The warmth in his chest suddenly flared, and a powerful vortex of wind erupted around Aster, whipping his hair and clothes wildly. The air inside the cathedral howled as the magical gale circled him, lifting his boots just an inch off the ground.
Through the blinding light and the rushing wind, glowing letters of pure golden energy began to weave themselves together right in front of his eyes. They floated in the air, forming a distinct line of text that only he could read:
You are now connected to this world. Summon your companion, embrace your destiny, and become a hero.
The words burned into his mind, radiating an ancient, comforting certainty. As the sentence faded, the heavy pressure on his heart shifted, turning into a profound, unlocked reservoir of power waiting for his command. Aster could feel the exact magical thread tied to his soul, ready to be pulled.
The wind began to slow, settling into a gentle hum around his feet. The entire church fell into a breathless silence, everyone staring at the center of the light, waiting to see what kind of creature Aster was about to pull from the heavens.
Aster slowly pulled his hand away from the giant monolith, the cold air rushing to fill the space where his palm had just been. He stood there for a moment, chest heaving, trying to process the sheer weight of the magic that had just settled into his soul.
He lifted his hand, turning it over to stare at his palm. Underneath his skin, the residual energy of the God's Heart was still swirling. Veins of soft, radiant golden light pulsed in sync with his heartbeat, gradually fading but leaving behind a pleasant, buzzing warmth.
Before Aster could even think about what kind of animal he was supposed to call forth, he heard familiar footsteps approaching over the polished stone floor.
Sylas walked up beside him, the exhaustion on his face completely forgotten, replaced by a proud, genuine grin. He clapped a heavy hand down on Aster's shoulder, anchoring him back to reality.
"You did it," Sylas said, his voice echoing softly in the quiet cathedral. "You are one of our part now. Welcome, our new hero."
They stepped out of the majestic cathedral, leaving the heavy silence and the whispering crowds behind. The bright morning sun warmed Aster's face, and the lively, chaotic sounds of the multicultural village market washed over them once again.
Sylas led Aster away from the bustling main path, guiding him toward a quiet, grassy knoll just outside the church grounds. Standing there was a massive, ancient oak tree, its wide canopy of deep green leaves casting a cool, peaceful shadow over the grass.
Sylas leaned his back against the thick trunk of the tree, crossing his arms and looking at Aster with a supportive smile.
"Alright, Aster. Now that your soul is connected, it's time to meet your partner," Sylas said, his tone turning into that of a proper teacher. "Listen closely. To summon your heart-animal, you need to close your eyes and feel your heartbeats. Focus entirely on that warmth inside your chest."
Aster nodded, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. The rustling of the oak leaves above him seemed to fade into the background.
"Good," Sylas's voice came softly through the quiet. "Now, once you feel that pulse, reach deep into it and say the words: *'You are a piece of my heart.'*"
"And try to bring the animal out from your heart," Sylas's voice guided him, steady and calm.
Aster took a deep, steadying breath. He tuned out the distant noise of the market, focusing entirely inward. There it was—the rhythmic, powerful thump in his chest, vibrating with the leftover warmth of the God's Heart. He reached deep into that warmth, wrapping his consciousness around it, and spoke the words into the quiet of his mind.
*"You are a piece of my heart."*
Instantly, a sharp spike of heat flared right behind his ribs. Aster's chest began to glow with a brilliant, pulsing light that shone right through his clothes.
"It's here," Sylas muttered, straightening up from the tree trunk, his tired eyes wide with anticipation.
Aster gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he poured his focus into the sensation. He could feel something trying to break free, a gentle but heavy pressure pushing outward. With a final, determined surge of will, he pushed the magic forward.
A bright, condensed ball of pure magical energy detached from his chest and floated into the air between them. It hovered for a second, radiating heat, before the energy began to churn and expand.
Aster watched, breathing heavily, as the glowing sphere began to form itself into a distinct shape. Wings stretched outward from the light, a sharp beak materialized, and the chaotic energy settled into the fine, crisp texture of feathers.
With a sudden, sharp cry that echoed across the clearing, the light shattered like glass.
Perched proudly on a low-hanging branch of the oak tree was a magnificent white eagle. Its feathers were a blinding, pristine white that seemed to catch the sunlight, and its sharp, intelligent eyes locked onto Aster immediately, burning with a deep, fierce loyalty.
A look of pure awe crossed Aster's face. He smiled, stepping forward with his hand slowly reaching out, intending to gently stroke the pristine white feathers of his new partner.
"Hey there," Aster murmured softly.
The white eagle blinked its sharp, piercing eyes. But just as Aster's fingers got close, the bird let out a quiet, dismissive *'cluck'* from its throat, sharply snapped its head away, and turned its back completely on him. It fluffed its feathers and stared pointedly at a distant cloud, acting as if Aster didn't even exist.
Aster froze, his hand hovering awkwardly in mid-air. His awe instantly vanished, replaced by a hilarious, bewildered frown. He stared at the back of the eagle's head in utter disbelief.
"What?" Aster complained, looking from the stubborn bird over to Sylas, then back to the bird. "I really summoned this bad guy out from my own heart? Is my soul actually just a jerk?"
Sylas burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as his exhaustion briefly disappeared. "Oh, man! Looks like someone's got a bit of an attitude problem. Don't worry, Aster, it just means your heart-animal has a lot of personality."
The white eagle stiffened, its feathers puffing up in shock as Aster completely ignored its cold shoulder. Without warning, Aster reached out, scooped the stubborn bird into a firm grip, and began vigorously patting its smooth, white head.
"Even if you are a bad guy, you're still a piece of my heart," Aster said with a smirk, giving the bird a playful squeeze.
The eagle let out a highly offended squeak, its sharp eyes darting around as if looking for an escape, but it didn't scratch or bite. It just endured the affection with a deeply disgruntled look on its face.
Sylas watched the chaotic bonding session, highly amused. "Well, he might have an attitude, but he clearly tolerates you. So, what are you planning to name him?"
Aster looked down at the proud, majestic, yet incredibly dramatic bird in his arms. The perfect name popped into his head.
"I want to name this guy Kayler," Aster said, grinning.
At the sound of his new name, Kayler stopped squirming. He gave a quiet, dignified chirp, tilting his head as if deciding that the name Kayler was actually grand enough for an eagle of his stature.
Aster gently pats his head and says "Let's fight together okay?