This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Kain kept his gaze fixed on the obsidian dagger as a familiar beam of light encircled him and transported him to a new location.

Kain didn’t fully examine his surroundings immediately; his senses were focused on the sole presence transported with him—and the dagger in his hand…wondering if he should use it.

The weight was perfect—balanced for killing…

From the corner of his eye, tracking her movements, Soreia Eyeris tilted the matching sheath, its shiny exterior catching the light. Her white eyes gleamed like frosted steel.

Soreia stepped forward first. Without looking at Kain, she passed him, and with her in front Kain finally took the time to look around.

They were in a cave of sorts.

The air smelled of wet stone and iron.

Kain’s boots sank slightly into the spongy black moss that carpeted the cavern floor. Around them, jagged stalactites dripped with a thick, viscous fluid that sizzled where it struck the ground. The only light came from bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls, their sickly green glow casting long, wavering shadows.

Ahead the tunnel split into two paths. Soreia didn’t pause. She moved towards the left tunnel.

Kain stayed rooted. “Why that one?”

She didn’t turn to look at him. “Gut feeling.”

Kain hesitated.

A trap? A test? Kain’s knuckles whitened around the hilt. He could stab her now. End the threat. But the relic had created pairs for a reason—and he doubted it would reward impulsive murder.

He didn’t want to follow her. Not because he was afraid of what was ahead.

But because he still didn’t trust her not to shove a blade between his ribs the second he let his guard down.

Still, he had little choice. He adjusted his grip on the dagger and followed behind her, staying three paces behind, dagger ready.

Soreia’s posture remained perfectly relaxed.

Too relaxed for Kain’s liking.

“Do you even care that you tried to get me killed?” Kain said, not raising his voice but letting the words carry.

She didn’t turn. “You’re not dead.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“No, it’s not.”

She didn’t elaborate. Kain clenched his teeth. He hadn’t expected remorse. But some acknowledgment? Even that was asking too much. Her serenity made it worse—like the idea of killing him wasn’t emotional, just… practical.

‘Yup. Definitely don’t trust her…’ Kain thought while tightening his grip on his new dagger.

The corridor widened abruptly into a circular chamber. The ground here was level, cleanly carved from the stone, and at its center stood a pedestal. Floating above it was a single, palm-sized object—a translucent sphere pulsing with a slow, rhythmic light. Like a heartbeat.

A faint hum filled the air as they stepped closer.

The relic’s voice rang out, ethereal and detached:

[Welcome to Trial Three.]

Both Kain and Soreia froze.

[The object before you is a Pathstone. You will need it to survive the next zone—an acidic flood chamber that will consume intruders not bearing its protection.]

Kain’s stomach sank.

[If one of you takes the Pathstone, that person will have enough protection to reach the exit. The other will die.]

A pause.

[If both of you choose to take it for yourselves, the Pathstone will vanish. Both of you will die.]

A longer pause.

[If both of you choose to share it, the Pathstone will split into two weaker halves. The protection will last half as long. Both of you may die.]

Kain’s blood ran cold.

[Make your decision. Privately.]

With a soft rumble, two alcoves opened on either side of the room. Inside each was a narrow slot and a glowing rune.

Soreia was already moving toward one.

Kain didn’t respond. His eyes lingered on the Pathstone, still pulsing in the center of the room. It looked so small for something that could decide life or death.

He stepped into his alcove.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, a transparent barrier slid into place behind him. He was alone. A circular glyph appeared before him with three options, pulsing softly in time with the orb’s light:

[TAKE FOR YOURSELF]

[SHARE]

Kain stared at the choices.

His mind reeled.

Take for yourself—guarantee survival if Soreia tries to share. But if she also tries to take it, they both die.

Share—they both might survive. But if she’s lying again, if she takes it for herself, he dies. No questions. No second chances.

Kain took a deep breath and cursed under his breath at the fact that they couldn’t choose their partners.

If his partner was Serena, he would have chosen to share. And he was certain that she would have tried to keep them both alive too.

But Soreia wasn’t Serena.

Soreia had voted against him multiple times. Unprovoked…at least to the best of his knowledge.

She wanted him gone.

So why wouldn’t she choose to act selfishly now and vote to take the entire PathStone and leave him to die?

But…

Wouldn’t she expect him to take it for himself?

Also, what if her seeming dislike of Kain wasn’t so irrational and she chose to share?

He closed his eyes.

If he took it and she shared, he’d live. But if the next test after this required both team members to be present, then he’d have shot himself in the foot. After all, he still hadn’t found a use for the knife and sheath given to them.

Assuming there was a next test.

Kain probably was taking too long for the relic’s liking.

[Please make your decision. You have ten seconds]

A rhythmic beeping began to ring out—Kain assumed it was his countdown until time was up…

He cast his vote and immediately the beeping halted.

The barrier slid open. Slowly, he stepped out—just as Soreia emerged from her own alcove.

Neither of them said a word.

They looked to the center.

The orb hovered—then shimmered—and began to split.

Two smaller Pathstones formed, dimmer than before. Their glow was weaker and thinner than the original

[Both participants chose to SHARE. Partial protection granted.]

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