Aramora

Chapter 26: The Warrior's Test

"It seems you are correct, Brother!" he shouts and proceeds to punch his brother in the face.

The boy laughs and nods. "Yes! Inflict neuro damage to make me see the universe!" he also punches his brother in the face.

Galian chuckles and pushes the boys back. "Sons, ah ken yer havin' fun, but we have company," he says in a commanding voice that grabs the boys' attention for a single moment before they both spin around to examine the group.

"Hmm... Weaklings! Corb, let us test their might!" the light-haired boy says.

The dark-haired boy, Corb, nods in agreement. "Indeed, Todo! Let us turn their knees into dust!"

At least now they know which is which. The two boys start to charge at Nisha first, but she just throws out her fist and socks Todo in the stomach, momentarily knocking the wind out of him.

Todo squints his eyes at her and nods firmly. "This one feels no fear. You have passed the Warrior's Test! Next contender!" he turns and prepares to punch Naomi, but he stops when the wooden door to the house opens and a centaur man with dirty blonde hair steps out and looks at the group.

"Todo, what did I say? Save the punching for the mountain lions until after you pass the Warrior's Test. Then you can punch humans," the man says. He also doesn't have the same accent.

Corb and Todo both turn and look at him with contemplation in their eyes. Corb shakes his head. "That sounds like coward's talk to me! Come forth and fight us, Father! Prove your warrior's might against—"

Nesosa kicks Corb in the back and he falls forward. She rolls her eyes, then smiles as she looks at her other father, Jerair.

He smiles back and takes a step towards her, but he pauses and looks around the canyon apprehensively. He looks back to Nesosa and the group and sighs. "Come inside so we can talk safely. You too, boys," he says and looks to Todo and Corb as he jumps back to his hooves.

"That was a remarkable kick, Sister! It seems you are not as weak as everyone says!" Corb exclaims, he and Todo both completely ignore what Jerair said.

Nesosa and Galian walk forward and lead the group to the door. They enter, but Corb and Todo stay outside so Jerair sighs and turns to Galian. "Galian, dear, would you mind getting them in here? You seem to get through to them easier," he says.

Galian nods and steps back outside to look at the boys. "Whoever gets inside first will pass th' Warrior's Test." The moment the words leave his mouth, Todo tries running as fast as he physically can to the door, which is only a few feet away and he ends up running into the wall beside it, while Corb doesn't even bother with the door and rears back before sprinting towards the house and shoulder-checks the wall, bashing through the stone and landing in the center of the room.

Without getting up from the pile of rubble, he throws his fists in the air. "Yes! I am the superior twin! Feel the fear set into your bones as you witness my tenacity!"

Jerair sighs and lowers his head. "We just fixed that wall..." he shakes his head. "Anyway, we need to talk. I just made lunch so feel free to help yourselves," he says and motions the group in even though they're all already in the house.

They get situated in the main room of the house and sit around a large stone table with their bowls of beef stroganoff. The table is too high up for everyone who's not a centaur, so they stand as they eat while the Val'Dernaks sit. Aside from Nisha, who tokens sitting on the table with her legs crossed and her bowl in her lap, lightly blowing on the surface.

"You said we needed to talk?" the Tus'Felnis asks.

Galian nods slowly and looks at the other male centaur. "About th' shunning, ah presume?" he asks and doesn't bother blowing on his meal before taking a large bite.