• "So, who are the Seven?"
    This was the question Jahn had asked the spirit from his ring many times. The black panther, named Amai, had yet to respond. Amai was in the shape of a panther, but stood on his hind legs like a human. He also had hands instead of front paws, with three fingers and an apposable thumb on each hand.
    Finally, after the umpteenth time of Jahn inquiring, Amai answered.
    "Aside from you," he stated, "I don't know any of the Seven."
    He had explained to Jahn about a story from Raan's past. There was once a threat that had almost destroyed Raan, and the entire planet with it. However, eight powerful beings rose up to defeat the evil. In doing so, they became a legend. But the legend was incomplete, without any physiscal record of it remaining.
    Amai also seemed to be forgetting many details about the legend. This was surprising, considering Amai had lived it. There was only one name he could remember, aside from his own. Jahn asked what the name was.
    "Tempest," Amai replied. This name had no meaning to Jahn, but it still filled him with an excitement that he couldn't explain.
    Amai continued the story, completely enrapturing Jahn, even with the majority of the story missing. The panther was a great storyteller.
    "When the Eight defeated their enemy, we trapped him in a ring. However, we also were trapped. That is why I was in a ring. Our prisons were then connected forever. If one of us were to awaken, then so would the rest of the Eight and their enemy."
    Jahn was taken aback at this statement. The enemy was going to awaken, then.
    "A countdown was started," Amai continued. "First was the Eight, now it's the Seven. And if we fail, then it will be the Six."
    "So, I'm supposed to help save the world."
    "Exactly," Amai replied while pulling Jahn to his feet. "So you're going to have to learn how to fight."

    Amanda's phone rang. She checked the caller I.D.
    "Rachel," she muttered.
    The girl answered the phone. "Hello?"
    Rachel sounded excited. She was speaking so quickly that Amanda couldn't understand a single word the woman said.
    "Slow down!" Amanda commanded. "You sound like a demented monkey!"
    Rachel paused, and stifled laughter. "I've got something for you," she said a little more calmly. "Meet me in the city center. One hour."
    The call ended. Amanda shook her head.
    "Rachel," she said as she began to head for the city center, "you gotta slow down."