Young Stamina

Lyria POV

Four and a half years later

My fifth birthday is coming, so I'll soon be able to get my beast spirit. With my beast, I'll also be able to start hunting with my dad and brothers.

First thing in the morning we go on a run around the village. Dad started making me run before I was a year old. I developed faster than the other kids. Over the time I have been running, I have gained enough stamina to run at the edge of the village with two of my brothers. They're quite lazy, considering they're active, which is why I'm able to keep up with them. Mal and Pat are both from Dad's second litter. They're more laid back than Ryker and Liam. So far, I know Dad has lost three cubs. Alan has told me that ever since he lost the first two, he has become a lot sterner in his teachings.

Dad has even come up with better battle practices. His saying now is 'The stronger your man form, the stronger your beast form will be'. We spend more time in our man form than our beast form so it makes sense that we should train our man forms as well. We also fight by instinct in our beast form. He's testing his way of thinking on us. Not that I mind. I'm only four and yet I already have great stamina. Dad sometimes lets me help track, but once we find our prey I must hide in the trees. I've learned if you don't want to do something your parents say then find another way.

Seeing how fast I am getting and working to get better the next time, has always motivated me to keep going. Jumping from one tree to another and not falling for example. The intense feeling I get every time I think of how dangerous something is and overcome it is an amazing feeling. I'll admit falling and getting hurt sucks but then I look up with determination, smile, and try again till I get it right.

I ran off towards the falls and fell into a hole. At first, I was terrified I would never get out. I did my best to calm myself and assess the damage on myself from the fall. After sitting on the cool dark ground, I was finally calm enough to look around. It's spacious here. My eyes adjust to the darkness, and I see another hole that leads into a darker tunnel. There was some light coming in through the hole up top. I get up and slowly walk through the tunnel. I stayed on guard since there was no telling what could be there. The tunnel leads to an even bigger opening with a small pool of water towards the other end. There were also glowing Sun flowers. This type of flower is found in darker moist areas or caves and emits a phosphorescence glow that lights up a small area but when a lot are clustered together it brightens the whole area, like this small cave.

This place gives off a 'me 'vibe. I'll make this place somewhere I can run to when I want to be alone or a quiet place.