Chapter 1: The beginning
Razeron stooped low. He listened, his wolf ears perked, but he heard nothing but the breeze. His sharp hazel eyes scanned his surroundings. His long silver and gold hair tied in a low ponytail down his back. It swayed back and forth with the breeze against his battle armour. His gold streaked silver fur and his fuzzy tail stood on end. There was someone here, he could feel it.
From above came a growl as a blaze of red, “Yaaaaghhh…”
The furling blocked his attacker and leaped headlong at him in a snarl. Claws sprang from his paws, “Hyaagh…” He wasn’t going to lose this time, “Trazz, you’re done…!” Razeron grappled the red- furred furling briefly before being thrown into a tree. Loose leaves rustled down on impact.
“Bring it on, Razeroony,” the older furling snickered as he back-flipped against another tree in a split-stance. His blazing red fur shone in the light, “Come and get me.”
Razeron growled as he somersaulted towards Trazz. His eyes glowed with rage and punched at the older furling blocked. The foxy furling grinned and swats the silver furling with his tail. Razeron flinched and stumbled back. This was not going well.
“Had enough your highness?” Trazz grinned. His cheeky green eyes sparkled. He failed to notice the shadowy presence that grabbed him from behind. Swiftly he was spun like a top. The dark figure then leaped passed Trazz and crouched beside Razeron.
“Can you get up?” eyes fixed on Trazz, he waited for a response.
“Yeah, thanks for the quick save, Yozak,” he patted his friend on the back and stood up, “shall we?”
Yozak’s bright yellow eyes glistened in the light. A smirk grew on his face. His dark fur and long ebony hair swayed in the passing wind. Together the charged at a dizzy Trazz and pinned him down. Without warning they began tickling him.
“... No more ...Yozak, Razeron...” Trazz struggled to escape their grasp as the room reverted back to its original state with a voice calling out ‘training session ended’, “I ... I … bwah ... give up...” The older furling was in stitches of laughter as the door of the training room zipped open as 2 tall masculine figures stepped through. One of them stepped closer to the furlings and loudly clapped his hands.
Instantly the furlings stood in a row at attention. Trazz panted hard to catch his breath. The tall frame of their instructor, Master Novac, stood before them. The air of authority swirled around him. They bowed before him in respect. His slim tan-coloured paw tilted upwards to signal them to rise.
“We have a guest today, furlings,” another tall figure came towards him, “this is Deanox. He is an old friend of mine and he will be serving as Emperor Sapheron’s head of Elites,” his gaze fell upon the silver furling, “Deanox and his family had just moved here from the Planet Yuki. From today onwards his daughter will be training with you.”
Their eyes grew wide, a she –furling? Frowns formed on their faces. There was no way they’d want a she-furling around. From the open door, a petite figure peeked through hoping not to be noticed. Her eyes blinked. The sharp jackal ears of the instructor heard her movement. His gaze shifted to the open door.
“It’s alright child, they won’t hurt you,” his voice was gentle so was his gesture.
In her chest, her heart drummed fast. She glanced at her father who nodded her way. Her long wavy lemon lime streaked hair tied in a high ponytail bounced in her stride. The colour of her fur shone a forest green with slight waves of royal blue and yellow. It’s ok, father was there and so was Uncle Novac, she told herself.
“This is Mysteria,” his hand extended to her as she approached which she took, “as per tradition, she is to have a battle with one of you to determine her skills,” at this Master Novac heard her swallow hard, “Now, who would like to volunteer, or should I pick?” his eyes penetrated through the he-furlings who shivered slightly.
Razeron took in a deep breath and stepped forward, “I shall challenge her, Master.” His two friends breathed out their relief.
“Very good,” his hand released Mysteria’s, “Now into positions,” the she-furling glanced once more at her father who gave her an assuring nod. She gulped and took in a deep breath. His eyes told her, she could do this.
“Go get her,” Trazz’s voice whooped. Yozak merely crossed his arms.
“Begin!” the instructor’s voice boomed against the walls.
Mysteria would have squeaked if Razeron hadn’t charged at her. She dodged him easily by swerving to the side. Razeron spun backward to punch her but his punches were blocked each time. Quick as lightning she crouched and sweep kicked her opponent but missed. His knee knocked her off balance. He smirked down at her. She hissed at him and twirled upwards. Her previous anxiety forgotten she pounced at him.
“I’ll get you for that,” her claws shot out of the paws. Her voice was sweet yet lined with a menacing snarl.
Razeron’s smirk dropped when her claws dug into his battle armour. Whoa, her speed amazed him; she was very light on her feet. Wasn’t she a Wolfe -furling? Mysteria somersaulted upwards, pushed herself off and kicked his back. His eyes went wide for a moment as he hit the floor. Upon landing she swerved to his direction breathing hard. The he-furling took a deep breath and shook off the impact. In his mind, how did that happen? His glance met hers.
Her eyes pierced through his. Since when did she get so serious? Are those feline ears? Razeron gulped and got back into his main battle stance. There was no way he would let this she-furling beat him. He would show her for sure.
“I won’t be beaten so easily,” his gaze challenged hers. His deep voice howled.
He plunged his balled up paw at her. It intercepted her shoulder. She hissed and back-flipped away clutching her shoulder. Razeron thought to himself, finally and dashed after her. Mysteria winced. She leaped in the air, her feet landing on his shoulders. With a twist in the hip, she spun the silver furling like a hurricane. From there she catapulted off in an air cart-wheel. The he-furling saw stars in his eyes. I think I’m going to be sick ran through his thoughts.
All eyes locked on them. Master Novac and Deanox watched in silence, in their minds this looked very promising. Yozak and Trazz’s jaws dropped. This she-furling was not to be tackled with. She was good. Mentally kicking themselves the he-furlings were about to cheer their friend on, when...
“Razeron and Mysteria,” his hands clapped therefore ending the match, “you both did well,” Beside him Deanox‘s mouth grinned widely.
The two furlings stopped in their tracks. Mysteria landed in a wide stance. Razeron shook off the inertia and nausea. They bowed to each other, then to Master Novac, “Thank you, Master,” the other two furlings then joined them. All four then stood at attention. Silence once again, save for Mysteria’s and Razeron’s heavy breathing.
Their instructor cleared his throat, “We will end our session early today and welcome aboard, Mysteria,” a small smile formed in relief on the furlings’ faces, “Class dismissed.” His gaze shifted to Deanox. He then led his old friend out of the room. Let the young furlings get better acquainted to their new friend.
The 4 furlings bowed and relaxed their postures. Razeron glanced towards Mysteria then to her father, they looked so different. Save for their eyes, their deep ocean blue eyes. Deanox was more wolf-like with his fluffy violet and royal blue tail and sharp ears. His fur was thicker than his daughter’s, patterned in patches and streaks. The silver furling shrugged it off.
“I’m Razeron Bulan,” his hand extended to her. He offered her a genuine smile.
Ocean eyes searched warily from the hand to Razeron’s own icy blue eyes, “Mysteria Sora, an honour to meet you, your highness,” she took his paw and shook it gently with a bow. So this was Emperor Sapheron’s son and heir. Eyes locked with the he-furling.
“Just call me, Razeron,” he pulled her up gently, “they do so too,” his eyes reverted to his friends, “That’s Trazz Ezaro and Yozak Grim.” Mysteria followed his gaze with a wave of a paw towards the other two he-furlings. They waved back with a ‘hey’ and ‘hello’. Her heart raced once more self-consciously.
All this while Razeron hadn’t noticed his paw clasped tightly around hers. The she-furling glowed bright red and tugged slightly. That caught his attention. His paw quickly released hers as if it burned. The other two furlings teased them immensely. Razeron‘s got a mate, they chanted playfully. Both furlings glowed as red as the red alert. That was how they had met. Their adventure together has just begun.
