Training Session One: Extra Lesson

How is it that a word can evolve so much as time draws on and a new age takes place of the old age? How is it that the same animal can change so much in something as simple as a generation or two? How is it that a home world can change so much from its start of life? Worlds, Nations, people, plants, animals, this list never ends… how is it that change is so easy to overlook in a single life span of a rat life as you know it… changes.

Blood, Genes, and Matter all of these change some say it is mutation but…. Mutation is slow and takes millions of years for a single leap. People say when things die the essence of life returns pure and simple as that. How wrong you are about that. Essence can carry memory and spread it making all forms of life grow, change, evolve…. Mutation isn't the only form which life needs to continue.

No memories that life essence can retain is proof of this. Spirit Beasts are a manifestation of this process and continue to grow and evolve as death ensues' all life. In our time we called these beings Exorcist but in those times it was not just limited to them. Humans, demons, monsters, the Spirits… each had at least five people who were Exorcists. Even though in this time it means something completely different from the first meaning, it is both a good thing and bad for those with this title under olden days, for they are now forgotten. Perhaps for the best since anything major or minor can cause such simple minded animals to react in such negative ways.

This tome that we Exorcists use is the relic which could cause all hell to break loose. It knows all, it sees all, it tells all… it is said to be linked to the Great One's mind which all life derived from, but on another note it is said it is the first Off Spring of the Great Ones… in essence all of our Mother and Father, who knows what the truth is of this Tome all we know is that it is for training the next generation of Exorcists…

I am the keeper of Wisdom long since passed and not yet arrived… I am the one who takes the form of the turtle find me young ones and our brothers… for the time has come… the weapon has arrived on Earth.

~~Point of view selected – Seifer~~

We are on the last train ride home thankfully. It has been a long few weeks on this mission that turned out to be caused by the spirits… Seems that Lan'nakke isn't the only one of her kind and it also seems like others like her are not limited to a feline form. Makes me wonder how many more are waiting, hidden in the world we live on. It also makes me wonder what other monsters live that our system has little or zero data on. I have a feeling those Hittikea as Lan'nakke called them are not going to be our last encounter of them or new beasts.

I glance at my lap as I hear Squall mumble something in his sleep. Poor guy he's been paler than normal after the Tome fusion the spirit bear Ark'kuis did to him. Squall has been having a hard time staying awake and even eating. Ark'kuis however was insistent that the tome not be seen by other humans…

~~Flashback~~

"I cannot allow this tome to go with you two then…" Ark'kuis bellows out annoyed at our mission's orders. However with the odd aura and energy this Tome gives off no way in hell would we get it past those folks. This is causing nothing but problems and I don't wanna be here any longer than we have been already. Place still gives me the fucking creeps and I don't really understand why.

"It will not get past the Researchers who are stationed here…" Squall huffs out not seeing a way around this problem.

"Lan'nakke also says we are not leaving without this tome!" I shout out clearly not happy. My ass is frozen and no I'm not joking. I'm tired of this argument and I want to go home and get into a nice warm and cozy bed and sleep. I hope to Hyne above that we do not get many missions like this one sends us of too the fucking stupid empty areas on Earth!

"Best start thinking of a way to carry this tome then without the humans figuring out what you have on ya." Ark'kuis growls out seems we are getting under someone's skin after all. Our faces are just a few inches apart and we both wear rather pissed off expressions.

I hear Squall sigh and just see him in the corner of my eye rubbing his temples. Clearly we are all at point break. Though the three of us never notice the dead silence in the background. We have yet to notice that Lan'nakke has stopped cackling like a Hyena.

"Ja know, we could do Tome-Effusion with Squall…" Lan'nakke states in a rather clam manner considering she just spent the past hour and a half laughing.

We all just turn and stare at her. Clearly shocked she stopped laughing long enough to even speak. She just rolls her eyes at us clearly not happy being stared at like she just grew a second head or something.

"Do you wish to kill the boy?" Ark'kuis asks.

"Stupid bear… I know what he can take and what he can't take just yet." Lan'nakke states dryly glaring at the bear. For some time nothing else is said as the two just go into a stare off. For some reason the room seems to get several times colder in this event. Squall and I glance at each other before backing up just in case the two chose to start swinging at one another.

It feels like hours till Ark'kuis speaks again in a bored tone, doesn't seem very happy about this idea though "Very well…. but only if it is for a short amount of time." A short nod from Lan'nakke in agreement and the two turn to Squall…

~~End Flashback~~

Nothing was as creepy as that moment those two turned to Squall. I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine as I remember them. It wasn't because they are both ghosts and animals…. It is the way their eyes seemed to change. I don't really know how to explain it. It was like something flipped like they were completely wild and feral. It made me feel like I was going to be killed by an animal at the top of the food chain even higher than us humans… those eyes… that raw power in pure form. That was the same chilling look Squall had in his eyes the day we exchanged scars.

I'm not really sure why I chose to keep mine to be completely honest. Maybe cause like the ladies said it gives me a more badass look. It makes me look sexier… so much dirty talk has come since I got this scar. At first I was pissed that I got it but then I was also in awe at the same time. I had Cure on me since I used Fire on Squall but I can't really say why I didn't use that spell.

Marked by my rival… marking my rival… maybe it is some kind of primal instinct we keep. I really don't know why I kept mine but I did Squall didn't have a choice about his. However he could have had the nurse heal it so the scar won't stand out as much as it will like mine. I absent-mindly run my finger on the cotton covering my face. I nearly jolt up out of my seat when Squall squeezes my thigh roughly. I look down to see if he is awake and he isn't but with the way his brows are I say he isn't too happy with whatever is going on in the dream.

I watch his expression harden a bit more before a low and very animalistic growl escapes Squall's lips. I think to myself to wake Squall up before I even have the chance to start to try and coax him awake however I'm pinned to the seat. The tiny brunette has me stuck in a helpless position, not sure where all this power is coming from but he somehow is keeping both my hands pinned with little effort.

Shit… I don't like this all the time I've known Squall for a very long time and he doesn't just react like this. He doesn't lose control of his emotions and if he does it's just in a very small way like a rise in voice or he turns and walks away, so he doesn't have to deal with it.

However this is like a whole different person is in control… and one that is insanely strong at that. When I lock eyes with Squall I'm shell shocked with what is looking back at me. Lan'nakke…. It's Lan'nakke's eyes! No I swear on Hyne those are her eyes looking at me right now. That can't be right though! I still refuse to believe they are completely the same! I mean ones female the others male and the female has cat ears and a tail for fuck sake not to mention cat eyes!

I need to find a way out of this something inside me is screaming something bad will happen if I don't. Not sure how just yet but deep in the back of my mind my senses are screaming that Squall's body and mind are in Protection mode perhaps something to do with the Tome inside him. Thankfully only my wrists are held down and the couch prevents him from pinning my legs. Using my leg that rests on the back of the couch and the force of gravity I roll us off the couch and onto the train floor.

Now pinning Squall to the floor fully using my heavier frame to keep him in place. He lets another feral sounding growl out digging his nails into my wrists as I try to get them out of his grasp. What a turn of events so close to home and now he has an episode of this nature remind me to ask Lan'nakke what the fuck this is about.

Holding steady fast to Squall as he tries to buck me off I scream at him trying to get some sort of reaction out of Squall, or at least snap Squall out of this survival mode he somehow ended up in. "Squall wake up!" instead all I get is his body grinding into mine, trying to throw me off. Thankfully my larger size keeps me in place. I manage to get my arms free from his grasp. Pinning both his hands with a single hand, I wave in front of Squalls face again calling his name.

I get a hiss in response, yes a hiss I'm not stupid I know what I heard damn it! I slap him across his face with my free hand hoping for some kind of realization to snap him out of this state. Again no luck this time a darker growl leaves his lips and he shows his teeth, I see his K-9s are unusually longer and sharper than they should be for a human.

"Damn it Squall snap out of it!" I yell I somehow lose one of his hands and he grips my bicep digging in. I let out a hiss at the sudden sting of pain but don't let up on holding him in place. Just my luck this would happen and when we are so close to home too, I really hope no one walks by while we are like this… they might get the wrong impression about us.

We struggle like this for another ten minutes Squall not snapping out of his trance and me not letting go but my strength isn't going to last forever and Squall isn't getting tired at all, unlike me. I curse under my breath trying to think of some way to get Squall back to his 'normal' self.

Then the same thing screaming at me about him being in protection mode gives me a crazy idea… more like suggestion. Almost like I have dealt with this before, however that makes little sense to me though. I doubt I'd ever forget if I was dealing with a supernatural person in this lifetime or the last.

Knowing full well I can't avoid what my mind keeps whispering to me I take a deep breath. I push my entire body down upon Squall preventing him from moving. With my free hand I hold his chin still and lower my face to his. I think a moment more before I take action. I seal my lips over his at first he struggles harder but after a few seconds he stops. I lift off his lips a minute later and see Squall with a rather bewildered look planted across his normally emotionless face.

"…Sei-fer?" He states in a voice just as dumbfounded.

"Welcome back…" I smile down at him, no I mean smile I am truly happy he is back and under control of himself. That other Squall was pretty creepy to say the least.

I watch Squall's expression turn sour "Why the fuck did you kiss me?" He all but growls out, while grunting trying to move me off him. "Would you get off?" he growls out again more pissed off than before. I think about it for a second more than let Squall up. He bolts into a standing position eyeing me wearily.

"You flipped out, I hit you, yelled at you nothing was working so I tried that…. And it seems to have worked." I grin at him now being an asshole. Oh Squall I'm going to have fun teasing you over this, Ice Princess was in a trance and his 'Knight' snapped him out of it. Oh so many ways I can turn this on him now. I wonder how he will react to this little bit of pay dirt I have on him. I snicker in an evil fashion at him.

"Damn you…" he sighs out sitting as far away from me as possible.

~Time Elapse – Two days later~~

Boy oh boy has Squall done a damn good job keeping away from me. I have yet to see either spirit as of late and I bet it's the same with Squall as well. I know that the tome has yet to be removed from Squall because he still seems to get winded easy. So when are these two going to make an appearance again? Right now its break time and I have no other classes for the day I'm outside in the Garden of Balamb. Using the tree as support as I relax and stare out into the field lost in my own mind.

"I see you like to also stare out at the land before you and think as he once did." Ark'kuis states in a neutral tone. I nearly jump out of my skin when he does this. I wasn't expecting anyone and I didn't sense the guy approach me what so ever.

"You shouldn't sneak up on someone trained to kill for a living you know…" I sigh out rubbing the back of my head. When I turn to look at the bear spirit I become shell-shocked…

"You really shouldn't make an expression like that your face might stick…." Ark'kuis chuckles out. I can't help my reaction though Ark'kuis is in human form. Unlike Lan'nakke I can completely see him and he looks as solid as me. "Not everyone is like Lan'nakke, Lan'nakke isn't in her body she is teaching him before she must return…" he states as he takes his seat beside me under the same tree.

"Wait… return?" I ask slowly making sure I heard the guy right.

"Mmhmm." Ark'kuis hums out. Now that I am over my shock I look over this bear. Bear is a fitting animal seeing how he is one beast of a man. He is built big as in big boned and larger frame like Raj is, Ark'kuis is larger though still. He is buff as well not oh my god gross looking build but large yes. Ark'kuis' hair is long and lose though and has a beard and mustache full and long as well. His beard goes down to at least the center of his chest and his hair covers his neck fully nothing crazy long just long enough to hide his thick neck. (Think of a Viking large, bulky, heavier set as in muscle not fat.) I swear this guy looks like he is from a whole different world.

"How the fuck did you assume human form?" I ask the man my voice still in awe of the man sure Raj is a big guy but nothing compared to this guy!

"I've always had a human form… I just like the bear form more." He chuckles out he's also got one of the deepest set voices I've heard maybe part of his odd accent. "I also know you had to snap Squall out of one of the beast backlashes." He spares an eye to me. He so different from Lan'nakke nothing about his beast form remains he is completely human even his hair color is normal it is a rusted orange-red hue something that isn't common around here.

"Beast backlash?" I ask the man waiting for him to explain just what that is.

"Aye, we all have it and when our body is pushed to its death point we lash out. The surge of power is a desperate act and last ditch effort to live. It happens even as we start out Squall hasn't figured out how to use his real power just yet. The Tome-Effusion did more harm than good but we had no choice." Ark'kuis sighs out still not happy about it.

"Oh…." I state so that's why Squall hissed and growled at me like a wild animal, Squall was at that point and time his body was at deaths door… "Wait near death?" I snap my head to the man fully. I get a small nod and a rumbling hum from the man. "Squall was being killed from that stupid spell you did!?" I shout at the bear.

I turns his head to me eyeing me critically I don't remember when but I'm standing and glaring down at the man seated before me. I watch a grin spread across his lips "I see why she picked you in the last life time now… She chose well I will give her that." he mummers out calmly. "You gave some of your own stored energy to him knight. When you kissed him you passed your own strength and will into him, just like you did back in the old days, or when she went purely feral from a strong emotional reaction."

I just stare at the man in disbelief no way you mean she really did need her Knight Alexander who would have thought someone as powerful as that would need another to keep them sane. I wonder what else she needed him for sides that I doubt I will get another word about Lan'nakke out of this bear.

"I like you kid, you should be honored I usually don't take a shine to your kind." He bellows out with a full show of teeth the grin for some reason is heartwarming in its own way and nature. I guess kind of like the way a father would smile upon his kid. "Lan'nakke has requested you and Squall to come to your secret sparing area tonight."

I nod at the man showing that I got the message with that he gets up, his full height is like a giant he is well over eight feet tall. "Be at that spot by 18:00 hours." I hum in agreement that I will and with that he seems to fade off into the background. I will see him tonight with Lan'nakke no doubt about that. I am looking forward to it to say the least and hopefully Squall will be over our little incident. After I'm sure no one else is going to come sneaking up on me I settle back down on the tree and stare off into space. I wonder just what will happen tonight and what Lan'nakke wishes to speak to us about now.

~~Time elapse – 18:00 hours~~

Sure enough we are all at Squall's and mine secret sparing spot. The only difference here now is that both mine and Squall's blood covers the rocks of the mountain side cliff. Many hours have gone into our training with one another. However we both have grown to our style of sword stance and we differ in style. My style is more aggressive and more about the number of blows I can land before my enemy can attack back. I haven't told anyone including Squall but I've started training in the art of hand to weapon combat where I can block, dodge, and even counter if an enemy has a weapon and my style isn't going to work. Thankfully I met an old man that had a style almost the same as mine and he whooped me good while unarmed. I was inspired by this and even his daughter took me down in much the same manner. I can help the smile that graces my lips as I think about them taking me under their wing and showing me other ways to get out of sticky moments.

Squall however… he has a thicker and heavier sword it is more of a balanced weapon than mine. Something tells me that when Lan'nakke gets her hands on Squall his combat type is going to change. Cats are all about the play, sneak, dodge, counter and with the power behind that form it would be backed with the power of a Lion and I mean male Lion. I wonder what they want me for anyways it's not like I have the gift Squall does and that is blessed by a spirit who assumes the form of a mighty beast.

After a second or two more I hear the ever heavy footsteps of Squall. Judging from the time in between steps he is sulking about something. That or really lost in that noggin of his again. Really he spends more time in that head of his than I do with my date for the night so to speak. I watch as the top of his head comes into view messy Dark Chocolate hair dancing to the salty breeze on the cliff side. His bangs hiding his eyes like usual and head slightly bowed. As I watch I see Lan'nakke come into view but it isn't her cat form… it is her human form. She stands as tall as Squall does though she has her eyes closed and her face slack and peaceful looking, her ears twitching every now and again.

Not long after I watch Lan'nakke and Squall appear Ark'kuis comes into view as well also in his human form. Now that I look at him more closely I can see bear like ears sticking out but they are in the normal human position unlike Lan'nakke's who has her cat ears on top of her head. Maybe that is what happens when you have a wild animal in you… does that mean that Squall will get a cat tail and ears as well. The more I think about it the more a rather silly smile pulls at my lips… Squall as a Neko… pffft… oh Hyne that's priceless to picture.

I'm dragged out of my musing as the other three stop around me. Odd wonder why Lan'nakke can show us her ghost human form now and couldn't before. I shrug it off as we all sit on the cold rock below. Something about Lan'nakke's aura is off and I'm getting a funny feeling like this is the last time I will see her like this… like time for her wandering about is up and must return to her reborn form known as Squall as they claim at least.

I then notice that the Tome is in her hands and no longer being kept within Squall's body. Thank goodness the last thing he needs is to flip out at Garden like he did on the train. Though I don't remember it glowing like it is now an almost sea foam green color. I also see strange runes coming and going almost like it's talking on its own one glyph at a time.

"This will be my last night as my own being with you two." Lan'nakke speaks he voice carries no emotion at all so I can't tell how she truly feels and her face remains expressionless. "Ark'kuis has agreed to teach you more after this final lesson from me tonight."

"What do you mean?" Squall asks almost in total shock of what is going on which Lan'nakke's sudden announcement. Don't tell me he has gotten attached to the spirit. Not many people can get close to Squall and for good reason he made it difficult with his attitude and personality. Squall is a very logical person and doesn't always respond on emotion too irrational for him. I can't help the ting of jealously that goes through me.

"I am you Squall I was never meant to exist in this world, I am simply changing events to prevent the path that once was. The pain it puts each of you through isn't worth the prize you got then." She holds the same tone but her brows lower to show her displeasure with the memory of what was to be. "I spent much energy I have stored over the eons just for this one chance to change fate… all of your fates would be better use of words."

"You cubs may not like it but Lan'nakke has seen events that cause more harm than good. Even Hyne would not like where the path would have led to. We spirits are sent when something cause's mishap on a world of life. We have been here longer than before Lan'nakke became the Lan'nakke you see before you. Lan'nakke was the last to choose a human form. Waiting for the right one to cross her path some of us look or are human as you and others are not but are still humanoid." Ark'kuis bellows out he seems to be watching Lan'nakke with a careful eye right now.

"Fate has chosen to change and set a new destiny for your kind here. You Squall will not stay here forever it is our kinds job to travel the Cosmos and continue this change of fate… and Seifer has a strong tie to you because of what I did in my lifetime…" Lan'nakke's voice is clear as day and holds no remorse for her deed.

"Is that why Squall and I have such a strong connection?" I ask my voice low but not in a sinister way more of a polite way.

"Yes… he is me reborn and you Seifer… are my reborn knight Alexander. You are the glue that made it possible for me to understand and relearn human emotions that died when I became Lan'nakke… a rather brutal and heartless monster… we shared a heart…. Your heart." Lan'nakke says in a quiet voice something seems to have put her mood down.

"Lan'nakke was always the most feral of all spirits and when the human and the spirit became one and the same it wiped out her human emotions with it, that she had left anyways." Ark'kuis adds on before taking a deep breath of the ocean air. "We will show you the past via dreams as you see through your past life eyes." He adds on closing his eyes and lying on his side.

Share a heart that sounds like something out of a corny romance story or something women like to read. How the hell can two different people share a heart really I don't get what the two of them mean. That's not the reason why she called us to this place though it has something to do with the Tome she has resting in her lap.

"I see you both know that this isn't reason why I brought you here." She says with a smile sliding across her face.

Not sure what or how but Squall and I say in unison, "Nothing is ever that simple with you Lan'nakke." We both just stare at each other confused as to how we repeated the same thing word for word.

"I suppose not." Lan'nakke chuckles out. "I wish to start teaching you to summon your Center Ark'kuis will take over the lessons after tonight."

Again we both ask at the same time, "What the hell is center?"

With that we watch her smile turn into a wicked one causing a shudder to run down all of our spines including Ark'kuis'…

~To be Continued~

~Author notes~

So thickens the plot and some other extra's that will be input into this story. I understand many of you are wondering what the point of these extras are but I swear I only wish to thicken this plot and throw you off the idea till it's time to give the meaning behind this story to you.

I like to mess with idea this includes words nothing is safe when I start making up story plots even everyday words become a toy to play with so to speak.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story hope you enjoyed this update. *bows*