Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord

The woods were alive with their own language: crickets chirping in the grass, owls hooting somewhere in the distance, and the faint rustle of leaves swaying in the night breeze. The moon sat high above, its pale light spilling like silver paint through the canopy, illuminating their path.

This was one of Jayden's usual haunts, a place where he'd tested himself again and again under the cover of darkness. But tonight was different. Tonight, he wasn't alone.

He and Tasha walked side by side, their boots crunching softly on the undergrowth. For a while, their conversation was light—snippets of laughter, playful nudges—but it didn't take long for Tasha to steer it somewhere heavier.

"I saw you last night," she said suddenly, her tone calm but edged.

Jayden raised a brow. "Saw me?"

"Mhm." She smirked faintly. "You and Jessica... sneaking back home. Spending the night together. Don't worry, I didn't interrupt. It looked like the two of you had fun."

Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "We were only watching a movie."

Tasha laughed outright at that, shooting him a side glance. "A movie? Jayden, I'm not a fool."

Her laughter faded into silence. And in that silence, the weight in her chest pressed forward. She slowed her steps, then finally stopped. Jayden noticed immediately—the way her smile vanished, the way her shoulders dipped with something heavier than playfulness.

"You know why I insisted on following you tonight?" Her voice was softer now, carrying something unguarded.

Jayden's instinct was to crack a joke, to lighten the mood, but one look at her face killed that thought instantly. She was serious. More than serious.

He shook his head slowly. "No. Why?"

Tasha exhaled, steadying herself before she turned fully to face him. The moonlight caught the edges of her sharp features, but her eyes glistened softer than usual, vulnerable.

"I followed you tonight because I wanted to spend time with you, Jayden."

Jayden's gaze softened at her words, his chest tightening.

"I don't know why, but lately... I've been feeling distant from you." Her voice wavered but never broke. "And I think it's because we don't hang out like we used to. I know Jessica holds a place in your heart too, but I just wish you'd... notice me more."

The honesty of it hit him square in the chest. Jayden stepped closer, taking her hands gently. "But I do notice you, Tasha. I really do. And I'm sorry for making you feel otherwise. From now on... I promise we'll spend more time together."

But Tasha withdrew her hands, shaking her head as she resumed walking, her tone heavy but steady. "It's not just about hanging out, Jayden. It's about connecting. I know you and Jessica were always close, but I don't want to feel like a third wheel. I want to connect with you too. I don't just want to be your girlfriend... I want to be your friend. Your partner."

Jayden sighed, guilt gnawing at him. But Tasha wasn't done.

"And yeah, I know I sound selfish. Jealous, even." She glanced at him again, her voice thick with emotion. "But it's not a crime to want more attention from my boyfriend, is it?"

Jayden shook his head firmly, walking up to her and cupping her face in his hands. His golden eyes softened as he looked into hers. "No, it's not. It's normal. It's human. I blame myself for not seeing sooner that you felt left out. I'm sorry, Tasha. And I promise... I'll do better. Be better. For you. For us."

Her lips quivered into a smile before she threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. "I love you, Jayden."

He hugged her back, his voice low but full of conviction. "I love you too."

They pulled apart slowly, Jayden's gaze already shifting to the dark stretch of forest ahead. He smirked, trying to shift the mood. "Alright. What d'you say we go out there and give some beasts hell?"

Tasha pulled back with a grin that was equal parts mischievous and determined. "I'd love that."

She strode ahead, light on her feet like an eager child who didn't quite understand the dangers hiding in the shadows. Jayden watched her with amusement, shaking his head.

She suddenly turned, motioning at him. "Well? C'mon."

Jayden chuckled, trailing behind. "You look way too eager for someone who hasn't killed a beast before."

Tasha scoffed. "Who says I haven't?"

Jayden raised a brow in mock surprise. "Oh? You have?"

Her face shifted to guilty in a heartbeat. "Well... not exactly." Then, with a quick switch to defiance, she added, "But I've seen videos. Live feeds. And seriously... how hard could it be?"

Jayden's chuckle rumbled low in his chest. "Yes, it's not that hard. But it's not so simple either."

Tasha smirked smugly. "Please. I bet I could take down F and E-rank beasts without even breaking a sweat."

Jayden grinned wide. "That's a lot of confidence."

"It's not confidence," Tasha corrected. "I'm only stating the facts. F-rank, E-rank, and even some D-ranks wouldn't stand a chance against me."

Jayden's smirk grew. "Okay then. Let's test that."

He jerked his chin toward a nearby swamp. Tasha followed his gaze.. and froze.

There, half-submerged in muck, lay a massive Tremor Gator, its scaled back rising and falling with the slow rhythm of sleep. The moonlight gleamed off its slick black hide.

Jayden's eyes flickered faintly as he used his dragon eye to inspect it before turning to face Tasha. "That's a Tremor Gator." he said.

"I know what it is," Tasha whispered, voice tight as if afraid to wake it.

Jayden's grin widened. "Well, good news. It's E-rank. And it's napping."

Tasha immediately took a step back. "Okay. Perfect. Let's get out of here."

Jayden bit his lip to hold back laughter. "Are you serious? Didn't you just say E-ranks don't stand a chance against you? Why are you suddenly running?"

Tasha's glare could have cut steel. "Are you mocking me?"

Jayden shook his head quickly, pretending innocence. "What? No. Never. I was just... reminding you of your valiant words."

Her glare deepened. "You don't think I can beat it, do you?"

Jayden stifled a laugh. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to," she shot back, pouting now. "It's written all over your ridiculously stupid, handsome face."

Jayden broke into a grin, clearly enjoying himself. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. But seriously... can you?"

Tasha gasped, jaw dropping in exaggerated offense. "So you really don't think I can fight it! Unbelievable."

Jayden raised his hands. "Fine, I'm sorry! But you did suggest leaving. And you looked a little... wary. Almost like... you're scared of it?"

"I'm not scared," Tasha snapped quickly. "I just didn't want to disturb its nap."

Jayden nodded with mock solemnity. "Ah, yes. How noble of you." he teased.

Her eyes narrowed instantly. "You don't believe me, do you?"

Jayden lost it, laughter bursting out of him. "Hahaha! No, no—I do! I swear! The great Tasha, sparing the life of a beast because it was sleeping. Truly legendary."

She jabbed him hard in the side. "Shut up."

He laughed harder, bending slightly as she kept nudging him.

"Jayden, it's not funny, I—"

Growl.

The sound cut through the night like a blade. Both of them froze. Slowly, they turned.

The Tremor Gator's eyes were open now—cold, glowing, fixed on them.

Its massive body rose from the swamp, water cascading off its scales as it began lumbering toward them with heavy, deliberate steps.

Tasha glared at Jayden through clenched teeth. "Great. You woke it up."

Jayden smirked, barely hiding his amusement. "At least now it's not napping. Which means you're free to fight it however you like."

Tasha shot him a death glare, one that could have burned holes in him.

"What?" he said defensively, hands raised. "I'm just stating facts. Fight it. Defeat it. Prove me wrong."

Tasha exhaled sharply, squaring her stance as the gator dragged itself onto solid ground. Her fists clenched, sparks of lightning already curling across her knuckles.

But then, a thought struck her, and she frowned. "Wait. Why do I have to fight it?"

Jayden smirked, eyes gleaming gold. "Because you said you could. And also..." he leaned back with a wider grin. "...it won't attack me."

"What?" she blinked.

Jayden gestured at the still-approaching beast. "Haven't you noticed? No beast has come near us since we entered. They won't. My aura drives them back."

Tasha froze as realization clicked. He was right. Not a single beast had crossed their path since stepping into the forest. And now that the Tremor Gator was awake, she noticed something even stranger.

At first, its eyes had darted between them both. But now... they were locked solely on her.

"What the hell..." she muttered, her heart quickening. "It's only after me?"

She whipped around for Jayden, but he was already gone.

"Up here," his voice called from above.

She glanced up and spotted him perched on the branch of a nearby tree, smirking down at her like some smug predator.

"What are you doing up there?!" she asked sharply.

"Giving you space," Jayden replied with a shrug. "If I stay down there, it won't attack. This way, you two can go all out."

Tasha shook her head, disbelief etched all over her face. "You're unbelievable."

Jayden grinned. "I love you too."

Tasha was about to snap back, but the beast had no patience for banter. With a guttural roar, the Tremor Gator lunged forward, earth trembling under its massive weight.

Tasha's heart hammered, but her fists lit up with a surge of crackling blue lightning. She inhaled sharply, planting her feet firm.

"Alright then..." she muttered, her voice low. "Let's do this."