I really should do something about my battles. My brain has to understand that I should not faint after each fight. Poor Tulip has to held me up and camp somewhere near the beast at the same time.
I don't know how many days passed when I was unconscious, but I woke up at the same and usual blabbering of Pangu.
I opened my eyes and got up weakly. Tulip rushed to my help, then we shared a quick kiss.
"Congrats, Orion!" said Pangu. "You have achieved a great accomplishment!"
"And what is it?" I said.
"Oh come on! You should already know!"
"Do you mean about the gaining of the Winged Lion? If so, I have to tame it first."
"Forget it, you won't understand the point."
I looked at Tulip for explanation, and she said, "He means that you have set a world record in passing out and fainting. Am I right, Pangu?"
"100% right, Missy!" answered Pangu.
"Ha ha ha..." I didn't feel like laughing, "Stop the jokes now, we have a ferocious beast to tame."
"You are kidding, right?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"You are in no shape to even stand up on your legs. How do you intend to walk?"
"Who said that I need legs to walk?"
"Huh?"
With quite a great effort, I summoned a gust of wind that lifted my body in the air.
"Alright, you have got me this time. But in order to tame a beast, at least bring something for it to eat," said Pangu.
"I..." I started to answer, but then I was interrupted by Tulip, who said, "Stop arguing you two! Orion, I hunted a few animals while you were sleeping and kept their flesh for further use. You can feed them to the lion."
She raised a batch of animal corpses, such as rabbits, foxes, cats... All in all, they were very weak animals and were easy to kill.
I looked at her and smiled slightly, then said," I do not know what will I do if you weren't there for me, Tulip! Thank you."
She smiled and said, "You are welcome."
Tulip handed me the corpses, and I went outside the magically expanded tent. Outside, and near our camp, I saw the Winged Lion playing with a small rock, mistaking it as a ball.
I approached slowly, but soon, it spotted me and growled in response. Not wanting it to be provoked even further, I retreated.
Once I was back at the camp, I cast the vanishing spell on me then marched towards the beast another time.
I put the dead body of a rabbit near the lion and waited. Soon, it started to walk slowly. When it reached the body, the beast examined it curiously, then took a small bite.
One bite after the other, the corpse of the rabbit was no more; not a single piece of flesh was left. The Winged Lion looked around for more food, but sadly found nothing.
The next day, I was more daring. I didn't cast the vanishing spell, no. I went completely visible.
Once again, as I approached the beast, it growled towards me and prepared to attack. However, I didn't back down this time.
I placed the dead animal body on the ground and went back in the direction of the tent. Like the other time, the Winged Lion devoured it completely. I watched from a near bush, but I made sure that it didn't see me.
And like this, a month passed and we were still trying to tame the beast. However, it was more friendly now, since it did not growl when I approached; but still, it would wait until I was gone then eat the prey.
Some days, I would bring the food roasted, and in others I would bring them raw. Clearly, the lion preferred the roasted. However, I only pet it some of the days, not always; after all, I don't want it to have the habit of eating roasted food after I tame it.
This day, being the last day of winter, I was hunting food in the woods. I used archery, using the bow and the arrow, instead of sword play in order to practice heartforce.
The beast that I was hunting was a bit of a challenge, since it was a jaguar, which is naturally fast. I pulled out an arrow from the quiver and aimed my bow.
With a ting, the arrow was fired, and it evaded all the obstacles in front of it. It reached the jaguar and pierced its skin, killing it immediately.
I lowered my bow and went to get the corpse. Taking out my wand, I chanted, "Incendio!"
Instantly, a fire was lit under the held up jaguar.
After roasting the meat good enough, I went to my usual appointment with the Winged Lion. When I was near, I put the corpse in front of me, but didn't go this time. The beast didn't mind me staying, though. It approached as if it was normal and ate the food.
Immediately after it finished, I felt something linking my soul to the Winged Lion's. It formed a bond of equality with me, binding us together, and forever.