The Obelisk

-Chapter 42-

A thin, wiry Terror bird stood at the entrance to the hidden Ruins, pure anger etched acrossed his face.

“Oh no,” Spark breathed.

“What?” Nyx asked. “Oh no what?”

“Greetings,” Blazeheart said from among the crowd, shouldering his way through to him “Is there something you need?”

“You cannot evade our law, Brightheart.” He growled.

“What have I done wrong now,” he said, glancing wryly at the carnivores around. Chuckles stretched through the crowd.

“Blazeheart does not concern us,” said another, new voice. A strong looking second Terror bird entered, her feathers ruffled and her frown deep. “We,” she shouted, her voice echoing through the Ruins—“are looking for a few someone’s. If you can help us find them—you will be rewarded. And you may continue with your idiotic fluttering about to music.”

“Since when have you cared about our festivals?” Demanded a female voice form the crowd.

“Who exactly are you looking for, General?” Asked Blazeheart.

She stared at him. “The Five,” she yelled to the crowd.

“The Five?” Nyx echoed with awe. She glanced around excitedly. “Really?”

“Yes,” The General said.

“What do you want with them?” Asked another voice. A burly Thylacoleo leapt into the crowd to glare at the two Terror birds.

“They are dangerous,” spat the skinny Terror bird.

Several outraged yells erupted from the crowd. The general scowled at them. “SILENCE!”

…

“Find these Five,” she said. “And you will be rewarded! That’s all we ask! Now!”

“Why would they be here?” Whispered a few voices.

“They could be anyone,” said a few more. “So many kinds in here…”

“Start looking!”

Forest poked Sparks tail, and she nodded quietly. Crimson and Rust backed up with them, and they carefully searched for another exit.

There. A small crumbling hole in the building—just big enough for them to fit one by one.

The Terror birds were searching the group. They were getting closer. Certain creatures stared at them—a few whispering suspiciously. Forest tried to back from their vision—but tripped.

And once again—for the second, stupid, clumsy time—he fell right into a Terror bird.

“What—Excuse me?” The general barked.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” it wasn’t Forest who said it. A colorful, familiar Shadowmane pushed through the crowd to help lift Forest up. It was Nyx. “Sorry General, we’re searching, don’t worry.” She inclined her head politely and dragged Forest away, right towards the hole where his friends were waiting.

“Let’s get you guys out of here,” Nyx said. “Before they figure it out.”

Spark squished through the hole and disappeared. She beckoned for Crimson and Rust, and they both tried to dive through at once, but just got stuck and squeezed passed each other, muttering.

Forest was next. He leapt through.

And right behind him: Nyx.

“I know a spot where you can hide,” she said. Something clicked at the back of Forest brain. But there wasn’t enough time to evaluate. He heard voices coming.

Someone had spotted them.