Glaring down at the two of them, the massive bear rumbled,
"I am Ursaval. What business do you have with me?"
Ash scratched nervously at his cheek with one finger.
"U-um… we're supposed to train. Near you."
Ursaval's lips curled into a slow, wicked grin.
"I see… but wouldn't simply training around me be a bit… dull?"
Zaru leaned closer to Ash, whispering,
"I don't like the way he's looking at us."
Ash forced a quick smile.
"No, no, that's fine! We really don't want to intrude more than we already have"
Ursaval spoke over him.
"I'll make it more interesting."
From his massive paws, two full-grown grizzlies stepped forward, their eyes fixed on the boys.
"These two," Ursaval said calmly, "will be directly involved in your training."
Korthok leaned toward Ash and muttered,
"Why does is he multiplying?"
Ash swallowed and whispered back,
"I think… he wants to train with us."
Korthok's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Train with us?! That's a Titan! He could squash us with one paw!"
Overhearing him, Ursaval huffed a deep, rumbling chuckle.
"Relax. Don't be so scared. I made these two reeeeaaaally weak… the weakest I could manage."
Ash leaned closer to Korthok again.
"He said they're weak, I think we should be fine right? ."
At that exact moment, one of the bears suddenly lunged forward, slamming full force into Korthok and launching him straight into the wall behind them.
Ash and Zaru stood frozen, stunned, eyes widened.
Ursaval tried and failed to hide his laughter, his massive shoulders shaking.
"Good, good! This will help your training a lot."
Ursaval turned and lumbered deeper into the cave.
"And don't worry about him. These two little guys aren't just clones they're me. Everything they experience, I experience. They can grant the same blessings I can too. So he'll be fine in a few minutes." He gave a lazy stretch. "I'm gonna go lie down for a bit."
As the massive bear disappeared into the darkness, one of the miniature Ursavals looked back at them.
"Alright, let's head outside. Your training starts now and bring the lizard."
He and the other copy padded toward the cave entrance.
Ash rushed over to Korthok, who was still halfway stuck in the wall, and grabbed his arm, trying to yank him free.
A moment later, Korthok stumbled out of the cave beside Ash, rubbing his head.
"Uuugh…"
"Good," one of the small Ursavals said, turning to face them in the open clearing.
"Now that you're both out here, your first training objective is simple stand your ground in a clash against us.
On three, you'll both charge at us at full strength. Do everything you can to hold your ground. We'll keep going until you can meet us in a proper clash."