"The hell you randomly attacking me? I've the rights to speak freely, so mind your manners."
"Right? Humans just be saying anything to sound intelligent, Plus, who are you to tell me to shut up? Acting like my superior."
"Now that l think about it, you speak fluently. What type of intelligent species are you?"
"I guess we don't have ears, l'm a cat, human."
"Never heard of one that speaks, could you a Buffelion?"
"Eck!"
Guess l got his race, it was a fantasy book l read about animals that had the ability to talk, they also possessed powerful abilities. After that, l know nothing.
"Fine, you caught me. How'd you know? For a kid like you?"
"I may not look like it, but, l'm a book lover."
"Those types, huh? They're the freaky ones that get on my nerves."
"I don't know if that's an insult, but, what is your name?"
"..."
I asked his name, all of a sudden his body froze in time. He raised an eyebrow in confusion, l think my words were clear. He could understand human speech, so what was difficult about my question? I asked again, now having a face of disgust.
"What's that?" The cat asked, moving back in confusion.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Nevermind the intelligent beings, they seem to be useless, gosh, how l was this close to glazing them.
I explained to the cat that a name is something we use to call others, judging by his face, the word wasn't something he was aware of. They probably addressed themselves another way, though, l'm curious to know about the cat, and give him a name later on.
"Where do l come from? That's easy, from "Noman land." I was sent here on a mission to destroy every single human beings! Ah-ah-ah, then steal everything precious from them." The cat replied with a nasty look.
"Impressive."
It's those old cliche, a villain planning to destroy the world. I'm honestly getting tired of this troupe, don't villains can a specific goal to accomplish besides taking over the world? Then again, l'm not impressed in the slightest. This cat probably possess an ability that one taps everything, you know how cartoons portray small and fragile things being the most powerful, they're the most predictable concept.
"You don't look sacred or impressed? Didn't you hear what l just said? I'm going to take over the world! Ah-ah-ah."
Yeah l heard you, but don't have the energy to be running around and yelling crap. Saying this with a straight face. I've grown bored questioning this cat, it's almost time to teach those kids.
"Bye bye, cat." I waved my goodbye.
"Huh?" The cat snapped, and continued, "DO YOU KNOW HOW I LANDED HARD FROM THE GROUND A MONTH AGO? I'VE BEEN SURVIVING IN THIS FOREST WITHOUT FOOD FOR A LONG TIME, AND FOR SOME REASON, MY CAGE REFUSES TO ACTIVATE! I'VE ALSO BEEN RUNNING AWAY FROM RAZOR! IT'S BEEN LONELY YOU SEE..."
"Huh?"
Did the cat just simply explained that it wants someone to comfort him, cause he's been lonely.
"And another reason is..."
"I'm listening."
"The moment l was still inside this stupid forest before l encountered you, there was a static feeling that pointed towards your direction. I think when you came close, my instincts grew stronger. Then that arose our great encounter, l think it was fate that wants us together, gotta thank mother dragon for this." The cat stated, folding his arms and sighed loudly.
"You put this on some dragon fate stuff? Just say you want stay with me, it's not difficult."
"It's not like l wanted to stay with you or something... Hmph."
Believe me when l say this, that last part made my stomach ach. The more l see a cat giving off human attitudes, it begins to creep the hell out of me. And, why am l randomly accepting this cat to stay with me? I gotta remember, curse exist in this world, and with cats, there's a higher possibility it was sent by some shady looking witch that hates me. Like l said, possibility, l don't want to sound paranoid.
There's a common thing for protagonist having a pet by their side, it brings vibe to the journey.
"How long is your stay?"
"Huh? The hell you mean how long?"
"My house isn't a place that keeps animals, my mother is quite allergic to cats. Plus, Iris and Blake might run away from you, not because you're cat, but the fact you also speak, it's creepy to other people but not me."
".... So what you're trying to say is... Those people are discriminative? HUMANS AND HATE!"
"Calm down, l didn't mean that!"
After a couple of hours since the cat has been rampaging, l finally calmed it down as it went straight to sleep. I held it with a furious look, my face had been decorated with scratches and blood. Now l need to find an excuse to dodge the situation, l can't really say it was the cat otherwise it will get thrown out of the house. I might keep it for a while, since it talks, and maybe it might tell me more about where he came from. Damn! My mind lust for more information, what else does this world have in store? Skyland? Volcanic village? Dragons? A place where a sword must be pulled out to prove your worthiness. I'm so excited to test that one day! I can't stop screaming.
Enough with the giggling. It doesn't suite my beautiful and nonchalant face.
"Eh-eh-eh!"
"You've quite the fantasy adventure imagined in that tiny brain of yours. For such a small age, you dream big." The cat muttered, leaping over my head.
"Eh..."
"What's with the face?"
"You... can... hear my thoughts?"
"Thoughts? I thought you said it out loud. Talk about confusion, l guess l can read minds now, ahahaha!"
"Just ignore that," l whispered.
Now l've gotta be careful what l say in my head, guess there exist an ability to read minds, can't wait for the day l receive my gift. But l can't keep refering to this terrifying, creature as orange cat, time to pick a name...
"What's with that face, human? Plotting an evil plan to take over the world with me?"
"For starters, you're quite discriminative, address me with my real name."
"Blaw! Humans love every single detail taken into account. Fine, what's your name young lad?"
"My name's, Arthur Zephyros. But, just call me Arthur." I announced.
"Arthur... Hmm... So close. Then l shall address you as, Arthur." The cat whimsically spoke, placing his paw on his face. He continued, "well, l can't be addressed as a creature, so what name did you pick for my cute looking face, and glorious voice. Just state it, ah-ah-ah, as l laughed rich."
"Don't you have a switch button, you're getting out of control. And don't think l'll forgive you even after you messed my beautiful face!"
"Sheesh! Humans complain so much."
That's Arthur for you, punk.
Now it's time to give out an iconic name that can be remembered for centuries, l'm saying it like l am keeping him as my partner. Enough with that, it's time to think... Hold up!
"Just to be crystal clear, you're male, right?"
"Did l sound feminine to you? Horny freak."
So that covers it, he's male. Let's continue with the naming:
Ethan, meh, sounds like my old self--too basic.
Michael, it sounds like a name given to nonchalant people, this cat isn't worthy one.
Stacy, nope, that's a girl's name.
Lloyd, this one packs vibe but a no go for this feline.
"Coming up with names is near difficult... I got it!" I shout out, placing my fist on my palm.
"Hey! The hell you saying down there? You got a name or something? It better be cool cause l ain't lining myself with a name that sounds so cringe to call out."
"Can't you take a minute without complaining, stupid cat. Now then, your name shall be... Storm!"
Why did l pick that name? It's because storm sounds ferocious, it packs a mighty power. How wonder what he thinks...
"That name is terrible! Almost like a disease."
Yeah, l've had enough, better stick with the name or leave my sight.
"Hold up, why are you angry all of a sudden? The name was trash.... Hold up! Stop shaking your head, l might fall, Ahhhh! Okay, l'll accept that, whoah! Enough with the rumble, human. Whawww! I'm sorry Arthur, from now on my name is Storm... I guess.... Whaw! Ouch. You dropped me, now l'm covered with mud."
I can already sense my future being packed with stressful companion, guess my life won't be as peaceful as l imagined, now it's all just a dream. Well, it's back to resuming my lessons with Iris and Blake, l took pretty damn long running a goose chase with Storm. I thought he would eventually run away, but, he's right behind me. Let's just see how Mother, Blake, and Iris react after seeing a talking cat.
"I can already imagine them wetting their pants, especially Blake. Eh-eh-eh, tongue slip."
"Meow! My new life has begun! Fear me, Pandora!"
"Just keep quiet."
****
Storm and l returned back at the training room to meet up with Iris and Blake, to my surprise the room was empty. I know l left for a while but not that long, just to be sure, l checked outside the training room and yet no soul in sight. I was beginning to get worried, those two together are a troublesome, it's either Iris is going through her shinenigans, or they just went home, right?
Storm hooped on my head and we set out.
Ken's house from the training room wasn't that far, so managed to arrive faster this time, but the results proved differently, they still weren't inside.
"Where could those ideots be?"
I continued searching around the village and shouting their names, then Storm poked me with his paw. "Now what? That hurts you kn—"
"Head north..." Storm interrupted me, he had a serious expression.
I nodded in agreement, and sprinted North. I wasn't sure where he was pointed at but that look alone had a lot of meaning, even my heart struck pounded louder. Danger? Wasn't sure.
As l kept going forward while sweat dropped down my body, l caught a glimpse of something strange. There were some village folks, including Iris and Blake tied up together with a vine. Something is definitely wrong. As l got closer, those tied begun yelling at me to go back.
"Run away, kid! Run away! Don't look here!" The people yelled in unison.
Shortly after, they fell silent like they'd seen a beast. They kept glaring at me—no, what was behind me. I hesitated, "something behind?" I asked Storm who also fell silent.
"....."
No reply.
At the corner of the eye, l saw a hand gripping a knife. The hand slowly reached my throat, where l felt the sharp point. I could feel heavy breathing behind. "Ah-ah-ah," the voice behind laughed loudly, as it let out a groan in the end.
"A little kid? Seems the market will call me their best customer! Ah-ah-ah! Jackpot!"
Cornered like a rat. My heart was racing, trouble had entered this village. It's not like we've a knight or officer, like my father...
I inhaled, and exhaled louder. "What brings you to this part of town, stranger?"
"Don't ask stupid questions, and follow me."
"So that's how we go, huh?"
Ching!