Chapter Text
Meilin stood by the local Greencloak Sheyu, facing the crowd gathered for her summoning. Despite her relaxed face, she was slightly anxious. She didn’t mind not getting a spirit animal, though it was practically impossible for her not to get one, considering her family tree. Still, Meilin couldn’t place her worry, as she had never felt so anxious. She assumed her spirit animal would be strong since spirit animals reflected one’s personality, so she couldn’t figure out why she felt a sense of dread. It was like her body was telling her something was wrong, but Meilin wouldn’t let some gut feeling get in the way of the most important day of her life. She had been dreaming of this day since she was old enough to understand what it meant.
Meilin pushed the feeling aside as the Greencloak brought the jade decanter to her lips. She took a sip and tried not to show how amazing she thought it was. It tasted like a honeycomb, reminding her of the dessert her mother used to make. She was surprised she still remembered little things like that. Meilin was still thinking about the memory the nectar brought back when the sky started to get dark, even though it was a perfect day. Her skin got goosebumps, and she felt like there were thousands of bees buzzing over her skin. She closed her eyes tight and tried to keep from falling over. She could see a bright flash of light but didn’t dare open her eyes.
Meilin quickly realized she didn’t have to because the screams and gasps told her what she needed to know. Whatever animal she had summoned was formidable, as she could feel the animal’s intimidating presence from where she stood. It was also bulky because she could hear the floor creaking under its weight. Thoughts were racing through Meilin’s head; what animal did she summon, how big was it, why was it so intimidating? As her head spun, she felt a massive finger press against her forehead, and her head cleared instantly. As her head cleared, she felt an intelligence that was not hers. Meilin slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She glanced at her father and saw the weak spot in his ribs. She had seen this spot in his ribs before, but it looked different now. She felt a shiver go down her spine as a thought occurred to her. She could strike the spot in his ribs and incapacitate him. Meilin didn’t even have to wonder why that thought appeared. She slowly looked up, trembling as she stood staring straight into the eyes of Kovo.
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Tarik had just flopped onto his bed when he heard someone knock. He sighed as he pulled himself up and walked towards the door. “Yes?” Tarik asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Olvan needs you,” Lenori answered kindly.
“Thank you, Lenori. I’ll head there immediately,” Tarik replied. He felt bad for being grumpy, but he hadn’t had a lot of rest since he got back from his mission! He stepped out of his room and trudged down the hallway, wondering what Olvan needed. Tarik assumed it was urgent because Olvan knew Tarik just got back from a mission, and he didn’t usually ask for someone until they’d gotten a few days to rest. When Tarik walked into Olvan’s study he found Olvan hunched over in his chair, hands cupped around his mouth. He seemed to be in deep thought, but when Tarik stepped into the room Olvan looked up.
“Ah, Tarik there you are! I apologize for calling you here so soon after your last mission.” Olvan said standing up.
Olvan smiled warmly at Tarik, but Tarik could tell he was troubled. “It’s fine sir, but why did you call me here?” Tarik asked.
Olvan paused at the question and sighed deeply. “I know you just got back from your mission, but there’s something I need you to do.”
“Of course sir what do you need?” Tarik replied. He wondered what was so important that Olvan needed him so soon.
“The Four Fallen weren’t the only ones summoned,” Olvan replied solemnly.
Tarik raised an eyebrow, he had assisted the Four Fallen in their mission of getting the first talisman, but this was news to him. Who else would be summoned at a time like this? He opened his mouth to ask but immediately understood who Olvan was talking about. “You can’t possibly mean, Kovo?” Tarik asked even though he already knew the answer.
“Yes, Kovo has just been summoned by a young child in Zhong,” Olvan answered.
Tarik blinked, he was summoned to Zhong? “I apologize for my confusion sir, but I thought Kovo was native to Nilo.”
Olvan nodded, “You are correct, Tarik.”
“Then why was he summoned in Zhong? To my knowledge spirit animals are summoned in their native lands. Even the Four Fallen were summoned like that.” Tarik said
“Not exactly, Jhi was summoned out of Zhong because she and Dakoda shared enough of a connection.” Olvan corrected.
“What about the child? Are they okay?” Tarik asked. He’d been worried since he learned of Kovo being summoned. Kovo may be a Great Beast, but he was the one to start the war in the first place.
Olvan sighed, “As well as they can be.”
“What do you mean?” Tarik asked. That didn’t sound comforting, and it was making Tarik even more worried.
“Well, not only has summoning Kovo put them under stress, but they’re now in prison,” Olvan said.
Tarik’s eyebrows shot up, “By their people?” Tarik understood that the people of Zhong were afraid. He probably would be too, but locking away a child for something they have no control over? It was vile!
“I understand you’re upset, Tarik, but we can’t just gripe about how terrible and unfair the situation is. The only way to fix Zhong’s mistake is to take action,” Olvan said.
Tarik nodded “I assume this is why you called me here?” Now they were getting somewhere. Tarik may have been tired, but he couldn’t leave this child to rot in some cell for something they had no choice in.
“Yes, I need you to go find this child, and bring them back here,” Olvan answered, “Are you up for this?”
Tarik grinned, “You don’t even need to ask, of course I am!”
“Good, go get some rest, and you’ll leave first thing tomorrow,” Olvan gave Tarik a proud smile.
Tarik walked out of Olvan’s study slightly anxious. He was worried and upset for the child. How could Zhong, the child’s home, do such a thing? Tarik always heard stories of how amazing Zhong was, but if they did this when afraid, they weren’t so great after all.
Tarik sighed, he needed sleep, he wasn’t able to get much during his entire mission. He stepped into his room and collapsed onto his bed. Now that he was alone, all the energy he had left him instantly. Tarik’s eyes slowly drifted shut, and just before he fell asleep, he hoped the kid would be okay at least for a little while longer.