Argo glanced at the clearing's entrance, feeling like someone or something was watching him from the shadows, but he saw nothing there. He shrugged, putting away his camping stuff, making sure his pack was secured, and continued trekking through the forest until coming to a Beast Trail covered with bones that put Aslan on edge.
He glanced at the American Lion, who was sniffing the ground, letting out growls, catching his attention. Athena landed on his shoulder, letting out a hoot, revealing. 'We're close to the Nightclaws' cave, it should be in there sleeping.'
''How do you know all this?'' he asked, face full of curiosity.
The Grey Owl bobbed her head toward the bones. 'Only the infamous Nightclaw leaves out the remains of its meals, not bothering if other beasts or hunters come, it's killed hundreds in the last few years.'
Argo's heart raced as he got excited at the chance of taming such a tough creature, its raw power both thrilling and daunting; it would help him on his journey to the Southern Shores. Yet, a fear stirred deep inside him; it was gnawing at his confidence. He couldn't guess the beast's strength, its unpredictable nature looming like a storm.
Glancing at his two bonds, their faces set with determination, he got comfort from them being out of the Beast Master. Together, they would be lucky enough to subdue the creature, paving the way for him to claim it as his own. He let out a deep breath, bracing himself for the looming fight, his excitement now laced with a creeping fear that tightened his chest.
Gripping his dagger, he knew the weapon was all but useless against the beast's thick hide. Still, he clutched it tightly, the familiar weight in his hand a small anchor against the uncertainty filling his mind. Ten minutes later, Athena had flown ahead as Aslan used the shadows above to keep an eye on him.
Sometime later, Argo was jumping across a stream, and entered a trail that was well traveled, only for a growl echoed from everywhere, sending a shiver down his spine. Moments later, the air thrummed as a massive European Cave Leopard, its amber eyes full of hunger, appeared from the shadows.
It had dark fur that hid it within the underbrush. Seconds later, the Nightclaw moved so fast, blending into the surrounding darkness. Aslan let out a bone-rattling roar and lunged to block the enemy's path. The beast sidestepped the attack, evading his claws with a quick twist.
Athena's wings slicing through the air, dove, talons aimed at the foe's face, but it ducked, gaze solely fixed on him. He barely managed to dodge the first pounce, its claws tearing through the air inches from his side. His hands trembled as he faced the beast. The Nightclaw lunged, this time faster than he can react, pinning him to the floor.
He grunted under its weight, but he held firm, even in the face of death. With determination, he pressed the dagger against the creature's throat, the blade barely nicking its thick hide. Argo's voice was defiant as he pressed harder. ''One move, and we both bleed, girl.''
The Nightclaw's eyes gleamed with indifference, unfazed by the threat. With a snarl, she dragged a single claw down his chest, slicing through leather and skin, leaving a burning trail of blood. He hissed in pain, before the leopard could strike again, Aslan roared, barreling into the beast's side, tackling it to the ground in a whirlwind of fur.
Seconds later, the two great cats collided, claws flashing and teeth snapping as they rolled across the forest. Dust and leaves swirled around them, their snarls echoing through the trees, while Athena circled above, her piercing cries urging him to his feet as the battle raged on.
'Get up, master!' she screamed through the bond.
Argo lay there, the pain was making his vision spin, but soon enough he ended up leaning up, watching as the forest trembled thanks to the clash between Aslan and the Nightclaw, their snarls and roars intertwining, shaking the undergrowth. The lion's massive paws swiped at the same-sized cat, claws raking through the air.
The leopard twisted and countered with lightning-fast slashes, its fangs snapping inches from his side. He quickly noticed they were evenly matched, their power and agility locked in a stalemate. Fur flew, and the ground beneath them churned into a mess of dirt and torn leaves.
Above, Athena's wings beat furiously, ready to dive to aid in the fight. Moments later, he staggered to his feet, clutching his chest where the Nightclaw's claw had carved a deep gash. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, but his eyes burned. He watched the two cats grapple, neither giving an inch, their bodies a blur of chaos as they rolled around the forest.
The fight could drag on endlessly, and he knew it risked exhausting the lion, leaving them all vulnerable. ''Aslan, come back!'' his voice rang out, cutting through the noise.
The American Lion's ears flicked, and he let out a growl, leaping backward with a final swipe that forced the enemy to back off. The leopard crouched low, its eyes darting between them, tail lashing as it sized up its next move. Aslan retreated to his side, ready to spring again if needed, while Athena swooped down to a nearby branch.
Argo stepped forward, his dagger raised; he was planning on using the Beast Master's skill to try to tame the leopard. His chest throbbed with pain, causing him to grit his teeth and square his shoulders, locking eyes with the Nightclaw. ''Just you and me now, girl,'' he said, a mix of defiance and challenge.
Its growl rumbled deep in its throat, its body coiling like a spring. He tightened his grip, planting his feet firmly in the dirt, ready to meet the beast head-on, alone, as the forest held its breath around them. Following that, the beast lunged; it became a blur of speed and power, claws slashing toward him.
Argo dove to the side, rolling across the forest floor, the claws missing him by inches as they tore through the air with a vicious whoosh. He scrambled to his feet, pivoting just in time to dodge another swipe, the leopard's tail lashing when it spun to face him again. His movements were quick, his eyes never leaving the beast's, reading its every twitch.
The Nightclaw pounced again, and this time, a glancing blow caught his shoulder, its claws raking across his skin. A scalding pain flared, like fire licking through him; he gritted his teeth, grunting. Warm blood trickled down his arm, but he forced himself to stay focused, circling the beast, boots crunching on the leaf-strewn ground.
Aslan growled low from the sidelines, muscles coiled ready to jump back in, but Argo shot him a sharp glance, telling him to stay back. 'Keep out of it, I'm going to try tame her,' he revealed.
Athena hovered above, her wings beating a steady rhythm, her piercing blue eyes locked on the upcoming fight. The Nightclaw charged again, jaws snapping, and Argo ducked under its reach, feeling the rush of air as its teeth grazed his hair. After, he countered with a jab of his dagger, the blade scraping against it.
It bought him a moment to sidestep another swipe. Another attack grazed his thigh, claws slicing shallow but burning like hot coals, making his legs tremble beneath him. He staggered but kept his footing, sweat beading on his brow as he panted, his body aching, but he wasn't giving up.
Seconds later, the Nightclaw paused, its chest heaving, eyes narrowing as it assessed him as he caught his breath, felt a shift inside, not just defiance; it was a flicker of understanding. He lowered his dagger, his voice steady despite the pain coursing through him. ''I don't want to kill you, girl,'' he reassured. ''I want to be your friend.''
The words hung in the air, and the cat froze, its ears twitching. Its snarl faded, replaced by a curious rumble. The beast's coiled muscles relaxed ever so slightly, its gaze searching his face, as if weighing something. The forest seemed to still, the tension easing as the Nightclaw was no longer ready to strike, its eyes locked on his in a moment.
'How are you speaking my tongue, human?' a female voice echoed in his mind.
''I'm the Beast Master,'' Argo answered, smiling at the beast as he motioned to Aslan and Athena. ''I can talk to all beasts of Arda thanks to the goddess.''
The creature's amber eyes narrowed in suspicion as the Grey Owl commented. 'You can talk? Aslan can't or won't, we don't know.'
'He speaks but prefers silence like most of his kind,' the Nightclaw revealed.
Argo glanced at the American Lion, who avoided his gaze, making him laugh as he hobbled toward the leopard and held out his hand. ''What do you say? Want to join me on my journey through life?''