The Obelisk

-Chapter 26-

Forest looked up to Needles with a worried expression. That’s exactly what Ripper said, he thought nervously.

“If you’re actually telling the truth,” Crimson interceded. “Which, the last Velanosaur wasn’t, so why would we trust you.”

“Because he saved Forest!” Spark snarled.

Forest stood up on all fours, struggling to control his aching muscles.

Needles gave Crimson an expression Forest couldn’t interpret. “I understand completely, Crimson. After my sister attacks you, and I show up out of the blue, why trust me? And I can’t give you any proof that you can. But Ripper will be back, and if I don’t get you four out of here, she will kill you.”

“Do y o u know Peeri?” Forest asked weakly.

“Only by reputation,” Needled said. “I’ll do anything to get this prophecy fulfilled.”

“We’ll, we’re going to the Dark Forest,” Rust stated.

Needles pulled his head back. “Runheimr? No, no, you can’t go there. It’s crawling with Terror birds.”

“We have to,” Forest said. “To find out what’s really happening. To see the enemy for ourselves.”

“Plus find the fifth carnivore, maybe.” Rust added.

“They will tear you to pieces!” Needles warned. “I cannot let you go there. You will die. The Terror birds Emperor would not be pleased with you in his forest. It’s too dangerous. Anywhere else, but not there.”

“Pardon me,” Forest said, stepping forward. “But as far as I remember, it’s US that are in charge of saving Fjordur, not you.”

Needles blinked, opening and closing his mouth mutely. He let out a breath. “I suppose,” he said. “That I can take you there.”

“Great!” Rust exclaimed.

“Drat,” Crimson muttered at the same time.

“There’s a specific route that will allow us to sneak in right under the Terror birds beaks,” Needles continued, “but it’s not a shortcut. It may take a few days to get there.”

“As long as we’re getting there,” Forest said.

“I don’t trust you,” Crimson offered.

Rust rolled his eyes.

***

The journey was long. The sun inched slowly acrossed the sky as the five carnivores trekked through the trees, right around the Dark Forest (or as Needles called it, Runheimr,) and passed the most populated spots with most of the Terror bird scouts. As the moon threw itself into the star-speckled sky, they stopped for the night, each telling Needles there separate stories.

“I wish I knew Peeri,” Needles said, shaking his head. “She seems very… fun.”

“She is,” Forest said.

“Plus the, uh, you know, Foreseeing All Futures,” Rust waved his arms dramatically.

Needles nodded. “Thanks to Peeri, we have a chance against the Terror birds,” he said. “We can’t let that down.”

“We won’t.” Forest confirmed.