9 Chapter Nine

So, before I could even become cocky; which I didn't ok?; the jungle proves to have quite the sense of humor as we were attacked by mocking monkeys that literally, LITERALLY, throw their shit at us, having me not only furious and dirty but making me realize just how weak we still are, been made fun of by freaking monkeys of all things. However it was beneficial somehow for at least as I see a flaw in our strategy that we need to fix: we need a way to locate enemies around us, sharper senses, some sort of skill, something because this time around it may have been monkeys, but next time… we may not be as lucky.

The forest is an easy place to hide with all its foliage, thick bushes and tall grass after all as we have proven countless times by using it ourselves, but being prey of it twice already hasn't been fun, especially when the first one almost got my brother killed.

But that's the problem, skills, magic, title, they appear out of nowhere because of something one has done. How I'm supposed to know how or what to do to acquire them?

That's why we were going to try that, the Voice of Nature, tonight. The Deer man did not explain to me how, but it does not hurt trying it anyway by copying what I saw. First, full moon, surrounded by trees, actually using the same place since they left, and second we need to sing and maybe dance, and even though I hadn't had enough time to train that part I was up to try my luck.

And there is the fire… I've been thinking about it for a long time by now, as to why creatures of ice danced along with the fire, their opposite element? Maybe we needed to use water instead? Or is it that fire is a generic  requirement to all?

That's is easy to try, at least, for there is a river nearby, and if it doesn't work in the end is alright as the easiest thing for us would be making a campfire with our own fire magic, so I let the wood ready beforehand just in case. 

So while at that, focused on thinking about every single step as to not make a mistake, that we ended up sitting on the floor, to wait for the night to come, brother chewing a branch he found while I keep looking at the sky, waiting for the moon to be in its highest point. 

And once it finally does it, I say to my brother, a little anxious and excited for it, worried that I may not work:

"Now little brother, let's try it."

"I don't know brother, why don't you try it first and see if it does anything?"

"Oho, what, are you shy now?"

"… I just don't know how to sing very well..." He mumbles, lowering his ears but keeping his teeth on the full of scratches branch. 

"Ok, ok, I will go first." I roll my eyes, not expecting this to go any different.

  I stand, for a moment lost in what to do, walking towards the center where the trees did not block the moonlight from reaching me, and as I stare at its glorious form, bright and full, the lyrics somehow come as if I had known them all along. I start humming the tune, low at first, the smoothing sound embracing the otherwise silent night, not breaking its spell but melting with it, carried by the wind like the sound of a flute lost in the wilderness.

"We sing tonight ~ ~in this glorious night~~

For the roots and trees ~ ~for the glorious night ~~

Hid our pleas ~ ~ For naïve we are ~~

Guidance we seek ~~ as we thank thee ~~ "

I keep singing, like a single howl in a windy night, ups and downs in a smoothing motion, thanking as much as requesting, been honest with my desires for strength, as well as how ignorant and inexpedient we were about the world.

I traced the circles as they have before, paw marks refreshing the form on the ground as I finish on the center of it with a bow, done walking close to the river, and hear a melodic ding.

Ding – Hidden ability discovered – Sing 65

Ding – Title Whispering Voice

Ding – Ability learned – Voice of the Night

I rub my paw over my eyes and look at my status again. Hiden ability? LEVEL 65?! WHAT!!!! I don't know if I feel happy for such a high level skill appearing out of nowhere or if sad that my highest level ability is singing!

And it was hiden? Maybe a side effect of been reincarnated? I was a singer them in my other life? A bird maybe? 

So many questions, hm…

"Are you going to keep ignoring me little one?" Suddenly the cold night carries a chilling voice within its wind.

"W-who?" I ask, already on alert, watching my surrounding.

"What? You called for me did you not?" 

I what? I tilt my head, but then I look at my skills again.

"Are you supposed to be the Voice of Nature?"

"Well, if you don't want me here then that's pity, I liked your singing."

"No no no, I was just surprised, that's all." I say, scared of having them actually leave.

My brother seems confused with me, and I realize how dumb I looked, talking alone and all. "It worked brother, I can hear the Voice of the Night now!"

He jumps, happy, and trots closer to me, though I still have my doubts if he remotely understands what we are up to.

"Ok, ahm…so… now is my turn? Uhm…"

"Try and sing as I did, moving around, the exact same." I say, shushing him with my paw, eager to explore this new skill.

"Ha, that's impossible brother, I have never heard such a great voice before, why didn't you tell me that you sang so well?"

"Well, I didn't know…" He turns his head sideways, and shrugs. 

"If you say so…" 

He takes his time looking at the moon and taking deep breaths, calming himself. I was kidding before, but maybe he really was shy after all? I think while considering that maybe one of us is enough and that he did not need to force himself.

How wrong I was.

He starts singing, and immediately the birds that were around sleeping fly away screeching, the insects buzz awake and the forest comes to life only to move away from him as I try to cover my own ears. Brother is just screaming nonsense, and when I realize that I was losing HP from it me and the Voice of the Night screamed together:

"STOP!"

He stops and I try to compose myself, somewhat dizzy from his attempt at singing, but as I look at his downcast self I feel bad for him, but not enough to ever let him sing again, for sure.  "If you let him sing for a second time I will never ever talk with you ever again." Says the Voice of the Night, empasazing the never ever.

…

… "Let's pretend that never happened then, cough, so the almighty me will clarify some things for you. I came when I heard your call because you are a special little one. Hell Hound aren't known to be the most intelligent species, and are usually easily domesticated by humans, though they are not that usual to find, making them very precious. 

But the domesticated ones aren't as powerful as you and your brother may become. You have knowledge and wisdom and that will make you powerful one day"

"But what about my brother? He doesn't have any odd skills."

"But he is already different the moment you shared your studies and inquires with him, or would you think that without you he would have realized how to increase and get better abilities?"

"So… tell me, little one, what would you like to know?"