Kyren raced down the road, the StormCrest Eland reaching speeds it had never achieved before. The paved streets of the village blurred beneath them as they blew past, giving onlookers barely a chance to turn their heads before they were gone. The Eland moved with instinct, its hooves barely skimming the ground before launching itself into the air. It landed on the roof of the village church with a sharp click of its hooves against stone, then bounded down in a fluid motion, surging forward once more.
Kyren gripped tightly to the Eland's neck as they sped onto a dirt road, which soon turned into a rough, overgrown path. As they neared the wreckage of the carriage Lydel had destroyed, the Eland slowed, its powerful strides easing into a trot. The two men in the wreckage were still unconscious.
Kyren jumped down, his mind catching up to the mistake he had made—dumping all those points into the Sidekick Improvement Plan without thinking. Before he could dwell on it, a small golden blur zipped toward him.
Liora landed on his shoulder, her tiny wings fluttering anxiously. "You're finally here! You have to help Lydel—he passed out and won't wake up!"
"It's okay," Kyren assured her. "He'll wake up in a few hours. This is my fault again." He lifted Lydel with ease, draping him over the back of the Eland.
"We'll be walking with you, friend," Kyren said, patting the Eland's neck. "Let's head back to the inn."
The strange group—an imposing StormCrest Eland, a golden sprite, a rugged traveler, and an unconscious man—made their way back to Longfoot. The walk didn't take long, and before they knew it, they stood outside the inn. Kyren carried Lydel up to his room, settling him on the bed before checking the system.
[Sidekick Improvement Plan in progress: Time remaining—5 hours.]
Kyren exhaled sharply, rubbing his face. Normally, he could relax no matter the situation, but the cult's grip on Longfoot had gotten under his skin. Even if they allowed the village to prosper, the people in the outskirts were still treated like trash. His fists clenched, jaw tightening.
He needed to do something.
As he turned to leave, Liora's small voice stopped him. "I'm worried about him. I'll stay here with Lydel."
Kyren gave her a nod. "That's fine."
Outside, he vaulted onto the Eland's back, urging it down another path. It didn't take long to spot a carriage heading toward Longfoot. He directed the Eland to cut in front of it, causing the horses to rear up in panic as the driver pulled hard on the reins to stop.
The door slammed open, and a broad-shouldered man stepped out, face twisted in anger. "What the hell is your problem? You could've killed us!"
Kyren didn't answer. He dashed forward, driving his palm into the man's skull. The force sent him crumbling to his knees. The second man panicked and turned to sprint toward Longfoot.
Kyren disappeared in a blur, reappearing beside him with Soundless Step. His fist drove into the man's gut, knocking the wind from his lungs. As the man collapsed, gasping, Kyren turned to his Eland.
"Burn the carriage, my friend. I'll get you some food when we pass through town."
The Eland responded immediately, flames licking at the wooden frame as it ignited. Kyren swung back onto its back, guiding it toward the tall grass.
They hadn't even made it back to the plaza before the Eland abruptly turned, bounding through the plains instead.
Then the earth trembled.
A deafening roar split the air, so powerful that even the Eland recoiled. A massive lion emerged from the tall grass, its golden fur bristling, its deep amber eyes locked onto them. It stood at least as tall as the Eland, muscles coiled with predatory intent.
Kyren slid off his mount, blades materializing in his hands as he spoke. "We'll fight it together, buddy."
The Eland was tense. This wasn't the first time it had faced this beast—but it had been alone before. Not this time.
The lion lunged, impossibly fast. Kyren's weapons were still forming, and in that instant, the Eland moved. It lowered its head and drove its curling horns into the lion's face, electricity crackling from the impact.
A flash of lightning shot from the Eland's horns, but the lion twisted, barely avoiding the strike.
Kyren vanished with Soundless Step, reappearing behind the beast. His blade slashed at its hind leg, cutting deep into the muscle.
The lion let out an ear-splitting roar. The sound hit Kyren like a shockwave, vibrating through his bones, throwing off his equilibrium. He staggered, barely able to keep his footing.
The lion ignored him, turning its focus to the Eland. With a snarl, it swiped a massive claw across the Eland's chest, deep enough to draw blood.
Kyren clenched his jaw and moved.
He stepped into the lion's blind spot, activating Momentum Slash as he drove his blade into the beast's other hind leg. The cut was just as deep as the last.
The lion still moved with terrifying speed, pivoting mid-step and striking Kyren with a powerful swipe. The impact sent him flying into the tall grass.
The Eland let out a thunderous cry. Its hooves came down like a hammer on the lion's back, forcing the beast to buckle. But the lion twisted out from under the attack, snapping its powerful jaws toward the Eland's neck.
Kyren moved in again. This time, he sharpened his blade to its peak—Lion's Requiem.
With a precise slash, he tore through the lion's already-injured hind leg, severing vital tendons. At the same moment, the Eland surged forward, its horns smashing into the lion's jaws. A burst of electricity followed.
The lion hit the ground, struggling, then went still.
[Ding!]
A familiar chime echoed in Kyren's mind.
Secret Mission Complete: Inventory Upgraded.
Wayfinder's Realm Unlocked.
Kyren opened his system window. A new tab appeared.
Wayfinder's Realm: A spatial realm for your kin to rest and heal in.
Would you like for Veldthar (StormCrest Eland) to enter the realm?
Yes/No
Kyren looked at his companion, reaching out to place a hand on its head. "Veldthar, huh? I like it, buddy."
The Eland, no—Veldthar—lowered its head slightly in acknowledgment.
Kyren frowned at the deep slashes on its chest. "Can you still ride, or do you need to rest?"
Veldthar stamped a hoof. Kyren smirked. "Alright, then."
They rode hard through the plains, reaching the inn in record time. As Kyren dismounted, he placed a hand on Veldthar's side.
"Rest up, my friend."
He opened the system, selecting Yes.
A golden glow surrounded Veldthar, and in the next moment, he dissipated into thin air.
Kyren exhaled, cracking his neck. The cult wouldn't know what was coming.