SCARED BY BLOOD ( Beast, God, Man?)

One Year Ago

The room smelled of damp cloth and bitter herbs. The wooden walls of their small home creaked against the wind, but Samuel could only hear the raspy breathing of his mother. She lay on a thin mattress, her body frail, her face pale. The sickness had taken almost everything from her.

Samuel knelt beside her, gripping her cold hand. His heart pounded. He knew this moment was coming, but it still felt too soon.

"Samuel…" Her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper.

"I'm here," he said, leaning closer.

She coughed, her body trembling from the effort. "There's something I must tell you… about your father."

Samuel's grip tightened. His father had always been a mystery—no name, no stories, nothing. His mother never spoke of him, no matter how many times he asked.

"He's alive?" Samuel asked, his voice careful, almost afraid of the answer.

She shook her head. "No… he died before you were born."

A strange feeling settled in Samuel's chest—relief, disappointment, and confusion all at once.

"Then why never tell me?"

She swallowed hard, struggling for breath. "Because he… he was not like other men. He was… powerful."

Samuel frowned. "A beast tamer?"

Her weak fingers squeezed his hand. "Stronger than that. He was something… rare. Something feared." She hesitated. "He was a Soul Tamer."

The words sent a chill down Samuel's spine. He had heard of Soul Tamers before, but only in whispers—people who could summon the spirits of dead beasts and make them fight. But they were supposed to be long gone.

"That's impossible," he said.

She let out a weak, bitter laugh. "And yet… here you are."

Samuel's body tensed. "Are you saying… I have his power?"

She nodded slowly. "You must be careful, Samuel. If they find out…"

"Who?"

She shuddered. "The Bloodbound Order. They… they hunt Soul Tamers. They kill them." Her breath was shallow now. "Promise me… you'll never let them know."

Samuel stared at her, his mind spinning. He wanted to ask more, to understand, but her breathing was fading. Her eyes fluttered shut.

"Mother?" He shook her hand. "Mother!"

But she was gone.

Samuel sat in silence, her words echoing in his mind.

A Soul Tamer.

His hands curled into fists.

He had a power no one else had. And people would kill him for it.

Training and Departure

The next months were spent in secret. Samuel trained alone, far from the village, testing his abilities. At first, he could barely feel anything. But slowly, he learned to listen—to hear the whispers of beasts long gone.

He started small, calling on the soul of a hound that had once protected the village. It appeared before him, translucent and flickering, its glowing eyes locked onto his. But it obeyed.

With time, he grew stronger. He learned to summon larger creatures, their spirits bound to his call. But it wasn't enough. He was still an amateur, still weak.

So he left.

Saying goodbye to his village was easier than expected. There was nothing left for him there—only memories and a secret too dangerous to share.

He traveled to the city, where beast taming was a way of life. To survive, he registered officially as a beast tamer, pretending to be just like the others.

That's where he met them—his first real friends.

Lancelot, his childhood friend, a tank with a shield bigger than his own body. Always smiling, always ready for a fight.

Three girls, each different in their own way. One with a sharp tongue, one with a kind heart, and one who always watched him a little too closely, as if she saw something in him that even he couldn't see.

For the first time in a long while, Samuel felt like he belonged.

---

Present Day – The Capital City, Zoria

The job had seemed simple. Escort a merchant caravan to Zoria, deliver the goods, and earn their pay.

They never expected the city to be under attack.

Samuel stood frozen as chaos erupted around him. The streets of Zoria burned, black smoke curling into the sky. People screamed, running from the creatures that tore through the city.

Land Malugna—massive beasts with teeth covering their bodies, their mouths stretching across their limbs.

Above them, the sky darkened with the shadows of Ralugna—winged horrors with screeching cries, diving down to snatch fleeing citizens.

It was a massacre.

"Lancelot!" Samuel turned, searching for his friend.

The shield-bearing warrior was holding the line, fending off a Land Malugna with everything he had. But he was alone.

Samuel ran to him. "We need to fall back—"

A shadow loomed over them.

Samuel barely had time to react before a massive jaw closed around Lancelot.

Time seemed to slow.

Samuel watched, helpless, as the beast's teeth sank deep into his friend's torso. Lancelot gasped, blood spilling from his lips. He looked at Samuel, eyes filled with pain.

Then, the beast crushed him.

A sickening crunch echoed through the streets.

Samuel's vision blurred.

His body moved on its own, rage consuming him. He let out a roar, power surging through his veins. He didn't think—he only acted.

A pulse of energy erupted from him.

For the first time, he called upon a spirit without hesitation.

A massive, spectral beast appeared beside him—a wolf with glowing blue eyes, its body shimmering with raw power. It lunged, tearing into the Malugna, ripping it apart.

But it wasn't enough.

More of them were coming.

Samuel stood there, blood pounding in his ears. His friend was gone. The city was falling apart.

He clenched his fists.

No more.

He would fight. He would tear them apart. He would help these people, no matter what it took.

And then, through the flames and destruction, he saw her.

A woman stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching. Her long, dark hair swayed in the wind, her emerald eyes calm despite the chaos around her.

She was beautiful—so much so that, for a single second, Samuel forgot everything.

The pain, the anger, the blood—all of it faded.

It was love at first sight.

And it would be his greatest mistake.