Argo's heart raced, his small body squirming in her arms as he craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the creature. A soft, familiar hoot cut through the tension, and his mother froze. his eyes widened, he knew that sound. It echoed the strange owl he'd seen in his final moments in the hospital, a memory that felt both distant and vivid.
Wiggling against the blanket, he twisted until his mother, sensing his curiosity, carefully shifted to let him see. There, perched at the foot of their cot, was a small grey owl, its feathers ruffled but soft, like a storm cloud. Its blue eyes locked onto him radiating an almost knowing curiosity.
The chaos outside seemed to fade for a moment as the owl tilted its head, and he felt a spark of wonder, as if this creature was more than it seemed, a bridge between his old life and the wild world of Arda.
[Do you accept the Grey Owl's bond request?]
Argo was excited as he accepted only for a light to eminate from the beasts eyes then his, shocking his mother as she muttered in shock. ''Is he a Beast Master? This is impossible!''
Following that, a connection was formed between the two as the Grey Owl hopped toward him and rested it's forehead against his. Argo felt something click and a soft female voice echoed in his mind. 'Greetings, Beast Master. It's good you arrived on Arda without an issue.'
'You can talk?'
The creature nodded, letting out a hoot. 'Yes but now is not the time to discuss such things. Your mother looks frightened.'
Argo glanced at his mother and smiled, catching her attention. This made her beam as she peppered his face with kisses, making him laugh. Following this, he was fed and put to sleep thanks to his body not being able to handle the stress of birth and finding out the Grey Owl that stuck close.
Some time later, his father stepped into the tent with a cut down one side of his chest as he revealed. ''Morgana. A Ghost of the Darkness tried breaking through the villages wall, then some Talva attacked from the mountains, we may have to leave the border to the warriors to protect our son.''
''Yes, Tarek,'' his mother replied before pointing at the Grey Owl. ''Our son has a Watcher protecting him.''
Argo watched his father turn toward him and the bird, who stepped in front of him, letting out a swquak in warning. This made the big man smile as he respectfully bowed his head. ''Thank you for watching over my son. Erda must of seen something within and sent you.''
The bird let out a hoot and plopped near him as Morgana giggled after putting him in a crib that the beast watched over. He was staring at the bird and questioned. 'What can you do and what is your name?'
'Show you the world and I don't have one, master,' the owl answered. 'Would you like to see the outpost? I can't fly far or something might start hunting me.'
'Athena,' Argo suddenly said. 'That will be your name from now on.'
The Grey Owl glanced at him as he was comfortable in the crib and nudged her head against his. 'Thank you, master. Now let me be the one who introduces you to Arda.'
Following that, Athena took off and flew toward a nearby window that Tarek had opened, allowing her to fly out just as something happened. Argo felt something inside him change as a notification popped up.
[Beast Master Unlocked]
[Beast Vision Unlocked]
At that moment, his eyes flared with a brilliant glow before he slipped into a deep sleep, his vision returning in a vivid surge. This time, he found himself soaring high above the world. What he saw below struck him to his core: Athena glided over an ancient tribal village, something that came straight from a documentary back on Earth.
Scattered across the landscape were huts made from from wood and straw, nestled among small, patchwork plots of farmland. After that, he saw the world below unfolding in sharp, breathtaking detail. The settlement sprawled across a savannah, its golden grasses swaying under a warm breeze.
Small fires flickered within, smoke curling into the sky. Beyond the village, the land stretched wide, dotted with acacia trees. In the distance, dark mountains loomed, peaks shrouded in mist. Athena's wings tilted, and he felt the rush of wind as she circled lower, her keen eyes revealing every detail of the village's daily life.
Children running between huts, elders tending to crops, and warriors sharpening spears, ever watchful of the shadowed peaks beyond. The Grey Owl landed on the biggest hut in the village as she spoke. 'This place is an outpost of the Varna Tribe. The capital is six days travel from here and is much bigger.'
Athena descended, her wings slicing through the warm air as she glided closer. Through her eyes, Argo felt the pulse of the savannah, the scent of dry grass and woodsmoke filling his senses. The village buzzed with life: women wove baskets under the shade of a sprawling tree.
The men made tools, or weapons their laughter mingling with the clatter of work. Children darted through the dirt paths, chasing a leather ball, their shouts echoing with joy. Athena perched on a hut, her gaze sweeping over a central firepit .
Argo watched in awe as the Varna Tribe clothes were crafted from animal pelts, bright with earthy colors. Curiosity stirred within him, and he whispered through their shared bond, 'Athena, where are the other creatures?'
'Everywhere, master,' she replied, her voice a gentle hum in his mind as her gaze shifted to the right.
Argo's breath caught as his eyes followed hers, landing on massive, cow-like beasts penned beside a nearby hut. Their shaggy hides rippled with strength, horns glinting in the sunlight. Athena explained. 'Your people call them Aurochs. They are livestock, yet formidable in their power.'
He was about to reply but both of their attention was snapped to the entrance as a group of five warriors rushed in, dragging injured tribe members inside as another screamed. ''Ashen Ones! Prepare for battle!''
'What are Ashen Ones?' he asked the Grey Owl.
'Horrible creatures,' Athena answered, shivering. 'I'll fly back to you now, master.'
'No! Stay I want to see them!' he pleaded.
Just then, he was dragged back to reality as his mother woke him up by scooping him into her arms as his father appeared. ''We need to get to the capital! It's too dangerous outside the valley.''
Argo came to and felt his stomach rumble, catching Morgana's attention as she gave him a small smile. ''Hold on, little one. We need to get back to the valley or the Ashen Ones will get us.''
Following that, the family rushed out of the hut only to see fires erupting across the outpost as warriors fought with the humanoid creatures that Argo was now looking at, one lunged at them, catching Tarek off guard but Athena swooped down, attacking it's face with her deadly claws.
The Ashen One looked human in shape only, pointy ears decorated their heads, twitchign whenever hearing a noise. It stood at five feet tall, long gangly arms and was naked but covered in blood. Seconds later, Tarek's blade flashed in the firelight, cleaving through it's throat.
Argo watched his father kill another which collapsed in a spray of blood and ash, but more emerged from the smoke, their pointed ears twitching with every sound. He was cradled tightly in his mothers arms. he couldn't help but whimpered, tiny body trembling as the outpost's warriors fell around them, screams drowned by the roaring flames.
Morgana clutched Argo closer, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the outpost's edge. Behind her, Tarek fought with desperate ferocity, his sword a whirlwind as he cut down another humanoid creature shield their escape as Athena helped his father by swooping down attacking the ones that lunged at the giant man.
Argo's wide, innocent eyes caught glimpses of the chaos, flames, blood, and the grotesque forms of the creatures closing in. Tarek's gaze met Morgana's for a fleeting second, a silent vow passing between them as he looked down at him. ''You're my joy, Argo and know I'll always love and watch over you from the Great Beyond.''
The giant man smiled at him and kissed his forehead, concluding. ''Protect your mother and become what the Varna need to survive this horrible world.''
Following that, Argo watched Tarek slaughter two more Ashen Ones before turning back to them. ''Go!'' he bellowed, planting himself firmly against the advancing horde. ''Get him to safety!''
Tears streamed down Morgana's face as she fled into the shadows, Argo's soft cries muffled against her chest. She didn't dare look back, but his tiny head turned, his eyes catching the last glimpse of his father. A lone figure standing tall against the flames, sword flashing as the Ashen Ones swarmed.
Tarek's defiant stand faded into the inferno, his sacrifice etched into the night as Morgana ran, her baby's safety the only thing keeping her from breaking.