Frons:
"Master?" I said as Gora passed out in my arms. Her injuries weren't too bad, but I could see how exhausted she was. He black hair was a mess, and her eyes were swollen from crying. Anger welled up inside of me as I thought about who had caused my Queen such grief. I glared at the now beaten and bloody Warr. She lay unmoving, and her breathing was getting slower. The tiger was on the verge of death, but I had the urge to finish the job my Master started.
(How dare she make my master cry!) I thought as I balled up my fist in rage. I decided against killing the tiger outright. I figured it was better to let the creature suffer in her final moments.
"Are we just going to leave her there?" Canis announced behind me. He was referring to Warr. I shrugged as I looked down at our sleeping Master.
"Leave her. She will serve as an example of our Master's strength." I said, stroking Gora's hair. The Queen looked like a child who had cried themselves to sleep. I wanted to stay and lay with her all night until she woke up, but I had a duty to uphold right now. With Gora sleeping, it fell to me to lead our group. I ordered some of my Gorillas to take Gora somewhere safe as I stood up and faced the crowd.
"Let today be a lesson to those that still doubt our Queens Strength," I announced as I scanned the crowd. On the face of every beast was astonishment. It brought back memories of the first time I saw Gora fight. Back then, I had glimpsed something special in the girl. Today was no different. Warr had ranked up to layer seven. I didn't think I could have fought the tiger alone, even at my current level. Yet Gora did.
Although she had ranked up herself, she was still three layers beneath her opponent.
"This is fate that awaits those foolish enough to challenge our Queen," I said, pointing at the tiger. The beasts all starred at the beaten Warr. I used this opportunity to strengthen the army's faith in their leader. The majority of the members here had yet to see our Master in action. Today would cement Gora's right to rule.
"Burn the image into your mind so that you may never forget today!" I announced before walking off to find Gora. Canis instructed them to make camp. I hated to admit it, but I was happy to have the hound's help at a time like this. After everything was settled, Canis found Gora and me lying in a nest I made for tonight.
"Is she going to be okay?" Canis asked as he crouched down to touch our Master. I could see the worry in his eyes. I reassured the hound that everything was okay. Master bleeding had already stopped, and all she needed to do now was rest.
"Did you know she could do that?.. The box thingy, I mean?" Canis asked. I shook my head no. I honestly didn't know how Gora pulled the move off. I was terrified when the black box first appeared. The box made it so no one could see inside of it. I was worried Master wouldn't come out.
"Did you also see the visions? I asked as I rubbed Gora's head. Canis only nodded his head. ( Good, I thought I was the only one.) I thought as I remembered the visions I received while Gora was fighting. I had seen the images before in my dreams. I figured they had to do something with Gora and our connection.
"Who is that guy I saw?" Canis asked. I looked at him for a long moment before I answered.
"I believe that is our Master. Well was our Master." I said. I had a strong belief that our Master wasn't of this world. No ordinary human, even a half-blood, could do the things Gora had at such a young age. Still, it was only a guess. The man in my dreams had the same fighting style as our Master. So they had to be related somehow.
"What... but she's a she!" Canis exclaimed. I couldn't blame the beast for being skeptical. Even I found it hard to wrap my head around it. Still, it was the only thing that explained how our Master became so powerful quickly.
"I can't say so for sure, but the man and Gora are related somehow. I just have a strong feeling about this." I explained to Canis. The hound looked at Gora intently for a moment. I could tell he was deep in thought, so I said nothing. After a long while, Canis stood up and looked at me before walking away.
"Where are you going?" I asked the dog. He stopped for a moment. The beast refuses to look at me. I could hear sniffling from the man. (Is he crying.) I thought. I wanted to laugh but noticed a tear roll down my face.
"If that man in those dreams is our Master. Then our Master has suffered more than any of us. Could you imagine a lifetime of struggling?" Canis said, pausing for a moment. He was right. The man known as Sir George spent the entirety of his life in combat. Then there was the torture he endured. I knew full well I could never survive something like that. Sir Goerge had limbs continuedly lopped off only to be regrown again and again. With his limbs amputated, the rest of the man's body had been cut and stabbed in ways that ensured he'd stay alive. Sir Goerge was tortured over and over for years.
I thought about what my Master had to endure, which made me angry. I wanted to find the people responsible and rip their heads off. (What kind of person does that to a child?) I thought. Unfortunately, the people who hurt my Queen had died long ago. I was unable to take out my rage on the ones responsible. So, my fury turned into sorrow. I pitty Gora something I thought I'd never do.
"I don't know if we are worthy to stand beside her. I am her sword, yet I feel like she's the one protecting me. No! I need to get stronger even if I'm not worthy. I will at least be able to ease her burden just a little. That is my duty, after all as her sword." Canis said as he drew his sword from the vine belt that hung on his waist. The man stared at his weapon intently.
"For once, I would have to agree with you. Next time one of us will fight in her stead no matter what Gora says, agreed?" I asked the hound. How could we call ourselves guardians when we couldn't guard our own Master. (From today forward, I vow that my Queen will never have to lift a finger against her enemies.) I thought as I waited for Canis to answer.
"As if you had to ask. You make sure you don't lag behind. You are the Queen's Shield, the most important job of all. If something happens to get past me, you better take it, even if it means your death. Canis said, glaring at me. I almost laughed at the mutt.
"As if you have to tell me that! You better not let anything close to our Master, or I'll kill you myself, pup." I stated fatly with a grin.
"Good, then we are agreed. Let me know when Master wakes up." The man said before walking away. I turned my attention back to our Master, who was still sound asleep. I figured I focus on my training while she slept. I decided to meditate as Gora had taught me. Although I would see any breakthrough for some time, I could just sit and do nothing. ( I swear, Master, I'll be strong enough to ease your pain). I thought as I focused on my core.
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Two days passed before Gora awoke. I was out looking for Warr's body when I got the news. The tiger had disappeared the night before. The situation left us all stunned. Warr was in no shape to move the last I saw her. But somehow, she had gotten away. I abandoned the search and headed back to Gora. I made it seconds before Canis. Our Master was busy eating as she sat up. Her eyes locked on us the minute we made it back.
"Ahh, You're here! No one else could talk to me, so I didn't know where you went." Gora said, smiling at us. I couldn't help myself as I hugged my Master. I was happy to see her safe and in good spirits. After our long hug, Master had me fill her in on what happened after she passed out. I told her how Warr had just disappeared without a trace.
"Don't worry about her. I'm sure she'll be back. The way she moved... I think she may have a benefactor behind her." Gora explained. Her words caught me by surprise. (That would make sense, how else would she be able to get away.) I thought to myself. I had to agree with my Master. Warr had gotten stronger much faster than any of us expected. She must have had help from someone. The question was.
"Who could it be?" I asked. I was just thinking out loud. My Master put her hand on her chin in thought.
"I have many enemies back home, so it could be a number of them. We will double the patrols to prevent getting caught off guard again. Speaking of which, is the army ready to move? Gora said. I was surprised that she didn't give too much thought to the possible enemy lurking around. I decided that I wouldn't be either.
"The army is ready to move when you are my Queen!" Canis said, beating me to it. The man seemed different than he was two days ago. His eyes shined with a new determination. ( Glad to see he's taking his role more seriously.) I thought as I glanced at him.
"Well, I've rested enough. Lets us continue our journey, shall we?" Gora exclaimed.
"Yes, your Majesty!!" Both Canis and I said in unison. We both were ready to prove our worth to our Master.
Meditation: The act of strengthening one's core.
Frons: A layer six Spider Monkey. Frons is Gora's left hand also known as the Queen's Shield.
Canis: A Layer six Jackal. Canis is Gora's right hand also known as the Queen's Sword.
Warr: A layer seven Tiger.