Bonus 4: The Couple’s Reincarnations

“C’mon, Kit!” Terra said as she grabbed the young man by his hand. “We don’t wanna be late for the sign-ups!”

Terra and Kit were around sixteen now, and both were on their way to enter the village’s youth fighting tournament. They had been training for three months, and the day had finally arrived. Terra was bubbling with excitement; however, Kit wasn’t thrilled with the concept of fighting. He was much more of a pacifist, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t defend himself or others if needed. The two raced toward the registration booth, managing to make it just on time. Terra’s parents caught up with them shortly afterward.

“Goodness, Terra,” Terra’s mother said with a sigh, “You can’t be running so recklessly. You two could’ve hit someone.”

Kit bowed his head and apologized. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I was being too slow.”

Terra’s father came up and patted Kit’s head. “You don’t have to apologize for everything,” he said, his voice kind and sincere. “Remember?”

Kit nodded. “Sorry,” He mumbled quietly.

Terra’s younger twin siblings, Max and Emma, stood beside their parents; both were seven and very eager to watch their older sister and foster brother fight in the tournament. The family made their way into the small stadium, and Terra and Kit parted ways with their parents so they could join the other contestants. Terra’s mother said that they would be watching from the front rows, and both her parents would cheer for them.

The two waited with the other kids, Terra getting a good look at the competition, while Kit sat meekly in the corner. Terra gave a light smack to her brother’s shoulder and pointed.

“There she is,” Terra said, pointing to the oddly well dressed dark skinned girl standing prim and proper by the entrance of the room. “Today’s the day I’m really gonna stick it to that princess Ayla.”

Ayla and her family were all Atlas Bear experiments.

Kit cocked his head and asked, “What’s wrong with her? I have a few classes with her at school, and she seems fine.”

“Fine? Look at ‘er. She thinks she’s so much better than us average folk, really rubs me the wrong way.”

“Well, she is the daughter of the chief. Royalty, ya know, guess that’s just how she was raised.”

Terra humphed, resting against the wall.

“I just hope my opponents aren’t too strong,” Kit said. “I don’t even know if I’ll make it past the prelims.”

Terra smacked his shoulder again and said, “You’ll do fine, bro. We’ll win our matches easier than saying mustard molasses five times fast.”

Kit actually did attempt to say “mustard molasses” five times fast, but was cut short when the tournament announcer came in and called out the contestants for the first match. Ayla and Kit! Everyone fell silent, heads turned, looking around the room to find Kit. The color quickly drained from the young man’s face before he tried to slip away and out of the room. Terra grabbed his collar and pulled him over.

“Where are you going?” She asked.

Kit whipped his head and exclaimed, “You’re missin’ some chromosomes if you think I’m gonna fight her!”

Terra spun him around and looked Kit dead in the eyes. “You’ll do fine, bro. You are strong, now go out there and show ‘em who’s boss.”

Kit still didn’t seem too convinced, but went along with it anyway. So, he followed the announcer and Ayla outside the room. The crowd roared with cheers as the first combatants came out. All of the eyes on Kit certainly made him even more nervous. He glanced at Ayla, who kept her eyes forward and posture straight. Her expression was stoic; it sent a chill down Kit’s spine. The two went on opposite sides of the square area, and the sun was directly in Kit’s eyes. He squinted, covering the sun with his hand. He looked to his right and saw his foster family cheering for him.

“Go Kit!!!” Max shouted, jumping up and down.

“You’re super strong!” Emma added. “Super duper strong!!!”

“Knock ‘em dead, bud!” Terra’s father said.

“But not actually!” Terra’s mother advised.

Kit chuckled, hearing them gave him some confidence. He looked back at Ayla, and she gave him a bow.

“To a good, fair fight,” She said, her expression not changing and her voice serious.

Kit bowed back. “Yeah.”

The announcer began the fight, and in a flash, Alya gut-punched Kit. He didn’t have any time to react; the sun in his eyes didn’t help, and he was sent flying back. He rolled across the ring, nearly falling out of bounds if he hadn’t stopped himself by digging his claws into the stone. Kit got back up, but was socked in the jaw. A barrage of blows swept back and forth across his face, and he was kicked in the back, sent landing in the middle of the ring. Kit strained getting up, but at least his back was facing the sun. Alya came for another attack, Kit managing to block it this time, but the young woman was quite stronger than him, and the force of the attack sent a shaking pain in his left forearm.

All Kit could do was be on the defensive. Alya was too fast, and she did catch him, uppercutting his chin, then kicking him back. Kit skidded across the ring, stopping just barely at the edge, his head hanging over. Kit groaned in pain, not wanting to get back up. Maybe he should just forfeit? He was clearly outmatched; it would be easier. Kit rolled over and started picking himself up, letting out a tired sigh. He turned around, taking a deep breath before charging forward at Ayla. He threw a swift punch, but it was easily dodged. Ayla grabbed his arm and flung Kit over her shoulder, slamming his body into the stone ring. He lay there, his body numb from the impact. Seeing as how this fight was over, Ayla turned and started walking off. The announcer started the countdown, while the crowd cheered for their princess.

“Kit!!” Terra called out. “Don’t give up! You ain’t done yet!”

Kit’s eyes widened, and he felt a sudden heat flow through his body. Just before the countdown finished, he started getting back up. The crowd gasped in shock. Ayla turned her head, and she, too, was stunned to see him getting back up.

“I…ain’t…done yet,” Kit said through heavy breaths.

That’s when something miraculous happened! Kit’s orange-red fur, hair, and his two colored eyes all transformed into a vibrant magenta. It was in a split second; Kit didn’t even know. That was, until the crowd went completely silent. Everyone’s jaws fell to the floor. Ayla’s eyes widened, showing the first real emotion. Disbelief.

“D-d-d that kid just awaken?” Someone from the crowd stuttered.

“Th-that’s impossible!” Another said. “No one has ever awakened this young besides the princess!”

“Yeah, but she’s a genius. Who even is this other kid?”

The crowd was filled with murmurs, and Kit was completely in the dark. He looked at his hands and tail, put in awe at their new color.

“Whoa,” he gasped. “This is…weird. My body feels all warm, and everything looks so…clear. What is this?”

“You’ve awakened,” Ayla stated, regaining her stoic composure. “How?”

Kit shook his head and said, “I don’t know, but…I can’t explain it. I just feel…”

“Light?” Ayla said. “And heavy at the same time, you will get used to it.”

The young princess transformed as well, her blackish-brown fur and hair now turned to a dazzling golden-brown. Kit’s eyes lit up, mesmerized by such a beautiful form. The crowd’s chatter turned once again into quiet, fixated on this fight. Terra watched speechless; she never knew her brother could awaken.

“Th-that’s Kit?!” A young man standing next to Terra asked.

“I’ve got class with that guy,” Another young man said, “He seemed average in strength. I’ve never seen him do that.”

“Yo, Terra, isn’t that your brother?”

Terra tried to collect herself once all of the other combatants began staring at her. She laughed and said, “You bet your ass, ha ha! I taught him everythin’ he knows, we’re practically rivals!”

They were all intrigued, Terra glancing back at the fight. Kit, with his newfound strength, bolted toward Ayla. The young princess was actually taken aback by his speed and took a left hook to the jaw. She slid back, blocking a kick from Kit. The two went on a back-and-forth, blitzing around the ring, leaving the crowd speechless. Ayla was genuinely surprised at how easy Kit was able to close the gap between them. Did the awakening make him that strong? No, she’s watched him spar; it wasn’t that. He was learning and getting stronger as he fought. Ayla couldn’t explain how or why, and yet…she felt…joy? An opponent who got stronger and stronger, matching her movements in defense. It was impossible, dangerous, but exciting all at the same time!

The two continued, their movements becoming almost synchronized. The audience was captivated, like watching a dance. The two’s eyes were locked on each other, faster and faster and faster they went. Kit let out a roar and slammed his fist into Ayla’s face, and sent her flying back, straight out of the ring. She hit the grass, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

“I…lost?” Ayla muttered in disbelief as she lay on the grass.

“I…won?” Kit muttered in disbelief as well, reverting to normal.

Kit walked off the stage and went toward Ayla. She sat up, her hair messy and clothes dirtied. Quite unroyal, like.

She looked up at Kit and said, “Are you going to gloat now? I know, no one my age likes me, that’s fine. Just get it over with.”

Kit chuckled, extending his hand. “Nah, you ain’t done nothin’ wrong.”

Ayla was shocked. “What?” She said, “Why are you being nice?”

“I don’t really see a reason why they wouldn’t like ya. I think you’re pretty cool and strong.”

“You…you do?”

Kit smiled and nodded. “Yep! That was a great fight.”

Ayla was still shocked, but the left side of her lip curled into a faint smile. She took his hand, and Kit pulled the young princess up. He pulled her a little too hard, and they brought her close together. Their eyes met, locking gazes. Both their hearts started to beat rapidly, their faces flushing a light red. The two quickly turned away from each other, and Kit started back to the room with the other combatants.

“See ya,” Kit looked back and waved, almost tripping in the process. “I hope we fight again sometime.”

Ayla nodded and said, “That would be nice. I will be training and waiting till then.”

This ends the Howl Series. Thank you all for reading through this journey. It means so much to me! -Caprio Suji