A palpable tension filled the room upon Mido's arrival. The boys looked at each other, waiting for a scolding, but to their surprise, Mido chuckled, amused. "No need to look so guilty. A dream's worth chasing, after all.", he said. "So, Bon, you want to commit a taboo, don't you?", He asked rhetorically, as if he knows something, maybe a secret on how to capture the creature.
Bon looked up; interest piqued. "What's the trick, Mido?He then inquired eagerly to find out what he was missing. "Be patient," Mido said as he leaned against the wall. "The legend says that to catch it, you need to cloud your intent, hide it within the storm, and wait until the rains last drop. That's when it's tired, and it's yours for the taking. "Bon nodded, absorbing every word said by Mido "Got it."
"Oh, and another thing," Mido said, "where's Mr. Chikiri?" Kor's face brightened. "Dads at the chief's house. They're preparing for the cadet release ceremony tomorrow," he explained."Okay, about time. I am about to leave this damned village at last," Mido replied with a sly smile, excusing himself with a casual wave as he strode off, leaving Bon and Kor behind.
As if the heavens were listening to Bon's determination, a storm rolled in the following dawn, darker and more powerful than any in recent memory. Lightning split the sky, and thunder shook the ground, but Bon was already out in the wild, determined to end his hunt.
He saw the rain rabbit squirrel dancing to the rhythm of the storm. Bouncing and squeaking to its heart's contempt. Its fair was shimmering with each lighting strike.
Bon followed Mido's advice to the letter, keeping his intent hidden and trailing the elusive rain rabbit with practiced patience. Like a shadow, he slipped through the downpour, the storm concealing him as he tracked the rabbit's path through the trees. As dawn broke, ending the rain, the exhausted rabbit slowed, now vulnerable.
Bon seized his chance. He lunged, reaching out and capturing the creature before it could even react, he sliced it perfectly delivering a quick death. The thrill of triumph surged through him as he held the rain rabbit squirrel in his hands, its small body warm and trembling. He took a steadying breath, feeling the weight of his victory settle over him." I did it." He said joyfully.
Back in the village, the chief and Mr. Chikiri stood together, overseeing the gathered crowd as they prepared to announce the new recruits for the Ranger Society's Cadet Academy. "These are the potential cadets, yes?" the chief asked, his gaze scanning the group. "Yes, Chief," Chikiri confirmed, but he frowned. "Although, it's strange… Bon isn't here."
The chief's expression darkened as he looked over the crowd again. "Where is that brat?" he muttered, irritation flickering in his eyes. Just then, murmurs rippled through the villagers, and the crowd parted, eyes wide as Bon stepped forward. He was drenched and covered in mud, his clothes torn from the night's storm, but he held the rain rabbit squirrel triumphantly in his hands.
The chief's eyes went wide with a mix of disbelief and fury. "Bon… what have you done?" he asked, his voice low but laced with authority. Mido, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow. "Oh my, he actually did it", he said. Bon's only response was a proud grin, completely unfazed by the surrounding reaction.
The chief clenched his jaw, his gaze hardening as he looked at Bon. After a tense moment, he turned to the crowd, his expression resolute. "Bring him here."
Bon stepped forward, meeting his grandfather's gaze as the crowd fell silent, sensing the weight of the moment.
The chief's voice carried over the gathering. "This is Bon Everhart. By capturing this creature, he has broken the laws of our village, disregarded the path set before him, and challenged the rules we uphold." He took a breath, his voice firm. You are hereby stripped of your rights as a villager, and your right to acknowledge me as chief. I strip you of your family name. You are no longer Bon Everhart, but Bon, the child of the jungle. Go to the jungle and never return." He said in angrily.
The crowd was silent, watching in shock as the chief's judgment echoed over them. Bon's face remained steady, his expression unreadable, as the weight of his exile sank in. Without a word, Bon turned, moving away from the crowd, to the direction that leads to the village's exit.
Menma stepped forward as he passed, his face somber but steady. "Don't let the weight of death weigh you down, Bon," Menma said quietly, his voice only for Bon's ears. "Walk proudly. You're a predator now. This isn't an ending—it's the beginning. Someday, I might have to hunt you down myself. But until then, don't falter," he said as to strengthen Bon's determination.
Bon met his mentor's gaze with a nod, a silent understanding passing between them. As the recruits began their journey to the academy, Bon stepped into the shadows of the jungle, leaving the village behind. He was no longer Bon Everhart, no longer a child of Mornleaf, but something different, Bon the child of the jungle, a predator stepping into a world where strength reigned supreme.
The chaos Bon had left in his wake finally settled as he disappeared into the distance, beyond even the sight of those who tried to follow. Meanwhile, the recruitment ceremony carried on as planned. Kor and Shoya were among the chosen ones, both standing tall as they prepared to leave their village of Mornleaf and enter the Ranger Society.
"I, Janmbu Everhart, the twelfth chief of Mornleaf, send you to the Ranger Society," the chief proclaimed. His voice echoed through the village square, filled with pride and command. "You leave here as nothing but cubs, but the Society will groom you to be true rangers. We shall hear tales of your triumphs through the jungle's echoes! You will be protectors of the jungle, march forward with your chins up, for you are the pride of Mornleaf! Haaaaaaa!" he shouted, raising his fist.
"Haaaaaaa!" the recruits shouted back in unison together with the villagers, their voices powerful and full of youthful fire.
As the ceremony ended, Menma gathered the cadets, preparing to lead them away, but the chief called him back. Menma approached, bowing respectfully.
"Yes, Chief? You called?" Menma asked. The chief nodded, his gaze distant. "Menma, what do you think of my decision?" Menma's expression softened as he understood the chief's question. "Regarding Bon?" he asked.
The chief sighed. "Yes. That brat has talent, I'll give him that. But talent alone doesn't keep you alive out there." He said, worrying about the wellbeing of his grandson. Menma's face broke into a calm smile. "He will survive.", he said. The chief raised an eyebrow, surprised. "And why is that?", he asked.
"Well, he is the bringer of chaos." Menma pointed toward the rain rabbit squirrel, the symbol of Bon's defiance.The chief chuckled softly, though his eyes remained thoughtful. "The bringer of chaos, huh? Funny enough, it's because of Raz Tafari that Bon became this way," he mumbled.
"Raz Tafari?" Menma murmured, more to himself than anyone else. The name stirred a memory, one he wasn't sure he wanted to revisit. "Yes, well," the chief continued, "you'll be returning to the Ranger Society now, with a total of 4 cadets from this village. I implore you to groom them well." The chief said, now speaking Menma, the ranger of the association.
Menma nodded. "i will gladly do so and thank you for your hospitality. I'll take my leave.", he said and turned facing towards the recruits and his teammates."Let's head out, to ranger society," he said, leading the way and the rest of the team smiled.