Dad led us through the forests, of tall trees and long grasses. My ears kept moving in all different direction, hearing the rustling of grasses, the sound of birds and other creatures I’d never heard before.

I looked around trying to search for what the cause of each of the sounds were, but all I saw was greens and browns.

“Dad said, not many Animalia wonder through these forests anymore,” said Kiba, who was doing the same as me, searching for any danger that might jump out.

Dad let out a laugh. “You should try and relax, accustom your senses to your surroundings.” Dad looked back. “This will be good practice for you Alex. One of Larana’s abilities is to sense her surroundings through the wind, no matter where you are.” I looked at Larana, she nodded. “A skill I will get you to practise when you have better control of her power.” Dad continued to push his way through the tall grasses.

“Okay,” I nodded, up for trying anything new with Larana.

“Rabbit.” Tigra pointed to the left, to a little brown rabbit bouncing through the grasses.

We walked on for hours, spotting many different animals as we did, from deer, bears, dancing birds of paradise, and foxes; there were such a variety living within the forests, far more than I could have ever imagined.

Dad smirked as we gawked at an old looking tree, the trunk twisted, weaved into two wavy lines. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” I could hear the sound of water, as dad pushed on, to reach a large opening. There was a waterfall raining down from above, splashing up water from a pool below.

“Wow.” Tigra gasped in wonder, seeing a rainbow in the reflection of the waterfall. “Can we go for a swim?”

“Maybe later,” answered dad. “We need to set up camp first.” Dad pointed ahead to a clearing on the opposite side. “That is where we will set up camp, your task is to build a shelter each, mainly using the materials around the site.” Dad led us over to the little open spot, where he put down his pack. We all looked at each other as dad handed us a small dagger each. “You’ll need this, don’t wonder off too far, now go.”

We all headed off in different directions. I wanted to build a little shelter, just in case it rained, maybe like a fort. I looked into the forest from the edge, noticing the huge leaves of one of the grasses, it was perfect.

I headed into the forest glancing back to see dad still keeping an eye on me, Tigra and Kiba.

I began cutting the grasses at the base, making sure I grabbed the really thick ones. It was far better than I thought, the silkiness would just allow the water to run off, if it did rain.

“You’ll need some wood too,” informed Larana.

“Isn’t giving me advice cheating?” I asked.

“No, we are one in the same now,” replied Larana. “We share our powers, and it is my duty to help you as your talisman.”

“Alright.” I nodded. “Wood.” I hunted about for the wood I needed to build the frame for my little shelter.

I found some branches on the ground, most were of a similar size, so I picked them up and with my arms and hands full, I headed back towards dad.

Tigra hadn’t gone anywhere, she’d hunted through the pack dad had given her. It contained a blanket and some rope, she used it to make a hammock. She was already laying in it relaxed.

“Not bad Tigra,” nodded dad. “The simplest route to completing the task, much like your dad.” Tigra grinned at dad’s comment.

I began putting mine together using the rope supplied in dad’s pack, it seemed I would need to remember when adventuring to bring rope, it was really useful.

I put up the framework, digging the bigger sticks into the ground, tied the smaller sticks to them and then put the leaves over it, to make it waterproof and sheltered, inside I laid out my sleeping bag.

As I came back out dad came over to inspect. “Good framework.” He gave it a gentle push. “Strong build, good job, this will keep you protected from some of the lighter condition.”

We all looked over at Kiba who had built his in the shape of a tepee, his knots weren’t holding it together that well and it soon collapsed. Kiba’s expression was one of complete dismay.

I walked over to him. “You can share my shelter if you want.” Kiba stared at me in silence for a while. “Plenty of room,” I encouraged. He nodded. I smiled, taking his sleeping bag, and laying it out next to mine in my shelter.

“I failed then.” Kiba looked at the ground.

“No.” Dad shook his head. “In most situation you would be sharing your shelter anyway, this was a test to see you build one, your idea was a good one, you just need more practice with tying knots.” Dad was so encouraging.

“I’ll do better next time,” nodded Kiba enthusiastically.

“That’s the spirit.” Dad gently patted him on the head, he then turned to us. “This was another test for our trip. In most cases when working as a knight on jobs away from Cathopia you are issued a special tent.” Dad put his hand in his pouch, pulling out a sphere. “Do not ask me how they make these as I have no clue, some strange magic maybe.” He shrugged as he pressed something on the sphere then threw it to the ground where it began expanding.

The three of us stared as it got taller than even dad, then longer and wider, until it looked like half a giant star.

“Wow.” We all let that single word leave our lips in amazement.

“You should check out the inside.” Dad was smiling.

I glanced at Tigra, then Kiba, both were hesitant to enter something of such mystery. I took a gulp and took the first steps, pushing aside the canvas fabric to peek inside.

“No way.” I headed straight inside, into this huge space. I heard Tigra and Kiba both quickly following in after me.

“How?” Kiba stood beside me gobsmacked.

“This is crazy,” laughed Tigra nervously.

The inside of the tent was actually bigger than what it looked like on the outside, one half was just a huge open space, with a table and chairs already set up, there was a small kitchen area for cooking. The second half was almost cut off, we all went over peeking around a little entrance way to find the sleeping area.

There were blow up beds two inches off the ground, with blankets and pillows, ready to be slept in; they looked so comfy I could have just jumped in them now and gone to sleep.

“These tents come in different sizes depending on if you are traveling alone or with a team.” Dad had come in, standing behind us.

“If we have this why did we have to make our own shelters?” asked Kiba.

“I told you already, it was a test,” replied dad. “Missions can sometimes take the worst of turns and you don’t always have access to one of these tents. In the worst of cases, you have to sleep under a bush hoping the enemy doesn’t find you. Understanding how to survive in the wilds like our wild cousins is a knowledge which we must never forget.” Dad had held a displeased expression but remained calm and informative. “When you enter the academy, you will learn basic survival skills. We are doing this today, so you have an understanding of what to expect.”

“You said dad didn’t like camping out,” said Tigra.

“Let’s just say he had an experience where everything went wrong,” responded dad smirking. “Now time for some hunting skills.” Dad headed towards the exit of the tent. “Stay close and quiet, do as I do.” We all nodded and followed.

Without hesitation dad headed back into the undergrowth, he was crouching low, sniffing the air occasionally. He moved slowly, hardly making a sound. I watched as his ears moved, his eyes focused on what was around him.

I found myself mimicking what he was doing, lowering my body, listening for anything that should not have been there, moving slowly being careful where I stood, my eyes constantly on dad, then he stopped moving.

I heard a twig break, then a small deer walked out into the opening ahead of us. Dad slowly moved drawing Zekon from his back. The form of his sword changed into a bow, the wind form of Zekon. The sword based forms were when he unleashed his fire element. He was the only double elemental talisman I knew of.

Dad moved carefully lining up his bow with the deer, he pulled the string, summoning an arrow made of pure wind energy. The deer looked around sharply on guard of any potential danger.

We all watched as dad released the arrow, hitting the deer right between the eyes as it looked in our direction.

“Eww,” commented Kiba.

“Nice shot.” Tigra did a quiet clap.

Dad stood up straight and headed over to his pray. “When hunting remember to remain quiet, careful where you put your feet, let your instincts guide you as a predator and always adapt your hunting to your weapon type.” Dad slung the now dead deer over his shoulder. “Alex with Larana you can do exactly what I did, using a large, concentrated gust of wind. Tigra I suspect you’ll soon develop the same power your mum had, lightning control.”

“Lightning control?” She repeated.

“Something for your mum to teach you.” Dad began heading back in the direction of the tent.

“I’m going to have lightning powers!” Tigra was suddenly very excited, she ran next to dad. “When will I get this power?”

“It will develop over time,” answered dad letting out a sigh, just realising what he had gotten himself into.

“What can it do?” she fired another question.

“It depends on you; it develops differently in each member of your family.” We reached the tent. “Be patient and your mum will teach you everything you need to know.”

“Your dad is amazing,” said Kiba. “No wonder he’s considered leader of our clan.”

“Leader of our clan?” I repeated, looking at dad.

Dad glanced at Kiba before speaking. “Each clan, whether it be Leo, Smilodon or Lupus. they choose someone they consider a leader, unfortunately that role falls on your mother and I.” I felt more curious about my family as dad stopped by the entrance of the tent. “You’ve done well today; you can play until dinner is ready.”

“Don’t you want help?” asked Tigra.

“Things are best taught at a steady pace, today you have walked for hours while carrying heavy packs, built shelters and watched me hunt; I’m sure you picked up some pointers just from watching me.” Tigra nodded. “Now is time for relaxation and fun, a swim in the pool.”

“Fun between lessons?” Kiba seemed confused. “Only hard work pays off.”

Dad ignored Kiba, he was obviously brought up differently than me. “Tomorrow I will show you how to use your surroundings to hide, build a fire and prepare captured pray.”

“Is it safe to swim out there?” I asked.

“It is,” nodded dad. “Don’t worry Larana will protect you, if anything does happen.”

“Okay,” I shrugged. I took my top off and ran over to the waters. I had no reason to doubt dad, he wasn’t that far away. “Come on Tigra, Kiba.”

“Alright.” Tigra quickly followed after me.

“Kiba, go on,” encouraged dad. “Not everything has to be so serious, see this as a reward.” Kiba reluctantly joined us.

Tigra and I jumped in while Kiba sat at the edge just swaying his feet in the water. I felt sorry for him, perhaps I would have been like him if I hadn’t met Tigra.

As Tigra and I played we tried to encourage Kiba to join us, but no matter how much encouragement we tried to give, he still refused to get in the water.

Tigra and I raced, splashing water at each other, had competitions of who could hold their breath the longest and tried to catch the odd fish swimming around.

I caught glimpses of dad preparing our dinner, cutting up the deer with such precision. I noticed Zekon had changed into a dagger, making carving easy with the heat, sealing it as he went.

Dad moved on to preparing an open fire and cooking it on some pans he’d gotten out of the tent. Soon I could smell the scent of our cooked dinner. I gulped as the saliva filled my mouth, Tigra and Kiba were the same, we hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

“Dry off, dinner will be ready soon,” called dad.

Tigra and I jumped out of the water, shaking our entire bodies to get as much water off as we could. It was funny afterwards as our fur would puff out. Mine would usually look worse than Tigra as her fur was a little shorter than mine.

Kiba simply dried his feet and walked over to the fire. Tigra and I sat down too, watching as dad finished preparing the food. The deer meat had been wrapped in the same big leaves I had used as a roof for my shelter.

“Here you go.” Dad handed us each a leaf parcel, opening it up, the steam escaped. The smell was sweet. I stared at it licking my lips. “Well dig in.” Without another word we ate our dinner, which was the best; dad could really cook. While we were eating dad spoke again. “Tonight, since it will be dry, I want you all to sleep in your shelters.”

“But we have a tent,” argued Kiba.

“Only for tonight,” responded dad. “Building is one thing but staying in it is another.”

“Okay,” nodded Kiba, glancing at me, he would be sharing my shelter.

Dad was the first to finish eating, he grabbed one of the chairs from inside the tent and brought it outside, where he sat down. “Once you finish eating go to bed. I will be keeping watch.”

“Don’t you need to sleep too?” questioned Tigra.

“You’ll learn that sometimes you can’t afford to sleep,” answered dad, then he smiled at Tigra’s concern. “I will be fine, please just get some sleep.” Tigra nodded. She finished and headed over to her hammock.

“Wow.” She struggled a little to get in to it. Dad stood up and helped her, as she slipped into the sleeping bag stretched across it. “Thank you.” Tigra snuggled up.

“You’re welcome, good night your highness.” Dad smiled, then glanced at Kiba and I.

“Night dad.” I stood up stretching then headed over to my little shelter, nothing really compared to the giant tent.

“Night Alex.” Dad sat back down on his chair, digging Zekon into the ground next to him, where it began to pulsate, sending out a wave of energy across the ground.

“What’s that?” I asked hesitating to go into my shelter without knowing.

“Just another way to protect you,” replied dad quickly. “Good night Kiba.”

Kiba shot to his feet and ran over to me. “Night sir.” Satisfied with dad’s answer we both headed into my shelter, where we snuggled down into our hammocks. “Night Alex.”

“Night Kiba.” I smiled, closing my eyes as I heard Larana whispering in my ear.

“Sleep well master.” She hadn’t spoken much today, but I still enjoyed her company. I slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.