Max climbed steadily upward, the jagged rocks and rough terrain making each step harder than the last. The Vyrn Mountains were just as harsh and unforgiving as he had heard. The wind howled through the narrow valleys, biting at his skin, and the air grew thinner the higher he went. His chest tightened as the elevation increased, but he pushed on, the weight of his goal driving him forward.
The wild boar trotted beside him, its movements more relaxed now. Their bond had deepened since the taming, but Max knew it wasn't enough. The boar had become his companion, but it was still a wild creature — and Max wasn't yet capable of fully controlling it. That was the part of his class that eluded him. His ability to bond with creatures was strong, but he needed to be able to control them in ways that went beyond basic taming.
Liora was the key. He had been told that her expertise in taming was unparalleled, and if anyone could teach him how to refine his control over the creatures he tamed, it was her. Max knew he couldn't move forward without mastering this skill. Creature Synthesis, his ultimate goal, required more than a simple bond with the animals. He needed to know how to control them thoroughly, to understand them deeply enough to blend their abilities, to create new life. But first, he needed to master the art of taming.
Max had heard rumors of Liora's training — a rigorous process that took years to complete. She was a Beast Master, a class focused entirely on taming and controlling beasts. But unlike his Biomancer of the Bound Flesh class, which dealt with synthesis and creation, Liora's class was solely about mastering beasts for battle and utility. She wasn't capable of helping Max with the more complex aspects of his powers, but her skills would provide the foundation he needed. He could use the training to increase his ability to tame creatures, allowing him to control them more effectively, preparing him for the eventual step of synthesizing them into hybrids.
The Encounter
The path to find Liora had been long and grueling. The higher Max climbed into the mountains, the more the land seemed to change. The air grew colder, and the winds picked up, howling like wolves across the ridgelines. But it wasn't just the wind that made Max uneasy. The mountain itself seemed alive with energy, and he could feel the pressure in the air.
After a few more hours of climbing, Max stopped to catch his breath. His legs ached from the ascent, but it was the wild boar that seemed to sense something before Max did. It snorted, its tusks gleaming in the dimming light, and its body stiffened. Max's senses immediately flared. He turned, scanning the area.
Through the trees, moving with lethal grace, another mountain lion appeared. This one was larger than the previous one he had seen before — its tawny fur and powerful frame rippling as it stalked through the underbrush. It was no simple beast; it was a predator, strong and fast, its eyes gleaming with the calculated hunger of a hunter.
Max's pulse quickened. He instinctively moved closer to the wild boar, steadying himself. The lion's golden eyes locked on him, and Max could feel the weight of the creature's gaze — not just a predator sizing up prey, but a wild spirit sizing up an intruder. The wild boar growled low, preparing to charge, but Max placed a hand on its shoulder, urging it to remain still.
The mountain lion, sensing Max's stillness, took a few slow steps forward, its body poised to strike. Max knew this wasn't an animal he could simply control with a few simple words. It wasn't the wild boar that he had tamed earlier — this beast was far more dangerous, far more unpredictable. The mountain lion circled, its gaze never leaving Max's, its muscles rippling beneath its sleek fur.
Max didn't hesitate. His hand went instinctively to the Tame Creature skill, focusing his energy, willing his bond to form with the beast. He had no illusions — taming a creature of this strength and wildness wouldn't be easy. He had to take control of the situation, and he had to do it fast.
The Taming of the Mountain Lion
Max took a deep breath, focusing his mind. The Tame Creature skill activated, and a rush of energy surged through him. He extended his palm toward the mountain lion, his voice firm but calm. "Stay," he commanded, the words filled with intent.
The mountain lion stopped in its tracks, its tail flicking behind it, its golden eyes narrowing. Max could feel the creature's resistance, its will to fight, to tear through him. The bond between them was fragile, a thin thread of connection, but it was there — a tug in the lion's mind, a pull toward submission.
Max's breath hitched as the lion took a slow step back. It wasn't enough. The lion snarled, stepping forward again. Max knew he had only a brief moment to act. He closed his eyes for a second, summoning all the power he could feel flowing through him — not just the bond, but the will to control.
The wild boar, sensing his intent, moved closer, ready to assist. It snorted loudly, its tusks scraping the rocky ground. The lion, distracted by the boar's presence, hesitated again. Max took this moment to push harder, to press his will on the beast. The lion growled but didn't strike.
The wild tension between them hung in the air like a thread ready to snap. Max focused, summoning the magic of his class — this wasn't just about taming; this was about understanding. He needed to learn the lion's mind, to become a part of it, not just impose his will.
Minutes passed in a blur of anticipation and energy. The mountain lion, its muscles coiled and tense, took a step back. Its deep growl began to subside, replaced by a low rumble of confusion. It wasn't surrendering yet, but it was listening. Max held his breath, focusing harder.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the lion lowered its head, slowly walking closer to Max, its eyes never leaving him. Max reached out his hand, the connection between them tentative but growing. The lion sniffed his palm, its hot breath rushing over him, its sharp claws digging into the earth. Max stood still, his heart thumping in his chest as the lion slowly nuzzled his hand, accepting the bond, however fragile.
Max exhaled in a rush of relief. The mountain lion was now tamed, if only partially. It was a victory — the first true test of his power. But the creature was still unpredictable, still wild. Max knew it wasn't fully under his control, and it would take time to solidify their bond.
The Path Ahead
The mountain lion circled once, its glowing eyes never leaving Max, before it retreated into the underbrush, its powerful frame blending into the shadows. Max felt the connection between them, a bond that was fragile but undeniable. His control was still weak, and the creature was still wild, but the victory was his.
Max turned back to the wild boar, which had remained watchful but obedient. The boar snorted, its loyalty clear, and Max smiled, feeling the weight of the journey ahead. He had tamed a beast of great power, one that would serve him — but only if he learned to control it, to understand it.
He turned back toward the mountain path, the fog of the highlands swirling around him. The path to Liora lay ahead, and Max knew the training she would offer would be rigorous, demanding. She would teach him how to truly control the creatures he tamed, how to make them part of him, and how to make them listen when he needed them most.
Max didn't know what awaited him, but the journey had already begun. He had taken the first steps on his path — and no matter how difficult it became, he would see it through.