Dalen led Evan through the wooden gates of the ridge village The people stared at him with confusion curiosity and fear He was taller than most wore clothes without sigils or woven charms and carried no weapons Children watched from behind baskets merchants paused mid sale even stray dogs kept their distance sensing he did not belong

Evan kept his posture calm He had walked through rural towns during rescue missions before and he knew fear faded when people saw kindness not force He looked at the stalls the pottery the bundles of herbs the small cages that held chirping bugs glowing faint green

Those creatures are called glowling crickets Dalen explained They help light homes during winter Evan nodded though discomfort twisted in his chest He disliked seeing wild animals caged but he understood he needed to learn before he could change anything

They reached a long hall with smoke drifting from its roof This is the outpost Dalen said Rest here tonight You will meet the elder soon He may know what to do with someone who fell from the sky

Inside the hall Evan sat on a wooden bench Men sharpened tools sorted maps and patched leather He observed their work patterns noting their gear heavy for hunting light for scouting He also noticed how the walls displayed trophies horns scales and claws of magical beasts Some were labeled with dates as if records of battles or hunts Evan felt the weight of grief settle in his stomach

Minutes later a boy burst through the doorway out of breath Dalen We found a wounded beast by the river It is still alive but barely The villagers are scared They think it is cursed

Dalen cursed under his breath What kind of beast

A dawnclaw lynx the boy answered softly

Evan felt something shift in the room The hunters stiffened Some stepped back Dawnclaw lynx are rare violent and sacred someone whispered They attack without warning Dalen rubbed his forehead This could turn the entire town into chaos

Evan stood I can help

Dalen stared at him You do not know what a dawnclaw is You do not know its strength or its magic It can tear through men and stone alike

Evan met his gaze I have handled wounded bobcats mountain lions wolves If it is injured it is scared not evil Let me help before someone kills it out of fear

The room fell silent Dalen studied Evan’s expression sensing no arrogance only conviction He finally nodded Bring him to the river

They walked quickly through the forest path toward the river The air smelled of pine and something metallic The closer they came the more Evan felt a tingling energy like static running along his skin When the trees opened into a clearing he saw the lynx

It lay on its side fur shimmering gold under the sunlight Each breath came with a tremor Its front leg was twisted unnaturally and a broken arrow protruded from its shoulder Blue light pulsed weakly from its paws fading with each heartbeat

Villagers circled at a distance clutching pitchforks If it wakes it will kill us someone whispered Kill it before it gets strong again another cried

Evan stepped forward Wait He knelt beside the lynx studying its breathing rhythm the angle of the arrow the swelling around its wound The creature opened one eye revealing a pupil shaped like a star flickering with faint power Evan spoke softly I will not hurt you I want to help

Dalen pulled the villagers back Give him space

Evan reached into his pack still intact from the fall He removed thick gloves a small knife a roll of clean fabric and a bottle of water He gently pressed near the wound The lynx growled low its breath sparking tiny motes of gold but it did not strike It sensed his intention

He whispered steady You are frightened I know But let me fix this He cut the shaft of the arrow carefully then pulled the remaining piece free The lynx’s body tensed lights flickered around it but Evan pressed bandages and spoke calmly until the creature loosened again

Next he inspected the twisted leg It was swollen warm to the touch possibly dislocated He pressed slowly feeling the joint alignment The lynx whimpered soft but allowed his touch Evan inhaled focused and pushed the joint back into place A pulse of golden light burst from the lynx then faded

The villagers gasped It accepted him

Evan wrapped the limb with tight fabric then lifted the lynx partially with great effort His arms shook under the weight but he kept calm The lynx touched its forehead to his arm a gesture of trust one he recognized from releasing rehabilitated animals in his world

Dalen watched in awe You handle magical beasts as if you were born to it

No Evan said breathing hard I just know that fear makes injured animals dangerous Compassion makes them calm

The villagers lowered their weapons uncertain shameful impressed Some murmured maybe it is not a demon maybe it is a blessing

Dalen placed a hand on Evan’s shoulder What now

Evan looked at the lynx felt its warmth felt its heartbeat Not far from death but not doomed Not if someone took responsibility

Now he said voice steady We build a place A safe space where beasts like this can heal A place where people can learn instead of fear A place that belongs to both the creatures and the land

Dalen frowned confused A sanctuary

No Evan said
Something bigger

The first Arcane Beast Conservation Station

The words spread through the clearing like wind
And the lynx purred softly beneath his hand as if agreeing