The creature’s breathing synchronized with Instinct’s own, a rhythm that felt almost like communication.
He could sense its desperation, the way its consciousness pressed against the weakening chains like a prisoner testing cell bars.
The magic binding it was old—ancient, even—but it was crumbling.
“We need to talk about this,” Arwen said, stepping forward with her bow lowered.
Her emerald eyes reflected concern and caution in equal measure.
“Freeing a bound creature is not a simple matter, Instinct.
There are reasons beings are chained.”
Kyra circled the creature slowly, her nine tails swishing with curiosity and calculation.
“She’s right, though I sense no malice from this one.
Only pain.”
The kitsune’s voice carried the weight of centuries.
“But Arwen raises a valid point.
We know nothing of its nature or why it was imprisoned.”
Instinct closed his eyes, feeling the pull of his taming instinct grow stronger.
His class demanded action, demanded that he understand this creature and forge a bond.
Yet he also understood caution.
He’d learned enough in these past days to know that power without wisdom led to disaster.
Nyx, he called through their mental link.
What do you think?
Nyx’s presence stirred within his mind with characteristic snark.
” OH, YOU’RE ACTUALLY ASKING FOR MY INPUT NOW?
HOW DELIGHTFUL.
FINE.
LISTEN CAREFULLY, BECAUSE I’M ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE.
”
Instinct waited, feeling Nyx settle into her explanation.
” YOU’RE LEVEL FORTY.
BEFORE KYRA, THERE WERE THE FOREST TROLLS.
THEN YOU TAMED THAT NINE-TAILED BEAUTY OVER THERE.
BETWEEN THEM, YOU’VE GAINED ELEVEN LEVELS.
”
A brief pause.
” WHICH IS EXCELLENT FOR YOUR EGO, BUT THERE’S ONE SMALL PROBLEM.
”
What?
” YOU SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED YOUR FIRST TRANSFORMATION AT LEVEL THIRTY.
YOU’RE TEN LEVELS OVERDUE.
”
Instinct froze.
Then he remembered.
Right… the transformation.
Nyx’s exasperation practically radiated through his mind.
” YES.
THE TRANSFORMATION.
THE THING I ALREADY TOLD YOU ABOUT, YOU ABSOLUTE AMATEUR.
”
Instinct almost rolled his eyes.
” THE ABSOLUTE TAMER DOESN’T ONLY GRANT YOU THE ABILITY TO FORM BONDS.
YOUR BODY EVOLVES AS YOU REACH CERTAIN LEVELS.
THE FIRST TRANSFORMATION BECAME AVAILABLE AT LEVEL THIRTY AND FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGES YOUR SKIN.
”
Instinct remembered her explanation now.
Level thirty.
Skin.
Bones.
Level ninety.
Organs.
Level one hundred and twenty.
Blood.
And at Level Two Hundred— everything.
” YOUR SKIN WILL BECOME NEARLY IMPENETRABLE.
ORDINARY WEAPONS WILL STRUGGLE TO FIND PURCHASE.
BLADES MAY BREAK AGAINST YOU.
EVEN FIRE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY BURNING THROUGH.
”
Nyx paused.
” BUT HERE’S THE CATCH—IT’S AGONIZING.
I’M TALKING ABOUT PAIN THAT MAKES CHILDBIRTH LOOK LIKE A SPA DAY.
”
Instinct absorbed the information, his eyes opening.
He looked at the chained creature, then back at his companions.
Your advice?
” COMPLETE YOUR FIRST TRANSFORMATION BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT ANYTHING WITH THIS BEAST.
”
Nyx’s tone lost some of its humor.
” YOU’RE ABOUT TO DEAL WITH A CREATURE THAT REQUIRED MAGICAL CHAINS LIKE THOSE TO CONTAIN IT.
AND MAYBE I’M WRONG… BUT THIS CREATURE GIVES ME THE FEELING THAT THERE’S MORE TO IT.
”
Instinct looked toward the silver-scaled creature again.
” YOU NEED TO BE AT YOUR BEST.
RIGHT NOW, YOU’RE LEAVING POWER ON THE TABLE.
”
“We need to find shelter,” Instinct said aloud, his decision crystallizing.
“Somewhere defensible.”
Arwen and Kyra exchanged glances.
“What are you planning?” Kyra asked, her ancient eyes narrowing with understanding.
“I need to undergo my first transformation,” Instinct explained, repeating what Nyx had told him.
“It’s a class ability I’ve overlooked.
Once it’s done, I’ll be better equipped to free this creature and attempt the taming.”
Arwen nodded slowly.
“That’s wise.
Rushing into unknown power is how people die.”
She scanned the surrounding forest.
“There’s a cave about an hour north.
It would provide shelter and defensibility.”
Kyra moved closer to Instinct, her expression serious.
“Will the transformation be painful?”
“Very.”
“If you need us, we’ll be there.”
Her voice carried a tenderness that hadn’t been there days ago, before their four-day bonding ritual.
Instinct nodded.
“I know.”
The journey to the cave took less time than Arwen estimated.
The mountain terrain was steep but navigable, and Instinct’s powerful physique made climbing easier than it should have been.
The cave entrance yawned before them like the mouth of some ancient beast, dark and promising shelter.
Inside, Instinct found a natural chamber large enough to accommodate all three of them, with a secondary tunnel that Kyra confirmed was clear of inhabitants. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
The main chamber had a high ceiling and a narrow entrance—easy to defend if something went wrong.
“This will do,” Instinct said, moving to the center of the chamber.
He could already feel his body responding to the proximity of his transformation, a tingling beneath his skin like electricity before a storm.
Nyx spoke through their link.
” ALL RIGHT, LISTEN UP.
HERE’S HOW THIS WORKS.
YOU’RE GOING TO SIT DOWN, CENTER YOURSELF, AND CALL FORTH THE TRANSFORMATION.
”
Instinct listened carefully.
” YOUR BODY WILL BEGIN TO REWRITE YOUR SKIN FROM WITHIN.
IT WILL HARDEN.
CHANGE.
BECOME SOMETHING FAR BEYOND ORDINARY FLESH.
”
A pause.
” AND IT’S GOING TO HURT.
”
How much?
” IT’S GOING TO FEEL LIKE YOU’RE BEING FLAYED ALIVE AND REBUILT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
”
That sounds absolutely terrible.
” IT IS.
BUT YOU’LL EMERGE STRONGER.
AFTER THIS, YOUR SKIN WILL BE NEARLY IMPERVIOUS TO CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS.
”
Instinct exhaled slowly.
” THE NEXT TRANSFORMATION COMES AT LEVEL SIXTY.
YOUR BONES.
SO YOU’VE GOT TWENTY LEVELS TO ENJOY THIS UPGRADE BEFORE THE NEXT ROUND OF AGONY.
”
Instinct looked at Arwen and Kyra.
“I need you both to stay alert.
If something goes wrong, if anything tries to enter this cave, protect me.
I’ll be vulnerable during the process.”
Arwen drew her bow and positioned herself where she could watch the deeper tunnel, her posture alert and ready.
Kyra moved near the main entrance, her nine tails spreading out defensively.
A pale foxfire ignited above her palm, glowing softly in the darkness.
Instinct settled into a cross-legged position at the center of the chamber.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what was coming.
His entire body thrummed with anticipation and dread.
Do it, he commanded himself.
He closed his eyes and reached inward, toward the core of his power.
The Absolute Tamer class responded immediately.
A surge of energy rushed through him like molten gold flowing through his veins.
His skin began to burn.
Not with fire— but with the sensation of transformation itself.
The pain started slowly.
Then crescendoed into something beyond description.
It was as if every nerve ending in his body had awakened at once, screaming in protest and exhilaration simultaneously.
Instinct gritted his teeth and held firm.
The transformation had begun.
And there was no turning back now.