Eclipsed Realms: The Tamer's Path

As we pressed on, Lilia made sure to heal the minor wounds the partners had sustained in the fight. Even small injuries could fester in this world, where the air seemed almost alive with unseen dangers. Her gentle touch and calming presence reassured the team, though they didn't fully realize just how capable she was.

The terrain gradually shifted, the sparse trees giving way to denser woods. Along the way, we encountered several creatures—most of them docile herbivores. The first to cross our path was a towering moose-like monster. Its moss-covered fur blended perfectly with the environment, and its massive antlers, shaped like jagged stone, were intimidating yet majestic. I identified it immediately.

"This is a Terrahorn Moose," I said, pointing to the creature grazing by a stream. "It's an Earth-type, supportive in nature. Those antlers of rock store energy it can use for powerful defensive abilities. Its fur can also sprout vines to entangle attackers."

George knelt to get a closer look, his drones capturing footage from a safe distance. "Looks like it could tank a lot of damage."

"It's more than a tank," I continued. "It has high potential. If raised well, it can easily reach Silver rank and has two major evolutionary paths. One is a humanoid druid-like form, intelligent and adept at controlling nature. The other transforms it into a colossal, farm-sized creature capable of sustaining life on its body."

Amber scoffed, leaning on her spear-chain. "A walking farm? Sounds... boring."

"It's practical," I replied. "For tamers who build strongholds or lead groups, it's invaluable. But I'll admit, it's not for everyone."

The others agreed it wasn't a good fit for their team. They watched as the Terrahorn Moose ambled off into the trees, vines swaying gently with each step.

Further along, we came across a herd of Gravoxen, wild cow-like creatures with hulking, earthy bodies. Their hooves glowed faintly with brown energy as they stomped the ground, creating ripples in the earth. Their horns, curved and sharp, seemed to pulse with energy.

"These are Gravoxen," I explained as the team stared at the creatures warily. "They're Earth-types as well, but unlike the Terrahorn Moose, their focus is on area-of-effect abilities. Those glowing hooves? They create seismic waves to deter predators. The Gravoxen also have a cooperative bond—when one uses its seismic abilities, the others can channel their energy to amplify the effect."

"They'd be great in a defensive role," Jun observed, scratching his chin. "But not what we're looking for."

"They don't evolve easily," I added. "Even their high-rank forms are limited in combat potential. Good for support and protection, but not for tamers focused on offense."

We moved on, leaving the Gravoxen behind. The further we traveled, the quieter the group grew, as if the forest itself was swallowing our words.

---

After hours of searching and a few minor battles with small predators, we finally found our target. The Earth Bear stood in a clearing, its massive body covered in earthy armor that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. It looked just as it had in Jun's hologram—strong, imposing, and capable. But something unexpected caught our attention.

A cub.

The Earth Bear was playing with a smaller version of itself, rolling on the ground and letting out soft, rumbling noises that could only be described as laughter. The sight was... wholesome, to say the least.

The group hesitated. None of us moved for a moment, and even Amber, who was usually eager for action, seemed uneasy.

Jun broke the silence, his voice low. "Let's find another bear. One that's alone."

I nodded, glancing at the scene again. "Good call. Attacking now would make us no better than predators."

The others agreed, though the tension in the air remained. As we quietly backed away, I noted the Earth Bear and its cub in the Monster Encyclopedia, marking it as a creature to avoid for the time being.

---

Once we were far enough from the clearing, Jun let out a breath. "I thought I'd be excited to finally get my partner, but... that felt wrong."

"Some things you don't take by force," I said. "We'll find another one."

Amber snorted, though her tone was more thoughtful than mocking. "Never thought you'd be the sentimental type, Jun."

George, fiddling with his drones, added softly, "Sentimental or not, he's right. We're not desperate enough to steal a parent from its cub."

The group agreed to continue their search, the mood somber but resolute. I kept quiet, watching them interact. This team had potential, even if their talents weren't remarkable. They had something just as important—integrity.

The buzzing sound of the Aedes Mortem swarm faded behind us as we moved deeper into the dense jungle. Lilia's cloaking ability had saved us from what could have been a brutal encounter. Even as we passed out of their range, I couldn't shake the image of the macaw monster, a majestic bird, left as nothing more than an empty husk after being drained. It reminded me that no matter how beautiful or powerful a creature might seem, this forest had a way of humbling everyone.

"Let's pick up the pace," I said, glancing back at the group. Jun nodded in agreement, though I could see the others stealing nervous glances behind us.

"Those mosquitoes," George began, his voice low as though afraid the swarm could still hear us, "their evolution sounds incredible. But honestly, it's not worth the trouble. Imagine trying to get one of those things to Iron rank."

Amber gave a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, not worth the blood loss, literally."

Their banter eased the tension a little, and we trudged onward, the oppressive humidity of the jungle clinging to our skin. I was relieved when we finally broke through the thick undergrowth and into a sunlit clearing.

---

The clearing was like stepping into another world. The canopy above opened just enough to let beams of golden light filter through, illuminating the field of vibrant flowers below. The air shimmered with the soft, ethereal glow of Illusaflies. Their delicate, crystalline blue wings caught the light as they flitted from flower to flower, their dance mesmerizing. For a moment, even the chatter of the group stopped, replaced by an almost reverent silence.

"This is... beautiful," Amber whispered, her usual bravado gone as she stared at the spectacle.

"They're harmless, right?" Jun asked, his tone cautious despite the peaceful scene.

I nodded. "Completely. They rely on illusions to deter predators. Not much use in battle, but if you're looking for something to confuse an enemy or keep you hidden, they're a solid pick."

Amber gave me a sidelong glance. "Sounds like you're trying to sell us on them."

I smirked but said nothing. The truth was, I admired the Illusaflies for their beauty, but I knew they weren't practical for our current goals. That thought was interrupted by a sharp snap that echoed from the edge of the clearing.

---

One of the Illusaflies, which had been hovering near a tree at the clearing's edge, froze mid-flight. A second later, it was pierced by a jagged stinger, its body going rigid as its shimmering light dimmed. The once-vibrant butterfly crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

"What the—" Amber began, but Lilia raised a hand, her body tense.

"There's something here," Lilia murmured, her connection to the plants allowing her to sense the predator before any of us could spot it.

Jun drew his weapon, his bear, Brutus, growling low as he took a defensive stance. I signaled for the others to stay back, scanning the area. It didn't take long for the culprit to reveal itself. Or rather, for Lilia to make it reveal itself.

With a fluid motion, she extended her roots, impaling the invisible predator. The air around it shimmered, and a hulking Acidmandra emerged, thrashing against the vines. The creature, a human-sized insect with razor-sharp legs and a body dripping with corrosive acid, let out a high-pitched screech as it died.

"That thing could've killed all of us if we hadn't seen it first," George muttered, his usually calm demeanor shaken.

Amber, however, looked intrigued rather than scared. "I want one of those."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You sure? They're not exactly easy to handle."

Amber crossed her arms. "I'm sure. Lilia, can you sense another one nearby?"

Lilia tilted her head, closing her eyes as she concentrated. "There's another close by, but it's hunting something else. A... squirrel, I think."