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For a moment, I wonder why Cal isn’t interfering, then I figure, it probably has to do with honor of the clans. The leader of one clan has to fight the leader of the other.
Cal tugs at my hand, pulling me away, so that we are at a safe distance from them. I watch with wide eyes as Rock and the other leader circle each other within the confines of the tent, as the air crackles with the weight of decision. Whatever happens here will determine the fate of both our clans.
Our clans.
I almost smile at the thought, but I manage to suppress the need to do so. This is no time for smiling, although my heart is swelling with the love I feel for both Rock and Cal. They came for me. They love me as much as I love them. I don’t know whether we will leave this tent alive or not, but if we do, I plan on spending the rest of my life with them, even if I have to endure the gazes of everyone in the village. None of that matters. The only thing that matters is the love we have for one another.
I focus on the present moment again. The determination in Rock’s eyes is undeniable, as he is ready to defend those under his care, those he loves.
“You can fight me now if you wish,” the other leader says. “But it’s only a matter of time before your entire clan is wiped out and there is not a single trace of your existence.”
“You won’t scare me,” Rock snarls angrily, the weight of their words hanging heavily in the air.
Cal wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer. At least if I am to die, I will die by the side of those I love and who love me. In that, I couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful death.
“We will take your land as ours,” the other leader claims.
“Over my dead body!” Rock is ready to lunge, but he is biding his time.
The other leader grins maliciously at him. “I am counting on it.”
Without a warning, his physical transformation starts. His bones and insides readjust completely, and I witness the same process yet again. Still, it’s not any less frightening as I listen to the sound of cracking bones. I turn to Rock, who knows that he doesn’t have a single moment to lose. He falls down on all fours, his own transformation on the verge of taking place, right before our eyes.
The air crackles with electric energy as the massive, fur-covered creatures face each other, their human blood still dripping from their ears and muzzle. Their eyes are not even human anymore, burning with an intensity that seems to transcend the physical realm itself. I look around, and it is as if the tent itself is not enough for the power of their transformation. The fabric strains against the sheer force of their newfound forms, and the tribal symbols and artefacts around us are pulsating with the raw energy of the clash.
The two massive bears immediately engage in a fierce battle, showcasing their raw strength and primal instincts. One of them digs its claws into the other one, and the most frightening thing is that, in the midst of all this fighting, I losetrack of who is who. I was barely able to tell when they were standing still. Now, they seem to be one relentless force of nature fighting itself.
Their fur, bristling with intensity, frames the spectacle that is unfolding before my very eyes, as they grapple and clash, their claws and teeth flying through the air. Roars and growls are echoing all around us, only fueling this aura of primal energy. The earth beneath them trembles as one climbs on top of the other but is swiftly thrown back down.
I gasp, wondering which of the two bears is winning. I can’t watch anymore, and yet, I can’t pull away from this terrible sight. Cal is there, comforting me, but my concern is growing with each passing moment.
Which one is Rock? Is he the one tearing the flesh off of the other one? Or is he the one losing this battle? My heart aches as the battle rages on.
In a dramatic turn of events, one of the bears is on the ground again, stumbling and falling. The victorious bear seizes the moment, swiftly closing in. With a primal ferocity that I’ve never seen before, the bear sinks its powerful teeth into the fallen bear’s neck, delivering a decisive and fatal blow. A few grunts are heard as blood splatters everywhere. This time, I can’t bear to look. I bury my face into Cal’s shoulder, in hopes that the winning bear is Rock. But I can’t be sure of that.
Suddenly, Cal gently forces me to turn around. Much to my shock, the bear is near us, staring at us. My heart is beating inside my chest as if it might explode inside of me. Squeezing Cal’s hand hard, I stare at the bear, waiting to see if this will be the last breath I take.
Then, Cal extends his hand gently towards the animal. His fingers are trembling. Is he frightened? Can he recognize who it is? I’m sure he can, but then… why is he shivering?
A moment feels like an eternity as we stand like that, suspended in time. Finally, the bear reacts to the extended hand. It closes its eyes, gently caressing its muzzle against Cal’s open palm.
“Is that Rock?” I whisper, my voice so weak that I barely hear myself.
“Mhm,” Cal responds. “He won. He saved us.”
Without thinking, I jump at the bear, wrapping my arms around its thick neck. I inhale its woodland scent, not even caring about the blood stains on its fur and claws. I know who it is now. And I know what he has done in order so that we are all safe.
Still embracing Rock in his bear form, I turn to Cal. “What now?”
“Well, ask him,” he grins. “Rock loves being in his bear form. I’m thinking he probably wants to escort us through the camp like that, just in case someone thinks they can stand in our way.”
I turn to Rock and look in his eyes. He just nods, giving me a slight growl.
“I think he just agreed,” I concur with a smile. “Well then, I think it’s time we go home.”
I try not to look at the dead bear on the ground. Cal is able to read my mind, and before we pass by it, Cal wraps his arm around me, hiding my face in his shoulder again.
“It’s alright,” he whispers into my ear. “It had to happen.”
