********
Michael was elated with joy when the air ship slowed down and began shooting at the leopard. It jumped in surprise at the sudden open of fire. It gave a loud roar at the airship and turned to face Michael again. 'This ugly creature caused this' it thought.
Michael gave a hypnotic laugh and put all his strength in his legs and ran. They saw him and were firing at the leopard for him. Seeing the airship slow down and begin to shoot the leopard gave him a little boldness. ''I told you, but you wouldn't listen and very soon you will be filled with holes.''
The leopard roared once more and began evading the bullets. Fury was written on its face, but it was mainly preoccupied with dodging the bullets so when Michael gave another mocking laugh, it overlooked it.
********
''Huh, it's a kid'' One of the men behind the controls said to the person next to him.
''Why does he seem to be laughing'' another person asked. His only answer was a shrug.
********
The leopard soon after ran away when it could no longer keep dodging the bullets. Michael panted heavily with a smile on his dirty face. He had bested the leopard once again, and hopefully he wouldn't have to ever.
The giant airship slowly brought itself to land close to Michael and the ramp slowly open revealing an old man in view of Michael. He said no words and just beckoned for Michael to get in.
Michael, not used to human face in a long time took a few seconds to react before nodding his head entering the airship that took off soon after.
''Are you not going to ask me anything?'' Michael asked after several seconds of silence.
''What do you want me to ask you?'' The old man asked him as well. He kept quiet before shaking his head.
''Let me start with this. How long have you been there'' The old man asked him as he surveyed his old clothes that were clearly too small for him and was dirty and torn all over.
Michael looked at himself before answering. ''Four years, i think. Give or take ''.
''Hmmm''
''You want to ask me why that leopard was chasing me''
''Yes, i have wondered about that''
''Well, you see, i mistakenly interrupted when it was hunting, and it lost its meal, so it began to chase''
''There was fury written in its eyes, are you sure that's all?''
''I might have insulted it a little while it was chasing me so. . . ''
The old man made no more attempts to talk so they walked in silence until they reached a room. ''Master has allowed me to put you here so this is where you shall stay until we have reached our destination. Do not come out of here, do you understand ''. Michael nodded and entered the room and watched the door close.
He could not help but sigh in relief at the sight of humanity once again. He sat down on the soft bed and closed his eyes for a second. He was joyful after all he has connected back to humanity once, but what would he do after this. He had to think of the next step after this.
He decided he would continue with his train of thought after taking a bath. It had been more than four years since he had a bath with clean water and soap.
********
Michael walked out of the room to see the old man stare at him. He had taken a bath and since his old clothes no longer size him and were dirty, he was wearing some clothes he saw in a cabinet in his room. Luckily the clothes were almost his size, albeit a bit bigger.
It had not been less than two hours since they picked him up and they had landed again.
''Where did you see these clothes'' the old man asked him.
''In the cabinet. . .they were. . . . they seemed unused so i . . er'' He started stammering when he was asked but the man shut him up by raising his hand.
''I don't care about that. Master wants to see you''. He immediately began walking and Michael followed after him. The rhythmic thrumming of the airship had stopped.
They had walked for quite a while until they reached a part of the ship, he thought was the captain's quarters. There was a man within the age of forty sitting on what he thought was the captain's chair, showing he was in charge. The chair swiveled to face them and the 'captain' stared at them, more accurately Michael.
''Are you the one the leopard was chasing '' the man asked in a gruff voice.
''There isn't anyone else here is there?''. He asked back with a snap which he instantly regretted when a glint appeared in the man's eyes. Michael nearly fell over. The look the man gave him just now put fear in his heart, he instantly realized something 'this was the captain was this airship, he would obviously be strong'. Michael swallowed, the glint in the man's eyes left and he looked normal again.
''Have you awakened your ability?''. To that which he nodded. ''So that's what giving you a couple of balls''. He chuckled, Michael instantly regretted doing what he did.
''Alright, what happened to you?''.