. The crystalline trees refracted the sunlight into shimmering beams that painted the clearing in shades of gold and green. It was peaceful—too peaceful.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and noticed the Shadow Stalker sitting at the edge of the camp, its red eyes fixed on the forest. It didn't move, but its tense posture set Azhaan's nerves on edge.

"What's wrong?" Azhaan whispered, careful not to wake the others.

The Shadow Stalker's ear twitched, but it didn't turn to look at him.

Azhaan frowned. "What is it?"

Before he could rise, Kaela stirred from her spot near the fire. She was instantly alert, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "Something's out there," she said quietly, her sharp amber eyes scanning the trees.

Alira stretched lazily from her spot by a mossy rock, her plant-like beast unfurling its glowing vines. "Couldn't even let us have one peaceful morning, could they?"

Azhaan stood, gripping the dagger Kaela had given him. "They? You think it's the cloaked tamers?"

Kaela shook her head. "Could be. Could be something worse."

"Worse?" Azhaan repeated, his voice rising slightly.

"Shh." Kaela held up a hand, silencing him. She pointed toward the edge of the clearing, where the trees seemed to sway unnaturally, their movements out of sync with the gentle breeze.

The Shadow Stalker let out a low growl, its fur bristling as it stepped forward. Azhaan felt the bond between them pulse faintly, a mix of tension and readiness flowing through the connection.

"Stay close," Kaela whispered, drawing her blade.

The group formed a loose circle, their backs to the fire as they faced the shifting trees. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual hum of life replaced by an oppressive silence.

Then, the attack came.

From the shadows of the trees, a figure leapt into the clearing—a beast unlike anything Azhaan had seen before. Its body was sleek and black, almost like liquid, and its eyes glowed a sickly green. Tendrils of darkness trailed behind it as it lunged toward them with unnatural speed.

Kaela moved first, her blade flashing as she deflected the beast's claws. "Corrupted!" she shouted, her voice sharp.

Azhaan's stomach dropped. He'd heard the term before—beasts consumed by the plague that spread through Aetheris, turning them into mindless monsters.

"Focus!" Kaela barked, shoving him out of the way as the beast lunged again.

The Shadow Stalker intercepted it, colliding with the creature in a blur of motion. The two beasts tumbled across the clearing, their snarls echoing through the air.

Azhaan scrambled to his feet, his heart racing. "What do we do?!"

"Keep it busy!" Alira shouted, her plant companion launching glowing vines toward the corrupted beast. The vines wrapped around its limbs, holding it in place for a brief moment before the creature tore free with a guttural roar.

The Shadow Stalker darted around the beast, striking at its flanks and disappearing into the shadows before it could retaliate. Azhaan felt the bond between them surge, the creature's movements almost mirroring his own instincts.

"Azhaan, back it up!" Kaela yelled, parrying another strike from the beast as it lunged toward him.

He nodded, gripping his dagger tightly. "Alright, let's do this."

The fight was chaotic. The corrupted beast moved with an unnatural ferocity, its attacks relentless and its wounds regenerating almost as quickly as they were inflicted. Kaela and Alira fought with practiced precision, their beasts supporting them with well-timed strikes and defenses.

But it was Azhaan's bond with the Shadow Stalker that began to shift the tide.

"Drive it left!" Azhaan shouted, the command coming instinctively.

The Shadow Stalker growled in response, darting to the side and forcing the beast to adjust its stance. Azhaan moved in the opposite direction, his dagger slicing at the beast's exposed flank.

The creature roared, its tendrils lashing out, but Azhaan ducked under the attack, his movements fluid and precise. For a brief moment, he felt as though he and the Shadow Stalker were one, their actions perfectly synchronized.

"Now!" Kaela shouted, leaping forward with her blade raised.

With a final strike, Kaela's blade pierced the beast's chest, and the corrupted energy that fueled it began to dissipate. The creature let out a final, mournful roar before collapsing into a heap of blackened flesh.

The clearing fell silent once more, the oppressive weight in the air lifting as the corrupted energy faded.

Azhaan sank to the ground, his chest heaving. "What was that thing?"

"A corrupted beast," Kaela said, wiping her blade clean. "The plague spreading through Aetheris twists them into monsters. It's been getting worse lately."

Alira crouched beside the remains of the beast, her plant companion sniffing at the blackened flesh. "And this one wasn't random. It was sent."

Azhaan's blood ran cold. "Sent? By who?"

Alira stood, her expression grim. "Whoever's after you."

Kaela sheathed her blade, her jaw tightening. "We need to move. If they're using corrupted beasts, they'll send more."

Azhaan looked at the Shadow Stalker, which was licking a small wound on its side. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

The beast let out a low growl, its red eyes meeting his.

"We don't have time to rest," Kaela said, her voice urgent. "Gather your things. We leave now."

As the group hurriedly packed up camp, Azhaan couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The shadows of Aetheris were closing in, and whatever was hunting him wouldn't stop until it had what it wanted.

But Azhaan wasn't the same rookie he had been when he first arrived in this world. He had allies, a bond, and a growing determination to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.