The next morning, the squad left Dhaula's Edge under a gray sky.
The fog hadn't lifted.
Aryan sat astride his Vanara, its soft growls echoing through the narrow trail as they moved uphill toward Camp Vedra, an outpost built atop a crumbling fortress wall.
Vaidehi rode beside him, her crane gliding silently above the trees.
Devran was muttering something about ancient ruins and "binding points" in his notebook, while Kael tossed pebbles into the bushes every time he got bored — which was often.
The closer they got to the outpost, the tenser Aryan felt.
Last night's peace already felt like a distant dream.
Camp Vedra
It wasn't much more than barricades, watchtowers, and tents. Soldiers moved about briskly, and beast roars echoed from the training grounds nearby.
As Squad Nine dismounted, a voice rang across the camp.
"Well, well. The jungle heroes arrive."
A tall figure approached — black armor polished to a mirror shine, twin curved blades strapped to his back, and an eagle-like beast perched on his shoulder.
He moved like a prince and smiled like a storm.
Kiva.
Aryan recognized the name before the face. Son of a high-ranking noble. Top of the beastbinder exams. Already famous among the elite ranks.
He hated the smirk Kiva wore.
"You're Squad Nine?" Kiva said, glancing over them. "Interesting. You don't look like survivors."
Kael stepped forward, unimpressed. "You don't look like someone who's ever bled in a real fight."
Kiva chuckled. "Cute."
His eyes locked onto Aryan next.
"You're the boy with the Vanara, right? I heard you got tossed around by a half-dead wolf."
Aryan didn't respond. He didn't have to. His Vanara let out a low growl, stepping protectively in front of him.
"Enough," Bhairav said, stepping into view. "You're allies on this mission, not rivals."
Kiva gave a mock bow. "Of course, Sergeant. Just getting acquainted."
Vaidehi whispered to Aryan, "Ignore him. He thrives on attention."
Aryan nodded. Still, something about Kiva felt off. Too confident. Too controlled.
And the way his eagle beast kept scanning the squad… like it was studying them.
Briefing Tent, Later That Evening
Both squads sat around a fire-lit map table. The ruin was marked in red: Ashvale Ruins — an abandoned binding temple said to hold ancient beast contracts.
Devran pointed at the perimeter. "If the Unbinders are using it, they'll have guards. Maybe cursed beasts."
Kiva leaned back, arms crossed. "Then we crush them. Simple."
Aryan frowned. "We're not sure what's inside. If it's sacred ground, charging in blind might backfire."
Kiva rolled his eyes. "Typical border brat logic."
Aryan's voice dropped. "Say that again."
Bhairav raised a hand. "Enough. You'll scout together at dawn. Avoid unnecessary conflict. Retrieve any beast scrolls if found. And if you encounter a branded beast again—report, don't fight alone."
The meeting ended, tension thick in the air.
Nightfall – Aryan's Tent
Aryan sat sharpening his blade. His Vanara curled up near his bedroll, eyes half-closed.
Vaidehi peeked in.
"You good?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Trying not to punch our new teammate before the mission starts."
She smiled and sat beside him.
"Don't let him distract you. You're stronger than he thinks."
Aryan glanced at her. "You always this calm?"
"Only on the outside," she said, hugging her knees. "Inside, I'm screaming half the time."
They laughed, just a little.
A rare warmth in the cold.
Then Devran burst into the tent, breathless.
"There's something you all need to see."
Moments Later – Ruined Watchtower
Devran unrolled a scroll he'd taken from the Ashvale region archives.
It showed the same spiral symbol that was branded on the beast's head in the forest.
"This isn't new," he whispered. "This symbol is older than the Empire. Older than beastbinding itself."
Vaidehi stepped closer. "What does it mean?"
Devran looked up, pale.
"It means… someone is awakening the original Unbinder magics. Forbidden kinds. The kind that don't just break bonds… they consume them."
Aryan clenched his fist.
Tomorrow, they would enter the ruins.
And whatever waited there…
Would not be human.