Chapter 9 - Monkey Talk

Chow cautiously climbs back over the branch towards the rustling leaves. “Hullo….who’s there? I’m Chow….are you my spirit animal?”

The rustling continues as Chow gets closer. He reaches forward and draws back the canopy to look inside. The dark is hard to penetrate with his sight. Just as he begins to think it was the wind two pink eyes open in the darkness. A squeek comes from the shadows before a pink fuzzy monkey leaps from the dark and lands on Chow’s chest.

“Woaaaaaaaaah”, shouts Chow as he falls back onto the branch.

The monkey bounces all around Chow as he giggles, “Well hi there!!”. The Monkey playfully bounds about Chow. With a scooping motion Chow picks up the monkey and stares into its pink round eyes, “You’re so cute…..so…” he stares into the pink eyes deeply, the monkey stares back into his eyes and they both sparkle in unison. A glow of ethereal energy surges back and forth between the pair. “

Chow hugs the Monkey so tight, “You are! You are my spirit friend!”

The Monkey spirit hugs him back before pulling away and climbing out onto the branch. It drops to hang on the branch with one arm and waves with it’s other for Chow to follow. Chow chuckles, “I dunno….” The Monkey waves again vigorously and gives him a wink. Chow smirks, “OK …if you insist.” Chow climbs out further onto the branch and starts to hang from the branch. As he lowers himself etheral energy starts to take shape around his arms in a pinkish glow. “Woah… “ he says as he looks at the Monkey who has let go and is swinging below him along the branches. “Here goes nothing!” Chow lets go and follows after the Monkey swinging from branch to branch.

Chapter 10 - All by Myself

Ishi stands and looks around her but sees or hears nothing. The flowers sway back and forth emitting a soft swishing sound. She picks up her bag and shifts it across her back. “Hullo…..is anyone out there?”

She starts to walk and look around, “It’s so quiet here….”, she starts to walk tentatively, “Anyone out there?” reluctnatly she starts walking in a random direction. “Maybe I picked the wrong spot? Prolly should try another…” she walks for a while moving closer to the treeline. She places her bag near the roots and takes a seat again. She tries to thinkspeak again, ** I am hee and I am worthy!

She waits a while before opening her eyes again and sees nothing. Her lower lip starts to quiver and her eyes begin to water, “No no….don’t cry….you can do this! YOU Can do this!!”

With the back of her sleeve she dries her eyes and looks into the edge of the forest, “Hulloooooooooooooo…..is anyone out there? I am here and I am worthy! I will be your bestest friend and we will help so many people! So where are you?? Come pick me! I will make you proud I promise!”

The forest answers her with silence as she clenches her fists. She waits several minutes before dropping to her knees with a quiet sob. “I will make you proud!”

Chapter 11 - The Dark Serpent

Roh presses back into the alcove with terror in his heart. The blood red face hisses as it snakes forward. “You are not worthy! I sense fear in your heart…..anger….corruption…greed…ambition.”

Roh raises his hands as if to shield himself, “No…no you’re wrong……I only want to help people…..”

The blood light snake moves into view and starts to rear it’s head back as massive fangs slide into view. “You will help no one…..you are not worthy of a spirit animal! You will be my feast and harm no one with your greed!” The creature rears back and strikes forward. Roh barely has a moment to spare as he leaps away from the strike landing hard on his back, “OOOOOOOOOOOF!” he cries as the serpent twists about ready to strike again.

Roh leaps again towards the tunnel entrance his feet searching for purchase on the wet stones below him. He scampers as best he can as he runs towards the light. Hissing and cussing can be heard behind him as the serpent begins the chase. Rocks are shattered as the serpent strikes again and again. Roh barely avoids the attacks as he flees for his life.

The light of the cave grows brighter as he flees. He thinks to himself if he doesn’t get away this will be the end of him. With pure determination he wills himself to move quicker, he will not end here today. He races towards the open mouth of the cave and flings himself forward with all his might. He made it! He’ll be free!

Suddenly Roh slams into massive patch of fur and bounces back onto his arse. He looks up to see a magnificent buck before him just as the serpent breaches the cave mouth.

Chapter 12 - Momo and the ?

Momo looks around and blinks his eyes furiously. Did he just see something? He peers closer into the darkness when suddenly two large blue eyes pop open and peer at him. Momo falls back on his rump as the creature hops out from the foliage. A large blue Owl spirit hops forward and tilts its head at him. Momo looks surprised and cracks a large grin, “Well Hullo there…..” The owl takes several more hops towards Momo and plops on his knees. It leans forward again and stares into his face. Momo peers back and looks deep into the Owl’s eyes as it stares into his. A surge of ethereal energy flows between them as they gaze.

“Oh it’s you! You’re my spirit friend!”, he squishes the Owl spirit in a big hug as it flutters and protests the tight hug. “Oh sorry!” The Owl hops onto the ground and ruffles its feathers until they’re straightened. Momo stands dusting off his pants as he does so. “I’m so happy to meet you!” The owl hoots and flutters it’s wings taking off from the ground. It flutters around Momo several times before taking off into the air hooting. “Wait…where are you going??” Momo looks sad to see his friend leave but notices it circling in the sky. “Do you want me to follow you ???” The owl hoots in response.

“Guess that’s a yes?” he starts to run after the owl trying to keep up. It starts to rise higher and higher and becomes hard to see. “Wait…you’re going to far…. I can’t keep up!” he calls after it. He slows down and covers his eyes to try and see the Owl in the air. “Wait a second….we’re supposed to bond with our spirit animal by living as it does.”, he thinks for several moments intently as ethereal energy begins to crackle around his arms, “Hawk can channel his spirit animal to fly so maybe that’s what it wants me to do?” Momo looks at his arms and notices the blue energy suging around him. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhh … I’m such a dummy.” he chuckles to himself. “Well here we go!” he starts to run fast and flaps his arms as the Owl swoops by him hooting encouragingly. He takes a leap and feels the wind catch under his wings and away he goes into the air!

Chapter 13 - Way of Water

Yumi looks from eager face to eager face trying to figure out which spirit animal is the one who has chosen her. This seems to be a test of some kind that she just doesn’t know how to resolve. “There’s literally dozens of you!” she chuckles as she looks about. “How can I possibly figure this out?” she plops onto the ground and tries to think. “What did our mentor say? A bond is made when two become one….in just one look is all it took…” she gasps, “Oh! That’s it….you look into their eyes and you find your bond!

Several happy chitters are heard all about her, “So all I have to do is stare into their eyes.” She hmmms as she looks about, all the happy faces staring at her but somehow she can’t seem to see the one. Suddenly she notices a creature that is looking at her askew as if purposefully not looking in her direction. She politely makes her way over to the creature, “Hullo…..” the creature squeaks and turns to look at her. Yumi smiles and catches a glance with the Otter spirit and gasps as she falls into the well of her eyes. A surge of purple energy flows between the two and Yumi realizes she has found her spirit friend.

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The otter chitters and bounds to the stream and dives in, a few feet away it surfaces again floating on its back. With a wave of it’s flipper it motions for Yumi to follow suit. Yumi chuckles and goes to the water’s edge and dips her feet in. “Fancy a swim huh?” As her feet touch the water purple energy crackles over her legs, “Oh…..OH!” she says before taking a few quick steps forward and dives into the stream. The otter spirit swims around her a few times before they both dart rapidly up river.

Chapter 14 - The BUCK

Roh looks up at the massive golden buck standing defiantly before him. The antlers wide and strong, it’s stance one of obvious defense. Roh turns to look behind him and spies the glowing red serpent just at the cave’s mouth hissing. ** He is mine! You cannot have him!” The buck stomps its foot and golden energy pulses forward towards the serpent throwing it back into the shadows. ** HE WILL BE MINE! ** The serpent hisses once more as it dives back into the shadows of the cave.

The buck looks down at the fallen Roh and stares deeply into his eyes. Roh quite frankly shocked as he is, looks deep into the Buck’s eyes and golden ethereal energy surges between them. “You’re my spirit friend!” he shouts happily and relieved. He jumps and hugs the Buck spirit’s huge neck. “Thank you thank you!”

The buck nuzzles the boy back before pulling free and turning back to the forest. It looks back at him once and motions with his head to follow him. With a swiftness the buck darts further into the Mystik Forest. Roh takes one involuntary look back at the cave before taking several steps forward to follow the buck. As he moves he feels the golden ethereal energy surge over his body granting him the speed and gait of the buck. With a newfound joy he leaps and prances thru the forest following his new spirit friend.

Chapter 15 - Time is Up

Ishi wanders thru the Mystik Forest calling out sporadically to the spirit animals. Tears stream down her face as she walks about, sobs escaping her throat. With a sigh she stops to take a moment’s rest and plops down against a tree. “What did I do wrong??” she sobs again and wipes furiously at her face.

“Mother said I wouldn’t succeed and should have stayed home….” she sobs to herself trying to calm her nerves. “I can’t go back…I just can’t.”

She looks up at the sky and notices the sun is soon to set. The time of the joining is almost done. If she was to find her spirit animal she would have already. With a reluctant sigh she stands and starts to head back to the ivy archway. A failure just as her mother thought.

Chapter 16 - Resolutions

Hawk and Frog leap through the Ivy Arch at the pace of a snail. They know something is wrong and unsual. Time is moving slowly for them and they must force their way forward with all of their energy. Seconds seem like hours, hours seem like days and suddenly time resumes it’s normal flow and they lurch forward smashing into the ground before them.

Hawk squawks, “What was that!!”

Frog sputters dirt and grass out of his mouth, “No idea….but we better get it together quick…the children are in danger!”

“Who’s in danger?” shouts Chow as he lands with a graceful flip. His monkey spirit landing besides him.

Hawk pats Chow on the back, “We’re not sure….”

Frog looks around, “Wait I see the others coming…”

Along the river Yumi and her Otter spirit splash in and out of the water as they make their way to the clearing. With a splash the pair land on the ground and make their way to the group. “hiiiiiiiiiii everyone!”

Further behind a large buck bursts from the treeline with a beaming Roh leaping behind him. The pair seem to sail thru the air with each leap. Within moments they come to a quick stop sending dust into the air, “We’re here!”

Hawk looks around, “That’s three….where’s Momo and Ishi?”

The trio shrug but don’t seem worried. Frog is about to say something when a loud hoot catches everyone’s attention. As one they look up in the air to see the Owl spirit and Momo spiraling down towards the ground. Momo hits the ground a little rough and has to jog a few steps before he can stop. Moments later the owl lands on his shoulder.

Hawk hugs his brother excitedly, “Another flyer! Congrats brother!”

Momo beams, “Thank’s bro!”

Frog rubs his jawline, “That leaves Ishi…maybe we should start to look for her?”

Yumi hugs her Otter spirit as she looks down the grassy field, “Wait look there she is!”

Hawk and Frog breath a sigh of relief as they watch Ishi walk towards the group demurely. As she gets closer they can see her shoulders slump more as she seems the other aspirants hugging their spirit animals. Everyone watches her with concern as she reaches the group and notice her tear stained face. Hawk moves closer to her and kneels before her. “I am sorry little one. Not everyone finds a spirit animal. It is not your fault”

Ishi nods her head but says nothing. Her lip trembles as she listens to his words. Yumi puts her Otter spirit down and runs to hug Ishi, “Oh Ishi I’m so sorry.”

Ishi doesn’t hug back but gently pulls away and steps a few feet from the group. Frog hops over to her and places a hand upon her shoulder, “Not finding a spirit animal does not mean you have to go home. You can stay at the temple and be of service in other ways. For now… you must go while we instruct the bonded aspirants.”

Ishi nods and starts to walk away in silence. Momo frowns before speaking, “The sun hasn’t set….she still has time. Maybe we can he…” he stops as his brother Hawk presses his hand to his mouth.

Hawk shakes his head for silence and Momo grows still. Ishi does not turn back to look at the group as she walks away. Turning now would only drive her into a fit of sobs. So she walks towards the Ivy Archway with one determined foot before the other. When she reaches the arch she looks at it and takes in it’s beauty. This will be the last time she sees the Mystik Forest from this side. She sighs and adjusts the straps on her backpack before stepping forward. She walks thru the arch and feels the ethereal energy wash over her body. She takes a step and then another and then URK!! She tries to take another step but she cannot move forward. She seems to be stuck. She tries to move again and feels something dragging at her backpack. She turns and sees that her backpack is stuck in the air and no matter how she pulls it will not budge.

Hawk and Frog look on in shock with raised brows. The aspirants look extremely confused. Ishi pulls free of her backpack that is stuck in the air and tries to pull it forward but it will not budge. She lets it go and it drops back on the side of the Mystik Forest. Unsure what to do and not fully thru the arch she steps back into the Mystik Forest and nudges her pack and it jostles slightly

The sun is near it’s setting the amber lights slowly dropping across the horizon. The time of bonding is almost over. Ishi reaches to her bag and easily picks it up…unsure what is going on she opens the bag as the last of the sun’s light caresses her face. A pair of olive eyes stare back at her from inside the bag. The eyes stare deep into hers and she stares back into the eyes. An olive ethereal energy flows between the two as the last rays of sunlight disappear behind the mountain in the distance.

Ishi drops the bag as a fluffy mouse jumps into her hands. She drops to her knees as a river of tears flows from her face. Momo, Yumi and Chow cheer while Hawk and Frog hug each other happily!

Ishi cries uncontrollably happy, “You’re my spirit animal!” She hugs the mouse spirit so tightly it starts to squeak in protest. “Oh sorry…sorry!”

Hawk comes over and helps Ishi back onto her feet and guides her with a gentle touch on her shoulder back to the group. “Congrats Ishi.”

All the other apsirants save Roh hug her and welcome her back to the group. Roh is hugging on his golden Buck too tightly to notice anything else going on around him. The group gathers in a loose circle with the aspirants hugging their new partners. Hawk moves to Frog and whispers, “I think everything is ok….what do you think?”

Frog sighs, “I don’t want to ruin a tender moment…we can talk to them more about it later. All seems well for now.” Hawk nods in agreement and pulls his pack from his back dropping it to the floor. “Alright everyone…..congratulations on finding your spirit animals.”

Frog hops over and cops a squat after dumping his pack from his pack, “This is just the beginning. Now comes the hard part…learning to commune with your spirit animal and strengthening your bond.”

Hawk closes his eyes as sapphire energy starts to course over his body. With a burst of ethereal energy a mighty hawk flies from his back and soars off into the sky. Frog closes his eyes as brown energy flows up and over his body. With a leap the energy bursts free taking the form of a mighty frog.

The children oohh having seen these two spirit animals for the first time. “These are our spirit animals.” Hawk says. The hawk flies back carrying a pile of wood in it’s claws. The timber lands in a neat pile as the hawk lands gently besides Hawk, “His name is for me to know but he gives you his greetings.”

The brown frog belches and lights the wood aflame, “This is my frog spirit and he greets you as well.”

The children nod respectfully to both before turning their attention back to their mentors. “In time you will learn your spirit animal’s names if they wish to share with you. You must guard that name with your life. Names have power and spirit names more power still.”

The children nod intently. Frog begins to unpack his sack pulling out food and other items. “For the next few weeks we will stay here in the Mystik Forest while you bond with your spirit animal. Your connection is not strong enough yet for you to channel them in the real world.” He places some packs of meat onto the fire and starts to cook dinner.

Hawk takes up, “Over time you will learn to channel your spirit animal energy in the real world and benefit from the power they lend you. Here in this realm the connection is easier and you can naturally use their power. You will learn here first the basics of what you can do but doing that in the real world will be taxing on your body and your spirit. In time you will be able to unlock the mystery of your union and the powers you both will share together.

Frog flips the food on the fire, “Ok …. that’s enough business for now how about everyone unpack your gear for the night. Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do!

The children nod and start to unpack, toggling between doing work and playing with their new found spirit friends.