Snow fell thick across the sky.
Each flake of frost settled silently on Kael Phong's shoulders as he stepped out from the Silent Sanctuary. Cold wind cut through his tattered robes, but his eyes remained unchanged sharp, resolute, and deeper than the abyss itself.
After seven weeks of training, Kael Phong was no longer the trembling youth on the brink of death. His mana had stabilized. His contract with Cannon Turtle was reforged. And Longlong the ancient soul of summoning had begun to open up, if only slightly, in response to Kael's unwavering will.
That night, in the northern icebound range of Farreach, beneath a moon that pierced the snowscape with silver light, a deafening roar shattered the stillness.
"GRUAAAAARGH!!"
The roar shook the mountains.
Kael's breath caught.
"A Dragon-type…?" he whispered.
Longlong's eyes narrowed.
"It's the Lost Frost Dragon a World-class beast. But it's gone berserk… its soul-link has been severed."
Kael darted toward the sound, heart pounding.
When he arrived, chaos awaited him:
A silver-haired girl casting spell after spell, her magic flaring bright against the blizzard. Beside her, a broad-shouldered young man wielded a massive blade, slicing through icy gusts with sheer force.
Lania Snowveil: The Elf Mage
She was like the first snow of winter graceful, quiet, and deadly. A highborn elf from the forest clans that lived where mana grew thickest. At her side, a crimson fox-like beast appeared, its flames roaring defiant against the cold.
Fire Spirit Fox Rare-Class Beast
With its innate ability to suppress ice-type creatures, it launched a barrage of burning flame arrows: Flame Lotus Volley.
But the dragon did not retreat.
"It's not stopping!" Lania cried. "My mana's nearly depleted Draven!"
Draven Longfang: The Ancient Warrior
A descendant of the Ancient Tribe his body was sculpted by battle, his eyes glinting like molten steel. In his hand was a monstrous blade forged from the scales of a slain beast. A family heirloom stronger than steel, pulsing with raw mana.
Its name:
Skyhowl Soul-Sever Blade said to echo the heavens' roar and bind the souls of its victims.
Draven summoned Battle Tiger of Valor a melee-based Common-class beast and then, breathing deeply, began the second summoning.
The ground rumbled.
A magic circle lit beneath his feet.
From its glow stepped forth:
Ancient Martial Titan Legendary-Class Beast
A colossal humanoid clad in armor forged of bone, its eyes aglow with ancient might. Capable of mana resonance with its summoner, it boosted all allies within its aura.
Into the Blizzard
Kael watched from afar.
The Lost Frost Dragon was out of control its claws cleaving through trees, its tail leveling boulders. Despite their perfect coordination, Lania and Draven were clearly overwhelmed.
"This is it…" Kael whispered, fingers trembling.
"Let's see if everything I trained for… meant anything."
BOOM!
A pillar of fire exploded across the snow.
A blazing cannonball cut clean through the dragon's Ice Claw Strike stunning it for just a moment.
Lania and Draven turned, stunned.
"Who?"
"That summoning… no chant? No glyphs?"
From the light emerged Cannon Turtle, standing firm like a fortress of flame in a field of white.
"I can't form normal contracts," Kael said, stepping forward, eyes locked with the beast.
"I summon through Longlong a being older than this world, part of a system no one else understands."
Lania and Draven said nothing. In that moment, explanations didn't matter. Strength was the only truth.
The three united.
Cannon Turtle created a protective shield. Battle Tiger charged in, claws blazing. Fire Spirit Fox struck from afar. And Ancient Martial Titan channeled its energy into Lania, empowering her for one final spell.
"Frostseal Domain Purify the Spirit!"
A beam of radiant mana pierced the dragon's mind.
It howled a soul-rending cry and slowly, its madness faded.
With heavy breaths and mournful eyes, the Lost Frost Dragon turned and vanished into the northern mountains… returning to where it belonged.
Around the Fire
Later, the three sat by a fire in a frozen cave.
Kael shared his story his rebirth, the strange summoning system, Longlong. Lania and Draven listened in silence, confusion and awe dancing in their eyes.
And yet
"We have the same goal," Lania finally said.
"To conquer this world… and protect it from ruin. We've been fighting alone for too long."
Kael nodded. "So have I."
"From now on…" he smiled faintly.
"The three of us walk together."
From the icy cliffs of Farreach, a new team began its journey.
Three souls. Five beasts.
Each bearing scars of the past, questions of the present, and a future unknown.
But no matter the battles ahead…
They would never walk alone again.
[End of Chapter 4]
Next Chapter 5: Defeating The World-Class Beast