Ignus and A'Moi had decided to spend the afternoon in the forest, honing their skills for the upcoming tournament. The air was crisp, and the sounds of nature surrounded them as they practiced their techniques. A'Moi, with his quick and agile movements, sparred with Ignus, whose precise and calculated strikes countered his every move.
As they took a short break, Roxy appeared, carrying a small cask of water. She smiled warmly at them, offering them a drink. "How's the training going?" she asked, sitting down beside them.
Ignus wiped the sweat from his brow. "It's going well. A'Moi's getting faster, and my reflexes are improving."
Roxy nodded, pouring water into a cup for herself. "That's good to hear. You'll need to be at your best for the tournament."
As they chatted, a figure emerged from the bushes, causing them all to turn in surprise. It was Brenna, but she looked different. She stood before them in a human form, her ears and tail still visible, but her skin a radiant caramel color. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a black frilly skirt that accentuated her height, almost matching Ignus's 5'8 stature.
Ignus and A'Moi were taken aback by Brenna's transformation. "Brenna, is that you?" Ignus asked, surprise in his voice.
Brenna smiled, her amber eyes twinkling with mischief. "Yes, it's me. Turns out our adventures and training together have given me a special ability."
Ignus nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "I'm aware. You mentioned it briefly before."
Brenna's smile widened. "I can change into this form because I'm contracted with you, Ignus."
Ignus and A'Moi exchanged glances, both impressed by Brenna's newfound ability. "That's incredible," A'Moi said, admiration in his voice.
As they continued to talk, the topic shifted to the tournament. Ignus and A'Moi discussed their strategies, each offering their insights and suggestions. Brenna, now more like Ignus in personality, joined in the banter, teasing Ignus about his serious demeanor.
"Ignus, you should lighten up a bit. You're too focused on winning," Brenna joked, nudging him playfully.
Ignus grinned. "I'll lighten up when we win the tournament, Brenna."
With their spirits high and their bonds strengthened, Ignus, A'Moi, and Brenna spent the rest of the afternoon training, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead in the tournament.
As the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the forest, Ignus, A'Moi, Roxy, and Brenna gathered around a small campfire. Brenna had reverted to her wolf form, curling up beside Ignus, who absentmindedly scratched behind her ears.
"So, how are you feeling about the tournament, Ignus?" Roxy asked, poking at the fire with a stick.
Ignus leaned back, staring into the flames. "I'm confident. We've trained hard, and we make a great team."
A'Moi nodded. "Yeah, we've got this. We just need to stay focused and work together."
Brenna wagged her tail. "I can't wait to see you two in action. It's going to be amazing!"
As they sat around the fire, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, and laughter filled the air. Brenna, now more comfortable in her human form, mimicked Ignus's dry humor, much to everyone's amusement.
Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention. They tensed, readying themselves for an attack, but to their surprise, a small deer emerged, its eyes wide with fear.
"It's just a deer," Roxy said, relief evident in her voice.
Ignus stood up, watching the deer as it cautiously approached the group. He held out his hand, and the deer sniffed it before nuzzling his palm. Ignus smiled, stroking the deer's soft fur.
"It's a sign of good luck," A'Moi said, a smile playing on his lips.
The deer stayed with them for a while, basking in the warmth of the fire before eventually wandering back into the forest.
As the night grew darker, they extinguished the fire and prepared to head back to the inn. Ignus looked at his companions, a sense of camaraderie and determination shining in his eyes.
"Tomorrow, we rest," Ignus said, his voice firm. "And the day after that, we fight."
With renewed resolve, they made their way back to the inn, ready to face whatever challenges the tournament would bring.