Aksai looked at his bear generals with a stern gaze before speaking further.
"You think the world will care that you were cubs? You think enemies will go easy on you because you were forced to grow up by me?"
The bears looked away, ears lowered, almost as if ashamed.
Aksai crouched down slightly and looked them in the eyes.
"You survived. That's good. But from tomorrow onwards, things will change."
He stood up again and pointed a finger at them.
"No more easy days. No more naps after lunch. Your eating time will be reduced. Your sleep will be shorter. You'll train longer, and you'll complain less."
The bears looked up at him, wide-eyed and silent.
"Do you hear me?" Aksai asked.
All of them gave a slow nod, their large heads moving weakly but with understanding.
Aksai let out a breath and softened just a little.
"Good," he said. "Now stay still. I'll heal you. You've got a long few weeks ahead of you."
