Word: Axolotl

 

axolotl

[ ak-suh-lot-l ]

noun

1. any of several salamanders of the genus Ambystoma that inhabit lakes and ponds of Mexico and remain in the larval stage as sexually mature adults.

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               Today was the big day. The Calling Day was probably the biggest day in a person’s life. Everyone that had recently turned 16 was gathered, and all of them were either nervous, excited, or downright terrified.

               Ben fell into the latter category. His eyes darted around the courtyard, seeing all the people. Most of them were his peers, but a number of them were adults. Parents, mostly, but the various employees went around making sure everything was in order. Ben’s parents were there too, of course, waiting to see what Spirit Beast he got. He knew he would likely take after one of his parents, but there was no guarantee.

               That was what worried him the most. His dad’s Beast was a golden eagle and his mother had a black bear. Both good Beasts that had opened up a lot of doors for both of them. What if he did not get anything like them? What if he got something like a mouse or a shrew? His life would effectively be over. Even worse, what if he failed to bond with anything? That was rare, but it did happen. Even getting a dung beetle would be better than that.

               That thought alone was enough to send a cold sweat down his back. He was shaking so much that he barely noticed the presenter starting the ceremony. He was sure it was a great speech about how all Spirit Beasts were valuable. That the abilities they gave were always good. That there was none that were better than others. Everyone knew that last part was a lie, but nobody called him out on it.

               The bonding ceremony began not long after. There were too many people present for everyone to get their own Calling, so dozens of them were done at once. This was done by gathering great groups of teens up and shoving them into rough lines. Ben was jostled and pushed until he was in place. Then he simply let himself be carried by the flow of bodies towards the nearest ceremony altar.

               He was right behind another boy, who seemed quite sure of himself. Ben wrung his hands and found the floor suddenly much more fascinating. The boy in front of him was soon given access to the altar and the ceremony performed. A large, translucent tiger emerged in a bright light.

               “Tiger. Strength, patience, senses, natural weapons.” The woman performing the ceremony said. The boy seemed quite proud of himself. The tiger Spirit Beast vanished, merging with its bond mate.

               Nobody gave the boy any congratulations. There were too many people for that. He would no doubt get a party later. But Ben could not spare another thought about that. It was his turn. He climbed the single step onto the crude, hastily constructed altar.

               The woman read the ceremony quickly. Ben felt something. A deep warmth that focused deep inside of him. It did not grow much as it moved through him though. That worried him for a moment before the feeling popped out. The altar glowed just as brightly as any other time. But the animal present was much smaller than most.

               It looked amphibious, with smooth skin and a sleek body. Four stubby limbs rested at its side, pumping through the air like it was swimming. A wide, flat head with beady eyes looked at him, and the antenna-like growths stood out, two on each side. Ben looked at his new Spirit Beast in confusion. Then he looked at the woman performing the ceremony. She looked stumped for a moment.

               Only a moment though. She waved over a worker carrying a large book. A book that she consulted with practiced ease. It only took her a few seconds to find what she was looking for.

               “Ah, here it is. Axolotl.” She said. “Bit of a rare one. Let’s see. Regeneration, preserved youth, water breathing, and minor sensory sensitivity.”

               The Beast, axolotl, apparently, did what all Spirit Beasts did. It vanished into Ben’s body and he was guided off the altar by the worker once he had reclaimed the book.  Ben could feel it though. Not quite physical, but definitely there. It swam around his body like it was water, no doubt getting used to its new home.

               Ben considered what he had been told about his new bond mate. He supposed it could be worse. But now he just had to figure out what he was going to do with all that.

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They're just funny looking little guys. Shame they're endangered though. Seriously, humans pretty much wrecked the few places they live. It's not cool.