Kael Ashborne woke before his alarm.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling.
The room was dark.
Outside his window, Greenriver Town had barely begun to stir, and the faint gray light before sunrise painted everything in muted shadows.
Normally, Kael would already be getting dressed for his morning chores.
Today, he remained beneath the blanket.
His heart was beating too quickly.
“So much for not being nervous.” He exhaled and finally sat up.
Awakening Day.
He had imagined those two words countless times.
Every child did.
There were stories about people awakening extraordinary Beast Spaces and changing their families’ lives overnight.
Stories of ordinary children who eventually became Beast Kings.
Stories of legendary Beast Masters whose first companions had looked completely worthless before revealing astonishing bloodlines.
There were also less exciting stories.
Most people were ordinary.
Kael knew that.
He wasn’t expecting destiny to suddenly descend from the heavens and declare him special.
He just wanted a beast.
Something he could grow alongside.
A companion that would one day look at him with the same trust he had once seen between his father and his beasts.
Kael dressed quickly.
When he opened his bedroom door, the smell of breakfast was already drifting through the house.
His mother was awake.
Of course she was.
He had barely reached the stairs when a voice came from below.
“Don’t even think about leaving without eating.” Kael stopped.
“I wasn’t.” “Good.” He smiled.
Some things were impossible to hide from Clara Ashborne.
When Kael entered the kitchen, his father was already seated at the table.
Rowan looked remarkably relaxed for someone whose son was about to experience one of the most important moments of his life.
Lily was considerably less restrained.
She rushed toward Kael.
“Are you nervous?” “No.” “You’re lying.” “A little.” “Are you going to faint?” “No.” “What if you awaken something tiny?” “Then I’ll raise something tiny.” “What if it’s ugly?” Kael pulled out a chair.
“Then I’ll raise something ugly.” Lily stared at him.
“What if it smells?” Kael paused.
“That might require negotiation.” Rowan coughed into his fist to hide his laughter.
Clara placed breakfast in front of Kael.
“Whatever happens today, don’t compare yourself to anyone else.” Kael looked up.
His mother’s expression was gentle, but serious.
“Your first beast doesn’t determine the rest of your life.” “I know.” “I mean it.” She sat opposite him.
“Some people spend so much time staring at what everyone else receives that they never appreciate what’s already beside them.” Rowan nodded.
“Your mother is right.” Lily looked between them.
“Why does everyone suddenly become philosophical on Awakening Day?” “Because we’re old,” Rowan replied.
Clara kicked him under the table.
Kael laughed.
The tension in his chest loosened slightly.
Then— BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Everyone froze.
Lily frowned.
“He used the door.” Kael looked toward the entrance.
“Something’s wrong.” Rowan nodded gravely.
“Very wrong.” The door opened.
Finn stood outside wearing a freshly pressed academy uniform.
His dark hair had actually been combed.
For perhaps the first time in recorded history, there wasn’t food in his hand.
Kael stared.
Finn stared back.
“What?” “You knocked.” Finn looked offended.
“It’s an important day.” Lily leaned around Kael.
“Who are you and what have you done with Finn?” “Very funny.” Finn stepped inside.
Then he smelled breakfast.
His entire expression changed.
“Is that honey bread?” Clara sighed.
“There he is.” Ten minutes later, Finn was eating his second helping.
His nervousness revealed itself through his appetite.
Kael had known him long enough to notice.
“You alright?” Finn swallowed.
“Perfectly.” “That’s your fourth piece.” “Growing Beast Masters need nutrition.” “You haven’t awakened yet.” “Preparation is the foundation of victory.” Lily pointed toward the bread basket.
“At this rate, your White Lightning Tiger is going to awaken hungry because you ate its breakfast.” Finn clutched his chest.
“Why would you say something so cruel on such an important morning?” Kael laughed.
Eventually, the two boys left.
Rowan followed them to the gate.
He placed a hand on Kael’s shoulder.
“No matter what appears…” Kael already knew.
“…respect it.” Kael nodded.
“I will.” His father squeezed his shoulder once.
“Then go.” Greenriver was completely different today.
Colorful banners stretched between buildings.
Families filled the streets.
Carriages moved toward the central district while Beast Masters traveled alongside companions of every shape and size.
Kael spotted a three-tailed fox walking beside a young woman.
A stone-skinned bear pulled a merchant’s wagon.
Above them, several brightly feathered birds circled the town.
Finn looked everywhere at once.
“Today’s the day.” “You’ve mentioned that.” “I need you to understand the seriousness of the situation.” “I understand.” “No, you don’t.” Finn grabbed Kael’s shoulder.
“By tonight, I could have a tiger.” “Or a duck.” “Why is everyone obsessed with giving me a duck?” Kael smiled.
“Because you’d deserve it.” Finn looked betrayed.
They continued toward Greenriver Awakening Hall.
The enormous circular building dominated the town center.
Kael had passed it hundreds of times.
Today it seemed larger.
Hundreds of eighteen-year-olds waited outside with their families.
Some laughed loudly.
Others were pale with anxiety.
A few stood silently with their eyes closed.
Kael and Finn joined their school’s group.
Their instructor began checking names.
Then the crowd shifted.
Kael heard whispers.
“Damian’s here.” “That’s Damian Cross?” “His family sent someone from the capital.” Kael glanced toward the entrance.
A tall young man approached wearing the same academy uniform as everyone else.
Damian Cross wasn’t surrounded by servants.
He wasn’t smirking.
He simply walked beside an older woman wearing a dark blue Beast Master coat.
People moved aside anyway.
Finn leaned closer.
“That’s him.” “I can see.” “They say his grandfather has a Beast Emperor.” “People say lots of things.” “They also say Damian’s guaranteed to awaken an Epic-grade first beast.” Kael looked at him.
“You sound impressed.” “I am impressed.” Finn lowered his voice.
“I can be impressed and still beat him eventually.” “With your duck?” Finn’s expression collapsed.
“You’re supposed to support me.” Before Kael could respond, a bell rang.
The Awakening Hall opened.
Conversation vanished almost instantly.
Students entered in groups.
Inside, the building contained a vast chamber centered around a circular stone platform.
Ten crystal pillars surrounded it.
Ancient markings covered their surfaces.
Kael felt something the moment he entered.
Pressure.
Not physical.
Something seemed to brush gently against his consciousness.
The instructor raised her voice.
“When your name is called, enter the Awakening Formation.” “Do not resist the sensation.” “Allow your consciousness to enter your Beast Space naturally.” “Your Beast Space will determine whether you possess the qualifications to become a Beast Master.” Names began being called.
One student stepped forward.
The crystals glowed.
Minutes later, a small portal formed beside him.
A brown-furred creature stumbled through.
“Stonepaw Badger!” Applause erupted.
Another student awakened a Wind Sparrow.
Another received a River Serpent.
Some were disappointed.
Others cried from happiness.
Then— “Finn Mercer.” Finn stopped breathing.
Kael nudged him.
“Go.” Finn swallowed.
“If I die—” “You won’t.” “Tell my mother I loved her.” “Finn.” “And don’t let Lily eat my emergency snacks.” “Get on the platform.” Finn walked forward like a condemned prisoner.
Kael covered his mouth to hide a smile.
The crystals activated.
White light surrounded Finn.
Seconds passed.
Then lightning cracked across the formation.
The entire hall went silent.
A deep growl emerged from the portal.
Finn’s eyes snapped open.
Two white paws stepped through.
A tiger cub emerged.
Its fur was snow-white.
Thin blue streaks ran along its body.
Tiny arcs of electricity danced between its whiskers.
Finn stared.
The tiger stared back.
Finn slowly turned toward Kael.
His mouth opened.
Kael already knew what was coming.
“I TOLD YOU!” The entire hall erupted.
Even Kael couldn’t stop laughing.
“White Lightning Tiger,” one examiner whispered.
“Rare bloodline.” Finn dropped to his knees.
The cub approached cautiously.
For once, Finn didn’t joke.
He slowly extended his hand.
The tiger sniffed it.
Then pressed its forehead against his palm.
Finn’s smile became something completely different.
Soft.
Almost disbelieving.
Kael watched quietly.
So that’s what it looked like.
The beginning of a bond.
Something inside him tightened with anticipation.
Finn left the platform clutching his tiger cub like the greatest treasure in existence.
He stopped beside Kael.
“Meet Thunder.” “You already named him?” “Immediately.” Thunder yawned.
“Very intimidating.” “He’ll grow.” “I’m sure he will.” Several more names followed.
Then Damian Cross stepped forward.
The moment his awakening began, the crystal pillars exploded with golden light.
Thunder roared from Finn’s arms.
A shadow spread across the formation.
Wings unfolded.
A griffon cub appeared.
Its feathers were dark silver, but brilliant violet lightning danced across its wings.
The examiners stood.
“Thunder Griffon!” Whispers exploded throughout the hall.
Damian simply stared at the creature.
The Griffon stared back.
Then Damian smiled.
Not arrogantly.
Genuinely.
He knelt and allowed the Griffon to approach.
Kael found himself smiling too.
Finn nudged him.
“Your turn soon.” Kael nodded.
His palms had begun sweating.
Then the examiner looked down at the list.
“Kael Ashborne.” His heartbeat stopped.
For one second…
Everything became quiet.
Kael stepped forward.
He passed Finn.
Passed Damian.
Passed the waiting instructors.
Then entered the Awakening Formation.
The crystal pillars began glowing.
Kael closed his eyes.
He remembered his father’s words.
Respect it.
Whatever appeared…
He would.
Light swallowed him.
Then…
Silence.
Kael opened his eyes.
The Awakening Hall was gone.
There was no platform.
No examiner.
No Finn.
No Damian.
He stood somewhere completely dark.
Kael frowned.
“This is…” His Beast Space.
Except there was nothing here.
No grass.
No sky.
No land.
Only endless darkness.
For the first time that morning, fear touched him.
Had his awakening failed?
Then he heard something.
Thump.
Kael turned.
Thump.
Again.
Like a heartbeat.
He walked toward the sound.
Thump.
Something appeared in the darkness.
A tiny green light.
Kael stopped.
The light grew.
Roots emerged beneath his feet.
One.
Ten.
Hundreds.
They spread into the darkness faster than his eyes could follow.
Kael stumbled backward.
A trunk erupted upward.
Branches unfolded.
Leaves appeared one after another.
Thousands.
Millions.
Perhaps more.
Within seconds, an enormous tree towered before him.
Its crown vanished into darkness.
Its roots stretched beyond perception.
Kael couldn’t breathe.
There was something ancient about it.
Not old.
Ancient.
As though this tree had existed before anyone had invented a word for time.
Then…
One leaf descended.
It stopped before Kael.
A tiny world shimmered upon its surface.
And within that world…
Something began forming.
An egg.
Black.
Smooth.
Covered in faint organic ridges.
Kael stared at it.
He had never seen anything like it.
Then the darkness around him whispered.
Not with a human voice.
Not with words.
But somehow…
Kael understood.
The First World has answered.
The black egg moved.
Once.
Kael’s eyes widened.
A thin crack appeared across its surface.
And from somewhere inside…
Something scratched back.