Chapter 129: Rex

The flight home was slighter easier, moving it at a slower pace. I was too tired to go use the Tardis at high speeds. I could turn the stabiliser on, but that doesn’t give experience.

Talking with Jengal while calmly flying, “how does the bond work?”

“Ingredients a rune circle and the bond. You need a potent source of natural energy to cast the rite, though.”

“What is natural energy?”

“Energy generated by nature; also called nature energy, druidic energy, life energy; you get the idea.”

“So, flowers make the power.” He says with a tilted head.

“Correct, like humans, who all have a small amount of energy; plants also all have a small amount of natural energy. In this case, an altar slowly accumulates local faunas energy like a giant battery. The rite siphons the energy through the caster into the ritual circle.”

“I see, that is cool.”

“It is.” I concur.

“What energy do humans naturally have?”

“First, they have a small amount of electricity. It is called bio-electricity. Aside from that? I am pretty sure everyone has a little mana in them. Some people might have other energies.”

“Why would someone have other energy?”

“Being near said energy. I was exposed to potential energy as an example. It saturated my body, giving me a natural deposit of it in my body.”

“I have never heard of potential energy.”

“It is for the best.” Ending that conversation right there.

We remain silent for the rest of the journey. We arrive shortly, prompting us to leave the vessel.

Before leaving, I use some of the accumulated experience to upgrade the shield and recharge rate.

Cassie leaves begrudgingly, “I want to read more books.” She complains.

“Why not stay and read; we are going to be doing the bond.”

“Two reasons, one; miss his soul bond, never. Second, I could accidentally start the Tardis. I can't fly it; so, I am not staying in there without you.”

“Fine,” I say, knowing full well she will drag me in there later.

We all slowly walk towards my witchery area, only a short stroll away. Whenever I return home, for some reason, the Tardis lands in a different place every time. It is only mildly annoying, mostly just weird.

Coming towards the area, I begin to set up the rite. Checking my altar for sufficient power; mostly just a precaution. I haven’t got an unlimited supply of demon blood after all.

Placing down the items carefully around the golden sigil, I then beckon Jengal to the circle. “Sit down.” To which he complies with excitement. His face a beaming smile, hair matted from the humid jungle.

“I am going to release the raptor and activate the rite; be prepared.”

He nods calmly. The calmest I’ve ever seen him, he is sitting in a crossed-legged position, a gleam in his eye.

I removed the Raptor, setting it opposite Jengal. It appears, looking around startled. During this confusion, I place my hand on the sigil, activating the rite.

A powerful rush of green energy rushes towards me, going through me. For some reason, I can see it now; no longer just a feeling. As it moves through me, it enters into the golden sigil before dividing in 2. The 2 streams circle the items, dissolving them into the streams.

The Raptor darts its head around, looking left and right. Something clueing it into the situation, it turns and runs. I was concerned for a moment before it suddenly rebounded. A dome of energy shimmers into visibility for a split second; “no escape for you, Raptor.”

Sighing in relief at the failed escape, I don’t want this to go wrong. The energy streams are now spreading out, aiming towards Jengal and the Raptor.

The green energy circles the wide-eyed Jengal, quickly, him having not moved an inch. The Raptor, on the other hand, is deftly dodging the energy.

Feeling rage and frustration rise in my chest, I storm over to the Raptor. It rushes me in an attempt to attack me. Grasping it by the neck, it fruitlessly scratches at my armor. “Listen here, you little shit! Sit down and stop running.” I say, in anger. Suppressing the urge to pop its neck like a balloon, Calmly I set it back onto the ground. The green tendrils having grabbed the Raptor while it couldn’t move. I return to the golden sigil while the Raptor angrily glares at me.

The green tendrils shift it an ocean blue suddenly, wrapping them both up. Slowly they are pulled together, more and more blue wispy tendrils trapping them.

After a short few moments, the tendrils fade like they never existed. A blast of energy leaving the rite, pushing me back; Jengal and the Raptor untouched.

It was truly awe-inspiring, watching it first hand. Approaching Jengal and his Bond, I see they are both asleep. “Should have seen this coming.”

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Picking them both up in a fireman's carry, I bring them to a room to wake up. Cassie follows my side, a look of contemplation on her face.

“Something on your mind?” I ask her.

“It was strange; I have never felt anything like it.”

“I suppose you couldn’t see the energy.”

“Should I have been able to?”

“No, but it would have been nice if you could have. It was one hell of a light show.”

“A shame I missed it.”

“If you do learn witchcraft, it will come naturally. It took me a while to become attuned to natural energy.”

“I see.” She says, returning to her thoughts.

I set Jengal and the Raptor down in a room; the Raptor secured behind some iron bars. You never know with this kind of stuff.

Heading to the front room, I rest with Cassie. After a while, she prods me.

“What do you need?”

“Can we go to the Tardis to read those books?”

“We need to wait until Jengal wakes up.”

“Awwww.” She says in a pout.

“I promise we can spend some time in the library after he wakes.”

“Thank you.”

I roll my eyes, “no problem.”

It doesn’t take long before I hear the tell tael sound of a door opening. A groggy Jengal walks down into the front room,

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Like a carriage ran over my skull.”

“Interesting.”

He pauses for a moment, “what is so interesting?”

“I had milder symptoms. Just wondering why, and what caused the deviation.”

“Like you said, this Raptor isn’t applicable. Probably because it is a forced bond.” He says before wincing in pain.

“That is the easy answer. But that isn’t the only factor. You are a different person; it may vary. It also could have been the type of creature you bonded with; Chic is much smaller after all.”

“Fine, fine; fill me in when my head isn’t banging.”

“Okay. Would you like some tea?”

“Water, just water.”

“One moment.” I quickly run and get him some fresh water. Bringing a jug and a glass for the man. Setting the glassware on the table for him, he nods in thanks. Quickly guzzling large amounts of water.

“Thirsty?” I ask with a laugh.

In dead seriousness, he replies. “Very.”

I give him some time; let the pain settle. Unable to contain my personal excitement, I ask. “So… Can you feel it?”

“Feel what?” He asks in confusion.

“The bond!”

He is confused for a moment more before his eyes open wide. “I forgot.” He says before slapping his head. “Ouch, I really forgot. What do I do?”

“Just think; the link is in your mind.”

He closes his eyes in concentration. He quickly opens his eyes, “I feel it!” He says in excitement. He suddenly deflates lightly, “It is quiet, grey.”

“The Raptor is still asleep.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry.” I say, consoling him. “Think of a name for him while you are here.”

“Already have one, Rex.”

I lightly facepalm. “Okay.”

He pauses for a moment, deep in thought. He suddenly lights up, “Rex is awake.” Quickly, he rushes towards rex. Stumbling slightly as his feet fail to keep up with his head.

I follow after him. Joining him as we enter the room, seeing a pacing Raptor. Jengal approaches with no fear, reaching for the Raptor. They turn their head away dismissively. Definitely smarter, I mentally note.

“What is wrong with them, Aeternum?”

“Looks like you got a sassy one. Don’t worry, it takes time.”

“Your link didn’t.”

“That is true, but you are soul bonded. As one, you really can’t hate each other. They are probably pissed at you for some reason.”

“What does pissed mean?”

Oops, “upset.”

“I see.” He replies.

He quickly goes from consoling to apologizing, trying to get the Raptor’s attention.

“Maybe try the link, rather than your voice.” To which he nods in reply. Closing his eyes in extreme concentration.

A few minutes later, Rex reacts. Turning to Jengal with complex emotions. I don’t know how to explain it, but the eyes had more depth. I could almost feel the emotional turmoil. Shaking my head, weird.

Jengal slowly opens the metal bars, entering the room. He lightly hugs Rex; before guiding them out of the cell.

“Aeternum, please meet Rex.”

Leveling my height to eye level, I look into them calmly. “Hello, Rex; nice to meet you,” I say. Getting an eye roll, which made me laugh. I have never seen a dinosaur eye roll, but it was a wonderful experience.

I had to resist the urge to hold out my hand for a handshake, clawed limbs, and generally different bodies and all that. We walk towards the living room; Cassie looks over and almost has a heart attack seeing the dinosaur off a lead.

Slowing her breathing, she quickly calms down. She hesitantly approaches, keeping at least 2 meters from Rex.

Jengal speaks, “meet Rex, my soulbond.”

Cassie hesitantly for a moment before weakly waving her hand, “hi.” She then quickly returns to the sofa. We head outside, letting Rex stretch his legs.

He does so with glee, running like his life depends on it. His wounds have fully healed already.

I turn to Jengal while we watch Rex. What did you say to him anyway?”

“Secret.” He says with a smirk.

“Fine, keep your secrets.”

Eventually, Rex runs out of steam. Slowly approaching us and sitting down. Bending my knee, I hold my hand over Rex. “May I?” I ask. Rex nods, allowing me to gently stroke the feathered dinosaur. The feathers were insanely soft, not bristly like Chic or slimy like Sling. It was a surreal experience.

Eventually, I removed my hand. “I guess you lot are hungry,” I say.

“I thought you would never ask,” Jengal says with a cheeky smile.

Rolling my own eyes this time, I head to the kitchen. Preparing a few massive garlic steaks and chips. Cheese and beans to go with the chips; I made them all medium-rare. I made one for all 3 pets and all 2 guests.

Heading into the kitchen, I see a funny sight. The 3 pets sat neatly on a chair, while Jengal was by the side and Cassie as far away as possible from Rex. Smiling, I set down the food.

All of them appreciate the free meal, eating without complaint, which I am grateful for. In silence, we polish off the large meal. Rex had gotten a small stack of steaks, given they just went through a lot. They seemed to look at me with a bit more softness than before. I am beginning to feel like a chef again. Just one that doesn’t get paid. But, hey, money is no object for me here.

“It is a shame people can only soulbond once; It would be amazing to study,” I say. Cassie nods in agreement.

“Probably for the best. It is quite an intimate experience after all.” Jengal replies.

I shrug, “doesn't stop a lot of science.”