Chapter 2: Cabaro

Zuberi's POV-

Tribal chants filled the peaceful Niloan night. Fierce fire from the camps scorched the desert air. Celebration was here.

Celebration in my honour, of course. It was my eleventh nameday. What made mine so important? Well, I was the chief's son.

My father, Ushindi, had started a new tradition for anyone in our tribe, Kikuyu, who turned eleven. Just like the Nectar Ceremony, they would drink a brew of a sweet Niloan fruit, traded honey, and some healthy cactus juice offered by the local Greencloak, Nyota, in a woven cup. Though nobody could really recreate the taste of Ninani's Nectar.

The ritual was supposed to reenact the old tradition well enough so that hopefully, someone could miraculously summon a Spirit Animal after the fall of the Evertree a few months ago. But to no success.

Now it was my turn. My hopes were not quite as high as they would've been a few months before, but I still had a little confidence. After all, I was the chief's son, and had great destiny.

I stood before a great burning flame in a large hut at the centre of the village. Many spectators gathered around the crowded clearing in the middle, where I stood with my father who was dressed in colourful clothing, unlike Nyota, who stood across from me with drab animal skin wear. A tall bird, her Spirit Animal stood beside her. It was a secretary bird, a raptor with long legs for stomping snakes, grey feathers, and a sharp, curved beak.

The Greencloak held a bowl made from woven grass and straw in her dark, slender hands. Golden liquid wavered inside it.

Nyota chanted a phrase in the native language, and the others repeated it after her in unison, the echoes bouncing off the walls of the circular hut. I did not understand what she said, and I doubt most of the people here did either, and only followed along for the sake of tradition.

The bowl was motioned towards me. The brew smelled sweet and natural, nothing like the savoury gazelle and ostrich meals I was so used to.

I cupped my hands together and received the bowl. It was surprisingly lightweight, and dry grass bristled against my fingers.

Stares of anxious boredom seemed as if they were only looking as to not anger the chief. But I knew the people were anticipating no more than a disappointing silence.

Nonetheless, I held my head high and tipped the bowl to spill the make-shift Nectar down my throat. It was sweet. Too sweet almost. I tried to keep a dignified stance, but it was hard to be confident when you were almost certain to face shame.

After several moments of stillness, the crowd began to look away. But something else gave me a sliver of hope. Hope I wished was pride instead.

Then, to my surprise, an unimaginably bright light shone throughout the area, gasps and cries filled the room. But they were barely audible over a deafening roar. The roar of a magnificent creature, the lion that now crouched before me as the light faded.

The great cat was gigantic, and I knew to fear it. I had once accompanied my father on a hunting trip in the dry desert, and we came across a pride of lions, aggressively defending their fresh kill. The hunting troop had to swerve around them to prevent being attacked.

But the lion that was facing me stood higher than me at full height, an unusually large size. And I saw my father, in the corner of my vision, eyes wide before the ferocity of this creature. I was shocked. Even my father, chief of Kikuyu, was showing fear of this animal.

For the first time in a long time, I felt the urge to run and scream and get away from this predator who could potentially swallow me in two bites. But I stood my ground, and the lion seemed to calm himself from the confusion of appearing here so suddenly.

His golden eyes met mine, as he slowly paced towards me. It had just occurred to me that this powerful animal might be my Spirit Animal. And the thought hit me with a pang of excitement.

Time seemed to stop as the lion stopped a few precious feet from me and stared in deep thought. There was more to this creature. He, as I somehow knew he was male, was much more than a Spirit Animal. The ferocity and savageness in his demeanor spelled out a king.

Cabaro. Of course. The Great Lion… But how? How did I summon a legendary Great Beast?

The lion raised his head in dignity, demanding some respect. I dared to shoot a harsh glare at him. I will not bow to any being, be it legendary or not.

Offended, he sat, snorting and tossing his mane casually. The cat began to groom himself in front of the audience. I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the confusion and excitement inside.

I didn't notice that Nyota had taken several steps backwards during the event, her back now gingerly brushing against the dry mud and grass wall. She obviously couldn't explain this situation in her current shocked state. So who could?

My father cleared his throat and regained his usual prideful posture. I did the same. But before he could open his mouth to speak, a grey-feathered bird stepped up towards me. The nervous Nyota followed, but in a much calmer, stabler form. Her Spirit Animal was lending her some abilities, I could tell.

I could tell by the expression on Ushindi's face that he was much more relieved by the turn of events.

"Nyota, can you possibly explain what has happened?" he questioned in a deep but gentle voice.

"I believe that your son has just summoned the Great Beast Cabaro." At this statement, the chief's facade dropped, a splash of curiosity and excitement written on his face. I smirked mentally, knowing that even my father couldn't match my dignity. "I have been alerted by a fellow Greencloak that only a couple days ago, a young Amayan girl had unexpectedly summoned Tellun. She has been escorted to Greenhaven castle for more information, and also with hopes to restore the Spirit Animal bonds to Erdas. I advise that you do the same."

Greenhaven castle? A place of high order, I have heard. Only the Marked were permitted to enter the structure, a place of strict training and pride. This could easily be an opportunity to show my tribe that I can be something else than the little hunter boy who fails to chase the kill.

"Very well," Ushindi quickly replied, "Zuberi shall be transferred immediately to this location. But I expect you to go with him, Nyota, and make sure he's safe." I raised an eyebrow at my vigilant father, but asked no questions on the thought. Then I let my eyes float over to the lion.

"What should we do with him?" I asked, as Cabaro quietly gazed at me.

"You will learn to be his partner, and I should see no trouble between you two," my father responded in a strict tone. I nodded, confident in my abilities. The beast stood and crossed the centre of the hut to stand by my side, but in no way was it a sign of partnership. It was more likely a Alright then, let's see who is the real leader here.

Already I was forming a liking to my Spirit Animal, as his pride very closely resembled mine, and pride was always a vital trait in a leader. But I feared that his vigilance would get in the way of my training.

Nonetheless, I quickly urged the future trip. "Should we begin our voyage now? After we pack, that is," I questioned, using the most mannered speech I had, to keep a good reputation before all the people in the area.

"Of course, but most supplies will be in Greenhaven. I strongly suggest we take our local Greencloak ship, The Might of Cabaro." The chief nodded once and sent us both off to pack what little we needed. Cabaro followed along quite reluctantly.

Shortly after, we set sail for Greenhaven at the nearest ocean shore, my father and the whole tribe waving us off. A great journey was to come, that I knew.

Breathing in the salty ocean air, I approached my Spirit Animal, who was staring into the horizon at the head of the bulky ship. Adamant he wouldn't hurt me, I reached out my dark hand and stroked his mane. The lion stayed calm and slowly turned his head to me, dark eyes flashing with recognition.

A/N: Ok, that was slightly longer than it needed to be, but I hope you enjoyed it! Fun fact: Zuberi means "strong" or "powerful".

Until the next time,

Rainbowcookies :)