Once they arrived and began filing into the tent, Pax noticed Langley peel off before entering to make a quick circuit around the outside. He guessed Langley was checking for eavesdroppers or hidden spots where someone might spy on them.
Pax suddenly found it ironic that after spending almost all his time at the academy hiding his secrets, he was back to keeping secrets again. He’d been enjoying not having to hide things. But the war ensured that both sides would do their best to pry out each other’s secrets.
At least he’d developed good habits and had the right tools. The Echoes and the silencing pendant he’d received so long ago from Incedis would, once again, prove invaluable. He just needed to remember to use them consistently now that they had left the relatively safe confines of the base.
Despite the tent’s size, with a long table in the center and a mishmash of chairs scattered around, it still took time for everyone to get settled. Pax allowed himself an indulgent smile at the growing pile of companions against one side, all visibly brimming with excitement from their recent level-ups.
He expected even more complexities in coming battles now that their companions were stronger, with some of them unlocking new abilities. The ever-improving abilities of his crew and the rest of the platoon had already pushed the complexity of Bryn’s drills to new heights as they’d traversed the Wilds over the last two weeks. It was challenging, but the effort had nudged Pax’s Battle Strategy skill closer to level four, so he couldn’t complain.
When everyone finished finding a place, Incedis activated his silencing device and stood, waiting for the noise to die down. Once the room quieted, he gestured toward Tyrodon. “Why don’t you give us a quick summary of how the new cages and Taming methods worked on the wall during the night?”
Titus let out a quiet groan of impatience, and Incedis gave him an understanding look before turning back to Pax. “And then we’ll have you tell us exactly what you achieved earlier that has your crew and your companions so excited.”
“Uh . . . I can go after Pax,” Tyrodon said, obviously noting the impatient looks around him.
“No,” Incedis said, lips pursed. “Once Pax talks about that, we’ll never be able to circle back to the trial results for our new Taming gear and methods.”
Tyrodon nodded, then launched into a rapid-fire summary. “—and other than a few minor tweaks, our new equipment and methods can now be rolled out to any of the rebellion’s camps or city walls.”
“That’s incredible news,” Incedis said, his gaze moving between Tyrodon and Bryn. “You two, along with the ideas you brainstormed with the Tamers on Team Tribal have far exceeded expectations. This innovation alone will change the face of the war. That’s not even accounting for the other contributions your crew is making.”
With that, everyone turned their full attention to Pax, eager to hear his report. He did his best to recount how he’d completed the Taming quest and the full quest, his words spilling out as excitement built in the room. When he finished, he couldn’t help the swell of pride at the amazed and impressed expressions on every face in the tent.
Crissim, who’d been fidgeting with excitement with each new revelation, jumped in as soon as Pax finished speaking. “So, all of you get the option to pick an evolution of the Taming skill up to its third level? I’ve never even met anyone who’s confessed to having a third evolution. The number of points needed is too hard for most people to earn in a lifetime.”
“Nope. Pax is the only one to get the evolution reward,” Amil grumbled. “The rest of us just got a bump to the next level in our Taming.”
Pax turned to Amil, startled. “What?”
Amil looked surprised that Pax hadn’t known. “Like I said, we all got another level in our Tamer skills, but no bonus evolution choice.”
Pax gave the rest of his friends an inquiring look as he tried to remember the exact wording of the quest and reward. When the rest of his friends indicated they hadn’t received an evolution either, he suddenly felt bad.
At the start of the quest, he’d been worried that his friends wouldn’t get equal rewards, but once they did, he’d just assumed the trend would continue for the rest of the parts.
“We have no reason to complain.” Tasar aimed a chastising look at Amil.
“Yeah.” Rin’s tone was sarcastic. “It’s not like we got another level in Taming followed by a full level in our classes today.”
Amil winced and waved a hand in an apologetic motion toward Pax. “Sorry. They’re right. I have no reason to complain, and if anyone needs to evolve their Taming to help everyone else, it’s you.”
Incedis brushed away their words and focused in on Pax, his eyes alight with excitement. “So, you not only get to choose a free evolution, but you’ve got the entire tree spelled out?”
“Do you have any idea how priceless that is?” Crissim shook his head in amazement. “That’s the kind of thing guilds and families keep secret for generations.”
The adults in the room exchanged looks, their interest sharpening. Pax realized they were right. Knowing the result of each evolution path would make a tremendous difference in making good choices early on.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Titus urged, leaning forward. “Read the whole list. Maybe we can help you figure out the best choice.”
“And those of us with the Tamer skill can figure out what to aim for.” Bryn leaned forward, suddenly very focused.
Pax almost spoke and then hesitated. He flicked his gaze toward Langley and his team, suddenly feeling a glimmer of suspicion returning, despite having grown much more comfortable with them during their travel through the Wilds. This evolution information would be extremely valuable to any of the ruling families in the empire, especially the ones who’d focused on building rival Taming enterprises when they’d left Salman.
Captain Langley was quick to notice and raised an eyebrow, giving Pax a challenging look. Pax understood. Either he treated Langley as a trusted ally and shared the privileged information, or he didn’t.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Pax shook his head and focused on their shared experiences, both back in Salman and the two weeks they’d spent traveling and training across the Wilds. Their recent time together had only reaffirmed his healthy respect for Langley’s skills and integrity.
Pax had been there when the rebel with Inquisitor skills had tested Langley’s loyalty back at the base. Not only had there been no red flags, but Langley had made it clear his primary goal was saving the Empire.
He’d initially sided with the government because he hadn’t believed the rebellion could succeed. But now, after seeing the innovations Pax and his friends had brought, Langley had switched sides, fully committed to overthrowing the current regime as the only possibility for a viable future for everyone.
Langley also had connections that would be critical in securing a future victory, especially if they needed a covert way to infiltrate any empire-controlled city. As the well-known leader of an elite team, the empire would be unlikely to doubt Langley’s loyalty or that of his people.
Pax recognized the magnitude of what Langley had sacrificed by switching sides and knew he could do no less. Taking a steadying breath, Pax pulled up his menu and the evolution tree for his Universal Beast Tamer skill.
He began listing them off, one by one. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as he watched the reactions of those listening to the incredible choices Vitur had granted him.
When he finished reading, a stunned silence followed. Pax shared what he was thinking. “These all sound like amazing choices, but I have to think about the future. I’m obviously going to pick a third-tier evolution, but considering the primary threat to the Empire is the beast hordes, I’m leaning toward an option that enhances control over multiple creatures.”
“Are you forgetting how much damage that loxotine did to the capital?” Langley’s reminder caught Pax off guard.
Pax turned to him, his mind shifting gears. Slowly, he said, “You’re suggesting I might achieve more with a single, immensely powerful beast than with the ability to manage larger groups?”
Langley shrugged. “I’m not saying it’s the right choice, but it’s worth considering. You’ve never been to the tower ring, where our best fighters battle insanely powerful beasts. Imagine controlling one of those creatures and using it to break through the walls of Brightgate or Salman. You’d probably need to level the skill a lot to reach that kind of power, but given your leveling pace, I wouldn’t bet against you.”
“That’s an interesting idea,” Pax admitted. “Does anyone else have thoughts?”
The room came alive with discussion. Allies and friends alike offered insights Pax hadn’t considered, while the older, more experienced members of the platoon chimed in with practical advice. Even the companions added their unique perspectives, focusing on how the skills might directly affect them and future additions to the group.
When the conversation quieted and everyone had said their piece, Pax glanced around. “So, I guess it’s time to make my choice. No point in waiting, right?”
Titus smirked. “It isn’t like we’re in the middle of a war or anything.”
The quip earned a laugh, and the adults leaned back, giving Pax the space to think about his decision.
While they moved on to other discussions, Pax reviewed the two evolutions he had narrowed it down to: Horde’s Will and Alpha Predator. The first seemed to offer clear advantages in controlling multiple beasts, which would be invaluable against the swarms they were likely to face. It also promised the possibility of changing the tide of any battle with beasts in the future.
Alpha Predator, however, appealed to him for its potential to dominate with a single, immensely powerful creature, a point Langley and other senior warriors had emphasized with examples of devastating beasts they’d encountered.
The vision of a loxotine-sized Talpa empowered with city-breaking abilities was tempting. But Pax’s experiences on the walls and in the Wilds had taught him how the overwhelming power of numbers could trump a single powerful individual. It was how they’d beaten the loxotine, after all.
If there was even a chance to control a host of creatures simultaneously, he had to seize it. Especially since his eventual goal was to close the wells and stop the spawning of chaotic magic and beasts for good. His choice was obvious.
***
Congratulations! You have evolved your Universal Beast Tamer skill Level 6 to Horde’s Will Level 6.
Mage Skill Evolved: Horde’s Will Level 6
Congratulations! You have unlocked the third and highest level of the Beast Tamer path. This rare skill, Horde’s Will, evolves your Universal Beast Tamer skill into a formidable battlefield utility, amplifying your ability to command and enhance wild creatures for overwhelming tactical advantage.
Effect: Coordinate willing tamed beasts as well as wild ones with precision, enhancing their strength, speed, and resilience temporarily while under your control. Creatures will act as a cohesive unit, executing synchronized attacks to overwhelm enemies with ferocious numbers.
Mana Cost: Varies based on the number, size, and power of beasts controlled. Willing Tamed beasts use significantly less mana to buff and coordinate.
Duration: Seconds at lower levels, up to an hour or more at higher levels. This increases with level and skill mastery.
Buffs: A mage can give beasts under Horde’s Will any combination of the following buffs. Each buff increases mana cost and mental control requirements:
- Increased physical or magical resistance.
- Speed or strength boosts.
- Improved communication and coordination for group tactics.
Warning: Failed control attempts may enrage beasts, leading to chaos and hostility toward all combatants, including the mage. Exercise caution when targeting larger or more aggressive creatures.
Limitations: Wild creatures remain less powerful than fully bonded beast companions. Skill effects are temporary, requiring strategic timing for maximum effectiveness.
Companion Menu Update: Your interface now includes Horde’s Will functionality, allowing you to monitor your control radius, active buffs, and beast status in real time during battles.
Important Notice: Skipping earlier evolutions means you may lack certain foundational abilities from the earlier Beast Mob and Wild Command evolutions, including easily controlling beasts and attaining greater ranges. Dedicated practice and work will allow the mage to eventually improve these drawbacks.
Skill Boost: +498 to Horde’s Will Level 5 (Rare) - 500/500
Congratulations! Horde’s Will is now Level 6
You’ve earned 25 Leveling Points and 0 Evolution Points
Mage Leveling Points: 25/125
Class Evolution Points Unused: 34
***
Pax reminded himself not to be greedy when he saw that he’d missed out on 25 evolution points. Obviously, that was the reason the quest reward had mentioned his Tamer skill wouldn’t gain its new level until he’d chosen the evolution. Still, he’d gained a fifth of the leveling points needed for his next mage level in one fell swoop.
Grinning, he blinked and focused on those in the room again. They noticed immediately, and the conversations that had sprung up quieted immediately.
“Listen to this, everyone.” Pax didn’t wait for an answer and began reading off everything he’d just received. It was almost as if Vitur was making up for the lack of explanation given with the evolution choices by flooding him with information now that he’d chosen the evolution. Pax wanted nothing more than to track down a wild beast and attempt to control it. How hard would it be? How much mana would it cost? What could he make the beast do and for how long?
He glanced over his shoulder toward the wall. Were there even any untamed beasts left in the cages back there?
As if summoned by his question, a quick knocking on the door post told them someone wanted entrance.
“Speak of none of this without engaging protections, understand?” Incedis gave them all a stern look as he disengaged the silencing, stood and headed for the door. He pushed aside the door flap to reveal an out-of-breath messenger.
The young boy peered into the room, quickly scanning faces. When his gaze fell on Pax, his eyes lit up with relief. “There you are, Mage Vipersworn. We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Awakening Horde will be my first book ever to get 1000 reviews. I think there should be some bonus XP and loot for reaching that benchmark, right?
Thanks!!