My Wild Beast-Chapter 80: The Call of Tayun (3)

[ AN: Music Recommendation: Mountain Oath by The Last Retinue ]

The guide stared back at them, or so it seemed. His face was hidden, cloaked in shadow. He stood with the sea lapping at his knees, facing them in silence. He looked like a spectre in the centre of cerulean waters, a beam of sunlight from one small, eroded opening in the cave above, casting him in a spotlight, as if this were a sacred moment lit by fate.

Each marked child shifted restlessly, eager to claim their victory, pass another trial, and take one step closer to the final goal of becoming the island’s guardian, a role they knew was the island’s greatest calling.

They had yet to understand its full meaning, or what would truly be asked of them beyond the expectation of protecting Tayun and its people. That knowledge was not yet theirs to earn. But they were marked, set apart by fate. Whether it was Tayun or Solkara, the Sun Weaver, they had been chosen above others.

Doubt lingered in the air, stirred by how deceptively simple the trial appeared. None of the Marked dared to make a move as questions and determination flickered behind every gaze. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"Is there a time limit?" asked the shortest child, a Takaru, as he raised one spindly arm.

The guide turned his head, just enough to face him, the shadows shifting across his face. "No."

"That’s it? Just grab a stick? Do we need to bring it back to you?" asked the other Takaru child.

The guide offered him the faintest of nods, frustrating them all.

"Is it a race?" The Apatka asked next, his tone cocky. "What happens if we get it first?"

The guide tilted his head, his attention focused on the crocodile shifter who was already gaining muscle. "Claim your totem. Only the worthy shall pass," he answered cryptically. It didn’t really answer the Apatka’s question, but clearly it was meant for interpretation.

The Apatka smirked, his eyes sharpened and gleamed with maliciousness. "Are we allowed to fight for it?"

The other three boys whipped their heads in the Apatka’s direction. That would certainly make this more challenging. Yoa assessed the Apatka child, wondering about his strengths and weaknesses. It was clear this trial would be well suited for a powerful swimmer like him.

When no answer came from their guide, the children slowly looked at him with bated breath.

"Only the worthy shall pass," came the guide’s answer at last. Cryptic as ever. Repeatedly answering for the children to figure out its meaning.

"Can we take more than one?" The shortest child raised his hand again like they were in a lesson.

Yoa’s eyes narrowed subtly, his focus returning to the totems at the other end of the cave. The water had risen a little in the time they had been asking questions. The guide hadn’t told them they could start yet, but with the way he answered so cryptically, gave the impression that they were wasting their time.

"Only the worthy-"

"Yes or no!?" The Apatka snapped, his words echoing in the cave. "Give us better answers. None of us want to fail, and there is only one spot. We need to know what is allowed."

The guide returned his attention to the child with green tinted hair. "Even I do not hold such knowledge. You may fight, or take more than one totem. I am just a messenger. I do not decide if you pass or fail."

"So, everything is permitted," the Apatka smirked cruelly.

The guide did not answer. Silence settled like a held breath. A warm gust swept across their faces, carrying the scent of salt and stone. The low whisper of wind slipped through the cracks and crevices of the cave walls, like spirits murmuring secrets in a forgotten tongue. The water lapped quietly at their ankles, as if waiting, watching, for who would move first.

The Takaru took a subtle step away from the Apatka, but then their widened eyes landed on the other apex predator on the other side of them and froze. But Yoa didn’t pay them attention, his focus zoning in on the goal and not the rising tension or violent intent rolling into him from the other side of the line.

He shifted a little, clicking his neck. No one had moved yet. But he felt the Apatka angle his foot toward the Takaru, subtle but unmistakable in intent. The crocodile shifter was out for blood, to win by eliminating competition.

Yoa lunged forward, the movement triggering him like a spark to dry grass. His muscles coiled, then exploded as he tore through the shallow water. Splashes rose around him, the water climbing to his thighs as the cove deepened.

A scream rang out behind him, followed by gurgling, and the violent thrash of something struggling in the water.

His heart punched repeatedly in his chest, fast and brutal. All that mattered was claiming his totem and bracing for attack. He wouldn’t play dirty, or strike first, but he wouldn’t hesitate to defend himself.

"Sahco! I thought we were friends!"

Yoa dove into the water, kicking his feet into action before coming up for air, and weaving through the water, his shoulders burning to race to the other end. His only focus was survival. If he let his heart win, even for a second, it might mean the end for him.

"It’s not personal," Sahco, the Apatka, replied nonchalantly.

Water splashed behind Yoa, and his head whipped back, unable to ignore them.

In the span of a few heartbeats, the sound of his breath whooshing from his lips, Yoa’s eyes settled on the boy floating with his face in the water.

The remaining Takaru shifted into his spider monkey form and tried to escape the Apatka by leaping onto the rocky ceiling, out of reach.

That could only help for so long though.

The water was rising rapidly in the cave.

The guide who’d stood in the shallows before was gone. Vanished like the ghostly creature he appeared to be.

Sahco’s attention snagged on Yoa and how close he was to his totem and the sea water that brought them closer to the ceiling. He glanced at the spider monkey now racing along the cavernous walls towards his totem, then gave up on his attack and shifted into his crocodile form.

The Apatka dove into the water. In the beat of a few strokes, Sahco emerged from the water beside Yoa, his snout opening wide in front of his face, revealing the long rows of pearly white, sharp teeth.

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