The Reptile's Wrath

1

The girl's boots pounded on the wooden floor. The creature was barely three steps in front of her. She heard someone behind her, gaining fast. She couldn't be caught. Especially with something like this.
The cat hooked its claws into the floor, spinning as it tried to gain traction. That's when the girl dove at it, wrapping her hands around its chest. The cat wailed in protest, wriggling and scratching in her grip.
She got to her feet, breathing hard. Her messy white hair fell into her eyes. If she wasn't holding an angry cat, she would have taken the time to put it up into its usual, equally messy ponytail.
The footsteps halted behind her and she whirled around. Her fluffy tail curled around her hip, its tip twitching.
"Well, well, well, Bark. Should I ask what you're doing in here and not outside in the training yard?"
Bark bared her unnaturally sharp teeth, a growl slipping from her throat. "Leave me be, Yowl."
"Dog-girl is angry. What a surprise." Yowl stepped forward, her own sleek, tabby tail flicking. Bark kept a yellow eye on the girl's claws, which were unsheathed and sharp as thorns. "Would be a shame if someone were to tell Stead about a disobedient doggie out of her yard."
"You wouldn't tell him!" Bark said, rising to her full height, which was still quite short compared to Yowl.
Yowl smiled, her slitted pupils expanding inside their green irises. "What makes you say that, Bark? You aren't scared, are you, Bark? Not scared of, oh I don't know--" Yowl rose up to her full height as well, dwarfing Bark. "--being kicked out and ending up back on an Amayan street?"
"Why would I be scared?" Bark asked, trying to keep an angry look in her eye and on her face. Trying not to reveal just how scared she really was.
"You shouldn't be," a new voice said.
From around the corner, a tall, skinny Niloan boy showed himself. He had short, curly black hair with a stripe of white going through the center of it. His black eyes seemed to pierce straight into Yowl's soul as he stared her down. He came to stand beside Bark, crossing his arms.
Yowl took a small step back, now outnumbered two to one, though Bark didn't think she really counted for much in this situation. "Valor, how great of you to show up," Yowl said. Her gaze darted between the two as she took another step backwards.
"I think it's time you left, Yowl," he said cooly. "And, while you're at it, pick on someone your own size for once. I'm tired of having to hear people complaining about you."
Yowl shot Bark a venomous look that said this isn't over, then turned and stalked off. After she was out of sight, Bark sagged against the wall, clutching the now calm cat to her chest. It purred quietly and pawed at her face.
"Are you alright?" Valor asked.
Bark nodded. "I'm fine, thanks to you."
"It was nothing. Yowl is just a big bully. Don't let her get into your head."
"That seems much easier said than done."
"It might be, but you'll never know if you never try. Whose cat is that?" He slowly extended a hand, scratching the feline behind the ears.
"She belongs to Swift, that tiny kid that never has his nose out of a book."
"Ah." Valor nodded, walking with her as she led the way down a set of winding stairs. "He's young, isn't he?"
"Yeah, he's twelve. No idea how though. The bile lost its power two years ago. He must have summoned his animal before he was of age."
Bark stopped and tried to shift the cat to one arm so she could knock on the door. The cat wasn't having that. She dug her claws into her sleeve and the skin beneath it, causing her to hiss in pain.
"Here," Valor said. He took the cat from her, pinching its claws so it let go. He held it to his chest while Bark rapped gently on the door. There was a small thump from within, with a sound of pain following straight after. The door opened a moment later, a small, brown haired kid staring up at them.
His face broke into a wide grin when he saw the cat. "Maribella!" He took the cat from Valor, hugging it tightly. Maribella didn't fuss at all. Bark could hear her small heart beating slow and steady within her chest. Once Swift set her down, he wrapped his arms around Bark.
"Thank you, Bark, you're the best!"
"Don't thank me, thank Valor. He got Yowl off of my back."
Swift turned to him, but before he could be attacked by a hug, Valor backed away, holding up his hands. "Really," he said. "It was nothing."
Maribella, seeing her chance, darted between Bark's leg and the door. She was halfway down the hall before Swift reacted. He slipped past Bark, his body blurring as he dashed after the cat. "Oh no you don't," he said, carrying her back into the room. "You're staying here."
"Bark!" a voice called.
She winced. She would be late to practice again. "I gotta run. Bye guys."
The pair waved to her, and she was off, sprinting towards the entrance and the source of the voice. Thrash was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, a frown on his face. He was an older, stocky Zhonezan man. His spirit animal had been a harpy eagle, a fitting animal for such a fierce fighter. He had small, downy gray feathers at the corners of his eyes and along his arms, acting almost like a second skin. His long hair was the same shade of grey, with feathers from his former animal braided into it. He carried a quarterstaff with him everywhere he went.
Bark swallowed nervously, gripping the hilt of her sword. "Come along, Bark. You're late."
"Sorry, Thrash."
He said nothing, simply leading her outside and into the training yard. There were racks of weapons along one side, with a row to training dummies on the other. At the far end of the yard there were pairs of people sparring and training.
Thrash led her to an open space, setting his staff against a weapon rack and taking a dull sword from it. Bark unsheathed her own dull training blade from the sheath at her hip. "Remember, Bark," he said. "Mind your tail and use your abilities. Even though your spirit animal isn't here anymore, he still wants to help you."
They circled each other, Bark's gaze darting over Thrash's large frame. She knew from past training sessions that she couldn't topple him. He was much too strong for that. But, he wasn't as fast as her.
She darted in, ducking his guard and sliding the dull blade over his side. As soon as she was out of his range, she turned and the pair began circling again.
Bark was trying to find another opening. She had been concentrating so hard that Thrash's heavy strike caught her off guard. His blade came down on her shoulder, and with her acute hearing, she heard a popping noise. After that, she wasn't really sure what happened, and through her tears she couldn't see much either. All she could feel was blinding pain all along her arm and the cool ground beneath her.
Thrash was kneeling beside her. He was saying something that Bark couldn't make out. After a few seconds, he put a hand on her arm and pulled it. Hard. Bark yelped in pain, before it faded to a dull ache. She wiped her eyes, rubbing her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Bark," Thrash said, pulling her to her feet. "I shouldn't have struck you so hard."
"No," Bark said, shaking her head. She walked over, picking her sword up out of the dirt and getting back into position. "Let's keep going. I'm not bleeding."
Thrash only nodded. He was the best teacher here. He got back into his own stance, and the pair began to spar again. Bark was glad he had hit her right side. She used her left for everything.
After a few more failed attempts at downing her mentor, she felt someone watching her. As she took a moment to breathe, she glanced behind her. Valor and Swift were standing a few meters off, watching her fight. Swift still held his cat in his arms.
As Bark was about to go after Thrash again, a voice interrupted her. "Valor!" a masked redcloak called. "Come over here. I made a bet, I need you to win it for me."
Valor sighed, shaking his head before walking over. The other redcloaks in the yard all stopped what they were doing to watch. Valor was easily one of the best fighters out of them, even able to beat Thrash unarmed.
He had been bonded with a honey badger, and had inherited every bit of strength his creature had once had. Two other redcloaks shed their cloaks and masks, revealing themselves. The pair's appearance sparked whispers through the training yard.
Worthy, helper of the four heroes of Erdas, and Jolt, one of the first redcloaks. The redcloaks began to close in on the trio, murmuring excitedly. Thrash grabbed his quarterstaff before beckoning Bark to follow him.
"I don't think this is all that fair, Screech," Jolt said, raising a brow at the original speaker. "Two against one? Really?"
Worthy shrugged. "He could always pick someone else to help him."
"No," Screech said. "That wasn't the deal me and Talon made. It's Valor against Worthy and Jolt. No weapons, no outside help."
"How much are you hinging on this, Screech?" Valor asked calmly.
Screech winced. "Let's just say, you better not lose."
Thrash stepped forward, and the circle backed up in respect of the older redcloak. Thrash dragged his staff through the dirt, making a rough circle around the trio. "If you leave the circle, you lose," he said simply. "If your blood is drawn, you lose. Or, you can always surrender."
"Show them what you've got, Valor!" Screech called.
"Put him in his place, Jolt!"
"What, no love for me?" Worthy cocked his head.
"Begin," Thrash said as he stepped out of the circle.
Jolt and Worthy both went in different directions, trying to flank Valor. He turned, backing up until he was almost at the edge of the circle. Worthy started forward, raising a clawed hand to strike. Valor saw it coming and moved to counter, when Jolt lunged forward, striking Valor's shoulder.
Valor winced, but he didn't move. Worthy let out a cry of pain as Valor shoved him roughly out of the circle. The redcloaks gathered around them caught him easily.
Screech was grinning madly. Bark glanced at Thrash, who was leaning against his staff, just watching the fighters. Valor and Jolt began to circle each other.
"You know," Jolt said. "There's no shame in submitting. I don't want to hurt you, Valor."
"And I don't want to lose my silvers!" Screech called. "Come on!"
Jolt lunged forward again, placing a hand over Valor's wrist. Valor swung his other hand towards Jolt, his claws digging into his skin and drawing dark blood. Valor stiffened then, his eyes widening.
Instantly, Jolt removed his hand, placing it over his wound. Valor set to rubbing his wrist where Jolt must have shocked him. Bark had watched Jolt fight a few times before, and knew he could use lightning somehow. It had always looked painful, but Valor acted like it was nothing.
Thrash stepped into the circle, putting a hand on Valor's shoulder. Screech jumped into the air, grabbing another redcloak, who groaned quietly. "Alright, fine, Screech. I'll pay up. Good fight, Valor."
Valor just nodded in thanks as the redcloaks congratulated him. Eventually, everyone drifted away, leaving Bark, Thrash, Valor and Swift standing in the training ground. Thrash sighed. "I suppose this serves as your training today, Valor," he said. "Though take something away from all this."
Valor looked into the man's eyes unblinkingly. He was braver than Bark, that was for sure. She couldn't hold his gaze if her life depended on it. "Learn that it's alright to say no," Thrash finished. "You don't need to get hurt because of people like Screech."
"Yes sir."
"And Swift."
"Yes-- Yes sir?" Swift squeaked.
"Meet me out here with Bark tomorrow at noon. I need to start teaching you."
Swift nodded excitedly.
"Now," Thrash said. "I need to speak with Stead. Run along, all of you."
Swift came over to the others, hugging Bark's arm. "Hear that, Bark? I'll be training with you!"
Bark grinned. "Yeah, you will."
Valor was about to walk away, when Bark stopped him. He turned, raising a brow. "Yes?"
"Uh, could you walk with me? I feel like Yowl might be waiting for me."
He nodded. "Of course."
"I'll help too," Swift said.
Bark hated having to ask someone for help, but she really didn't want to deal with Yowl. She just wanted to sleep. Her shoulder was still throbbing.
"So... What weapon do you use, Valor?" she asked, breaking the silence as they walked up a set of stairs.
"A spear, normally, but I can fight unarmed if I need to."
Bark nodded, biting the inside of her cheek. He was a quiet one that much was for sure.
"My real name is Katerine," Bark said.
Valor glanced at her. "Just call me Valor."
Bark tilted her head, about to say something else, but by that time they were at her room. "Thanks," she muttered. Her tail twitched with her nervousness.
"You're welcome. If Yowl pulls anything, come get me. I'll be somewhere."
"And me," Swift said. His gaze turned slightly fearful. "Actually, please don't. Yowl scares me."
"Right. Sure. Okay."
Bark slipped into her room, shutting the door. She let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her aching shoulder. Today had been the same thing as always. Find Swift's cat, get chewed out by Yowl, train with Thrash. Always the same. Bark wondered when things would change, and if they ever would. She had a feeling in her gut that something was coming. Something was going to happen soon, but she didn't know what.
For now though, she couldn't be bothered to think about it. Her shoulder was hurting too bad for her to sleep, but she could at least lay down for a bit. She flopped onto her bed, shutting her eyes.