Chapter 62: Erik and Hrimrin

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Erik and Hrimrin

Penelope slowly approached the white wolf.

The wolf immediately sat down.

His icy blue eyes never left Erik.

A smile tugged at the corner of Penelope’s lips.

"I think... He has already chosen you as his partner."

Kai looked between the wolf and Erik.

"Chosen?"

Penelope nodded.

"Partner?" Ben added.

Penelope nodded again.

"The cub, if we can call it that, has chosen big brother as it’s partner. Think of it like..." Penelope thought for a bit. Then her eyes shined as she said "Like a partner in crime."

"So, you’re saying he chose me as his partner in crime?" Erik asked.

"What crimes are they committing?" Kai asked.

"Why do they need to be partners?" Ben asked as well.

Clearly, these two, were not in the same wave length as Penelope and Erik.

Penelope cleared her throat with a light cough. "You two...what really goes on in those brains of yours?" She couldn’t help but asked. "I mean...I always knew you two were a little...slow. But, why are you two focusing on the wrong thing?"

Kai shrugged. Ben smiled.

"What you’re describing is a beast-master connection. It’s written all over cultivation books. The hero forms a beast contract with a legendary animal/beast and, boom. becomes an all powerful powerhouse." Kai said dismissingly. Ben nodded. Kai and him spent many nights up reading cultivation books, this was a common trope.

"A what?" Penelope asked

"He’s talking about a beast bond." Erik repeated. He knew a thing or two about cultivation novels.

"Okay, so like I was saying. The cub basically chose you as his partner. It seems he is willing to form a soul bond with you." Penelope said, getting the trio back on track.

Erik looked at the cub, who was nuzzling his hand with his snout.

"Okay. How do I form this bond?" Erik asked. He couldn’t help but rub the cubs jaw.

"A Soul Bond isn’t something humans force. It is something both souls willingly accept."

She looked toward Erik. "Brother. I’ll guide you."

Erik nodded once. "What do I need to do?" he asked.

’Oddy. how do they bond?’ Penelope asked Oddy. She wasn’t sure if it would be the same process as her and Lya.

’Master, all he needs to do is feed the wolf blood from his little finger on either hand. Remember, he needs to feed him from his little finger. It must be the finger connected to his heart.’ Oddy responded.

’Thank you’ Penelope responded mentally to Oddy and turned towards Erik.

Penelope gently took his left hand.

She lifted his little finger.

"This finger contains the Heart Meridian."

She spoke softly. "The purest essence of your heart blood flows through this pathway. A Soul Bond isn’t formed with ordinary blood. It requires the blood closest to one’s soul. But just know, you will not form a master-slave contract. He will be your equal. Decisions will be made together from now on."

Erik nodded and said "As it should."

Ben couldn’t help but ask,

"Will it hurt?"

"A little." Penelope admitted. "But only for a moment."

She formed a thin blade of compressed earth.

The edge was no thicker than a strand of hair and instructed "Relax."

Erik didn’t hesitate. "I’m ready, go ahead and do it."

Penelope carefully nicked the tip of his little finger.

A single crimson droplet slowly gathered.

It shimmered strangely beneath the sunlight.

Almost as though it contained countless tiny specks of light.

The moment the wolf saw it—

His ears immediately stood upright.

Not with hunger.

With recognition.

Penelope smiled.

"He understands."

She stepped back. "The rest...is his choice."

Erik slowly knelt before the wolf.

Without fear.

Without hesitation.

He extended his hand.

"I don’t know if you understand me."

He spoke quietly.

"But...I’d be honored if you’d become my partner."

The training grounds fell completely silent.

The wolf looked into Erik’s eyes.

Long.

Steady.

Searching.

Then—

He stepped forward.

Without the slightest hesitation—

He gently licked away the single drop of blood.

BOOM—

The ground trembled.

Ancient runes of silver and pale blue spread beneath them like frost blooming across a frozen lake.

No one had seen symbols like these before.

Not even Penelope.

They rotated slowly around Erik and the wolf.

Ancient.

Majestic.

Timeless.

The symbols gradually dissolved into countless particles of light.

Half entered Erik.

Half entered the wolf.

An invisible thread connected them.

Not flesh.

Not mana.

Not spirit.

Soul.

Erik suddenly felt another heartbeat.

Another breath.

Another presence.

Calm.

Powerful.

Protective.

Then—

A voice echoed quietly within his consciousness.

Deep.

Steady.

Old beyond its years.

"Finally..."

Erik’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

"...You can speak?"

The wolf tilted his head.

Almost puzzled by the question.

"I have always been able to speak.

You simply lacked the means to hear me."

Silence followed.

Then the wolf lowered his head slightly.

Not in submission.

In acknowledgment.

"I am Hrimnir."

Hrimnir paused.

"Alpha of the Frostbound Lineage."

His icy blue eyes softened.

"From this day forward...

Your pack shall become my pack.

Your enemies shall become my prey."

And your home..."

A single wag escaped his tail before he regained his composure.

"Shall forever be my den."

Erik looked at the wolf, who was currently vowing his loyalty to him. He smiled and said "Hrimnir, welcome to our family."

"Brother, you named him Hrimnir?" Penelope asked.

Erik shook his head and said "didn’t you hear him introduce himself?"

"...He did WHAT?" Kai asked.

"Didn’t you hear him?" Erik asked again. Clearly confused by their reaction.

"Only you can hear me. All we have to do is mentally communicate" Hrimnir confirmed.

"Well, it appears that only I can hear him. His name is Hrimnir. He is also the Alpha of the Frostbound Lineage" Erik said.

"Wait....what world exactly are we living in? First, it was an apocalyptic world. Then, our abilities and training came in forms of Cultivation. Even bonding with beast. Now, you’re telling us he’s an Alpha of some Lineage? Why does that sound so..." Kai couldn’t seem to find the word.

"Farcical?" Ben added.

"Yes, why does it sound so farcical! What’s next? Are we going to have an alien invasion?" Kai said.

"I wouldn’t doubt it." Penelope shrugged. "Anything is possible. I mean... I think... the world we grew up in no longer exists."

"So, should I expect for ghost and vampires as well?" Ben asked.

"Don’t be ridiculous. We live in a world ruled by science. Everything we believe in has a scientific backing." Erik said.

"Oh really? Explain roaming walking corpes outside." Kai countered.

"A mutation caused by extraterrestrial radiation radiating through the sun rays." Penelope responded. She knew this thanks to Oddy.

"Awakening an ability?" Ben asked.

"Again. Mutation caused by sunrays. Humans are adaptable, we are quickly adapting to our circumstance. It’s call humanity and nature." Erik responded.

"Contract beast?" Kai countered.

"Technically, just your friendly neighborhood animal feeling lonely and wanting a partner to call his own. C’mon, have you not see ’The secret life of Pets?" Penelope responded again.

"You know what... let’s drop it." Kai said exasperated. "I’m going home. I need a shower and a hot meal. Mom and Aunt lucy have spent the last months cooking hot meals and storing them." as he walked away.

"Wait for me, I’m starving too." Ben said as he ran after Kai.

Penelope and Erik looked at each other, clearly amused by Kai and Ben’s reaction.