Tanna crouched in the shade at the edge of a thicket, watching the Phasehorn Rabbits graze in the dappled light. Kesh had first spotted them a few weeks ago farther from the temple, but now the herd had wandered closer, spiral horns glinting as their fur shimmered with each hop. Her notebook rested open on her knee, pages already filling with methodical observations: moss as their preferred food, a blinking distance of roughly two meters, and the subtle stress tells of ear twitches and scuffed dirt patches marking where they vanished and reappeared.

  Nearby, half-hidden in the shadows of a gnarled oak, Fish lay in a state of Gloomcloak, her midnight fur rippling with faint violet patterns that seemed to drink in the light. The phase wolf's eyes were half-lidded, but Tanna could feel the weight of her gaze—a silent judgment, as if questioning why anyone would befriend prey rather than hunt it.

  Tanna's lips quirked in a faint smile. She leaned towards Fish, whispering, "No, we're not eating them." Fish blinked once, her expression decidedly unamused.

  Taking a slow breath, Tanna reached into her pouch and withdrew a handful of soft, bluish moss. She'd gathered it from a nearby streambed, noting how the rabbits seemed drawn to its scent. Keeping her movements smooth and unthreatening, she extended her hand, allowing the breeze to carry the earthy aroma towards the thicket.

  At first, the rabbits froze, their noses twitching as they caught the scent. Then, cautiously, a few began to hop closer, their curiosity overtaking their skittishness. Tanna focused her calming aura, projecting a sense of safety and ease.

  Chaos erupted in a heartbeat.

  One rabbit, bolder than the rest, blinked forward—and materialized directly on Tanna's shoulder. She startled, fighting the urge to flinch, and in that instant, the rabbit blinked away again, leaving only a residual tingle of magic and a tuft of fur. The others scattered in a flurry of blinking and dust clouds, appearing and disappearing in rapid succession as they fled the perceived threat.

  Tanna sighed, brushing dirt from her cloak. One rabbit, smaller than the others, paused at the edge of the thicket. It stretched forward, its nose quivering as it sniffed at her outstretched hand. For a moment, Tanna dared to hope—but then, mid-hop, the creature vanished, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.

  In the shadows, Fish remained motionless, her eyes now fully open. Tanna couldn't be certain, but she swore the phase wolf's ears twitched with a hint of amusement.

  "This might take a while," Tanna murmured, settling back on her heels. She flipped to a new page in her notebook, ready to document the next round of herding mayhem. In the corner of her eye, Fish's tail flicked once, as if in agreement.

  Hours crept by with agonizing slowness as Tanna maintained her vigil at the edge of the thicket. Her tail twitched with growing agitation, the only outward sign of her mounting frustration. Internally, her thoughts churned in a steady litany: They are small. They are prey. I am good at this. The mantra did little to soothe her fraying patience.

  Shifting her stance, Tanna drew upon her Instinct Echo skill, mimicking the posture of the rabbits. She sank low to the ground, ears pricked forward, every muscle poised in a state of alert stillness. To her surprise, the change in perspective seemed to help, allowing her to blend more seamlessly into the rabbits' world.

  Minutes ticked by, marked by the lazy drift of sunbeams through the canopy. A particularly bold rabbit, its fur a mottled gray, began to inch closer to Tanna's outstretched hand. Its nose twitched as it caught the scent of the bluish moss, and Tanna held her breath, hardly daring to hope.

  Just as the rabbit stretched forward, its whiskers nearly brushing Tanna's fingertips, a sudden sneeze shattered the delicate moment. The rabbit vanished in a blink, leaving only a faint shimmer and a sense of profound disappointment.

  Tanna turned slowly, her gaze settling on Fish. The phase wolf lounged in the shadows, her expression inscrutable. "That was on purpose," Tanna accused, her voice a whisper-soft growl. Fish merely yawned, her tongue curling lazily as if to say, Who, me?

  Tanna closed her eyes, drawing a slow breath through her nose. Patience, she reminded herself. The bond will come.

  As if summoned by her thoughts, a smaller rabbit emerged from the thicket, its movements tentative and curious. It was a young one, its spiral horn little more than a nub, its fur a downy silver-gray. Tanna remained perfectly still, scarcely breathing as the rabbit hopped closer.

  Reaching out with her Beastmurmur skill, Tanna projected a soothing aura, willing the rabbit to relax. The creature's ears twitched, but it didn't flee. Instead, it sniffed at Tanna's pack, its whiskers quivering with interest.

  Heartbeats passed, each one an eternity. Then, slowly, the rabbit settled onto its haunches, curling up next to Tanna's boot as if it had always belonged there.

  "Moss-ear," Tanna whispered, the name a gentle benediction. The rabbit's ear flicked, but it didn't stir.

  Fish rose from her spot in the shadows, her movements fluid and silent. She padded forward, her nose lowering to sniff at the dozing rabbit. Moss-ear twitched, its small body tensing—but it didn't blink away. Fish's eyes met Tanna's, a glimmer of approval in their amber depths.

  Tanna smiled, a genuine grin that crinkled the corners of her eyes. Success, at last. The first bond had been forged, a delicate thread of trust and understanding. It was a small victory, but one that filled her with quiet triumph.

  In the dappled sunlight of the thicket, with a slumbering rabbit at her feet and a phase wolf at her side, Tanna allowed herself a moment to savor the achievement. The road ahead would be long, filled with countless challenges and setbacks—but for now, she had proof that her methods, her patience, could yield results.

  The Phasehorn herd still awaited, but Tanna knew she was one step closer to unlocking their secrets. With Moss-ear as her guide and Fish as her silent guardian, she would unravel the mysteries of the blinking rabbits, one hop at a time.

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, Tanna retreated to her tent at the edge of the sanctuary grounds. Inside, a single lantern cast a warm glow, illuminating the pages of her notebook as she settled cross-legged on her bedroll. Moss-ear, the young Phasehorn rabbit, hopped in after her, its movements drowsy and content.

  Fish followed close behind, her midnight fur rippling with the faint violet patterns of her Gloomcloak. The phase wolf curled up beside Tanna, her presence a silent guardian against the night's mysteries.

  Tanna flipped open her notebook, the pages rustling softly beneath her fingertips. She dipped her quill into a pot of ink, the nib hovering over the parchment as she gathered her thoughts. With a steady hand, she began to write, her script neat and precise:

  Subject: Phasehorn Rabbit

  Status: Anchored (1)

  Observed behavior: blink triggers tied to pulse rate and noise—calmness is key.

  Tanna paused, tapping the quill against her chin as she reflected on the day's events. The memory of Moss-ear's trust, the way the rabbit had curled up against her boot, sent a flicker of warmth through her chest. It was a small victory, but one that held the promise of greater things to come.

  Beside her, Moss-ear stirred, its nose twitching as it caught the scent of the ink. The rabbit hopped closer, its whiskers brushing against Tanna's leg as it settled into the crook of her knee. Tanna smiled, her hand drifting down to stroke the soft, downy fur between the creature's ears.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  "You're a brave one, aren't you?" she murmured, her voice a gentle whisper in the quiet of the tent.

  Fish's ears pricked forward, her amber eyes fixing on the rabbit with a mixture of curiosity and resignation. The phase wolf had spent the day observing Tanna's efforts, her silent presence a constant reminder of the predator-prey dynamic that governed the wilds. Yet now, in the intimacy of the tent, Fish seemed content to let the rabbit be, her tail curling around her paws as she settled in for the night.

  Tanna turned back to her notebook, her mind already racing with plans for the days ahead. She had taken the first step in anchoring the Phasehorn herd, but there was still much work to be done. Each rabbit would require its own approach, its own delicate dance of trust and understanding.

  She scribbled a few more notes, her handwriting growing more hurried as ideas spilled onto the page. Theories about blink patterns and herd dynamics, sketches of the rabbits' spiral horns and shimmering fur—all of it came pouring out in a rush of inspiration.

  Finally, as the lantern began to sputter and the ink ran dry, Tanna sat back, a sense of quiet satisfaction settling over her. She closed the notebook with a soft snap, her fingers lingering on the worn leather cover.

  "Just six more to go," she murmured, her gaze drifting to Moss-ear's slumbering form.

  It was a daunting task, but one that Tanna knew she was uniquely suited for. With her skills as a Beast Tamer and her unwavering patience, she would unravel the secrets of the Phasehorn herd, one rabbit at a time.

  Beside her, Fish let out a soft huff, her ears twitching as if she could sense Tanna's thoughts. The phase wolf's eyes met Tanna's, a glimmer of understanding passing between them. They were an unlikely pair, the hunter and the herder, but together, they would face whatever challenges the wilds of Hollow Vale had in store.

  With a contented sigh, Tanna extinguished the lantern, plunging the tent into a soothing darkness. She curled up on her bedroll, Moss-ear nestled against her side and Fish's comforting presence at her back. Tomorrow would bring new trials and triumphs, but for now, in the quiet of the night, Tanna allowed herself a moment of peace, secure in the knowledge that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

  Tavi wandered through the sanctuary grounds, her eyes searching for a familiar midnight-black coat and glowing violet patterns. Fish had become her constant companion, a silent guardian who watched over her as she explored the temple's hidden corners and forgotten paths. But today, the phase wolf was nowhere to be found.

  With a sigh, Tavi made her way to the library, her footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone. She found Doc hunched over a table, his eyes fixed on a stack of ancient texts and his new prosthetic arm glinting in the candlelight.

  "Doc?" Tavi asked, her voice small in the hushed stillness of the library. "Have you seen Fish?"

  Doc looked up, his gaze softening as he took in the young girl's worried expression. He paused for a moment, his eyes taking on a distant look as if he were consulting some inner voice. After a moment, he nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  "I believe Fish is with Tanna," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "They should be out by the eastern thicket, near the edge of the sanctuary grounds."

  Tavi's face brightened, relief washing over her features. "Can you take me there?" she asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

  Doc hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the texts scattered across the table. But the pleading look in Tavi's eyes was impossible to resist. With a nod, he pushed himself to his feet, his prosthetic arm whirring softly as he moved.

  "Of course," he said, gesturing for Tavi to follow him. "Let's go find them."

  As they walked through the sanctuary grounds, Tavi looked up at Doc, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Doc?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "How did you become so strong?"

  Doc paused, his brow furrowing as he considered the question. He thought for a moment, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon. "You know, Tavi," he said, his voice thoughtful, "I don't think I'm all that strong."

  Tavi's eyes widened, a giggle escaping her lips. She thought Doc was joking, but the serious expression on his face told her otherwise.

  "I think," Doc continued, tapping his temple with his finger, "that being adaptable is more important than being strong. This," he said, pointing to his head, "will get you out of trouble more than any type of muscle."

  Tavi frowned, her young mind struggling to grasp the concept. She nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the ground as she tried to make sense of Doc's words.

  As they approached the eastern thicket, the sound of soft voices drifted through the air. Tavi's face lit up, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of Fish's familiar form.

  Tavi's heart leapt as Fish materialized before them, her midnight-black fur shimmering with violet patterns in the dappled sunlight. A laugh bubbled up from Tavi's chest as she ran forward, throwing her arms around the phase wolf's neck. Fish nuzzled her cheek, a low rumble of contentment vibrating through her chest.

  Tavi had always known, from the very first moment she laid eyes on Fish, that the wolf was a friend. Even when Lina, Jem, and Fenn had shied away in fear, Tavi had seen the gentleness in Fish's amber eyes, the intelligence that lurked beneath her fierce exterior.

  A few moments later, Tanna emerged from the thicket, cradling something small and soft in her arms. She smiled at Tavi and Doc, her eyes bright with excitement. "I'd like you to meet Moss-ear," she said, holding out the tiny creature for them to see. "My new bonded animal."

  Doc raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What's going on here, Tanna?" he asked, his voice warm with amusement.

  Tanna grinned, her fingers gently stroking Moss-ear's downy fur. "I'm trying to tame a phase-horn rabbit herd," she explained, her voice brimming with pride. "Moss-ear is the first of many."

  Doc nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Tavi was looking for Fish," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Wanted an escort." He winked at Tavi, his prosthetic arm whirring softly as he gestured back toward the sanctuary. "I'll be in the library if you need me."

  Tavi watched as Tanna cradled Moss-ear, her eyes wide with wonder. She had never seen a Phasehorn Rabbit up close before, and the tiny creature's downy fur and twitching nose filled her with a strange sense of longing.

  "Would you like to stay and observe?" Tanna asked, her voice gentle. "I could use an extra pair of eyes."

  Tavi nodded, a smile spreading across her face. She settled down beside Tanna, her gaze fixed on the thicket where the rest of the Phasehorn herd was hidden.

  As the day wore on, Tavi watched as Tanna moved with slow, deliberate steps, her voice a soft murmur as she tried to coax the rabbits closer. Tavi mirrored her movements, her own steps becoming lighter, more cautious.

  "How do you know when they're ready to trust you?" Tavi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Tanna smiled, her eyes never leaving the thicket. "It's all in the body language," she replied. "Watch their ears. If they twitch, it means they're scared. But if they stay still, it means they're curious."

  Tavi nodded, her gaze sharpening as she watched the rabbits. She noticed the way their ears twitched at the slightest sound, the way their noses quivered as they sniffed the air.

  As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Tavi tried a new approach. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of seeds, scattering them on the ground near the thicket. Then she backed away, her movements slow and deliberate.

  For a long moment, nothing happened. But then, a tiny nose poked out from the underbrush, followed by a pair of twitching ears. The rabbit hopped forward, its nose quivering as it sniffed the seeds.

  Tavi held her breath, hardly daring to move. The rabbit looked up, its eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before it blinked out of sight, reappearing a few feet away.

  Tanna watched, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She said nothing, but Tavi could feel the approval radiating from her in waves.

  Tavi continued her gentle approach, scattering seeds and backing away, her movements becoming more fluid and natural with each passing hour. She felt a strange calm settle over her, as if she were becoming one with the thicket, the rabbits, and the very air around her.

  As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Tavi heard Tanna begin to pack up her gear. A flicker of disappointment crossed Tavi's face, but just as she was about to stand, a flash of movement caught her eye.

  There, in the shadows of the underbrush, was a rabbit unlike any she had seen before. Its fur was a soft, silvery gray, but what caught Tavi's attention was the single, spiraling horn that grew from its brow. The horn was small, almost delicate, and it seemed to shimmer in the fading light.

  Tavi held her breath, hardly daring to move. She reached into her pocket and scattered a handful of seeds on the ground before her, then waited, her heart pounding in her chest.

  The rabbit hesitated, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air. Then, with a cautious hop, it emerged from the thicket, its eyes fixed on the seeds at Tavi's feet.

  Tavi remained still, her breathing shallow and even. She watched as the rabbit inched closer, its movements slow and deliberate. When it finally reached the seeds, it began to nibble, its tiny jaws working furiously.

  With a trembling hand, Tavi reached out, her fingers hovering just above the rabbit's silvery fur. She held her breath, waiting for the creature to bolt, but it remained still, as if it sensed the gentleness in her touch.

  As Tavi's fingers brushed against the rabbit's soft fur, she felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as if a door had opened in her mind, revealing a world she had never known existed. She saw the thicket through the rabbit's eyes, felt the pulse of its heartbeat, the quiver of its muscles.

  In that moment, Tavi knew that she had unlocked something deep within herself. She had become a Flickertracker, a scout who could move in harmony with the creatures of the wild.

  As the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, Tavi scooped the rabbit into her arms, cradling it against her chest. "I'll name you tinyhorn". She felt a deep sense of peace settle over her, as if she had finally found her place in the world.

  Tanna watched from a distance, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She knew that Tavi had taken her first step on a journey that would lead her to places she had never dreamed of, and she couldn't wait to see where it would take her.