“Brother Aurelius, you cannot be serious! We cannot request for an audience with the Earth Mother without offerings!”

“Silence, Brother Silas, these are dire times. Traditions do not matter when everyone in Ascot, our people, are dying. Now be quiet and follow me to the Spring of Life.”

The two cloaked figures hastened their steps and pushed through the foliage to appear in a glade. In the middle of the clearing was a pond with murky water. Almost as if the Earth Mother was displeased with their arrival, rain suddenly fell from the sky, marring the surface of the water.

Falling to his knees in front of the pond, the taller of the duo removed the hood of his brown cloak and began to speak.

“Earth Mother, Lady of the Land, we beg you for help. Please show us the way to salvation. Our people are being swept away into the night by sickness, please Mighty One!” he said.

The shorter cloaked man copied his elder, praying with his head and hands on the soft forest floor. A minute seemed to pass and then a harsh woman’s voice ringed out through the glade. Ancient, untamed magic was at hand.

“Aurelius and Silas, my most faithful servants, you have done well.” she said.

“Thank you my Lady, we have come to ask for a favor. We are in need of a cure for our sick. What should we do?” said Aurelius.

“Both of you have done enough, it is now up to me to decide whether or not the people live to breathe the next day.”

“My Lady! I beg you! Please save these poor people. I will do anything in order for lives to be spared,” croaked Aurelius.

“Very well, Aurelius. Since you insist so dearly, I shall grant your request. Bring every single person of this land to the pond here and have them drink the water. They will be cured and perhaps they may receive an extra gift,” she mused. A crack of lightning struck the pond and the water was clear, losing its murkiness.

“Thank you, thank you Earth Mother! We are forever indebted to you. What must I do in exchange for you kindness?”

“Be a good leader to your people . A new age is dawning and the gift I’ve blessed you with will change this land and its inhabitants. Aurelius, I foresee dark days ahead and you must persevere onwards. As my most trusted servant, you shall drink first. May you lead your people well for ages to come.”

“I will do so to the best of my ability. I will not let you down, my Lady,” he said as he cupped his hands to hold the water and drank it.

“Silas, you will be Aurelius’ pillar. Drink now and gather your strength,” she said.

“I promise my lady, I will forever aid Aurelius and provide him counsel. My loyalty will never waver even in the pits of temptation,” murmured Silas.

“Then you may drink. Aurelius, you are reborn as the mighty lion, chieftain of all. Silas, the fearsome tiger, second only to the lion. Use your gifts wisely,” she whispered as her voice faded away.

Silas gulped the water in his hands and wiped his mouth. A tingling sensation surged through his body and his fingers abruptly turned warm.

“Brother Aurelius, I feel strange, as if there is energy in my body ready to burst forth,” said Silas.

“As do I, Brother Silas. Perhaps it is simply the healing properties of the wat—”

“Wait Brother! There is a body of a lion enveloping you. Look, it’s even copying your movements!” exclaimed Silas.

True to Silas’ words, a golden yellow projection of a lion had indeed appeared. Where Aurelius’ fingers and feet ended, lion paws extended. A beautiful mane surrounded his neck, ears topped his head, and a tail protruded from his back. Surprised by the avatar, Aurelius took a step back from the pond. The ground shook where his feet landed. Curious about his paws, he bent down and mimicked scratching the floor of the forest. Score marks that can only be made by claws appeared on the very spot.

“Brother Silas, this is most astonishing. We must bring everyone here as soon as possible to share this wonderful blessing! Take a look at yourself, you are now a tiger,” Aurelius responded.

The same thing had happened to Silas, except the avatar being projected was a bright orange tiger.

“I shall head on back to Ascot first and gather everyone to spread the good news. I presume you will remain here for a lit