"Kindred Spirits" by Adam Stevens

Liana stretched languidly in the early morning sun. Her breath formed into misty clouds in the crisp morning air as she relished the cool damp of the earth beneath. She looked around her to see the other initiates laid under the shelter of the trees, all still asleep in the early morning light. Pale beams of sunlight scattered the forest floor as the tall pine tree swayed softly in the breeze. The sky was a clear blue, ranging to a deep purple in the west where the sun’s warming touch had not yet begun to reach. The lioness stretched again, and silently made her way from the centre of the slumbering forms of her fellow students deeper into the forest, staff in paw as she softly padded her way through the gently moving trees. She continued to walk through her green surrounding, marvelling at the range of smells and sounds that assaulted her senses, something she rarely wondered at any more despite her past.

The gentle ring of metal slicing through air reached her sensitive ears, and she turned towards it’s source immediately fascinated by the possibilities it held, her curiosity and inquisitive nature getting the better of her more cautious feelings. After much searching amongst the trees, the leonine sorceress discovered a clearing, perfectly circular in form, the soft morning sunlight filtering in past the treetops. A single figure occupied the open space; his white fur shining brightly in the natural light cast upon him. Liana watched as the white-furred feline moved with a grace and deadly speed that she had not thought possibly. A pair of blades flashed in the light, making a soft, poetic ring as they swept through the air. Liana stared in rapt fascination as the tiger morph flowed like water. She could barely follow his movement, yet it appeared deceptively slow. For what seemed like an eternity, she stood staring, unaware of her surrounding, focusing on the elegance of the creature in front of her. Abruptly, he stopped. He turned slowly to face her, his sapphire blue eyes burning into hers. There was no anger there, merely curiosity in those ancient wells.

‘Care to spar with me?’ Was all he said, his deep, rich voice carrying a hint of challenge. He smiled softly and bowed his head graciously as she nodded, compelled to accept by some unknown force that drew her into the gently illuminated circle. He sheathed one of his intricately patterned weapons, taking the other in one paw as she took up a stance opposite, her plain staff featureless and smooth in her grasp. They stood staring at each other for an age before Whitemane lunged at her, his speed catching her off guard and forcing her back. She lashed out with her staff and sparks flew as it impacted with his sword. He smiled a warm smile and backed off a pace. She breathed deeply, recalling the lessons that her instructors had taught her, feeling hidden energy flowing through her. Time itself seemed to slow and all around her seemed to stand still, yet the being before her flashed forward, sword grasped in both paws as he moved still at an incredible speed. Liana parried and thrust in perfect counters. Flawless was her performance, and the more she fought, the greater clarity her surroundings assumed. Time stood still yet the two felines fought, lost in the moment where their attention did not waver. Finally, she brought her staff round, smashing the haft into her opponent’s muzzle and sending him stumbling to the floor. Somehow he managed to grasp her weapon, tearing it from her paws as she leapt onto him, snarling viciously, claws extended. The two felines rolled together, fur matted with sweat before Whitemane finally pinned her, his superior strength evident. He rolled off of her breathing heavily, blood pouring from his muzzle. To Liana’s great surprise, he started laughing, and soon the pair of them lay there in the morning dew, chuckling to themselves, Liana relieved that he was not angry at her.

‘I want to thank you Liana.’ Said the tiger as he stared into her eyes again. She looked puzzled, unsure how to respond to this strange feline. ‘I want to thank you for making me feel alive again. It has been a long time since I felt anything. Thank you.’ He bowed his head, unsure how to carry on as Liana lay next to him, still breathing heavily from her previous exertions. He carefully unhooked a delicatley carved medallion from around his neck, and gently placed in her open paw. ‘Please accept this as my way of saying thank you.’ With that, he stood and left, leaving Liana alone in the clearing. She smiled to herself softly. She would enjoy hunting for him again.