Chapter 1
Denali
Wet leaves brush against my face, leaving dewy trails across my cheek. The day is warm, and bright, but not hot. There is a thin haze rising from the ground, and water condensed on leaves drips into my hair. My senses are on full alert. In a game like this, you don't get many second chances. Leaves rustle and I peer up, staying perfectly still. Nothing. Just then, a leaf falls and, a second later, a collared felid drops to the ground. It regards me with a slight Mroww? and walks back into the forest. I want to curse, but I don't. Even if I had caught it, the collar still designated it as Unmatchable. My eyes had instantly caught the forest when she showed us the island containing the felids. It is a serene place, surrounded by salty sea. Most scouted around the edge of the forest, only venturing in a short ways. Cowards. Instead, I had traveled through the heart of the jungle, so to say, and now I was venturing near the edge of the coast. I could smell the salt through the trees, and they swayed in the ocean breeze. A branch cracked and I froze. My breath caught as I spied the felid. I wasn't an emotional person, but the felid was one of the most incredible creatures I had ever seen. It came up about halfway to my knee, and its glittering blue pelt shimmered. Something must have moved, because it raised the goldenrod yellow fin going from its head to its tail nervously. It stopped, and swiveled its head around. I held my breath. The felid's eyes fell on me, and it tensed to run.
"Shirobu," I murmured. It stopped and raised its ears curiously. "Inem no madeh." I had no idea how I knew those words, much less what they meant, but it seemed to be having a calming effect on the felid. It waved its tail uncertainly, then slunk up to my leg to sniff it. Its pelt shimmered with hidden reds and greens that I hadn't seen before. Very gently and cautiously, I bent down and rested my hand lightly on its back. "Siro," I said. "Your name is Siro." Siro purred.
Casey
My footsteps falter as a rustling begins up ahead. Slowly I ease into the hunter's crouch, ready to spring. A wild-eyed felid dashes out, and I spring. I crash down on top of it, but it slips out of my grasp. Seconds later a panting dark haired boy takes his turn and crashes down on me. I groan. Shoving him off, I stand up and wipe off my pants. He has messy brown hair and vivid green eyes. "Ugh. Sorry about that. Those felids are really good at escaping."
"It's fine," I say, looking around. "This grass is really tall."
"Yeah," he says, running his hands through his hair. "We may have better luck in the forest."
"We?"
He looks away. "It would be easier with two people, in case a felid escapes one of us, the other can have a chance to catch it." I sigh.
"All right," I concede, "But don't think I'll let you catch all the felids.” He grins.
"I wouldn't dream."
Together we set off among the leafy branches, me and front and Charles behind. I flinch as a wet leaf slaps me in the face. My feet slip on hidden roots, and I can tell Charles isn't having much better luck. He grabs my shoulder, and I thought he trying to use me to steady himself, but he whispers Shhh and points. We freeze. A branch breaks. He pulls me down and we sit, crouching. A lithe blue felid untangles itself and pads out. Its eyes shine with the rainbow.
"I'm gonna get it," Charles whispers.
"No, you're not!" I whisper back angrily. We tussle for a few seconds before he breaks ahead. "Charles!" I cry, and leap up after him. The felid gives a cry, and something flies out of the bushes. We are all in a pile. The felid slips out and slinks to the edges of the clearing. Something shoves me off Charles, and a girl rises angrily from the heap.
"What," she growls, "do you think you're DOING?" She gives a soft cluck and the felid pounces on her back. Regarding us with a cold glare, she whirls and stalkes away. "Next time," she calls over her shoulder, "be more careful." I grit my teeth. With a start, I realize Charles isn't at my side. Turning, I see him coaxing a dark brown felid out of the grasses. He gently strokes it under the chin. The horn rings, signaling the end of the hunt. I have nothing to show.
Fritz
We are all assembled back at the post. Lots of people had felids, I saw, but on more than one account a small group were crying in the corner. Chero, a large, muscular orange felid, crowded close to my feet. He did not like big crowds. One of the Rangers stepped onto the podium set up in the back of the room he cleared his throat and began. "My dear children, first of all, I want to thank you for entering this contest and doing your best. Now, I know all of you did not manage to Match with a felid, but do not despair! There is room elsewhere in the community for you, and those jobs are very important." The people in the corner started to cry harder. He looked disconcerted for a moment, but quickly recovered. "But for those of you did manage to find a Match, wonderful! On the behalf of these wonderful Rangers and myself, Mayor and founder of Greenbrook Isle, I would to like congratulate all of the wonderful people who have participated and made this possible." So that's who he is, I think. Mayor of Greenbrook. "For those unfortunate few who did not manage to create a Match, please exit the side door. And for those of you who were Matched, please arrange yourselves in the order displayed on the screen." A digital representation flared up, and I moved into position accordingly. To my left was a blond-haired girl. A felid species I had never seen before was perched on her back, peering through her wavy hair. It glared at me and hissed.
"Not now, Siro," she murmured, eyes fixed on the screen, which was now changing to a video on Felid care. I had a whole shelf in my room devoted to Care books, pamphlets, and magazines. The video was full of stuff I already knew, though I did learn a few more new facts. Chero jumps up on my shoulders, and I am momentarily off balance. He is very brawny, and weighs at least 20 pounds.
"Thanks, Chero," I whisper sarcastically, and he purrs in my ear. The Felid on the girl's shoulder reaches out its lithe neck to sniff him, and licks his nose. Then, Chero has the great idea to knock a paw at the other Felid, and manages a solid blow to the side. The Felid hisses playfully and leaps heavily at Chero, causing the girl to be pushed aside. Chero leaps off my shoulders just as the other Felid hits my stomach, and all four of us are sent sprawling to the ground.
Denali
"Siro!" I cry angrily as I struggle to untangle myself from a flailing mass of paws, fur, and legs. My face is red, and I am sure everybody is staring. Siro jumps effortlessly out of the pile and licks his paw. I make a mental note to try not to strangle him on our first day. The boy eyes me, but doesn't offer to help me up. Just as well. Loners don't need help. I push my self up and snatch Siro by his scruff. As if knowing he's in trouble, he avoids my eyes. The mayor clears his throat uncomfortably.
"Please pick up a pamphlet from the attendants at the doors and board the jets. They will depart shortly." With that, he leaves the podium and shuffles away, glancing back for a second. I drop Siro and join the line exiting the building. There are attendants handing out small pieces of paper on Felid care and jet tickets. I grab mine and stuff it in my pocket, keeping my eyes straight ahead. I hear some snickers behind him, and growl low in my throat. Let them laugh. They don't know who they're messing with. The plane is less crowded now, since all the Umatched are gone. I'm lucky enough to get a seat that's not next to anyone, and Siro curls up on it. The boy, Fritz, I think, is sitting a few rows ebhind on the other side.
Denali
Wet leaves brush against my face, leaving dewy trails across my cheek. The day is warm, and bright, but not hot. There is a thin haze rising from the ground, and water condensed on leaves drips into my hair. My senses are on full alert. In a game like this, you don't get many second chances. Leaves rustle and I peer up, staying perfectly still. Nothing. Just then, a leaf falls and, a second later, a collared felid drops to the ground. It regards me with a slight Mroww? and walks back into the forest. I want to curse, but I don't. Even if I had caught it, the collar still designated it as Unmatchable. My eyes had instantly caught the forest when she showed us the island containing the felids. It is a serene place, surrounded by salty sea. Most scouted around the edge of the forest, only venturing in a short ways. Cowards. Instead, I had traveled through the heart of the jungle, so to say, and now I was venturing near the edge of the coast. I could smell the salt through the trees, and they swayed in the ocean breeze. A branch cracked and I froze. My breath caught as I spied the felid. I wasn't an emotional person, but the felid was one of the most incredible creatures I had ever seen. It came up about halfway to my knee, and its glittering blue pelt shimmered. Something must have moved, because it raised the goldenrod yellow fin going from its head to its tail nervously. It stopped, and swiveled its head around. I held my breath. The felid's eyes fell on me, and it tensed to run.
"Shirobu," I murmured. It stopped and raised its ears curiously. "Inem no madeh." I had no idea how I knew those words, much less what they meant, but it seemed to be having a calming effect on the felid. It waved its tail uncertainly, then slunk up to my leg to sniff it. Its pelt shimmered with hidden reds and greens that I hadn't seen before. Very gently and cautiously, I bent down and rested my hand lightly on its back. "Siro," I said. "Your name is Siro." Siro purred.
Casey
My footsteps falter as a rustling begins up ahead. Slowly I ease into the hunter's crouch, ready to spring. A wild-eyed felid dashes out, and I spring. I crash down on top of it, but it slips out of my grasp. Seconds later a panting dark haired boy takes his turn and crashes down on me. I groan. Shoving him off, I stand up and wipe off my pants. He has messy brown hair and vivid green eyes. "Ugh. Sorry about that. Those felids are really good at escaping."
"It's fine," I say, looking around. "This grass is really tall."
"Yeah," he says, running his hands through his hair. "We may have better luck in the forest."
"We?"
He looks away. "It would be easier with two people, in case a felid escapes one of us, the other can have a chance to catch it." I sigh.
"All right," I concede, "But don't think I'll let you catch all the felids.” He grins.
"I wouldn't dream."
Together we set off among the leafy branches, me and front and Charles behind. I flinch as a wet leaf slaps me in the face. My feet slip on hidden roots, and I can tell Charles isn't having much better luck. He grabs my shoulder, and I thought he trying to use me to steady himself, but he whispers Shhh and points. We freeze. A branch breaks. He pulls me down and we sit, crouching. A lithe blue felid untangles itself and pads out. Its eyes shine with the rainbow.
"I'm gonna get it," Charles whispers.
"No, you're not!" I whisper back angrily. We tussle for a few seconds before he breaks ahead. "Charles!" I cry, and leap up after him. The felid gives a cry, and something flies out of the bushes. We are all in a pile. The felid slips out and slinks to the edges of the clearing. Something shoves me off Charles, and a girl rises angrily from the heap.
"What," she growls, "do you think you're DOING?" She gives a soft cluck and the felid pounces on her back. Regarding us with a cold glare, she whirls and stalkes away. "Next time," she calls over her shoulder, "be more careful." I grit my teeth. With a start, I realize Charles isn't at my side. Turning, I see him coaxing a dark brown felid out of the grasses. He gently strokes it under the chin. The horn rings, signaling the end of the hunt. I have nothing to show.
Fritz
We are all assembled back at the post. Lots of people had felids, I saw, but on more than one account a small group were crying in the corner. Chero, a large, muscular orange felid, crowded close to my feet. He did not like big crowds. One of the Rangers stepped onto the podium set up in the back of the room he cleared his throat and began. "My dear children, first of all, I want to thank you for entering this contest and doing your best. Now, I know all of you did not manage to Match with a felid, but do not despair! There is room elsewhere in the community for you, and those jobs are very important." The people in the corner started to cry harder. He looked disconcerted for a moment, but quickly recovered. "But for those of you did manage to find a Match, wonderful! On the behalf of these wonderful Rangers and myself, Mayor and founder of Greenbrook Isle, I would to like congratulate all of the wonderful people who have participated and made this possible." So that's who he is, I think. Mayor of Greenbrook. "For those unfortunate few who did not manage to create a Match, please exit the side door. And for those of you who were Matched, please arrange yourselves in the order displayed on the screen." A digital representation flared up, and I moved into position accordingly. To my left was a blond-haired girl. A felid species I had never seen before was perched on her back, peering through her wavy hair. It glared at me and hissed.
"Not now, Siro," she murmured, eyes fixed on the screen, which was now changing to a video on Felid care. I had a whole shelf in my room devoted to Care books, pamphlets, and magazines. The video was full of stuff I already knew, though I did learn a few more new facts. Chero jumps up on my shoulders, and I am momentarily off balance. He is very brawny, and weighs at least 20 pounds.
"Thanks, Chero," I whisper sarcastically, and he purrs in my ear. The Felid on the girl's shoulder reaches out its lithe neck to sniff him, and licks his nose. Then, Chero has the great idea to knock a paw at the other Felid, and manages a solid blow to the side. The Felid hisses playfully and leaps heavily at Chero, causing the girl to be pushed aside. Chero leaps off my shoulders just as the other Felid hits my stomach, and all four of us are sent sprawling to the ground.
Denali
"Siro!" I cry angrily as I struggle to untangle myself from a flailing mass of paws, fur, and legs. My face is red, and I am sure everybody is staring. Siro jumps effortlessly out of the pile and licks his paw. I make a mental note to try not to strangle him on our first day. The boy eyes me, but doesn't offer to help me up. Just as well. Loners don't need help. I push my self up and snatch Siro by his scruff. As if knowing he's in trouble, he avoids my eyes. The mayor clears his throat uncomfortably.
"Please pick up a pamphlet from the attendants at the doors and board the jets. They will depart shortly." With that, he leaves the podium and shuffles away, glancing back for a second. I drop Siro and join the line exiting the building. There are attendants handing out small pieces of paper on Felid care and jet tickets. I grab mine and stuff it in my pocket, keeping my eyes straight ahead. I hear some snickers behind him, and growl low in my throat. Let them laugh. They don't know who they're messing with. The plane is less crowded now, since all the Umatched are gone. I'm lucky enough to get a seat that's not next to anyone, and Siro curls up on it. The boy, Fritz, I think, is sitting a few rows ebhind on the other side.
V. 2
“I am just a normal kid,” Denali Catalaya kept telling herself. No, not Catalaya- just “Denali”. She nervously flipped her white blonde hair overe her shoulder for the fifth time. The newly dyed blue ends just kept getting in the way. Denali dodged a kid youngeer than her as he rudely shoved his way throuhg. She felt like interveneing, but she forced herslf to stay still, even though it killed her. She was no longer a fiery, free spirit. Now, she was playing the part of quiet, shy girl that no one tlksa to. She din;t think she was doing a very good job. Denali bit the inside of her cheek as her legs started to get stiff. From the swelling chatter, she figured everyone else was probably thinking the same thing. A hush went over the long, crowded hall. Denali froze, following the hundreds of eyes as they all migrated toward the end of the big room. Shre clenched her fists and hissed silently through her teeth as the fat mayor made his way heavily up to the podium that overlooked the room.
“Girls and boys of Mal Islay, it is my pleaszure to address the future of our wonderful island! You, who will shortly be journeying to the small island of Easpay, you who will bring us into the new era!” He paused, as if waiting for something. It was just dramatic effect. “Let me tell you now the reason you are gathered here!” There were hushed murmurs, and Denali didn’t blame them. Anyiomje who didn;t know why they were at the most prestigeous gathering hall of all Mal Islay would have to be brain dead. As the mayor gabbed about felids and the trip, Denali surveyed her competitors. Becaus that’s what they were. Her parents had drilled that into her for ages. They may look nice, act nice, and be nice, but if you ever wanted to be at the top, you had to work for it. And that meant taking no enemies. Denali swallowed, her parent’s hard faces in her mind. She remembered the send-off.
“Denali Catalaya,” her mother had said, staring her straight in the face, her facial line shard. “Destroy them. Destroy them all.”
Her father had repolaced her mother’s place. “Remeber, my dear kitten. You are a girl on a mission. Make them pay. But mostly, remember: You are a Catalaya. Let them burn.” Neither parent had cried. Denali hadn’t expected them to. Her vision started to go blkurry, and Denali wiped her eyes, suprised to find small streaks of wet on her hand.
No. A Catalaya does not cry foul. As much as she hated mayor Greenwell’s voice, she forced herself to tune in for the last part of his boring speech.
“And remember, once you have captured your Felids, based on their affinity element, you will be paired with a group of four other people. They will be your “clan”. We will do our best to matcnh you with people we think you will like, but overall it’s the amount of effort you put into your relationshoips that will determine what kind of clan you can be?” Denali srewqed up her face. Like hell she wanted to be in a clan. She was just fine on her own. Catalaya’s don;t need anybody. “Now, would you all pleass create a single file line- as hard as that may be- so you may all recieve your Easpay passport bracelets! Do not, I repeat, DO NOT lose them, or you may be in serious trouble if you are fpund on the island wthout one. Now, line up!” Not even a hall as big as the Mozakin could handle the feverish excitement from hgundreds of fourteen year olds from all over the islands. Someone shoved Denali so hard she almost fell, but instead she bubed into another person, which allowde her to regaiun her footing.
Getting her bracelet first would mean she would have the bets choice of seats on the plane, but she wasn’t sure if she was willing to risk a horde of unleashed prepubescent boys. Denali decidde to stick with the kiddle. She had to do some ushing, bjt nothing that would leave a scar.
Denali stayed stiff, even though she was fairly sure her position wasn’t in immediate danger. The line moved slower than shew thoght physically possible; for all she knew, it could have been going backward. After what felt like hours later- Denali could swear it was probabkly morning by then- she got her bracelet. It a thin metallic band that curled over her wrist and came to gether so perfectly at the end you couldn’t tell that it came off. It felt cool against her skin, and Denali quickly and thankfully swept past Mayor Greenwell, his voice widshing her well like poison in her ears.
The plane was bigger than she had imagined. Each year, from their small island of Britallia, the Catalaya’s had watched the transport planes fly over on their way to Easpay, but seeing one in person it dawne don Denali just how big they actually were. Immediatelyt, she felt silly for worrying about getting a good seat. A plane like that had to have thousands! Denali nodded shyly at the flight attendent who nodde dat her as she passed, pausing at the first step. The plane was so big...Denali leapt up the stairs two at a time, just to see if she coukld.
She could.
The inside of the pkane was nothing like she had thought.
The fornt cabin wa s large, open space, it’s rim decked out with soft looking chairs with swing out tables. The floor was textured, and Denali felt it throuhg her thin shoes. The door to the second cabin was open, and Denali peered through, her heart jumping into heer throat. There was a small passageway in between sectioned off areas that lined the entire plane. Denali padded softly on the carpeted floor between the rows. She could hear muffled talking and sounds, but the walls closed them in for the most part. There were doors along the line, and most were closed. The amount of open doors incrwased as Denali went farther. Hearing the other kids hot on her heels, Denali quickly hurried to the back of the cabin and ducked into a room at the end with an open door, shutting it quickly. The room was small, but oit was more cozy than Denali had expected. A loft bed was tucked into the side, under it a desk and a stationary chair. The bed was outfitted with all the necessities. On the other side was a small toilet, politely curtained off, and a sink. It was like a mini, mini house.
“Hello, ladies and gents,” cae the voice of Mayor Greenwell over a loudspeaker above. “Please register with your andromeda and we will get your luggage to you asap.” The speaker clicked out. Denali looked arpound and smiled; she hadn’t realized there was a small, pointy ended y next to the door. Denali pressed into the center, and the andromeda lit up.
“Girls and boys of Mal Islay, it is my pleaszure to address the future of our wonderful island! You, who will shortly be journeying to the small island of Easpay, you who will bring us into the new era!” He paused, as if waiting for something. It was just dramatic effect. “Let me tell you now the reason you are gathered here!” There were hushed murmurs, and Denali didn’t blame them. Anyiomje who didn;t know why they were at the most prestigeous gathering hall of all Mal Islay would have to be brain dead. As the mayor gabbed about felids and the trip, Denali surveyed her competitors. Becaus that’s what they were. Her parents had drilled that into her for ages. They may look nice, act nice, and be nice, but if you ever wanted to be at the top, you had to work for it. And that meant taking no enemies. Denali swallowed, her parent’s hard faces in her mind. She remembered the send-off.
“Denali Catalaya,” her mother had said, staring her straight in the face, her facial line shard. “Destroy them. Destroy them all.”
Her father had repolaced her mother’s place. “Remeber, my dear kitten. You are a girl on a mission. Make them pay. But mostly, remember: You are a Catalaya. Let them burn.” Neither parent had cried. Denali hadn’t expected them to. Her vision started to go blkurry, and Denali wiped her eyes, suprised to find small streaks of wet on her hand.
No. A Catalaya does not cry foul. As much as she hated mayor Greenwell’s voice, she forced herself to tune in for the last part of his boring speech.
“And remember, once you have captured your Felids, based on their affinity element, you will be paired with a group of four other people. They will be your “clan”. We will do our best to matcnh you with people we think you will like, but overall it’s the amount of effort you put into your relationshoips that will determine what kind of clan you can be?” Denali srewqed up her face. Like hell she wanted to be in a clan. She was just fine on her own. Catalaya’s don;t need anybody. “Now, would you all pleass create a single file line- as hard as that may be- so you may all recieve your Easpay passport bracelets! Do not, I repeat, DO NOT lose them, or you may be in serious trouble if you are fpund on the island wthout one. Now, line up!” Not even a hall as big as the Mozakin could handle the feverish excitement from hgundreds of fourteen year olds from all over the islands. Someone shoved Denali so hard she almost fell, but instead she bubed into another person, which allowde her to regaiun her footing.
Getting her bracelet first would mean she would have the bets choice of seats on the plane, but she wasn’t sure if she was willing to risk a horde of unleashed prepubescent boys. Denali decidde to stick with the kiddle. She had to do some ushing, bjt nothing that would leave a scar.
Denali stayed stiff, even though she was fairly sure her position wasn’t in immediate danger. The line moved slower than shew thoght physically possible; for all she knew, it could have been going backward. After what felt like hours later- Denali could swear it was probabkly morning by then- she got her bracelet. It a thin metallic band that curled over her wrist and came to gether so perfectly at the end you couldn’t tell that it came off. It felt cool against her skin, and Denali quickly and thankfully swept past Mayor Greenwell, his voice widshing her well like poison in her ears.
The plane was bigger than she had imagined. Each year, from their small island of Britallia, the Catalaya’s had watched the transport planes fly over on their way to Easpay, but seeing one in person it dawne don Denali just how big they actually were. Immediatelyt, she felt silly for worrying about getting a good seat. A plane like that had to have thousands! Denali nodded shyly at the flight attendent who nodde dat her as she passed, pausing at the first step. The plane was so big...Denali leapt up the stairs two at a time, just to see if she coukld.
She could.
The inside of the pkane was nothing like she had thought.
The fornt cabin wa s large, open space, it’s rim decked out with soft looking chairs with swing out tables. The floor was textured, and Denali felt it throuhg her thin shoes. The door to the second cabin was open, and Denali peered through, her heart jumping into heer throat. There was a small passageway in between sectioned off areas that lined the entire plane. Denali padded softly on the carpeted floor between the rows. She could hear muffled talking and sounds, but the walls closed them in for the most part. There were doors along the line, and most were closed. The amount of open doors incrwased as Denali went farther. Hearing the other kids hot on her heels, Denali quickly hurried to the back of the cabin and ducked into a room at the end with an open door, shutting it quickly. The room was small, but oit was more cozy than Denali had expected. A loft bed was tucked into the side, under it a desk and a stationary chair. The bed was outfitted with all the necessities. On the other side was a small toilet, politely curtained off, and a sink. It was like a mini, mini house.
“Hello, ladies and gents,” cae the voice of Mayor Greenwell over a loudspeaker above. “Please register with your andromeda and we will get your luggage to you asap.” The speaker clicked out. Denali looked arpound and smiled; she hadn’t realized there was a small, pointy ended y next to the door. Denali pressed into the center, and the andromeda lit up.