"That is enough."
That one sentence seem to make the entire jungle go silent as the words sounded through the air. The young man that had appeared before Logan still had his fist captured perfectly in his own hand.
Despite the power that Logan had put behind the move, the young man had not moved an inch as if he was a mountain. His Rock Claw had been completely neutralized.
"Elijah, look at the air around his fist," said Selene.
Taking her advice, Elijah took note of the thing that he had completely overlooked due to his shock at newcomer sudden appearance.
A thing lay of air seem to be wrapped around the stranger's palm, compressed and spinning tightly like a thin layer of armor over his skin. It was the exact same principle as the Earth Claw that his friend was using but a different element.
The newcomer slowly released his grip, air pressure around his hands dispersing into a faint breeze as he opened his fingers. The leaves and loose dirt at their feet blew away instantly leaving the space around them clear completely.
The stranger took a step back now, moving to Varr's side. It was only then that Elijah finally got a good look at him.
Built like someone who had been training all his life, he was tall and had broad shoulders with a similar physique to Logan's. His dark hair was tied back behind his head in a high ponytail with strips of blue cloth. Like everybody presented his body was also covered in tattoos, this time swirling currents like breezes ran from his neck to across both his shoulders.
He stood there with a calm and regal look in his eyes, not exactly looking down on them, but as if he knew was far above them. The man before them simply did not even see them as a challenge and for some reason rhat irked Elijah even more.
Then Elian's memories surfaced once again in his mind supplying the name and some more information.
Rokan, the son of Matriarch Sava, leader of the Fang Tribe. He was consider the strongest youth in their generation, raised from birth to one day lead the tribe. Varr had always followed behind him acting like his second in command, but instead came off more like a lovestruck fanboy.
Behind Rokan something massive moved through the brush.
At first glance, one might have thought it was a Ram, but that was only at first. A deeper looker looked revealed that its body was larger than any horse. The beast was wrapped in a dense stone gray fur that was broken by plates of what looked like natural armor. Its hide was so thick that Elijah knew that no normal blade could cut into it. Curved horns were centered on its forehead like crescent moons with etched glowing lines on them.
It looked like it was a creature born from the earth, but that illusion was quickly broken by the ash colour feathered wings folded along its side. A low current of wind seem constantly be circling around its hooves only visible due to the dust that spiraled beneath its body.
A Skyhorn. One of the rarest beast in the jungle right up there with Logan's Storm Maw. A rare beast that had natural synergy between what should be opposing natures. They were said to proud and stubborn, almost impossible to be bonded with due to seeing more human unworthy of their attention.
Putting two and two together, Elijah quickly came to the conclusion that Rokan had already completed his trial. It seemed fitting that the son of the tribe leader to bond such a powerful beast, but still from Elian memories told him it seem everything came easy to Rokan. Where others struggled, he effortlessly climbed forward since he had been born. A prodigy in every way of the word, at least in terms of being a Hunter.
At Rokan's appearance, the arrogance on Varr's face seem to vanish instantly. He lowered his face as his jaw tighten, clearly frustrated at the order he had been given.
"Rokan…" he began shaky.
The young heir did not even give him a second glance, turning his attention to Logan for a moment and sizing him up fully like this was the first time he was truly seeing him. His gaze then moved to the shattered spear on the ground nearby and Logan's fist which was still maintaining the Rock Claw before moving to the Storm Maw.
The beast was standing protectively behind him, glaring out at the Skyhorn that had appeared. As for the Skyhorn it seemed like it could not care less what was happening, it's gazed locked onto the sky above as if this entire matter was beneath it.
"Varr, we do not challenge the bond. That is not Kaltrava's or our tribe's way," he stated calmly.
Varr clenched his teeth in anger as he responded.
"But he stole my beast. I was the one that fought the Storm Maw first!"
Rokan was silent for a moment, before turning his gaze to face Varr fully. Something about in how calm he was made him seem even more deadly to Elijah. Especially in contrast to Varr's outbursts.
"A beast cannot be stolen if a bond has not been already established with it. The Storm Maw did not find you worthy my friend," he replied. "Remember that at the end of the day, the choice always lie with them."
Varr could not find any words to respond. He tried to open his mouth, but closed it again sinc she could not think of any other argument.
"Let us be on our way. There are only two more days in the trial and we need to find you a beast worthy of a Hunter."
The humiliation on Varr's face burned clear as day as his eyes flickered towards Logan and then the Storm Maw behind like he wanted to carve this moment into his mind forever.
"This is not over rat," he said through clench teeth. "I'll make sure you don't past Hunter training."
With that ominous promise made, Varr snorted and followed Rokan into the treeline, disappearing into the jungle.
Logan turned to Elijah and Selena, the rocks in his fists finally falling off. The Storm Maw voice rumbled through his mind once more.
"What a weak Hunter. Do not mind him. The jungle will silence him one day."
Logan nearly jumped out of his skin.
"I can't believe your still talking in my head."
The Storm Maw gazed at him, giving him a look that woukd have been confusion on a human.
"You carry my mark human. Did you expect silence from Varash now that we are bonded for life?"
"No, no I'm not saying that," Logan quickly replied, holding his hands up in defense. He could feel some slight hurt coming from this bond between him and the Storm Maw.
Running one hand across his face in disbelief. He was really connected to this amazing creature. It felt so real. He had never thought something like this would ever happen to him.
Just as Logan had felt the Storm Maw's feelings, it felt his and its mouth broke out into a toothy grin. A rumble came from its throat that sounded close to a deep laugh.
"Your siblings approach human."
Elijah had just taken a step forward, his eyes filled with amazement and exhaustion. Everything had happened so fast that he now was just getting the chance to catch his breath and come to terms with everything. He looked towards Logan.
"So looks like at least one of us has completed this trial,' he said shakily, unsure really how to react now. On one hand this was great news, a powerful asset that his team could use going forth. The beast seemed to fit Logan's usual play style perfectly, a knight with his dragon partner.
But then again, it also made everything they were currently going through all too real for him. The information and memories they had received upon transmigrating here about this being a world where people bonded with the magical beasts no longer seemed like a simple game intro.
This world had rules and they had to either learn them or die trying.
No that was not right.
A glint appeared in Elijah's eyes as his thoughts churred in his head.
They would not just learn the rules and survive.
The feelings of Elian still existed within this body, the urge to see his fallen tribe rise again amongst Kaltrava.
"Well I guess I can do that for you buddy if I'm going to be taking over your body," he muttered to himself.
"Eli? You okay man. You got the crazy look in your eyes like you just came up with some scheme?" asked Logan.
He had seen that look on his friend face before and it was usually when strategizing for some big boss battle. Little did Logan know that the boss they would be facing this time was this entire strange world they had been dropped into.
Waving off his friends concerns, Elijah was silent as he continued to think about the future. They were not exactly defenseless.
Now that Logan had his bond, they could probably track and find beasts for him and Selene within the remaining time. Then once they completed whatever training they had they could start to introduce concepts from their former world into here. It would be too easy. A common trope that he had read about thousands of times. He just had to figure out how to adapt certain....
"Eli. Elijah! Snap out of it man!" shouted Logan, clearly seeing that his friend had gone into a brain tunnel. "Selene, why haven't you slap him yet...Selene? You alright?"
Logan turned to Selene, the concern in his voice as he said her name causing Elijah to snap out his daze and look towards her as well.
She had been abnormally silent. It was unlike her go ten minutes without calling them stupid for something.
Selene had gone completely still, her head tilted slight to side as if she trying to hear something far away.
"Umm...Selene?"
There was no answer. She just stood there in silence. A faint crease seem to form between her brows.
"Hey..." started Logan.
Her eyes flashed towards him glaring as she brought one finger to her lips.
"Ssshhh...you guys don't hear that?" she whispered.
They both frowned at her.
Hear what? The bugs around them.
"What are you talking about?"
Selene did not reply, she took a slow step forward away from them. It was like she was beginning to pick up on something.
"They're calling me I think."
"Selene, wait a second. Who is calling you?" asked Elijah, moving to grab her arm and stop her from going any further. Logan and Varash approached from behind him.
"Tell that human to stop inteferring, her partners call to her. He more than anyone should trust the Veil."
Varash voive rumbled through Logan's head once again.
"Umm, Eli. Varash says just let her go and something about you should trust the Veil?"
The Veil. That one word caused his entire body to freeze up as a memory surged forward within his mind. One of Elian's mother teaching her eldest child.
"Many think of the Veil as some spirit realm or the afterlife, a few smarter ones believe it is the source of all life and power within Suzox, but to the Vael Clan it is all that and much more. When you feel at home within its currents, you'll truly understand our clan's birthright. Remember to always trust and let the currents guide you my seedling."
He let go of Selene arm as the words resonated within his skull. Trust the Veil, let its currents guide him.
Elijah let out a deep breath. Trusting the unknown was not exactly his strong suit. He would have prefer to had more information beforehand before making a choice, but it seemed that he did not have that luxury here. With worry in his heart, he looked at Selene and motioned for her to go forward.
"Lead the way I guess."