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Dedicated to Proud_FangirlWarrior for participating in the mini-games. Please check out her SA fan fiction, "Bonds" cause it's super interesting.

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Guys, expect rate updates on Fridays and VERY rare/no updates on Saturdays.

- - -

"I don't suppose you have much fun around here."

"Not really. It's either boring or very serious."

"Then watch and learn. This, Mistress Meilin, is how you have fun."

- - -

-Rollan-

Rollan had just walked out of a huge ship, wearing a black, neat suit. Two other Conquerors were disguised in suits beside him as well. Apparently, the daughter of a very famous general was her birthday today. The girl had summoned one of the Great Beasts, Jhi the Panda and though he couldn't see them, he knew that the Conquerors were setting up for an attack.

Rollan's gaze flitted upwards for a moment and he spotted Essix flying overhead. After discovering that Essix was in fact a Great Beast, he then remembered getting some sort of necklace which the falcon had been carrying in her beak. He wore that same talisman now around his neck though he hid it in his shirt so others won't see. The Conquerors haven't known that he summoned a Great Beast.

They started to walk towards a huge palace where the celebration would take place. All around him, he could see nobles, some from other continents as well as Zhong. He could also see Greencloaks heading for the palace. Seeing them, Rollan already knew that this was going to be challenging.

Greencloaks were people who summoned Spirit Animals. They wore the green cloak and had taken the vow to protect Erdas with all their life. They were also in charge of the strange Nectar which prevents the bonding sickness. Though he didn't pay much attention when he still went to school, the Greencloaks have fought some sort of war a long time ago and had defeated an evil force of some sorts.

He started to grow more uneasy as he approached the palace. Rollan was a very known thief known as Roll and he knew that Greencloaks had tried catching him before when he had stolen some of their Nectar supplies. He forced the uneasiness down and walked more confidently, trying to act as if he belonged. When they reached the entrance, two guards stopped them.

"Invitations," the guard demanded.

One of the Conquerors beside him handed him three invitations which the guard looked through. He didn't ask any more questions for he thought that the suits were enough proof.

"You may proceed," the guard nodded to them and they entered.

Rollan was immediately amazed by the luxury in the place. All around them were people with rich clothing of course. Musicians were playing a very famous song as some people danced. The place was filled with expensive looking chandeliers and pictures were hanged on the walls.

"The general must be very rich to afford this whole thing," Rollan commented, "I bet the daughter must be very spoiled."

"You will address her as Mistress Meilin," one of the Conquerors informed him, "Try to get closer to her and find this talisman."

"Wait, i'm supposed to talk to her?" Rollan exclaimed quietly.

The Conqueror rolled his eyes, "How else are you going to get the talisman? You are tasked to get the talisman from her while we create a distraction. I've heard that she has a very watchful eye. Can you handle it?"

"Pfft, it'll be a piece of cake," Rollan replied confidently, "This spoiled girl can't even defend herself."

Just then, a pair of huge doors have opened. Rollan turned to where the door was and his mouth immediately flew open. Standing right there was the most stunning, girl he had ever seen in his entire life. This may be more difficult then he thought.

-Meilin-

Meilin felt all eyes trained on her as soon as the huge doors opened. She gave them a shy smile, enjoying how the attention was all on her. She flashed another smile at some young boys nearby who immediately blushed and looked away.

Her father, who stood beside her, spoke, "Thank you to all who have decided to come here tonight for my daughter's birthday. Please enjoy."

Meilin stood there as a line of people began to form to meet her. Some of the others have decided to go on dancing or mingling with other people. Her father had already walked away to talk to some other generals and Greencloaks, probably his old colleagues. The first one in line was a Niloan man who wore robes. Two young girls stood behind him, probably his daughters.

"Greetings, General Teng and Mistress Meilin," the man spoke, "I am Pojalo, chief of Okahiee and these are my daughters, Soama and Abeke."

The girl named Soama was wearing make-up and a necklace and earrings, though she gave her a bright smile as she bowed down. The other girl named Abeke bowed down as well, though with some sort of feline grace. Unlike her sister, she didn't wear much make-up. Meilin smiled at them and returned it with a nod. She had noticed how Abeke moved with such grace.

"Soama is one of the most beautiful girls in our village," Pojalo went on more proudly but he spoke with less enthusiasm when he added, "While Abeke is one of the more skilled hunters, especially with a bow."

"May I ask a question out of curiosity?" Meilin spoke politely, "Abeke, do you have a Spirit Animal?"

Abeke seemed surprised that she had spoken to her but she replied with a shy nod, "Yes, Mistress Meilin, though it wouldn't be polite to summon Uraza."

"No please," Meilin said and in a bright flash, Jhi was right beside her, "A Spirit Animal is nothing to be ashamed of for it is your friend."

Abeke glanced hesitantly at her father before pulling up her sleeve. In a flash, a huge leopard with bright, violet eyes had appeared beside her. Some people let out surprised yelps as they moved away. Some of the soldiers were about to step forward but Meilin waved them away as she watched the leopard with an amazed look.

But what surprised her the most was when the leopard looked at Jhi who was staring back with an intense look. The leopard's eyes were wide as she sniffed the panda who sniffed back.

"How surprising," Meilin murmured, "It seems as if they have become friends."

"It seems as if they've been friends far longer than that," a new voice spoke. Meilin turned to see that a handsome-looking boy with blonde hair and blue eyes had approached. He wore a neat, black suit, "Forgive me for my sudden outburst. My name is Shane and my father is a rich merchant from Eura."

"Shane," Meilin murmured, wondering why she had heard of that name before, "Pleasure meeting you."

She glanced at Abeke and her family and saw that she had already called her leopard back. Meilin looked closely and noticed that she looked slightly uncomfortable, probably a bit intimidated by the young boy.

"We shall leave your presence, now," Pojalo announced and his family withdrew from her, leaving her alone with Shane.

"I always wondered how you have summoned such a rare Spirit Animal," Shane broke the silence between them, curiosity evident in his voice, "I've never heard of a panda being summoned before. Even a leopard..." His gaze flickered to where Abeke had gone off to.

"I was quite surprised myself," Meilin replied, "If anything, pandas aren't supposed to be summoned. So are leopards."

"Do you know why?" Shane asked.

Meilin started to think about it but she couldn't seem to find an answer. Without another word, Shane dipped his head in farewell and turned to walk away. She started to get bored of standing in one place so she started walking around as well. Still thinking about Shane's question, she hadn't noticed where she had been going and had accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oof," Meilin huffed, looked up and was about to apologize when the person she bumped into was a boy, almost the same age as her. He had a brown hair and wore a neat, dark suit. His dark blue eyes widened in surprised.

"I-I'm sorry, Mistress Meilin," he quickly stammered, backing up.

"No, no, i'm supposed to say sorry," Meilin quickly interrupted, "I wasn't looking. Sorry for bumping into you."

"No, it's fine," the boy reassured her then quickly gave her a polite bow, "I should be sorry for being on your way."

"No one is harmed," Meilin told him, "No one's fault."

The boy flashed her a quick grin, "And I forgot to introduce myself. Where are my manners? Though, I like to keep a low profile."

Meilin raised an eyebrow, "Low profile, huh?"

"Believe me," the boy grinned, "When people know who I am, they can't keep their hands off, especially the girls." His gaze flitted to something she was wearing around her neck and she started to grow uneasy, "A very interesting necklace you have there."

"Yes, a gift from a special someone," Meilin told him, her unease growing stronger. This boy was getting her very uncomfortable.

The boy stepped closer and slowly reach out his hand, "May I?"

Just when Meilin was about to punch him and scream for help, a voice spoke, "I don't think it's very polite to touch someone else's belongings, is it now, Devin?"

- - -

We've seen Abeke and now here's Devin! Not to mention that Meilin and Rollan are in the very same room! Please vote and leave a comment on what you guys think. Stay tuned for the next chapter!