Logan awoke with a start. The soft morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of his room, illuminating the space with a golden glow. His mind was muddled, and his body felt as if it had been crushed by a mountain.
Three days… Three days had passed since his forced transformation. Since the cave, the Arcane Hunters, and the pain that had consumed him.
The room, luxurious and spacious, was his own. But something felt different. An aura hung in the air, as if time flowed more slowly there.
He tried to sit up in bed, but a wave of pain hit him, making him groan. His muscles protested every movement, reminding him of the brutal ordeal he'd faced. However, the pain was bearable, a distant echo of the suffering during the transformation.
With determination, he forced himself to stand, feeling the cold floor beneath his bare feet. He staggered for a few moments, finding his balance, and made his way to the mirror adorning one of the room's walls. The image staring back left him breathless.
Taller, broader shoulders, more defined muscles… The transformation had changed him physically. He was no longer the scrawny thirteen-year-old boy. His body now bore the features of a warrior.
He ran his hands through his red merle hair, feeling the different texture, coarser and wilder. His eyes, previously amber, now seemed more intense, with a golden glint dancing in their depths.
"Father…" he murmured, remembering the moment Rogan burst into the cave, blazing and furious, to rescue him. The memory of his father's sword slicing through the air, bathed in golden flames, made him shudder.
Suddenly, a deep and serene voice echoed in his mind, "_It's alright, Logan. Your father and everyone are fine._"
The voice, soft and melodious, echoed in his mind, startling him. It wasn't a voice he recognized, yet at the same time, it sounded familiar, like a forgotten song resurfacing from the depths of memory.
"Who's there?" he asked, looking around as if expecting to find someone hidden in the room's shadows. "Who's talking to me?"
"I am Kaelor, the Ancestral Qilin."
The name, laden with reverence and mystery, struck him like lightning. Qilin… The mythical creatures Rogan so admired, symbols of protection and wisdom. Could it be possible?
"The Ancestral Qilin?" he inquired, incredulous. "But… how? How are you in my head?"
"There is no time for explanations, Logan. I need you to find your parents and ask them to bring you to me."
The voice fell silent, leaving Logan confused and apprehensive. What was happening? Why did the Ancestral Qilin want to see him? And how had it gotten into his mind?
***
With hesitant steps, he left the room and walked through the castle corridors, guided by an inexplicable instinct. With each step, his apprehension grew, mixed with a pang of excitement. Something important was about to happen, something that would change his life forever.
Finally, he reached the throne room. The massive doors, adorned with the Black family crest, were ajar, allowing him to hear the voices coming from within. Rogan, Gália, Arthur, and Magnus… They were gathered, discussing something fervently.
"—…the Arcane Hunters' headquarters has been located in Eryndark," Arthur was saying, his voice grave and worried. "We need to make a decision on how to help Frostgard. They won't hold out much longer alone."
Sky Reaper faced a dilemma. The war between Frostgard and Eryndark was intensifying, threatening to engulf the entire continent. The discovery that the Arcane Hunters, responsible for Logan's kidnapping, were based in Eryndark further complicated the situation.
Amidst the heated discussion, Gália seemed to sense his presence. Her red eyes widened, and a tender smile lit up her face.
"Logan!" she exclaimed, rushing towards him and enveloping him in a tight hug. "My son, you're alright!"
"I'm okay, Mother," he replied, returning the hug affectionately. "Just sore, but I'm okay."
Still hesitant, he shared the Ancestral Qilin's message, feeling the weight of his parents' gazes upon him.
"It asked for you to bring me to it," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Rogan and Gália exchanged a significant look, pondering the situation.
"We will take you, Logan," Rogan said, his voice firm and determined. "The Ancestral Qilin would never make such a request without reason."
***
The descent into the castle's depths seemed endless. Step after step of cold stone followed one another in a downward spiral that felt infinite.
"We've been going down for hours!" Logan grumbled, his legs protesting. "Isn't there an elevator in this place?"
Galia let out a soft laugh, amused by her son's impatience.
"Patience, Logan," she said with a mischievous smile. "Not everything can be solved with technology. Sometimes, magic is the best solution."
With an elegant gesture, Gália recited an incantation in an ancient tongue. Her red eyes glowed intensely, and palpable energy enveloped her arms.
"
In that same instant, a shadow materialized beside her, taking form and substance. It was a colossal wolf, similar to those that participated in the search for Logan, but even larger, about two meters tall. Its black fur gleamed in the faint torchlight, and its golden eyes emanated an ancestral wisdom.
"Wow!" Logan exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "What spell was that? It's… it's incredible! Can I learn it? Please, say yes!"
Galia smiled, pride dancing in her red eyes at the admiration etched on her son's face. A rebellious lock of red merle hair fell over his eyes as she approached, tucking it behind his ear with a caring gesture.
"It's a spell called Shadow Pact," she explained, her voice filled with affection. "An ancient summoning spell for familiars from the shadow world. And yes, perhaps one day you can learn it. But it requires much study and control."
"Pactum Umbrarum…" Logan repeated, savoring the name. "So you mean we can… like, make friends from other worlds?"
"Exactly!" Rogan replied, joining the conversation with an amused smile. "We can make spiritual contracts with other familiars, even with magical creatures."
"Spiritual contracts? Seriously? Like… a pact?" Logan inquired, curiosity bubbling in his voice.
"Let's say it's a mutual agreement," Rogan replied, winking at his son. "I, for example, have a contract with the Qilins."
Logan's eyes widened in surprise.
"With the Qilins? But I thought they were just legends!"
Rogan let out a hearty laugh that echoed off the staircase walls.
"Legends?" he said with a smile. "There are many more Qilins in the world than you imagine. And most of them live among us, disguised."
"Disguised?" Logan repeated, incredulous.
"Yes," Gália explained. "Arcane Beasts can assume human form. Some magical creatures can too, but they are a minority."
"And are there many in Sky Reaper?" Logan asked, eager for more information.
Rogan laughed again, amused by his son's curiosity.
"More than you imagine, my boy," he replied enigmatically.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the staircase. A gigantic door, made of the same stone material as the castle, blocked the way.
"Can anyone enter here?" Logan asked apprehensively.
"Only those whom the Ancestral Qilin deems worthy," Gália replied, her tone solemn. Her red eyes flashed for an instant, and the shadowy form of the wolf began to dissipate, turning into black smoke that vanished into the air. The Pactum Umbrarum spell had been undone.
The door began to open slowly, revealing a dark and mysterious passage. Logan held his parents' hands, feeling anxiety tighten in his chest. What awaited him on the other side?