Chapter Seven: The Training Journey 

The next day, Atzi and Motus got things together for the trip. Motus told her what they needed and Atzi packed it in a bag. Soon they were headed out. "So where do we go now Motus?" Atzi asked him as he sat in the backseat.

 "First of ...all...i..am..not..a..pet.." He said each word as he climbed into the front seat. "...so I get to sit up front like a normal human being.." He nods his head with a matter of factly manner and chuffs. 

"Secondly we are going to stop at Lake Destiny for a few days. You need to train." 

Atzi looked at him with a surprise in her eyes. "Train. ? Train for what..?" She asked as they drove down a wooded road. Motus smirked and looked at the passing trees. 

After a few hours' drive, they arrived at Lake Destiny. Motus yawned as he just awoke from a nap. Atzi opened his door and he got out. She gathered a few things and followed him to the water. 

"We need to draw out that power you displayed. It's too weak for being dormant. It needs to be stronger. Can you try to remember what triggered it…?"  Atzi nodded but wasn't sure how to do what he asked.

 She looked out at the glassy surface of the lake and thought about that night. She recalled running after Motus, getting lost in the snowy woods, being trapped by those wolves...feeling scared that she was gonna die.."That's it! That's what triggered it! Being in fear!" 

Atzi closed her eyes and focused on that feeling. She replayed that situation in her mind, she recalled the sounds, the smells, the gnarled faces of those wolf guards.

 She felt a slight tingle for a brief moment but it disappeared as fast as it came to her. "It's not working...what do I need to do..?" Atzi said to herself. Motus thought for a second and then gave a smirk.

He turned towards Atzi and began barking like mad. She jumped scared and was confused as she backed up. As she walked backwards, he went forwards to her still growling and barking. Atzi turned and ran to get away, scared that Motus would get hurt. 

Motus tailed after her still barking and now trying to nip at her feet as they ran. Atzi yelped and tried to dodge the nips. She ran through the sparse trees, jumping over logs and weaving through the low branches. 

She began feeling that tingling again in her hands..her vision blurred a second as the glow flashed brightly. Motus stopped and shielded his eyes. When the glow faded, that black and grey female wolf was in front of Motus snarling angrily. 

"There she is!" Motus exclaimed, he tried to walk towards her and she snapped her jaws at him. Her fur was bristled and she walked around him, her gold eyes on him, her fangs bared in a snarling way. "WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

 She snapped at Motus still glaring at him. Motus tried to answer as he slowly wagged his tail trying to look friendly. The she wolf watched his feet. As soon as Motus took a step, she pounced him down and raked her claws over his chest.

 Motus growled back and gashed his teeth at her trying to get her off him. She jumped back and lunged her front claw at him. He dashed aside and barked at her. 

After 15 minutes she began to glow again and she slumped into the ground exhausted and semi unconscious. "Well, she lasted longer this time. But maybe fear isn't the best method. I'll talk to her about it when she wakes back up."

  Motus settled near her and murred softly to himself as he was lost in thought. The hours passed and when the sun was half set, Atzi stirred awake. When she saw Motus close to her, she rolled aside and backed up. 

He looked at her and tried to calm her down. "Look, I'm sorry I went psycho mutt on you. I had to see if being genuinely scared triggered the power you have. But it was a dumb mistake and I see it may have changed your thoughts about me.."

Atzi threw a small stone she came across and it hit near Motus feet. "Stay back! You think that was funny?! I thought you were gonna kill me! The hell were you thinking..?! Scaring one into a fight type of mode isn't very nice!" 

Atzi scolded Motus and his ears went back a bit as she yelled at him. He sat and pawed the dirt like a pup who got in trouble. She stood up and headed back to camp without another word to him. 

Motus followed his tail low and his head down….little did they know, there were a pair of glowing eyes watching them in silence..