Chapter 11:
The following day, the former skeleton and the nine direwolves including their mother lay sprawled across the grass in their human forms, their chests heaving with exhaustion. Around them, the corpses of various beasts littered the field,a silent testament to their brutal training in these new bodies.
"Well done... I'm impressed," came a calm voice from above.
Ethan sat perched atop one of the tallest forest trees, his arms resting lazily on his knees. "You're doing better than I expected," he added as he gently floated down from the tree, descending as though gravity had surrendered to his will.
"At this rate, it won't even take us eight years to finally leave this place," he said, landing lightly and walking toward them.
The former skeleton rose and dropped to one knee, his head lowered in reverence. "We are humbly graced by your words, my lord."
He paused, then raised his head slightly. "Though, my lord... one thing remains to complete the rites."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What's that?"
"Names, my lord... We need names," he answered. "You must name your familiars."
"Why? Can't they name themselves?" Ethan asked, yawning as he rubbed his eyes.
"No way in hell!" the second-born daughter barked, springing to her feet. "You naming us is an honor—I wouldn't want anything else!" She turned to the others, eyes blazing. "Right?"
Her siblings and mother all rose, standing firm with nods and eyes gleaming in agreement.
Ethan sighed. "Fine..." He had no names prepared, but he couldn't refuse,not after everything they had endured together during those grueling eight years. A bond like that deserved more than just strength. It deserved meaning.
One by one, he studied them.
The eighth-born son stepped forward first. Kind and lovely. Always talking, always joking. Violence scared him, but he would throw himself into the fire if his family was in danger.
"Eighth-born..." Ethan said, approaching him.
"Yes, brother!" he replied, stepping forward.
"Your name will be... Nukebuki."
A golden glow briefly wrapped around him, then faded.
"With this name, I feel reborn,ready to take on anything!" he exclaimed with a grin, clenching his fist. "By the way... what does the name mean?"
"Headless. That's what it means," Ethan replied, turning away with a shrug.
Nukebuki's face froze. His eyes went wide, white with disbelief.
Behind him, his siblings and even the mother and skeleton tried to muffle their laughter with their hands.
"Don't worry," Ethan said with a chuckle. "That name's been passed down to only the fiercest warriors. You carrying it? You'll be nothing less."
"Now... who's next?"
The first-born stepped forward and knelt.
"That would be me, my lord."
Ethan studied him,golden hair, noble blue eyes. He looked like a hero out of legend. A light in the darkness. A true symbol of hope.
"I've got a name for you. You'll be known as... Solvian. Sol for the sun. Via for the path."
A warm light enveloped Solvian. He hovered off the ground for a moment before gently landing on one knee, his fist against his heart.
"In your name, my lord... I shall walk the sun's path and bring glory to you."
Ethan's gaze then fell on the second-born daughter. Wild black hair and glowing pink eyes. Fierce on the surface, but he knew her better,caring, loving, deeply respectful. A slow learner, maybe, but beneath that gentle confusion was a beast no one dared challenge. Her strength was rivaled only by the fourth-born daughter.
"You'll be named... Elarixa. Beauty with an edge. Elegant, yet lethal."
Golden light surged around her. Her smile bloomed like a sunrise,pure and captivating.
"The name fits me well," she said as she knelt. "I'm forever grateful."
He turned to the fourth-born daughter next. At first glance, one might think she didn't care about the naming at all. But Ethan knew her too well. She was breathtaking,beauty beyond compare but also the strongest among them all, including her brothers. Even Ethan felt her strength could someday rival his. Silent. Stoic. Yet fiercely protective of her family.
"You will be... Thessaria. Strong. Beautiful. Silent. A name as formidable as you."
The glow wrapped her like armor. She knelt, lowering her head.
Next came the third-born son, energetic and charismatic. He reminded Ethan of a sports star—the kind that girls chased after. A natural presence.
"Your name will be simple... just plain English. You'll be... Jake."
The golden light did its thing, and Jake threw up a peace sign.
"Jake reporting for duty!" he beamed. He didn't mind the lack of a deep meaning. He trusted Ethan too much to question it.
Then came the fifth-born daughter. Red hair and brown eyes. Gentle. Loving. A pacifist at heart. Though not a skilled fighter, her hidden power was immense.
"You'll be... Sophia. How does that sound?"
The light embraced her. She gave a warm smile and bowed slightly.
"It fits perfectly, my lord."
The seventh-born was a mystery. One moment light-hearted, the next dark and intense. Mature in mind, though young in years. He constantly pushed himself to the edge then shattered those limits.
"You'll be known as... Logan."
The light came and went. He dropped to one knee.
"I shall honor the name."
Then came the sixth-born daughter. She preferred napping to just about anything. Mostly active, but detached. A drifting cloud.
"You'll be... Julia," Ethan said.
The glow appeared. She nodded once. That was enough.
Only one remained now was the mother. She had carried them all, guided them, protected them. Ethan approached with gentleness in his voice.
"For your strength and care... I bestow upon you the name... Theresa."
The golden glow wrapped her like a warm embrace.
She stared at Ethan for a heartbeat then rushed in and hugged him tightly, spinning him around in joy.
"You've truly given me the most beautiful name!"
"Okay—okay! Put me down!" Ethan muttered, dizzy from spinning.
Theresa finally set him down. As his vision steadied, he noticed the former skeleton kneeling once again.
"Please... I beg for a name as well."
Ethan stared at him for a long moment—then smiled.
"Arise. For your name, starting today will be..."
To be continued...