Zoron's POV

Zoron was standing beside the railings of Tellun's Pride. The huge ship sailed towards Amaya, his home. He was hoping on stopping by to his home but they were heading to northern Amaya and farther inland. Sam had stayed in Greenhaven while Eric and Ella joined the group. Lazu, his Spirit Animal stood on the railings beside him.

"I know you don't like the sea," Zoron told him, "So how about entering into passive state?"

The falcon screeched in disagreement.

"Okay okay," Zoron said, "You don't have to break my eardrums."

He heard someone laughing behind him and he turned to see Hope walking towards her. Unlike Zoron, Faith, her Spirit Animal, went into passive form just as she boarded the ship.

"Don't worry," Hope reassured him, "He'll enter passive once he's ready."

"How long does it take for a falcon to get ready?" Zoron asked making Hope giggle.

"It takes time," she said, smiling.

Zoron felt himself smiling back. Just then, he spotted Rusty, the wolf running out into the deck with John right behind him.

"Rusty, get back here," John demanded but the wolf barked and kept on running.

George, his brother, followed slowly with Eilene. George also mastered the passive form and his lynx is nowhere to be found. Eilene and George seemed to have grown much closer to each other. George was a friendly, kind kid and was easy to talk to but Eilene was a bit more serious. It was hard for Zoron to talk to her.

"Come on Rusty," John pleaded, "I don't have time for games."

Rusty just barked and kept on running.

"Better play with him if you want a stronger bond," Eilene suggested.

"I don't need your help," John snapped.

"I'm just suggesting," she defended herself.

Everyone groaned as John and Eilene started arguing again.

"Look at those two go," Hope murmured.

"Can you guys just get along for once?" George snapped.

"Nope," Eilene said at the same time, John said, "Not happening."

"What a surprise," Zoron exclaimed, "You guys agreed on the same thing."

"What, really?" John asked, his eyes wide.

Eilene just rolled her eyes and walked back down to the cabins.

"It's so hard to talk properly around that girl," John muttered.

"Yeah, just like you," George said and John glared at him, "Maybe if you try to act more nicer around her, maybe things wouldn't have been hard."

"I don't get why you even like her," he said, shaking his head.

"She's like my older sister," George replied, "If you tried to get to know her, maybe you'll understand."

There were footsteps and Zoron saw Eric walking towards them with Ivan and Jef.

"I'm glad you guys are getting to know each other," Eric told them.

Zoron and Hope exchanged a glance, "You have no idea."

"Anyways, we're about to reach Amaya soon," he informed them, "We'll be meeting up with a Greencloak name Heidi. He will be guiding us to the falls where the Marble Swan is."

"What animal did the Marble Swan transformed?" Hope asked.

A dark look entered Eric's eyes, "A lion."

A couple of minutes later, they arrived in a busy city called, Concorba.

"How are we supposed to find anyone in this?" John muttered, "It's like a maze."

"We're supposed to meet him in an inn called Bluestone Inn," Ella answered.

"And where exactly is that?" Ivan asked.

"Not sure," Eric admitted, "But it's a famous inn and it's close to the dock. We shouldn't have any trouble finding it."

Eric walked towards a fisherman who was tying his boat on the deck.

"Excuse me sir," Eric asked, "Do you mind telling us where Bluestone Inn is?"

"Of course," he answered, "Anything for Greencloaks. The inn is just around the corner."

"Thank you," he said and Eric lead the way.

Zoron found himself walking beside Hope.

"Wow, this place is huge," Hope said.

"I know," Zoron agreed, "I prefer living in a small village than in a huge city though."

"Me too," Hope replied.

"I prefer a forest," Irene mumbled who was walking beside Hope.

"How is it like back in Zhong?" Hope asked her.

"Well, I lived in Jano Rion, a big city," Irene told her, "But when it got under attack, me and my father managed to escape and we'd camp in the bamboo forest. It's very beautiful."

"I wish I could go there," Hope replied, "I usually stay home to help take care of my grandfather."

Eric stopped in front of the inn and said, "You guys wait here while I try to find Heidi."

"Um, Ella?" Zoey asked, "What are the other talismans that we need to get?"

"Well, there's the Marble Swan of course," Ella answered, "The Copper Falcon, the Silver Wolf, the Amber Leopard, the Bamboo Panda, the Bronze Eagle, and the Obsidian Ape. The rest of the talismans are what the Four Fallen are looking for."

"Wow, you memorized all of that?" Jef asked in awe.

"You gotta learn your Great Beasts and its talismans," Ella replied as Eric walked out the inn with another Greencloak.

"We need to leave now," Heidi told them, "If we are to reach the Marble Swan before the Conquerors."

They got out of the city and were in a forest. Heidi lead them deeper in the forest which became thicker and harder to walk. Hope had stumbled twice now and when she stumbled a third time, Zoron was there to catch her before she fell.

"Thanks," she said shyly, blushing.

"No problem," he smiled.

She smiled back then continued on walking.

Score, he thought.

"Looks like you guys are going on really well," he jumped as Irene spoke.

"Oh, uh yeah," Zoron stuttered.

Irene laughed, "No need to be embarrassed. I can tell she likes you too."

"Really?" Zoron asked.

"Obviously," this time, Zoey spoke, "It's very obvious."

"I still can't believe you didn't take my advice," Zoron heard John say.

"Well, I can," Eilene muttered.

"I mean, you could've chose a sword or a dagger at least," John exclaimed.

"I do have a dagger," she muttered but he ignored her.

"But it had to be a staff," he finished.

"Got a problem with that, swords boy?" she snapped.

"Well those two aren't going along well," Irene muttered.

"Obviously," Zoey repeated, "It's very obvious."

Just then, Heidi motioned for the group to stop. Zoron looked ahead and saw a waterfall. And on top of the waterfall was a huge, fierce-looking, mountain lion. Around its neck was a chain.

"The Marble Swan," Zoron whispered.