I walk up the walkway to the stage away from Emily, towards the rest of my year and my life. We are now in a single file line, I'm in the middle. All my thoughts left, my mind empty, each step I took another thought left. I don't know who I am, I don't know what I'm choosing. I thought I had all of these choices mapped out in my head. I was going to start my training in Kung Fu with a trident from my father and a bow and arrow from a love ever since I was a little girl. Although I love a knife and sword, bo, sai, guns, spear, crossbows, and all sort of weapons. My parents never were there for me yet I love them. I was always sent off to a boarding school, some in the water and some in the human world.
"Hello Rhea." Bai Lei says as I push out of my mind into the real world.
"Hello Bai." I say
"I will see you after the ceremony at the dinner." Bai says as she starts to leave.
"Dinner?" I ask
"Yes, its for the Warriors to talk to their teachers and peers. I will see you." Bai says and leaves this time. I just realized that I don't know who the teachers are for the training. I continue walking until I'm up the stairs and see another helper.
"Hello, do you have a knife?" The man says as I come up to him.
"Yes, I have my own." I tell him
"Good, you may sit down." He says and lets me go, I finally look at the tables, I see a knife, different kind swords, guns, the bow an arrow, a trident next to a sai, crossbows, nunchucks, boomerang, a bo or staff, a rope dart and other weapons that I don't know the names for. I'll eventually learn all of these but I have to choose 2. Then I see another table for the fighting styles. It was a table full of plates with carved words etched in a ceremony. Each plate and weapon is used specifically for this ceremony. Each has a spell that bounds you to it. The blood from all of the other people are still on there, the only way the blood leaves is it burns off if they fail.
"Ma'am?" The man asks
"Yes?" I come back to the now.
"You may proceed." He says and pushes his hand leading me, I sit in my chair 4th from the end. We are presentable, I look to my left and right and see men and women I'm about to join in training. They are in suits or long dresses.
"Hello, I'm Liam." The man to my left says. He has darker skin which is rare around here but not... uncommon, one blue eye and one brown, his hair is long black hair in a bun, he's got some stubble around his jawline, in a plaid flannel with dark blue jeans and black converse.
"Rhea, you nervous?" I ask
"Terrified." I say and nervously laugh
"Me to... I like your blade, where did you get it?" Liam asks
"I just got it, it's a gift." I tell him
"Oh nice, from your parents?" He asks
"Oh no, they're not here. It was from my friend." I tell him
"That's cool, I had to use one of theirs." He says and we sit in silence.
"Do you know what your choosing?" He asks
"I thought I did, now I don't know." I tell him
"You?" I ask
"Yes, but it's a surprise. You'll find out." Liam says with a mischevious smile.
"Fine, we can talk at the dinner." I say and then Bai came up to speak to us.
"It is time for your ceremony." Bai says into the microphone and all of the chatter ceased.
"This year it will be different. You all will be choosing your martial art and weapon... But for the first time in history this ceremony you will be also choosing an animal to train, you will get a baby to train. You will train the baby and that baby will be an... extension of you." Bai tells us as another table comes out with wood carvings of animals. Birds, fish, reptiles, dogs, cats.
"Really?" Liam asks
"Yes, you all have one more choice to make today." Bai says as she smiles. I stop to think, I wasn't ready to make 2 choices let alone 3. I have always loved animals, but I didn't think I'd get one as an extension of me.
"Now, we don't have all day and I know you are trying to wrap your head around this but we need to continue." Bai says and she starts the ceremony.
"Before today you were people in your own accord, choosing what and who you are. Now you are in the care of your teachers, then in the care of our Prime. You start your next chapter of life. You will train, serve, start a family but that all depends on your choice today... We will begin." She says as she calls each person one by one.
But now I'm happy I was towards the end. I thought I was going to choose kung fu with the trident and a bow and arrow. Now I don't know what I'm going to choose, especially the animal choice. There are 5 people ahead of me. I love the trident because of my father but I'm not him. I love the bow and arrow but I also love knives and swords. 4 people ahead of me. I have alway found kung fu interesting but I also like capoeira. 3 people ahead of me. I mean I want to learn all of these eventually but what first. 2 people ahead of me. I love all animals but I love dogs... and cats...But I love wolves. Now Liam is next.
"Good luck Liam." I tell him, He turns and smiles at me.
"You to Rhea." Liam says and I watch him walk up to the tables. I watch him. He chooses Kung Fu, maybe we can train together. Then he chose a bo or staff, then the animals he looks at them for awhile. He finally choose a cat, I couldn't quite see which cat but he did. He turned back to sit down with a napkin on his palm. Now it's my turn.
"Rhea." Bai calls me
I stand up and straighten my suit. I pull the knife out of the sheath as I stand by the tables.
"Rhea, your choice today will change your life. Cut your left palm and drop your blood on your choice. You may choose 1 martial arts and 1 or 2 weapons. And as of today you pick one animal. What are your choices?" Bai asks.
I cut my palm enough to get a few drops. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? I just do what my hand decides. I bleed over the Kung Fu plate
"Kung Fu." Bai says
I move to the weapons table. I see the trident and the bow... Again I let my hand do what it wants. I bleed over the trident and I quickly move over to the bow.
"Trident and bow" Bai
I then move to the last table, this is the one I feel pretty confident about. I drop blood on a wolf. I had to make sure I didn't bleed on anything else. I step back and get handed a napkin.
"Wolf" Bai says and I walk back to my seat. What did I just pick? Did I pick what I wanted? I look at my hand and the bleeding stopped.
"Hey you ok Rhea?" Liam asks
"Yeah, I'm good. What did you pick? I couldn't see." I ask even though I know what he chose.
"Kung fu, the bo and a bengal cat. What about you?" He asks
"Kung fu, trident and a bow and arrow, and wolf. Maybe we can train sometime, although I think our animals would hate each other." I tell him and she laughs.
"Yeah probably, they'll get over it. We are going to be in kung fu training so they'll be together a lot." Liam says. Before I know it the ceremony is over.
"Today you all made choices, tomorrow you start your training. But tonight you will come to the dinner with your friends and family. Meet your peers. As this ceremony ends your life begins, you may go. Get ready for tonight, the dinner starts in 3 hours." Bai says and we were dimissed. I said goodbye to Liam, I'll see him in 3 hours anyway. I want to see Emily. I walk down the aisle and I finally see her.
"Em!" I scream and run up to hug her.
"I'm so excited for you. But do you have a dress for tonight?" Emily asks
"Um... no. I figured I'll just wear my suit." I say
"Oh no, not going to happen on my watch. We are going shopping... See it as an encore present. By the time we are done you will be beautiful... And maybe you'll get lucky with that handsome man you were talking to up there." Em says
"That handsome mans name is Liam" Liam walks up to us.
"I'm Emily." Em says
"Do you need something Liam?" I ask with a big smile
"No, just wanted to say goodbye... again... and meet your friend."
"Well you have and we will see you later. Now we need to go get ready." Em says
"See ya." I whisper as Em drags me away.
By the time Em was done with me I was in a purplish black dress that has no back and criss crosses across my chest. Em took me to a store to buy a whole bunch of makeup and did my makeup in the bed of her truck. We got a pair of 5 inch black, sparkly heels.
"Emily... This is too much. This had to cost a couple thousand dollors at least." I say, she wouldn't let me buy anything, just asked what I liked and bought it.
"You have saved my life on more than one occasion. You have been there for me in more ways than one. This is me...not even close to repaying the favor. You are my soul sister, my twin flame and I will do anything for you. Today you needed support and I'm more than happy to oblige." Emily says and I start to cry, I then hug her and we cry for awhile
"Oh crap don't mess up your makeup." Emily says and looks at my face, and fixes whatever I messed up.
"Thank you Em. Now you need to get dressed." I tell her. I didn't tell her as she bought me clothes, I bought her clothes, I already knew her size and what she likes so I got her a red dress with butterflies and black 7 inch heels.
"Oh Rhea." She says and takes the dress.
"This is why I love you sister." Emily says and takes them,
She goes into the passenger seat and changes, I block her view as much as possible from the outside. With a hung shirt on the other window I can't reach I help her get dressed.
By the time we finished getting situated I looked on the dashboard and saw a little black box that definetly wasn't there before.
"Hey Em did you buy something else?" I ask her
"No... What is that?" Emily asks
"Well I guess I'll find out." I say and pick up the box, it has a "To Rhea, my beaustiful daughter" tag on it. I scoff and open it up. It is a beautiful shell necklace from my mother, she is the only one that could send it like that.
"It's from my mother" I say as I pull the necklace out of the box
"Well it's beautiful!" Emily says
"Yeah it is... I just wish my mom and dad could have brought in person." I tell her with tears rolling down my cheek.
"Hey don't mess up my art work... Let me put this on and let's go." Emily says and off we go
We start listening to music to take our minds off of what we are about to go to. We go from pop Taylor Swift to rock Metallica. I have a variety in tastes in music. Em calls me a jukebox. Tonight is going to be a long night.
The dinner is at a house, whos I have no idea but it is. It's a mansion like the White House. It has 3 levels of windows with pillars everywhere. There has got to be 100 people in there. Where did they all come from? We get out of the car and walk up to the door, before we knock the door opens to find a butler I think based on his stance and suit.
"Which of you are the family and which is the new High Warrior?" The man said. I raise my hand
"I am." I told him
"Of course, you may come in. I am Lawerence and I'll be here to help if you need anything. Dinner will be served in about an couple hours while we wait for everyone else." He says
"So everyone isn't here?" I ask
"No, tonight all of the new High Warriors meet the older High Warriors, or at least in training and above. As well as, the teachers and supervisors. You may go in, Bai Lei will want to welcome you guys to her home." Lawerence says and points to a door.
"Thank you Lawerence. We will see you later." I walk past him but I slip a 100 in his pocket. He doesn't feel it, if he did he didn't let on. We walk in and see a huge ball room type of room with a lot of people. We continue walking and walk in a friendly face.
"Liam." I say
"Rhea, Emily. Pleasure to see you again." Liam says. He is wearing a white button down and black pants, his hair is down now, it's curly and down to his shoulders. He's now wearing a silver earring in his left ear.
"Why thank you for coming Rhea... and Emily. Welcome to my home." Bai Lei says as she comes up to us, she took me into a hug. Her hair is down, in a white undershirt, red suit and a black skirt, kind of like a cruise director outfit.
"Thank you for inviting us." I say as I pull from her hug. She just stands there and smiles.
"Of course it's my pleasure. For now you should just mingle with everyone, you may even find some of your teachers here. Do you regret your choices today?"
"No" Me and Liam both said at the same time.
"Well good. Later tonight you will be getting your schedules. Tomorrow you will be going through the schedule but it's more like an... orientation. So now I must leave to greet others. Oh and you will also get your companions tomorrow." Bai says as she leaves.
"Are your nerves jumping up and down from both excitment and nervousness?" Liam asks
"Definetly. I want to jump up and down and throw up. What if the pup doesn't like me from the start? What if I fail in the training? What if I become lonely." I ramble off and I stare at Liam then Emily. Then I burst out laughing.
"Oh god I'm sorry for that." I tell them
"Your fine Rhea. Me to. I ramble sometimes to, especially when I'm nervous." Liam says
"Thanks Liam, maybe we will have some classes together." I tell him
"Man you guys are going to be great friends while I turn to chopped liver." Emily laughs
"Sorry Em. You know I love you right?" I ask
"Of course sis." Emily says
"Are you 2 sisters? I thought you 2 were just friends." Liam asks
"Oh god no" We both say at the same time.
"Our parents wouldn't be able to handle us both as siblings. We just became really close friends what... 5 years back?" Em asks me
"5 years and I believe 3 months to be exact." I say laughing
"Such a stickler for the exacts. I'll keep that in mind when we train together."
"Well I see some of you have already made some friends." A man walks up to us in a red suit and pants. He's of darker skin tone with dark red hair and a dark red beard. I also saw a mole on his left ear.
"Yes, I'm Rhea." I tell him
"I'm Liam. Are you a teacher?" Liam asks
"Yes I teach Kung fu, and sometimes sub for a couple weapons." Adam says
"Oh your our teacher. We are taking Kung Fu" Liam says, I just awkwardly smile.
"Yes, I was told there were 2 new students this year. It's nice to meet you 2." Adam says
"Are we the only new students for you this year?" I ask
"Yes actually, not a lot of people want to take kung fu anymore. What weapons did you pair with your Kung Fu training?" Adam asks
"Trident and a bow and arrow." I told him, he looked surprised
"Not really normal pairings but I can work with that. How about you?" Adam asks Liam
"Oh a bo." He tells Adam and looks even more surprised
"Most people just call it a staff but you know one if it's other names." Adam says
"I've always been interested in the bo so it just fit." Liam says
"Huh, why did you pick the trident and a bow... and arrow."
"Well my father is Triton so obvisously I want the trident. And I figured it could act like a bo just with a pointy end. Now the bow and arrow I've always been interested in the bow and arrow for some reason." I tell him
"Huh, I think you will be a good additions to our ranks. You need to make sure to get your schedules tonight before you leave. I should mingle a little more. I will see you either later tonight or tomorrow for your first day. Good Luck." Adam says and leaves
"I think he will be ok." I tell Liam and Emily
"You notice how he didn't even acknowledge me?" Emily asks
"I know Em but I guess he doesnt like anyone he isn't teaching." I tell her and hug her again. Then we hear a intercom turn on
"Dinner will be served in 10 minutes, please head to the dining room" Bai Lei
"Well let's go sit down." I tell Liam and Emily. We just follow everyone else since no one knows where to go. We walk in to a large room with tables that fit about 5 people around them. We walk to a table around the middle I sit between Emily and Liam.
"Is this going to be very awkward?" I ask
"Not at all, some of the teachers can be mean but all in all everyone is friendly." Bai said as she walked up to our table
"Well then that's good to know. Thanks Bai" I tell her and she walks off. I follow her path and it's to a small podium. I then look around the room and saw long tables at one side.
"Welcome everyone. Teachers, supervisors, new and old students. I started inviting everyone after the ceremony for about 15 years now. I invited everyone from this cities ceremony to Hong Kong's ceremony. As most of you know I am the president of the entire High Warrior Training in all of the world. Everyone thought I was crazy to start this dinner but the only person to tell me what to do is the Prime and they granted my request. Ususally we have specific plate you can order from but we decided that we are doing buffet style this year so you can move around and talk and mingle. Everyone can stay as long as you like but you have to make it to your classes tomorrow. Or in some cases day after tomorrow for travel. Enjoy everyone." Bai finished her speech and left the podium, I then looked at the other tables at the side of the room and saw food. Anything from stuff on sticks to pot roasts to sides, whatever you can think of, fancy or not.
"Hey guys you want to get some food?" Liam asks
"Not until everyone got their food first." Emily says
"You guys can go if you want." I tell them. Liam looks at me like I'm crazy.
"She's fine." Emily says putting her hand on mine
"I have trust issues. I don't like anyone on my back or waiting on me." I tell them
"That's good instincts, you can use that when you start your training." Someone behind me said. I knew it was Adam before he talked. Emily jumped but I didn't.
"You know I heard you before you came up." I told him
"How?" He didn't act surprised, just curious.
"I could smell you for one, you are wearing a sea cologne. And Liam looked up and back down, holding back a smile. I could hear your breath and I felt the wind of your body." I tell him, never looking behind me. Letting him come in front of the table.
"How exactly did you learn all of that?" Adam asks
"My father is Triton, that's how I smelled the sea. My mother..." I pause, not wanting to tell him. Emily knows even though she's human but Liam doesn't and if I want to be friends, I don't want to start off the wrong foot.
"Your mother is a witch... isn't she?" Adam asks
"Yes." I whisper
"Huh... interesting." Adam says and walks to the food tables. I look at Liam and he's staring at me with astonishment.
"Your mom is a witch? Did you know?" Liam asks Emily
"Yes I did and no I don't care." Emily told him
"Look I understand if you don't want anything to do with me." I told him, making sure I don't look him in the eye.
"Ok" He said and got up from the table, I thought leaving. I wanted to cry. Then I felt him in the chair beside me. I looked at him, still not making eye contact. He put his finger under my chin and lifted to make sure I was looking into his eyes.
"My dad... Is a warlock in New York. Where is your mom stationed?" Liam asks
"New Orleans. My mom is High Priestess and a part of the Grand Synod." I tell him
"Oh damn. My dad isn't that high up the totem pole." Liam says
"Yeah well it could be worse." I say. I look at the food line and see no one is there.
"Let's go get some food." I get up, not wanting to stay on this topic anymore.
We get some food. I get some mashed potatoes and chicken. Along with macaroni and cheese. Emily gets her normal bowl of pasta, she loves alfredo. Liam gets steak, of course, with some potatoes and carrots. We all decide to get dessert later. Then we sit down. We just make small talk until another person comes up to us. This time an african american women with medium length purple twists in her hair. To match her hair she is wearing a purple skin tight dress, with black heels and an arrowhead necklace and earrings.
"Hello, I was talking to Adam and said I should come to this table and talk to someone here." The women says
"Yes, we've met Adam. You are?" Liam asks
"Yeah sorry I'm Natoya, I teach archery, are any of you with the bow and arrow?" Natoya asks
"I am." I tell her getting up from my chair. I give my hand out to shake, she takes it.
"Do you mind if I measure your arm? I'm sorry it's a weird question but it's to make sure I have a bow for you." Natoya asks
"Sh...Sure. Go ahead." I tell her.
She takes a tape measure out from a hidden pocket of her dress and takes measurements of my shoulder to finger tip, shoulder to elbow, elbow to fingertip, shoulder to waist. Then writing vigorously on a pad she got out of nowhere.
"We should have a training bow for you. Oh um did you know once you graduate you get a personal bow. It could be old school wood or new school, you could customize it however you want. As a graduation present." Natoya rambled.
"Really! I didn't know that. That's so cool... Sorry I geeked out." I told her
"No it's fine! I love hearing from eager students. Now I'd love to stay and chat but I have about 10 students to meet and measure before they leave. I will see you tomorrow." Natoya says and leaves.
"She seems cool" Emily says.
"Oh yeah, this will be fun." I tell her smiling.
"You've met 2 of your 3 main teachers now. I've met 1 of 2 main teachers and we've only been here a couple hours." Liam said stuffing his face.
'Hungry?" I ask him with sarcasm
"Yes I am. This is good food." He says smiling and continued eating.
"You really want to meet your teacher like that?" Emily asks.
"This is who I am sugar. The teachers will probably hate me anyway." Liam said with a smile but I could see pain in his eyes.
"Hello." Someone says behind me. I felt him come up so I didn't jump. I turn around to see a young girl that looks like she's about to go out dancing instead of a fancy dinner. She has 2 black and purple ombre curly pigtails with these fake butterflies that is really pretty, with a purple crop top that doesn't cover enough with black leather pants.
"Hello. Are you a teacher?" Emily asks
"Yes I teach the bo or staff as some call it. As well as some of the other smaller courses. I was told to come to this table, are one of you the bo?" She asks
"Yes that would be me." Liam said as he stood up wiping his mouth.
"Ahh yes hello. What's your name?"
"Liam...And you are?" Liam prompts
"Oh I'm sorry I forgot to introduce. I'm Cassandra or Cass or Cassie whatever you prefer." Cass said
"Well it's nice to meet you Cassie." Liam says and shakes Cassie's hand
"It's nice to meet you to. Why did you pick the bo?" Cassie asks Liam
"Haha... I'm not... A violent man until I need to be. A bo can be used as a defense and offense or not as a weapon at all." Liam explained
"Why become a High Warrior if you don't want to fight?" Cassie asks
"I don't want to fight. I want to protect."
"Well, thank you for making my night. I'm sorry but I will need to leave to meet my other students. I will see you tomorrow." She nods to Liam and then to me and Emily then leaves. Liam sits down and starts eating again. I start eating, I'm hungry but I don't want to eat.
"So now the only teacher left is your trident teacher. You know you will probably have other teachers. Hey will you have teachers for your compainions?" Emily asks
"You know I didn't think about that. I wonder if they are here." Liam said.
"Are you wondering before or after you undress Cassie with your mind?... Are you excited for your companion? I am." I ask
"I am but are we guinea pigs for this? I mean we are the first year to get this, what if it doesn't work out? Or if it does but they decide to take the baby away?" Liam rambles and asks
"Woah woah Liam breathe. Once we are blood bonded from the ceremony and are completly bonded to the baby they can't take them away for the babes safty and ours." I tell him
"Ok... thanks Rhea. I can't wait to meet them." I say
"On that note I have an announcement." Bai says from behind me. She holds up a microphone.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and everyone in beteen I have a special surprise for foreign guest and hometown guests. In the backyard there are pens set up... Well I will just let you see them for yourself. Once your done eating you may go out and see." Bai says and drops the microphone and leaves. I look over to see Liam scarfing down his plate. I was already done.
"Ohh this is going to be exciting. I'll wait for you guys." I tell them and they nodded.
Once they were done we took our plates to the collection table. We also wash our hands and sanitize them. This must be important if we need to do all of this preperation. We walk out to the yard and see big circles everywhere... with animals in them, some have people in them. All of the animals from the wood carvings in the ceremony. I look at Liam and smile.
"Oh my god Liam, go find yours!" I smile and shake him.
"Now hang on Liam, let me explain what is going to happen." Bai stops him
"Ok." We tell her
"Once you find your pen you will see multiple animals. However, you will need to look in their eyes. Once looked in all of their eyes you will feel a bond with a certain one. I can't explain the feeling so don't ask but you should feel something with one of them, if not then we will figure something out. Have fun. Oh and you can visit other pens, you just won't feel anything." Bai explains and we run to the pens.
We slow down once we get to the first few. I see house cats, lions, tigers, and Liams bengals. I see a variety of pups, I see monkeys, birds, snakes but I really want to find the wolves. I go to the dog section and look for the name plate for wolves.
I couldn't find them for a few pens but I see a pen that is father away. It's the wolves. I see a variety of colors first, whites, blacks, grey and browns. Then I realized there are at least 4 mothers with babies. No one was there when I walk up. I enter the pen and all of the babies run up to me but I don't touch yet, the moms are all growling at me. I walk towards them, careful not to step on any of the babies. I hold my hand out and let the moms sniff. I look into their eyes
"Hello moms, I know you love your babies, I do to. I will not harm any of them. I have a soft spot for animals with a bad rep. You guys are only mean because you have to be. I'm surprised to see so many of you. If one of your pups is connected to me I vow to take care of him or her with my life" I tell them. They sniff my hands and bow their heads, I guess they understand.
"Now I'm going to play with your pups is that ok?" I ask, they ignore me so I guess its ok.
I turn to the pups and they continue to jump up and down. I start to play with them. Pups play rough so naturally I get a few bites and scratches. I look into all of their eyes but feel nothing. I continue to play but I look at the moms.
"I'm sorry moms, I don't connect to any of them. I still vow to do whatever I can to protect them but none of them are mine." I say getting up.
I hear a growl coming from the moms, they are all growling. I turn around and one of them move to show a little baby, younger than the ones I was playing with I think. I move to the little one, the mom doesn't stop me and I pick him up. He is a greyish blueish color. He is so small compared to the others. The others look at least a few months old, this one only looks a few weeks old at most. He was sleeping but I cradle him and he stirs.
"Hello little one. I'm Rhea, I was playing with your siblings." I tell him and he opens his eyes. I instantly feel it, I drop to my knees. I feel a wall in my brain colapse and see a bright white light. It moves out to the pups head from my head. A wall in the pups mind falls and I hear his thoughts
"Hello little one." I think this time
"Hewo. Who you?" A toddlers voice tell s me in my head.
"My name is Rhea. You are my companion. What's your name?"
"Eilif. Companion?" Eilif asks
"You know how we can talk like this. Well it comes from a blood bond. You were chosen to help me."
"So I'm good?" Eilif asks like he's confused
"Of course your good! Why would you ask something like that?"
"Because when we were come here I heard some hu-mans that we are mean and bad. They hurt mama." Eilif says, a single tear fell from his face.
"Well, they will never hurt you or your mama or anyone ever again. I'll make sure of that Eilif." I tell him and pull him closer.
"Hello Rhea, did you find your companion?" Bai asks from behind me. I didn't turn around
"Hello Bai. Yes, I found him but I don't know if I should take him just yet." I tell her. I get up and turn around. Bai isn't alone but I ignore the other person right now.
"Why is... oh I didn't think anyone would choose that one." Bai says
"Who brought these wolves here?" I ask furiously
"A company, I don't really know who but some good people, they made sure they were fed, watered and taken care of." Bai explains
"We were fed but it wasn't anything we could eat, it had poison in it. So did the water." Eilif says
"The food and water were poisoned. And they abused the animals." I told her, she looked shocked.
"How do you know that?" Bai asks me, I point to the pup
"Eilif told me just now." I say and both Bai and the stranger looked shocked.
"Your pup told you... huh thats good. You know you shouldn't have been able to talk until the training started. His name is Eilif, how did you come up with that?" Bai says
"I didn't. Eilif is his name, the one that his mother gave him." I tell them
"Huh interesting well this is another person that chose wolf. His name is David." Bai tells me, I shake his hand once I put Eilif down. Eilif licks my leg and goes to his mom.
"I'm Rhea, where are you from, what are you studying?" I ask
"I'm from Lousiana but I'm studying in Houstan. I'm studying MMA with guns. You?" David asks
"Kung Fu with trident and a bow and arrow. Let me guess, you chose a wolf for their attack." I ask
"Didn't you?"
"No I chose the wolf for their protection instinct. You can come in the pen, although pay your respect to the mothers. Unless you want them to protect their pups against you."
"Yeah sure." David sarcastically says. He just walked right in walking through the pup, not even playing with them. Just forcing their faces to look in their eyes. The moms got up ready to attack him.
"Now this can go one of 2 ways. You can stand there looking like an idiot and get attacked my moms of pups you just harassed or you can pay your respects." I tell him
"Rhea help him please. I do not want this to go bad before its barely begun." Bai pleads
"Fine. David I'm only helping you because I agree with Bai. Will you pay your respect if I help?" I ask
"Yes yes just call them off." David says
"Eilif can you talk to your mom?" I mind talk. I then see him walk in front of his mom.
"Mom calm down please... Yes I know I'm only 1 month old but she asked me to... No she isn't taking advantage of me! She warned him but he didn't listen... Mom please, let him go... If you attack then they will kill you... I lost every single on in my litter! I don't want to lose you to." Eilif pleaded and the moms backed down. They laid back down
"Thanks little one." I mind talked Eilif. He's the only one in his litter, oh god.
"Thanks Rhea." David says
"Don't thank me, thank my companion. I just asked he did the work." I told him.
"Thanks pup." David said
"You can look around now David but please respect them." I tell him, he sat down and started playing with them.
"Bai, can I ask you a question?" I ask
"Sure Rhea... Let me guess you wanna know how long until you can take the pup."
"I don't want to hurt him if it's too early." I tell her
"I wouldn't have brought him if it was too early, you won't hurt him. Even then you can schedule visits with the mom." Bai said then touched my shoulder.
"Thanks Bai. I appreciate it." I tell her
"Well there is something else." Bai says
"Is everything alright?" I ask
"Follow me please." Bai pleads. She leads me to another pen. This time it was a type of cats, with 2 people in pen.
"These are cougar or maybe mountain lions." Bai told me
"Ok, why are you showing them to me?" I ask
"In the ceremony you chose wolf, hence your connection to Eilif. However somehow you made a bond with another animal." Bai says
"Is that even possible?" I ask
"If you bleed on more than one I believe so. But it's true. You are the first one to have 2 companions. But you have a wolf and a cougar. A dog and a cat, this will be interesting." Bai said
"Yes it will be. I'm going to wait until they are gone to go in. I don't want to interupt." I say
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions and watch your choosing?" Bai asks
"Not at all. Once I find he or she I'm going to call Eilif over so they can meet." I tell her
"Yes that is one of the things I wanted to ask you. How did you get your mind link so fast?" Bai
"Well... I don't know I just cradled him in my arms, looked in his eyes and we had the link." I tell her
"Did anything happen like a line going from your head to the pups?" Bai
"Yes... How did you know that? I thought I was going crazy." I tell her
"Well when we were testing it... some experienced it but definetly not instantly." Bai
"This has been tested then. Oh they left I'm gonna go in." I say before any more questions.
I walk in the pen to see 3 females and a bunch of kittens probably 6-7 months old. I do the exact same thing I did in the wolf cage, they accepted and I started looking into eyes. I got down the the last few, the last one I picked up was I think the biggest on. He or she didn't want to look at me
"Baby can you look at me for just a second please?" I plead and he does look at me eventually. Exactly like it happened with Eilif it happened to this kitten. I see the line of blue light connecting our heads.
"Hello kitty, what's your name?" I mind talk
"Who are you? Why can I hear you in my head?" A little girls voice said
"My name is Rhea. You are my companion so we have a special connection. What's your name?" I ask again
"I don't have a name yet, mom didnt want to give me a name until I came here. What's my name Rhea?" She asks. I think about it.
"Artemis. Your name is Artemis from the Greek Goddess of the hunt." I name her
"Artemis. Artemis. I like that, thank you Rhea. Can I go talk to my mom?" Artemis asks
"Sure, your my companion, not a slave or someone I totally control. Although I would like you to meet someone in a few minutes. ok?" I end the mind link, well not really end but didn't let Artemis hear everything.
"That was amazing Rhea!" Bai said when I walked to her.
"Thanks... I guess." I tell Bai
"It works just like the first one. and it was just as powerful. Could you mind link?" Bai asked
"Yes, I could do everything with Artemis that I can do to with Eilif." I say
"Amazing... Well are you going to try to call Eilif from this distance?" Bai asked
"I can try, I was just going to go get him."
"Oh please try from here." Bai pleads
"Ok" I say. I close my eyes and try to reach Eilif
"Eilif, can you come here please? There is someone I want you to meet." I mind talk. I don't know if it worked. Then I feel a mind coming to mine.
"Rhea! I thought you left already. I'm coming, if I can get past all of the people."
"No I didn't leave. I'll see what I can do about the people." I mind link
"Hey Bai can you tell everyone to get out of his way. If people see a wolf coming they'll get scared and may hurt him." I plead Bai
"Of course." Bai says and pulls a walkie talkie and tells everyone to get out of the way. A second later I see my blue grey pup coming at me, I hold my arms out and he jumps into my arms.
"Mama was ok with me leaving. I love my mama but I want to go with you." Eilif mind talked
"You can still see her everyday. I mean it won't be all the time and eventually you may only visit her a few times a week but you'll still see her." I mind talk to the little pup in my arms
"Rhea who's that?" A little kitten came up to me.
I shift Eilif to sit on one side so I could pick up Artemis. She jumps up into my arms. Eilif and Artemis start sniffing each other.
"Can you both hear me?" I mind talk
"Yes" They both said
"Good, so both of you are my companions, usually someone only has one but I have 2. Can you 2 work together?" I ask, they are natual enemies
"We'll figure it out Rhea. What are we supposed to be for you?" Artemis asks
"We'll talk tomorrow. Tonight you 2 just need to make sure you can play together." I tell them
"Ok, we'll talk and play. We'll see you tomorrow though?" EIlif says
"Yes, I don't really know when but I will see you tomorrow." I tell them and put them down. They sniff each other. They then start running
"They'll be ok for tonight?" I ask
"Of course they can be together until they fall asleep. Oh and by the way I have your schedule." Bai says and hands me a packet of paper with a schedule on top.
"Thanks Bai. You know... I don't want to be a gunea pig. I know you want to ask questions but please have the decency to tell me you want some information."
"Of course. I assume you want to show Artemis and Eilif to your friends so I'll leave you be. However, make sure you get a good amount of sleep and make it to your classes tomorrow. Goodnight." Bai coldly tells me.
"Eilif, Artemis can you come here please?" I mind talk
"Coming." They both say, they weren't far so they came quickly.
"I want you 2 to meet some friends of mine. Would you want to?" I ask
"Sure." Artemis says
"Follow me." I tell them, they fall in step beside me. We find Liam and Emily with the bengals. I walk to see Liam holding a baby bengal
"Liam, I see you found your bengal. What's her name?"
"His name is Axel. Where's your wolf?" Liam asks
"My wolf Eilif and my cougar Artemis." I point to both of them.
"Hhh...how?" Emily asks
"I accidently bled on cougar when I was going for wolf apparently." I tell them.
"May I?" Emily asks while bending down
"This is Emily, she is my best friend." I mind talk to them
"Rhea she smells bad." Artemis says
"She's fine, just try to hold your breath. trust me." I tell them
"What's wrong?" Emily asks
"Your perfume is strong for them." I tell them
"Oh I'm sorry guys, next time we meet I won't wear anything smelly." Emily says, they continue playing and I look to Liam.
"Can I meet Axel and maybe have mine meet him?" I ask walking toawards him
"Are you sure you didn't do it on purpose? Because I can't believe you have 2 companions. You have 2 the amount of protection and training." Liam asks
"Why would I do it on purpose? I'm going to be busy enough. I will never hurt or betray Artemis even if she wasn't on purpose. I swear I did not do this." I whisper
"Good." Liam says
"You done?" I say
"Yes. and yes Axel should meet them." Liam says and he lets him go. Axel starts playing with Eilif and Artemis.
"Can I ask you a question?" I ask Liam
"That's a question but go ahead." Liam says and smiles. I smile back, he bumps my shoulder.
"Do you have a mind link with Axel yet?" I ask
"No, I can sense... Fellings but not a full link. You?" Liam asks
"Yep, a full link. I can hear pretty much anything." I say
"Prove it" LIam taunts
"Fine, it's still weird but I'll try
"Artemis, Eilif, look at me." I mind talk and they do look at me.
"Rhea you ok?" Artemis asks
"Yes, I want to show my friends we have the mind link, would you mind if you did something" I ask
"Sure, what do you want us to do?" Eilif says
"What do you want them to do to prove it?" I whisper to Liam
"Have them run in a circle." Liam whispers
"Can you guys run in a circle for me please then you can continue playing. I'm going to be going home soon." I tell them
"Happy?" I ask
"Yes, that's interesting." Liam says
"Well I'm going home. I'm going to look over my schedule and go to sleep." I say
"You got your schedule?" Liam ask
"Yep, you?" I ask
"Nope, I guess we'll see if we have classes together tomorrow." Liam says
"Good night."
"Night. Emily, you mind if you drop me off home. I'm tired." I ask
"Yep, you want me to take one of these guys home?" Emily asks
"Nah, their both pretty much on the way out." I say
"Come on guys, let's get you to your mothers. We have a long day tomorrow." I say. We all walk in silence, Emily still plays with them until they are with their mothers.
We go to the car, Em drops me off and I go to my dorm. I was so tired I didn't want to take a shower but I did. I went to the kitchen to grab a snack, I decided on grapes. I grab a can of pineapple juice and look at my schedule. I have meditation, stances, kicks, punches, blocks, history, animal styles, balance/flexibility, breathing, strength training, and agility/stamina. I can't keep my eyes open so I go to sleep.
YOU ARE READING
Rhea
Fantasy**This is unedited and it may change** Rhea, daughter of Triton and a witch, joins in High Warrior training. She has to bind herself with a blood oath to the practice of kung fu and the tident and bow an arrow. If she doesn't master all of them with...
