Chapter 6: Bonds
Zuberi's POV-
I resisted a scowl at Cabaro. I had told him to stay behind me, not rush ahead and make a display. He was my Spirit Animal.
As if sensing my distaste, the overgrown cat turned his gaze on me, eyes glinting with something close to a smirk. He tossed his mane, which was becoming an iconic move, then stretched before pacing gracefully over to me. I tried not to make eye contact.
"Our first training session will focus on enhanced performance, as per usual," Olvan's tell tale voice rang out. "Meilin, please demonstrate."
The Zhongese girl was wielding a quarterstaff. Not very effective for killing, but nonetheless, a very useful weapon. A blue flash briefly filled the room, as a giant panda appeared beside her. The creature looked docile and useless in battle, but looking into its eyes made me want to sleep for some reason, so I focused my gaze on Olvan.
"Meilin here will show off her bond with Jhi," he boomed (everything he said sounded like that, actually).It was only when he gestured to his left did I notice the training dummy standing quietly, as if waiting to be mercilessly beat up.
Meilin crouched down to gaze into her Spirit Animal's eyes, whispering something inaudible, before standing up with a determined look on her face. She approached the dummy before striking once, hard on the abdomen.
With lightning speed, she struck twice, thrice, and paused for a very brief moment before whipping her staff into the dummy's head, wood chips flying. The training object shook violently before settling. I widened my eyes slightly at how inhuman her movements were, as if the air around her was fast-forwarded, or perhaps, slowed down while she maintained her pace. Meilin kept a concentrated expression as she returned to Jhi's side.
"Very well done, Meilin." The girl nodded with a smile as the scruffed up boy beside her smirked with an look I couldn't figure out. The blonde boy grinned brightly, while the Niloan girl kept a still face. "Now, who wants to try next? I understand your bonds are quite weak at the moment, but there's a first time for everything," Olvan continued.
Cabaro let a guttural growl of a sort, lashing his tail and giving a cat-like grin. The large polar bear nearby huffed loudly, perhaps laughing. I sensed that my Spirit Animal was eager to show off, and he wasn't about to do it without me.
"Allow me, sir," I volunteered in my most polite tone. Cabaro once again growled softly, not aggressively, but rather, like a sneer. He stalked forward.
Olvan gestured to a weapons rack nearby, and I moved towards it. The traditional weapon back in my village was a broad-bladed machete, and my father had trained me to be an expert with it. I selected the one with the least rust, gripping it tightly in my hand. I was one of the better fighters in my village, but wasn't the best hunter. My father had always said I was made for the battlefield and not the bush.
Cabaro looked surprised at my choice, and I glared back at him. He snorted and paced over to the far side of the weapon rack, sitting on his haunches and licking his golden fur. I myself walked over to the dummy, its somehow infuriating expression taunting me.
Oh great. Now I'm seeing emotions in an inanimate object. How dignified.
"Well then," I pivoted to look at my Spirit Animal, who was glaring mildly at me. "What can you do for me?" He shook his mane and continued grooming, but this time, his eyes were traced on me. The lion wore a look that said Remember, I'm the one making you so great. I narrowed my eyes. Just then, I felt a rush of adrenaline, and my limbs felt as light as air.
Cabaro was still casually licking his fur, as if nothing was happening. Knuckles white on the broadsword, I tried a few thwacks against the dummy. They happened so fast I barely realized I had already done it. It was so easy to whip the sword through the air now, and sheer instincts were ready to dodge any counterattacks.
I looked upon my Spirit Animal with new respect, and he yawned. Trying my luck, I struck the dummy three more times, precisely placed at the head, stomach and knee.
"Hmm, very impressive, Zuberi and Cabaro," Olvan praised. I glanced at the other two girls behind me, with the dark-haired one widening her eyes, and the light-haired one peering around nervously. "Though I'm not seeing a true bond here."
"What do you mean? Wasn't that a good performance?" I questioned with a tone of anger.
"Yes, but…" his voice faded away into thought.
"I think what Olvan means," the Niloan girl, whose name is Abeke, if I remember correctly, "is that Cabaro is merely granting you powers for his own good. I doubt he would do it if he weren't showing off." In response, the lion growled as he swiftly got up and stalked away.
I resisted a scoff and walked back to my place. I had shown my bond with Cabaro, had I not? What more do they want?
"Thank you, Abeke. Dyra, why don't you try?" Olvan said as the shy-looking blonde-haired girl stepped forward nervously. The giant polar bear beside her, Suka, huffed. Dyra took Suka's muzzle in her hands and put her nose to the bear's, closing her eyes. I raised my eyebrows at the closeness.
The Arctican girl slowly walked over to the stocked weapon rack, but just as she was about to pick out a spear, someone burst through the doors.
It was a short man with a cloak that looked too big for him. He blushed for a moment before announcing in a skittish voice: "I'm sorry to interrupt, Olvan, but the summoner of Ninani has arrived."
A/N: WOOOOOO I'M BACK! So so so so so sorry for the long delay, got caught up in school and other fanfics and stories and I really didn't have the time to do this. But the usual schedule should be back to normal, unless I get too lazy or somethin. But this chapter was really just to emphasize that the bond between Zuberi and Cabaro is not a healthy one. I have nooooooooo idea what other powers the Great Beasts should give to the kids but if you have any suggestions COMMENT AWAY!
Until the next time,
Rainbowcookies :D
PS I'M COMPLETELY AWARE THERE'S A NEW SPIRIT ANIMALS SERIES OUT THAT IS BASICALLY THE SAME IDEA AS MY FANFIC BUT WAY MORE EXCITING SO I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD CONTINUE THIS OR NOT SINCE THERE'S ALREADY TWO NEW BOOKS OUT THERE. PLEASE GIVE ADVICE!