Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord

Luna's voice came again, steady, calm. [Now you see why. That creature isn't a normal beast. Like the Winter Wolf, it is super rare. So rare it's considered extinct in some places]

Jayden's eyes never left the glowing feline. "…Extinct."

[Yes. But more mysterious. More ancient] Luna's tone softened, almost reverent. [The Sapphire Sonic is known as the fastest living creature in the universe. It is more powerful than any A-Rank or even S-Rank beast. So powerful, the universe itself gave it the title… Legendary]

Jayden's breath shuddered. His lips parted. "You make it sound like it's some kind of… mythical creature."

[That's because it is] Luna's voice was steady, yet tinged with awe. [According to my knowledge, the first of its kind was created by the god of speed himself. It carries a unique power source… the Speed Force. In fact, it was so powerful that some ancient cultures worshipped it as a deity]

Jayden blinked, his mind spinning. "So… what's it doing here?"

[I don't know] Luna's pause was heavy. [Perhaps it's just passing through. And Earth is merely a stop on its endless dash]

Jayden stared at the beast, the thought of even fighting it was already gone. Replaced with fascination and something close to fear.

The beast tilted its head at him, ears flicking, sparks rippling across its body. It was staring at Jayden like a child seeing the moon for the first time.

Jayden expected it to attack him, to try and fight him. But the beast didn't even move, it just kept staring.

[You're very fortunate] Luna continued, her tone almost teasing. [Sonics are gentle creatures. They don't attack unless threatened. And from it's energy output and the way it's watching you… I think this one is a child]

Jayden stiffened. "A… child?" His voice cracked.

[Yes. It's like a cub] Luna hummed. [Two months old at most]

Jayden's jaw slackened. He almost laughed from disbelief. "A cub? You're telling me this.. this thing is only two months old?"

[Correct] Luna said simply.

Jayden stared at the beast's towering height, its lean, perfect musculature, the electric arcs bouncing off its body. "But It's taller than me." he pointed out. "Way taller."

"And… hang on!" Jayden added, realization hitting him like a bullet. "I thought beasts can't procreate."

[Sapphire Sonics can] Luna explained simply. [They can give birth. And they have a very terrifying growth spurt. Both in height.. and strength]

Jayden's heart sank. Every idea of killing the beast… of claiming its power crumbled to ash. He sighed, disappointment heavy in his chest. "I see."

The Sonic tilted its head again, blinking at him with its dazzling eyes.

Jayden took a cautious step forward, and another. His heart hammered, his beast instincts screaming warnings, but he raised a hand anyway.

The creature flinched back, wary.

Jayden smiled faintly. "It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you… not like I could anyway." A dry chuckle escaped him.

For a heartbeat, silence stretched. Then the Sonic leaned closer, lowering its sleek body. Tentatively, it stretched out a paw, sapphire claws glinting, and let him touch it.

Jayden's lips curled. "See? That wasn't so hard."

The beast growled softly, pulling its paw back, then circled him slowly, eyes sharp, assessing. It moved like lightning bottled in flesh, each step graceful yet predatory. It was scrutinizing Jayden's body, sniffing and glaring as if searching for something inside Jayden's very being. Then finally, it returned to stand before him, gaze piercing.

Jayden chuckled nervously. "What are you looking for, huh?"

As if it understood, it turned, slipping into the bushes with an elegant trot. Then it stopped, turning back, eyes flashing.. a clear signal.

"…You want me to follow?" Jayden muttered.

The beast purred and continued forward. Jayden let curiosity get the better of him. He followed.

The beast led him through the thick forest. The path they followed wound back to the swamp, the place where it had torn through the Tremor Gators.

Corpses still floated in the murky water, bloated and lifeless. Jayden stiffened instantly, instincts firing. He thought the beast had realized he was the one who poisoned it?

His body tensed, ready to bolt.

But then, the Sonic dragged one of the gators ashore. Dropping the body at Jayden's feet, it tapped its paw on the chest.

Jayden blinked, confused… until it suddenly clicked. He understood clearly.

"…You want beast crystals?" he asked.

[Ah] Luna's voice rang, smug. [So that's why it was sniffing you. It can sense the ones in your inventory]

Jayden exhaled, relief and amusement mingling. "That explains why I'm still alive. They're not in my chest." He reached into his inventory and summoned a beast crystal, holding it up. "This? This is what you want, right?"

The Sonic stepped closer without hesitation, eyes locked on the glowing shard.

Jayden tilted his head, curious. "What do you even do with the crystals? Do you absorb them or…"

CRACK!

The beast's jaws snapped suddenly, biting the crystal clean from Jayden's hand, and swallowing it whole in one motion.

"…eat them." Jayden finished flatly, lips twitching. But that wasn't the strangest part.

The beast's body flared instantly, blue sparks racing like wildfire. The air sizzled. Then, green vapor began seeping from its fur, evaporating into the air.

Jayden's eyes widened. That was clearly the remnants of his poison. It hadn't left the beast's system, not completely. And it had been suppressing the Sonic's speed. That was why it had been walking, lingering, unable to flee.

But crystal it just ate had given it the fuel to burn the poison out.

The Sonic straightened, sparks blazing, fur rippling like a storm cloud lit with lightning. And yet, its gaze softened. It looked at Jayden with something startlingly close to gratitude.

Then.. it pressed closer. It circled him once, twice, before wrapping its massive tail around him in a gesture that felt almost like a hug, purring faintly.

Jayden sighed, a half-laugh slipping through. "Wow… I ended up helping the beast I originally planned to kill."

[If only it knew you were the one who poisoned it] Luna teased.

"Shut up, Luna." he retorted with a sly smile.

The Sonic nuzzled him gently, purring louder now.

[Awwn. She likes you] Luna giggled. [If only she knew what a beast-killing monster you are]

Jayden smirked faintly. "It probably just likes me 'cause I gave it the crystal it needed. But… Wait! Did you just say she?"

[Yes] Luna's tone was playful. [This sonic is a female cub]

Jayden groaned softly. "Of course she is. Why am I even surprised?"

[You don't sound excited] Luna teased.

Jayden sighed. "I don't know why, but lately.. I've been letting a lot of women into my life. Like, a lot." he chuckled.

Luna's laughter rang bright. [You should be grateful. Some men pray for half the number of women you have in your life. And besides… this deadly cutie isn't like the other girls you swooned so easily. She's a Legendary creature. You can't just win her heart… you have to tame her]

Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "Tame, huh? That doesn't sound so hard."

[Oh, but it is] Luna stated. [It's so hard that no human has ever succeeded. Ever wondered why people don't keep beasts as pets?]

But Jayden was resilient. "I doubt it'll be that hard. I mean, look, she already likes me." he chuckled.

Luna sighed. [You're right] she admitted. [Because for some weird reason, she actually likes you. And it's not just because of the crystal you gave her. It's because she's… drawn to you. Like there's something about you that attracts her]

Jayden's brows furrowed. "…Do you think it's because… I'm the Beast lord?" he asked, half-jokingly.

[No. It's something else] Luna replied. [And I can't seem to figure it out]

Jayden exhaled. But before he could ask further questions, the Sonic stopped its cuddling. It stepped back, then pressed its paw firmly against Jayden's chest. Right over his heart.

A surge of blue light blazed from the contact, spilling into him.

Jayden's breath caught. "Um… Luna. What's happening?"

[Relax, Beast Lord.] Luna's voice was gentle. [She's marking you.]

Then the light faded, and the Sonic dropped its paw, stepping back with a soft rumble.

"Marking me?" Jayden muttered.

[Yes] Luna said. [Now, she'll be able to find you, wherever you are. Whenever she wants]

Jayden exhaled, staring into the beasts sapphire eyes. "Oh, then I guess… this is goodbye?"

The Sonic purred softly in response, pressing its forehead to his chest one last time, before stepping back. And then—

FWOOSH!

She vanished in a flash, bolting into the forest with speed beyond sight, leaving only a trail of blue sparks.

Jayden stood frozen, staring after her, a smile tugging at his lips.

[Don't worry,] Luna whispered. [She'll be back. Someday]

Jayden chuckled, still feeling the ghost of her fur against his skin. The thought of taming her… of calling a Legendary A-Rank his ally was more intoxicating than the power of speed itself.

He left the area and continued into the forest to resume his hunt, a grin spread across his face. He didn't want the sapphire Sonic's speed anymore.

He wanted it. The beast itself.

And after his encounter with the legendary creature, he began to anticipate what he could accomplish with the beast by his side. He began to anticipate her next coming, already thinking of ways to make her see him not as a master, but an ally. A friend.

Afterall, she was still just a child.

His grin widened. "I'll find a way to tame you," he murmured into the night. His golden eyes gleamed with resolve. "No matter what it takes."