“That’s a promise I know I can keep,” Toshi says.
“It’s a promise we all can keep,” Theo says.
Chapter 31
~ General Tera
“W hat do we do now, General Tera?” Chief asks. “What are we supposed to do with this?”
“General, we need something,” Lord Wesley says.
“I’m thinking,” I say.
“Igo has been defeated, and his immediate warriors dispelled, but we know more is coming,” Chief says.
“War is knocking on our doorstep, and this is proof of it,” Lord Wesley says.
“I’m thinking!” I roar.
My wing is still wounded from the attack by that abomination. She has to be wiped out, no matter what the prophecy says. Humans forever struggle with the idea that they are mortal. Finding ways to clone themselves and elongate life and beat the odds of death.
But Primals are better than that. We walked this earth for thousands of years, ruling all of it before devolution took over.
Before basic human form became the normalcy and Primals started dying off in droves.
That is the natural course of our lives, and as Primals, we have to be able to accept that.
But the Cats can’t, and now there is an abomination that walks among us. Something that cannot be tolerated no matter what some prophecy from an old Bear says. A disgusting creature that threatens the natural course of the Primals’ path. Yes, some species are dying out. Like the Wolves and the Deer. But there are still many that are flourishing. Like Opossums and Rats.
And my species, Bats.
The creature in the cage roars, rattling the structure that is supposed to keep it at bay. The metal bars of lead are supposed to be draining the creature of its energies, but for some reason, it is still taking its Primal form. Denting the lead bars every time it throws its body against them.
“We need an answer, General,” Chief says.
“For now, we keep this creature where it is. If there is a war coming, we could use this kind of strength on our side,” I say.
“And what about this office?” Lord Wesley asks. “What do we do with all of this?”
“I want the Council members to help us. It took us weeks to track down Igo’s headquarters after Doryu slaughtered him.”
“That’s a Dragon for you,” Chief says.
“Nevertheless, there is a lot here to comb through. And someone has to keep an eye on this creature,” I say.
“At least you aren’t calling him an ‘abomination.’” Lord Wesley says.
“Until we know what he is, we can’t be sure of anything. But we also can’t let word get out about him. Not with the ordeal we just went through. If they knew? If she knew?” I ask.
“Our lips are sealed,” Chief says.
“Good. I’m going to head back out to Igo’s main office. The two of you stay here and go through all these files. This chamber was hidden for a reason, and I don’t think the only reason is this thing.”
I kick the crate and the creature snarls, his teeth gnashing at the bars. His claws are long and razor sharp, gleaming with intent to kill. His eyes are black as night, clouded with fury as he hunches over in the crate. There are wings like mine on him.
Pieces of skin that attach his arms to his sides. And his smaller-than-normal paws mean he can creep. Silently and deadly, should he bust out of this crate.
His strength must be unimaginable to be able to withstand the draining of the lead bars and still be in his Primal form.