Kyren's eyes widened as the transformation settled. The once bloodied and battered Stormcrest Eland now stood tall, its wounds erased by the mana surge. Its sleek armor shimmered under the moonlight, a blend of silver and deep blue with intricate lightning-shaped engravings. The saddle, made of reinforced leather, looked as if it had always belonged there—crafted perfectly for Kyren's use.
The eland lifted its head, its glowing blue eyes locking onto Kyren's. A jolt of energy passed between them, a bond forming in an instant. Kyren could feel it—not just the eland's presence, but its pulse, its steady strength now intertwined with his own.
"Whoa," he muttered, reaching out to place a hand on its neck. Warmth radiated beneath his fingertips, the creature's body humming with latent electricity.
Liora zipped around his head, practically vibrating with excitement. "Kyren! You got a mythical mount! Do you know how rare this is?"
Kyren smirked, looking over the eland once more. "Yeah, but what does that actually mean?" He pulled up the system interface, and a new notification flashed in front of him.
Wayfinder's Kin:
You have bonded with a mythical mount, gaining enhanced movement speed, a telepathic connection with your kin, and the ability to summon them from any distance. The bond will grow stronger over time.
Kyren's grip on the saddle tightened. A mythical mount? That wasn't something just anyone had.
The eland let out a deep, rumbling sound—somewhere between a growl and a purr. Kyren didn't need words to understand.
It wanted to run.
"Alright," Kyren said, swinging himself into the saddle. The moment he settled, the eland bolted forward. Wind roared past his ears, the world turning into a blur. But Kyren wasn't afraid—he was in sync with the creature beneath him, every movement instinctual, effortless.
He wasn't just riding.
He was flying.
Liora struggled to keep up, laughing as she flitted alongside them. "This is so unfair! You're already getting cool new stuff, and I'm still just a tiny spirit!"
Kyren chuckled. "Should've picked a better form."
Liora huffed. "I swear, when I evolve, you're gonna regret that."
The eland slowed near a large rock formation, its energy still crackling. Kyren slid off, giving its side a firm pat. "You did good." The eland nudged him in return, a sign of trust already forming.
Liora landed on his shoulder. "So, what's next?"
Kyren glanced toward the distant village, mind already set. "Tomorrow, we start taking down the drug supply. But for now? We rest."
Back at the inn, Kyren sat on the bed as Liora fluttered onto his palm. "Finally," she sighed. "I haven't eaten in two days. Can I have some mana now?"
Kyren smirked. "Sure. Just don't play around like last time."
Liora giggled, remembering how she had danced in his palm, treating the mana like confetti. Kyren channeled a steady flow of energy, and the little spirit eagerly absorbed it before zipping around the room in a blur of golden light.
Then, just as suddenly, she darted back and hugged the side of his head. "Thanks."
Kyren let out a breath, shaking his head as she curled up on a pillow. He laid back on the other, exhaustion settling in.
Sleep took him in an instant.
Kyren woke to the morning light spilling through the window. He stretched, glancing around the room. "Liora?"
"I'm outside with Lydel," her voice echoed in his mind. "We're waiting for you."
Kyren dressed quickly and stepped outside, where Lydel leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed. Liora floated nearby, hovering with anticipation.
Lydel wasted no time. "I don't know what you got up to last night, but I found the drug routes leading out of the village." He pointed toward the dirt roads. "Three routes lead through residential streets. The last one is the way we came from."
Kyren's stomach twisted slightly, but he didn't hesitate. "I'll take the one we came from." His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.
Liora and Lydel both shot him a look. Before they could argue, Kyren spoke to them telepathically. You two go together. I won't be alone.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the outskirts.
Kyren stood at the edge of Longfoot, staring down the familiar path he had first arrived on. He reached out through the bond.
Come, my friend.
In the distance, a bolt of blue lightning crackled through the tall grass. The Stormcrest Eland emerged, its armor and saddle manifesting in a burst of mana.
Kyren climbed into the saddle. "Let's move."
The eland shot forward, covering ground at an incredible pace. Kyren kept his eyes sharp, scanning the road ahead. Before long, a carriage appeared in the distance, rolling steadily down the dirt path.
His pulse quickened. Time to test just how strong this bond really is.
"Run into the back of the carriage and release a surge of electricity," Kyren commanded.
The eland didn't hesitate. Its muscles coiled, then launched forward in a sudden burst of speed. Kyren braced himself. The moment before impact, he activated Soundless Steps and leaped off, landing smoothly on the ground.
The eland crashed into the back of the carriage, its antlers releasing a blinding arc of lightning. The wooden roof exploded apart, sending one of the cultists flying.
Kyren moved. He activated Soundless Step, becoming a shadow as he tackled the second cultist out of the carriage. A flurry of precise punches left the man unconscious before he could react.
The other cultist was already out cold from the lightning strike. The horses, panicked, bolted down the road, leaving the shattered remains of the carriage behind.
Kyren drew Lion's Requiem, mana sharpening its edge as he hacked at the remains of the wagon, ensuring it couldn't be repaired.
The eland stepped forward, lowering its antlers. Sparks crackled through the ruined wood, and in seconds, flames began to spread.
Kyren watched for a moment before nodding. "That'll do." He climbed back onto the eland.
Then, just as he was about to take off, Liora's voice rang sharply in his mind.
Kyren! Come quick! Lydel just collapsed after destroying his carriage!
His chest tightened. "Buddy," he said to the eland, gripping the reins. "Find them. Now."
The eland responded instantly, surging forward with a speed unlike anything Kyren had ever felt before.
The world blurred.
He just had to get there in time.