[ WP ] The reason why a human would want to form a Pact with an animal or monster is obvious : from the Bond , the human shares in the animals strength , speed , and senses . But why would a monster wish to Bond with a human ? The answer , of course , is to share in the human 's Intelligence and Sentience .

I grunted with excitement as I pumped my feet harder and harder until I fairly flew through the forest. Trees seemed to jump out in front of me, but my reflexes allowed me to sidestep them instantly. Despite my speed, my paws made virtually no sound against the soft grassy forest floor. Suddenly, I burst into a small clearing that led right to a steep cliff edge. The moon hung huge in front of me as I stopped myself right at the edge and bellowed out an incredible howl that lasted for several seconds. Finally, I sank to the ground, trembling with exhaustion and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. 
 
 *Martin. * 
 
 I jerked up and growled loudly as I twisted around. There was no one around me. 
 
 *Over here, in your head. * 
 
 I let out a long whine. *Oh, right. Sorry. What do you need, Elzaraath? * 
 
 *Remind me. Why does the moon appear so much larger right now? * 
 
 *It has do with the fact that it's near the horizon. It's just an illusion, of course. * My eyes hungrily followed the tell-tale heat signature of a cautious gopher peeking out of its hole. 
 
 *That's right, thank you. Hey, if you would n't mind doing me a favor...? * 
 
 *Ask, my friend. * 
 
 *Dive into the sea below. * 
 
 I peered down over the edge. The water was choppy and dark as ink. *It is safe? * 
 
 *Yes, I've found many delicious things in an underwater grotto not too far out. * 
 
 That was all I needed. I crashed through the surface and nictitating membranes immediately closed over my eyes. Tiny blips of heat flashed in my peripheral distance as some fish powered their muscles to swim away from my figure. 
 
 *To your left, about 15 degrees. * 
 
 I jerked my head in the general direction and saw a rather large blob of white. I needed no more instructions; thrashing my limbs and tail, I swam toward it headily and felt my way through a tight tunnel. 
 
 *The tunnel will twist upward in about 100 meters. There, you can break the surface and climb onto the cave floor. Food will present itself in plentiful amounts on the cave floor. * 
 
 He was right of course, and soon I was slurping away greedily on succulent giant clams that littered the mud of the grotto. At first, I tried to use my claws wrench the two halves open, but found that it was far quicker to simply crush the whole thing under my feet. They were rich and meaty, and I scrambled to catch every last, dark drop of juice that fell from the shattered pieces of its shell. 
 
 *I hate to interrupt your feast... * 
 
 *No problem. * I quickly grabbed hold of a squirming cave eel and crunched on its head. It fell limp in my claws. *I imagine you had some reason of your own for directing me here. * 
 
 *You guessed correctly. I noticed it when I came here last, but of course I could not ponder it. Tell me - what is all this light? The ones that glow from the walls? It is not the sun, nor the moon. It is certainly not fire, and I thought that they must be artificial; that is, electric. But I can not locate a power source; also, I am inclined to believe that no human has yet ventured down here. * 
 
 I growled and crawled nearer to a side. *You're likely right on that last bit - this cave is well-hidden. Anyway, these are phosphorescent rocks; they probably contain zinc sulfide or something. * 
 
 *And why do you they emit light? * 
 
 I shrugged my massive shoulders and licked the wall. Salty. *Not exactly sure. Simply put, they absorb energy and slowly re-emit it as light. The deeper explanation is probably a quantum mechanic effect. * 
 
 *Ah, yes. You've yet to explain that science to me. * 
 
 *Someone has yet to explain that to me as well. * I fidgeted and clawed at the sand, digging for any little creatures that might have buried down here. 
 
 *Such a beautiful world we live in, with its hidden surprises. Anyway, I hate to make you feel impatient. Let us return to the forest. * 
 
 *Worry not, friend. Any new destination in mind? * 
 
 *There is a great were-tiger that roams the Eastern borders. He and I have fought on many occasions, mostly to test each other's strength. We are evenly matched it, and it is great fun. But I would love to watch the poetry of his movements in my current state... * 
 
 I roared with approval and dove into the water. 
 
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