-Chapter one-

Forest never liked change.

Life had been perfectly normal for the first three years of his life— normal and safe. If there was such a difference.

And the rock drakes hadn’t seen a human in years.

According to mother, humans were strange, furless creatures that walked on two legs, like raptors, really. And they would run around and poke creatures with sharp sticks, which wagered they weren’t very smart, or just crazy.

Forest had never seen a human in his life. And never expected to.

Everything was ordinary, normal, and most of all, safe.

Safe from the outside creatures mother muttered on about- giant spiders; huge prey the size of whales; lions with wings. Everything.

Until that one day.

Forest was padding down the hall, searching for his older sister. She had gone invisible, they were playing hide-and-go-seek.

“Ri?” He called, scanning the rocks around him. He turned to the next cavern, squinting. “I give up.”

It did not answer. Like most of his siblings, they’d wait until you completely stopped, then would pounce and brag about their bestest you’re-never-gonna-know hiding spot. Know one risked being seen.

But the sound of a scraping tail sounded behind him— and he whirled around, only to see nothing.

Nothing except, a small dodo.

Forest screamed, surprised to hear himself yelp over a dodo. It flinched back, confused.

“You startled me,” Forest said, letting out a breath. “I’ve never seen a dodo. How did you get down here?” He stood up, and it stepped back. “It’s OK, I’m not going to hurt you.”

It turned and bolted down the halls, squawking excitedly. “Hey! Come back!” He chased after it.

It fled around the corner, up the cave, and through a small gap in the wall. He halted to a stop and squeezed through, grunting.

It’s feathered tail disappeared behind the rocks, and he poked his head through.

He was in another cave—one he’s never seen before. The dodo stared at him meaningfully, with wide, blue eyes.

“What do you want?” He asked it. It tilted its head at him, and chirped. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand dodo.”

(Next chapter in allo, and continuing on in alphabetical order in tameables)

I noticed someone wrote to me in the Snail section and my heart stopped! Thank you so much for reading these! 😊

-Chapter 23-

She’s going to help us.

Forest smiled up at the Velanosaur, and she grinned back down. “You’ll really help us?”

“Of course, little Forest,” Ripper said breezily. “With everything. Where are we heading to next?”

“To the Dark Forest,” Spark said. “Hopefully we’ll find the fifth carnivore there.”

“Ahh, yes you will,” Ripper said. Forests heart sped up. She knew so much! He wondered why the Basislk never mentored Ripper.

Because she was in a hurry. Forest thought. Aaaaand she didn’t tell me that much anyways, just to be cryptic and not mess with her prophecy too much. Hmm.

The Basilisk—Peeri—must have made the prophecy entirely herself. Searched all the futures of different carnivores and found us as the ones that would actually succeed at saving the world. Wow.

“We will?” Rust asked. “We’ll actually find the fifth in the Dark Forest?” Oh, tell me it’s not gonna be a Terror Bird. Bleergh,” he shook himself from head to tail.

Ripper gave Rust a calculating look, something new in her dark eyes. “Everyone, if I may, I’d like to have a word with Forest here.”

“Why?” Crimson demanded.

“It’s alright, we’ll be back. I just have a few questions.”

“It’s OK guys.” Forest said, turning to follow Ripper. “I’ll be right back!”

He caught up with Ripper soon after, walking hastily by her side. He looked up to her. “What are we discussing?”

“Your friends,” Ripper began, “are they trustworthy?”

“You would know,” Forest tried to joke. “You meet up with th—Peeri all the time.”

“That’s true,” Ripper laughed. “It’s hard to find her in the caves, since she never comes out. But she told me to beware of certain carnivores. I just want to make sure. What is their position with Terror Birds?”

“That the Terror Birds rule the Dark Forest, and are trying to take over all of Fjordur.” Forest said.

“What?” Ripper exclaimed. She faulted to a stop and looked down to Forest. “No, no, no, Forest, you’ve got it all wrong.”

“What?” Forest sat down.

“I knew it,” Ripper hissed under her breath. “You’re friends, are trying to brainwash you.”

“No they’re not,” Forest said.

“And these Ben brainwashed as well,” The giant carnivore looked into Forests eyes. “New plan: you four are coming with me.”

Forest blinked, staring into her fathomless eyes. “Wait—wh—would Peeri want that?”

“I have a few friends in the Meadows,” Ripper went on, ignoring him. “We’re going to need to show you some things.”

“No—we just came from the meadows!” Forest yelped. “We can’t go all the way back!”

“This is what Peeri was talking about!” Ripper yelled. “You are all coming with me, and we will make sure you all learn the truth. The side you should really be on.”

“What side? What side?” Forest jumped up on all fours, lashing his tail. “Which side is Peeri on?”

“I’ll explain everything Forest,” Ripper said, nudging him with her tail. “Peeri will be there.”

This was almost enough to make Forest completely change his mind and run for the meadows. But something was tugging at Forests brain. Something wrong.

Something

very

very

W r o n g.

“Hold on,” Forest said slowly. “You—You said Peeri never leaves the caves.”

Ripper chuckled, amused. “No I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.” Forest looked up to her. Youu said she never leaves the caves.”

“We will—we’ll we’ll go see her,” Said Ripper.

Prices were falling together, pulling and tugging at Forests mind. “Ripper,” he whispered. “Are we on the same side?”

“Yes,” she answered with a smile. “Of course, Forest, what’s up with you?”

“Do you really know Peeri?” He asked.

“What—I—yes I know Peeri. We meet each other all the time. Like i said—“

“She talks all about me.” Forest finished. “You mentioned. But you also mentioned that only YOU visit her. Not the other way around.”

“You misunderstood,” Ripper growled.

“No, I didn’t. It’s too bad I’m such a good listener. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have noticed that you asked what our names were.”

“Just to make sure,” Ripper said, her expression changing.

“And you fumbled with Rusts name,” Forest continued, “because you were trying to remember what I had said.”

“Forest,” Ripper growled, “you’ve got it all wrong.”

“And now you’re trying to send us away from the place you SAID the fifth carnivore would be. Why would you do that?”

“FOREST STOP,” Ripper snarled.

“I’m sorry,” Forest said. He turned invisible, and Ripper let out a cry of fury. “I can’t trust you.”

And he ran for his friends.

To warn them.

To save them.

Rippers roars of fury followed Forest as he ran, but he was faster.

And if Forest was quick enough, he could save them from whatever Ripper planned on doing.

-Chapter 48-

The carnivores were lead the rough the dark stone halls, lit up slightly by the occasional torch or lamp of fireflies. Forest cast a worried glance at Spark—the closest to him—and she blinked right back.

Eventually they approached a large set of thick grey doors. The lead Terror bird stepped forward and tapped his beak on the stone three times.

“You may enter.”

Two soldiers shoved at the doors, letting out a loud scraping noise as they opened. They question guide the Five inside.

It was a very large room—and at first Forest expected there to be treasure. A room as big as this had to be the throne room. A few tapestry’s hung on the walls and light shown through windows on either side—and in the middle of the room was a small, short table.

The Terror Bird that sat behind it looked up to them, swiping the notes he was studying into a small pile. Forest immediately got the impression that this carnivore knew much, much more than him.

“Thank you, everyone,” Said the Emperor. “You are all dismissed. I would like to question these five alone.”

“But—“

“Now.” He said loudly, firmly. The Terorr birds inclined their heads and exited the room, closing the doors behind them. All that was left was the Five and the Emperor.

The Terror bird stood up and maneuvered around the table to take a closer look at them. “So we finally meet,” he said slowly. “The very Five I’ve heard all—“

before the Terror bird could finish, he suddenly wheezed loudly before breaking into a fit of dark, lung-churning coughs. He tired to take a deep, shaky breath, but coughed again, wheezed, and collapsed.

Forest immediately leapt forward to help him, catching the Terror bird before he hit the ground.

“Are you alright?” Nyx asked.

He nodded, and Forest helped him back up. “You need a healer,” Forest said to him.

“I’m fine,” the Emproror rasped. He inhaled deeply and straightened, stepping back. “Just getting old. My hearts not as strong as it used to be. Now, before we get distracted—I have questions for you all.”

“We—“ Forest began.

But the Emperor was already speaking. “What to you want with my land?”

“Nothing,” Forest said.

“We were just passing through,” Spark said. “We never meant to intrude in any way.”

“Why Runheimr?” The Emperor asked.

“We were hoping we’d find the fifth carnivore,” Forest explained. He glanced at Nyx with a smile. “And I think we did.”

She blinked at him. “What?”

“Hmmm,” The old Terror bird studied her with dark blue eyes. “You’re Nyx. Blazeheart’s daughter.”

“Yes,” Nyx said. “How is he?”

“He won’t leave my land until I’ve freed you,” The Emperor mused. “But I’ve been warned about you five, and I—“

“We don’t mean any harm,” Forest said desperately.

“We promise.” Nyx said. “Please, let us go.”

“If you don’t mean any harm,” the Emperor began, “then why do you carry a rune in your belongings?”

To be continued.

-Chapter three-

“What?” Forest backed away, nearly tripping over his tail.

“Leave!” The other creature yelled again.

Forest focused his eyes on where the creature was laying. He was actually trapped under two large species of rock, which looked like they had been hunked out of the cave walls. “It’s alright,” Forest said to him. “I’ll help you. You’ve been in some sort of cave-in. Are you hurt?”

“This was no CAVE IN!” He roared.

Well he’s crazy, Forest thought. Of course it was a cave in. He must have been hit on the head. Forest reached out to him, but the dinosaur snapped at his talons before he could get close.

Forest lashed his tail. “I can help you.” He said firmly. “Then we’ll find a way to get you out of the Drake caves.”

“No,” the other said, his voice trembling. “You cannot help me.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get stuck too,” this creature was making no since. Forest leaped over him, pulled a chunk of rock off his tail, and tried to lift the boulder.

The other creature was shouting now, slamming his tail into the ground and scrabbling his back claws along the rocks floor. He whipped his around as much as he could to see Forest. “NO! Don’t DO THIS!”

“I’m not going to leave you here,” Forest said bravely. He slid the boulder off the dinosaurs leg, then pushed the next, freeing him. “There!” He cried with delight. “Your free!”

Seeing the dinosaurs whole body, he appeared to be a baryonyx, growling deep in his throat and glowering so hard at Forest it looked like he might explode.

“It’s coming. It coming! It’ll get you next!”

With a few chunks of rock?” Forest asked. “I can handle myself. Now let’s find you a way out of here.”

“Already know the way, know the way,” the baryonyx mumbled. “I’ll go the way. You. Leave before it comes back!”

“Alright I’ll go,” Forest said, climbing around him. “Jeeze, you sure you weren’t hit on the head?”

Then the baryonyx shrieked, loud with fear, and stumbled back with one arm stretched to point behind him.

Forest turned around.

-sorry guys! Turns out a few chapters ago I accidentally put in two chapters with the title of “Chapter 7” so last episode I had it on “Chapter 8 I think” but it was really chapter nine so this is chapter ten!

-Chapter 10 👌😆-

“So where are we gonna go?”

“I’m not sure. Where are we now?”

Spark trekked by Forest, stamping her tback talons over wet grass. “We’ll, right now we’re in the broken meadows. We could go to the dark forest.”

“What’s that?” Forest asked.

“It’s the forest of many names,” Spark said. I have no idea which one is the original. “There’s too many to name count. I just call it the dark forest. Full of redwood trees. Lots of carnivores, too. We could go there!”

“Hmm,” Forest said. “What about the swamp?” He asked. “I heard good stories about that place.”

“The swamp is full of carnivores too, but also very dangerous creatures.” Spark explained, walking by a boulder. “Then again, it is really close. We could go through and then make way for the dark forest.”

“Alright,” Forest said.

Just then a feathered dinosaur, about Forests age, tumbled out of the bushes.

He wore a mischievous look on his face and struggled to his feet, clutching a chunk of meat in his talons. He laughed breathlessly, then spotted Forest and Spark. “Oh! Please don’t kill me.”

“You’ll regret that!” A voice shouted behind them, crashing through the bushes. The feathered creatures’ eyes widened and he flicked Spark with his tail. “Help me hide,” he gasped. “Help me or I’m screwed! As in dead!”

His name was Theniden. He was the most frustrating tame, both me and my tribe mates went through so much trouble getting it. He was a lvl 70.

After the Griffin was knocked, upon my tribe mate asking, the admin came to help us get him tamed quicker. Not only did she get it tamed in an instant (bless her soul, thanks Xkay), but she also lvled him up to 450.

Now the thing is, I had heard that a tame would be wiped if it’s lvl went over 450. Worried, I asked if that was true. They told me it wouldn’t go over it. And, they were right, it didn’t…

For two weeks.

I was out lvling up all my tames, when I finished up and spotted his name. 451. Instantly full of guilt, I went, and I apologized to him. I really did. He was never my favorite tame, but now I loved him more than I had before. And soon he would be gone.

Later that day, instead of letting him disappear, I stupidly decided to unclaim him. Yes, I knew he’d hold a grudge. I knew he’d be wild again and attack me. But I wanted him to have just a few moments of freedom before he disappeared.

And I did, I brought him to the top of Griffin Mountain where all of his kind went. Right after he was unclaimed he flew up and attacked me and everything in sight.

Sorry for this long as heck story, hope you enjoyed it.

RIP, Theniden. He died free.

—Moon

-Chapter 14-

Oh.

It was the Kapro from before—Forest could see now—her dull, washed out red scales, her scowling expression, her narrowed, furious brown eyes.

“You followed him here?” Spark bellowed.

“Tracked his scent all night. Like I said. NO ONE STEALS my KILL.”

Forest turned to Rust. The blue and orange deinonychus wasn’t moving. “Rust?”

The Kapro hissed with delight. “My job may already be done. Let me go!”

“No.” Spark growled. “Rust!”

He didn’t answer. Forest hurried to his side.

No. No. He couldn’t be gone. Forest had been starting to like the spunky, feathers creature. “Rust,” he whispered, shaking him. “Rust. Wake up. Wake up, Rust.”

The deinonychus’s tail twitched, and Rust sucked in a breath. He was just unconscious. Two long scratches were bleeding through his feathers, but he was alive.

Forest sighed with relief.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Spark said. She pushed down her foot harder. The Kapro gawped uncomfortably. “He may have stole, but it doesn’t mean you should kill him.”

“I do what I like!” The Kapro growled. “Why do you care?”

“We just do,” Spark said as Forest said, “cause he’s our friend. And we have to save the world.”

The Kapro let out an amused snort. “Rubbish. You’re a sack of lies, aren’t you?” She squinted at Forest. “Then again… it’s a little strange, three carnivores wandering the swamp.”

“Like I said—“ Forest tried, but Spark whacked him with her tail.

Rust trembled lightly, growling in his throat. He jerked his head closer to his chest, like he was having a nightmare.

“Let us go on our way,” Forest said. “ and we can pretend this never happened.”

“Forest,” Spark warned. “You may not know much about Kapros, but I do. They keep grudges. For a long, time.”

The Kapro hissed in response.

“We have to let her go sometime, right?” Forest prodded. He nodded to Kapro. “So let’s just make a deal with her. We’ll never have to see her again, if she lets Rust live.”

“What?” The Kapro shouted.

“Alright. Yeah,” Spark turned to look down at the Kaprosuchus. “I’m gonna let you go. And you are gonna leave. OK?”

The Kapro growled deep in her throat, then nodded slightly. “Fine. Keep your stupid raptor. I don’t care.” And Spark lifted off her talon.

The Kapro jumped up, her eyes glinting.

Please don’t try anything. Forest thought, seeing Sparks glare. Don’t fight.

The Kapro opened her mouth.

The story of my three Dire Wolves…

My first Dire wolfs name was Qibli. He was a sandy brownish yellow, and two best friends, who I tamed as well, naming them Winter and Umber. Me and my three good boys would do everything together. They were fast, fierce and had amazing stats. We loved to cave loot, and Qibli was by far my favorite.

But one day, after a very successful cave looting, we swam acrossed the river to get to our base. Sadly, with Umber being the slowest, he was taken from us by an evil drove of Piranha. I swore to get revenge.

A year passed. I still had Winter and Qibli. They were the best at everything, and we would always remember Umber.

After deciding to move our base, I took all my tames to a new spot by the Green Obelisk. But sadly, there were multiple difficulties. So, I decided to take Qibli to a cave for us to loot and get supplies. Wouldn’t be any different, right? We already survived the caves.

We never got there.

On the way, Qibli ran out of stam. Unfortunately a Stupid Therizinosaurus spotted us, and it attacked. We tried to escape, but Qiblis stam wouldn’t go up, so I had to jump of of him. Before I could whistle attack, it was too late.

I was an idiot. I admit that. I should have just attacked ahead of time, but I didn’t. It’s over now.

I still have Winter. I will always protect Winter no matter what. No risks.

That’s as the story of my three Dire Wolves. I have Winter to this day.

One /\ is one respect for my sweet boys Qibli and Umber, who never stopped being awesome.

Oh, and that Therizinosaurus? It didn’t live long after that.

—Moon

-chapter four-

Forest lapels lifted his head, gawking at scale after scale as the creature emerging from the cave rose to full height, hissing ominously.

Forest winced, and quietly laughed nervously. “Hello,” he whispered.

“Hello, Forest,” the Basilisk hissed, her voice as light as the most beautiful whisper. “I knew you'd come. Let’s talk.” She whipped out her tail as fast as lightning, coiled it around Forest, and swiftly slid down the tunnel.

The baryonyx goggled in dismay, watching as she slithered down the cave, taking Forest with her. Forest pushed and wiggled as hard as he could, but she had him in too much of a grip, and it was just tight enough for him to breath, so he wasn’t going to waste any time he had left provoking her.

“Where are you taking me?” He called ahead. The basilisk didn’t answer.

Slowly they approached a giant cave—bigger than any cave he’d ever seen—and she slowly dropped him loose, and slithered in a circle around him, so he had nowhere to go.

“What do you want?” He asked. “Why did you trap that old baryonyx down there—are you going to do that to me?” He wanted to be safe again, with his sisters and brother, with his mother and father, GOODNESS COULD LIFE GIVE HIM A BREAK?

“I knew trapping that dinosaur would bring you here,” she said. “I’ve been looking for you in these caves for weeks.”

“Why? Who am I to you?” He asked, shivering.

“So many questions,” she mused, edging her head closer to him. She flicked her tongue at him, and he flinched back.

“Forest, all of Fjorder needs you.”

“What?” Forests head was spinning. “ME?”

“The land is in danger,” the creature hissed, lifting her head regally.

“So Forest, search outside of this cave until you find Spark. Then you and her will search for Rust, and Crimson. The fourth,” she closed her eyes, a stranger thrum in the air. “You’ll see.”

“Who? Rust, Crimson and Spark, who are they? What is going on and—wait do you mean I have to save the world? With four other carnivores? Are you a future-seer? How is that possibl—I’m not a hero! I’m just a juvenile Rock Drake and the only thing I’ve ever done in my life is play hide and seek and chase a dodo! I can’t SAVE THE WORLD!”

The basilisk smiled down at him. “You will.” And she disappeared into the shadows, as quickly as she had come.

-chapter two-

Forest was staring back at the dodo. Wondering if it understood him, he held out his talon. “ do you understand me?” He asked. It looked down at his claws, fluttered it’s wings, and glared up at him with a look of outrage.

Forest was genuinely baffled. “What? Did I say something to you? Bawk bawk! Does that mean anything?”

The dodo shrilled loudly, then hopped onto a rock ledge, then another. Forest followed it.

“are you a girl bird or a boy bird?” He asked, climbing after it. “I’ve never grown up with prey, so I’m not sure. Sorry about that.” He added.

It turned to makes sure he was following, shrilled again, and flapped it’s wings.

“You wanna fly?”

It frowned. Hah. Dodos frown.

“No?” He thought for a moment. Above them was more and more caves, littered with stalactites. “You want me to climb?”

Just as the bird opened its beak to answer, a soft cry came from above them. The dodos eyes widened, and it looked to Forest.

“Is someone in trouble?” He asked. Forest wasn’t much of a hero. “Who? Another dodo? No, that’s sounded like another carnivore…” he looked up, hoping for a clue.

The moan came again, louder and closer to than before. It sounded, old and hopeless. Who the heck was up there?

The dodo started squawking indignantly, and it pushed at his talons towards another boulder.

“Alright, alright, I’ll—I—I’ll go.” He dug his talons into the boulder, feeling I’ll. “That’s kind of high, and I’ve never tried climbing so much… but I’ll try.”

He leaped into the air, stabbing his claws into the nearest stalagmite.rock crumbled under his talons, and he jumped for the next wall, then jumped up again and found himself clinging onto rock. When he glanced down, the dodo watched with awe. “Almost there!” He called. Why am I doing this? He thought as he leapt for the highest ledge towards the sound.

This could be a trick— from a dodo? He slapped himself with his tail, climbing up to the cave entrance. No, this wasn’t a trick. Soon he’d help the dodo, be with his family, and everything would be back to—

He stopped, gasping at the large shape in front of him.

It was large, softly breathing int the dark, chilly cave air.

A dinosaur lay on the ground, and their glowing eyes met his.

“Leave now,” the creature hissed, writhing on the floor. “Before it gets you, too.”

-Chapter 46: Part 2-

“Are you Ok?”

A dark brown and blue striped Baryonyx ran forward, panting. “Are you hurt?”

Crimson stared up at her, her face blank. “No.”

“Good,” the Baryonyx let out a breath.

“What happened?” Crimson asked.

“Humans,” the Baryonyx muttered darkly. “Humans and their stupid bombs. Where are your parents?”

Crimson blinked, her eyes getting foggy. “I lost them.”

“Well, we’ll find them, all right?” The Baryonyx said. “I’m Sable. What’s your name?”

“Crimson,” she whispered.

“I’ll take care of you for now, Crimson. Come with me.”

Crimson and Sable travelled acrossed the swamp for a few moons after that, sharing their kills and hunting together. Every day they searched for Crimson parents. They sent messages and asked other Kapros if they’d seen them—The rest of Crimsons family had moved on since the attack. They never found any sign of Crimsons parents. Sable was all Crimson had after that. She grew to love the older carnivore. They became family.

One night, after they’d finished eating, Sable had sighed. “Crimson,” she called.

“Yes?” Crimson asked, swallowing her fish.

“I…” she hesitated. “I don’t think we’re finding your parents.”

***

Crimson screamed. She screamed her anger out, throwing her head to the ceiling. She screamed at the world.

“Crimson!” Forest exclaimed, startled. “What’s wrong? Listen, please if you would just tell us—“

“NO!” Crimson screamed. “I’ll never tell you! You’d never understand! Especially YOU,” she spat, glaring at Forest. “YOU STUPID ROCK DRAKE. All your kind understands is hiding under a rock your whole lives!”

She whirled away, leaving Forest standing there, looking wounded. But she didn’t care.

Spark tried to nudge her reassuringly with her tail. “Don’t touch me” she snapped, stomping away. Spark flinched back.

Sable was right. Leaving the swamp would never help me. Finding “friends” wouldn’t help me. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!

I can’t get rid of this grief.

It’ll never go away. My parents will always be dead. There’s nothing I can do about it.

She didn’t dare cry.

***

Forest watched Crimson march away, feeling stupid. He hung his head low with a sigh.

“Wow,” Nyx said faintly. “Did I start that?”

“No,” Spark said. Her eyes gleamed with understanding.

“Something else did.”

Whew! We’re finally here! I like writing this and all, but these last chapters have been hard since I haven’t had much time on my hands the past week. Also a little boring. But still super important to the story—it gets much more interesting now!

-Chapter 33-

As the four carnivores walked through the deep forest of Runheimr, every stick and stone seemed filled with life. Ever step, every tail flick, and bushes rustled, trees shook, and lumpy shadows scurried out of sight as multiple creatures watched them curiously.

We’re being follower, Forest thought.

Crimson groaned, throwing her head back. She whirled around to glare at a young Microraptor who had been watching her for the past few minutes. “DO YOU NOT HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO??” She demanded, making him jump.

“This is their territory,” Spark said as the Microraptor flung himself higher up into the trees to hide. “they’re all wondering why we’re here, and what we want.”

Scowling, Crimson lifted her head to all the shadows around them. “We have BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO, LIKE EVERY SINGLE CARNIVORE,” She roared. “Hm? Now go AWAY!”

Rust rubbed his temples. “Jeeze, Crimson,” he muttered.

Several creatures leaped through the trees and bushes, leaving, but a few of them stayed, finding better hiding spots and keeping their distance from Crimson.

“Every creature in the forest is gonna know we’re here,” Forest murmured, slowing his pace to glance around at the hidden figures. “Even the Terror birds.”

“Let’s hope not,” Spark said with a worried look. “I don’t think they’d like a bunch of carnivores sucking up all the attention when they’re around. Maybe we should find a more secluded spot.”

“It is getting dark,” Rust observed.

“Where are we gonna sleep?” Crimson asked.

“Maybe we could find a cave?” Forest suggested. He turned to the hidden shadows behind them. “Anyone know where we could get some sleep?”

No answer. A few shaking bushes and claws scrabbling on rock, but nobody spoke.

“Hmph,” Crimson grunted. “Guess we’ll have to find one ourselves.”

Forest lifted the sack from his shoulder and opened it to pull out Needles map. He sat down and unrolled it on the Forest floor, hoping for clues. “Hmmm. I don’t see anything.”

“Maybe there are no caves in Runheimr,” Spark supplied.

“I don’t know,” Forest said slowly.

Suddenly, inside the bag, a bright light ebbed through the opening. He squinted and reached inside.

It was the rune. It was glowing brighter than before. “What the…?” He held it out to see.

“Woah,” Spark said, the green light reflected in her eyes.

“Why is it doing that?” Rust asked.

Forest opened his mouth, but before he could say, “I have no idea,” one of the bushes shook from his left.

And as he turned his head, a small, pale creature leapt from its branches, slipped under Forests talons, and snatched the rune from his claws.

-Chapter 29-

The sun was halfway in the sky. Litters of small fluffy clouds floated high up, and Forest wondered what they were made of.

Needles lifted a small sack from his shoulder—one Forest had not realized was there—and began to dig through it with his claws. “Everyone,” he called, getting their attention, “come here, come here.” He pulled out a small weathered scroll from the sack, and gently unrolled it on the grass below him.

Everyone leaned closer, trying to get a better look. It was map—the one Forest had only ever seen drawn with charcoal on the rock floor, when his parents tough him about the outside world.

“What is it?” Rust asked.

“This is Fjordur,” Needles explained. “We are here, right outside Runheimr. Forest must have come from here, where lost carnivores had claimed to see a Basilisk.” He tapped a part of the scroll where a few rocks were drawn, in between the Broken Meadows and the Bay. “Do you recognize it, Forest?”

Forest drew his head close. “Maybe?”

Needled chuckled. “Alright then.”

“I do!” Spark said. “Look, there’s few human ruins near it—that’s where me and my brother lived. Then I went that way”—she swished the top of her tail over the rock pile drawing—“ and found—ahem—saved Forest.”

“Then I was right,” Needles said. “That’s where I will be going next. To the Drake caves, to find Peeri.”

“What? Why?” Crimson asked.

“I want to meet Peeri in person,” Needles said with a sigh. “Hear the prophecy from her own mouth. Maybe get some clues.”

“But—“ Forest tried.

“I wish you could come along, too, friends. But we must go out separate ways. We are almost at Runheimr, and then you will no longer need me.”

Rust yelped and whirled around.

“What is it?” Spark asked him.

“A ground squirrel or something just trodded over my tail!” Rust snarled. “I’ll go teach him a lesson.” He stomped off to a nearby bush.

“I a m hungry,” Spark said. “If you get it, save some for me!”

“Got it!”

Needled turned back to the map. “Tomorrow, you will go here,” he pointed to a strange drawing of a building right by the Dark Forest. “The Terror Birds rarely go there. That’s where you will sneak in.”

“OK,” Spark mused, nodding.

“Rrrrraargh!” Rust was roaring, pounding into a briar bush. “You stupid, stinky, son of a Fenrir! Get OUT ALREADY SO I CAN KILL YOU!”

Forest laughed and turned to help him, but then Rust froze, making Forest pause.

Rust barely moved. He squinted, swished a few leaves aside, and reached into the bush with one talon.

“I found something,” Rust yelled.

“What is it?” The carnivores all turned to walk over.

“I—“ Rust looked up to them, his face a mask of confusion. “I don’t know.”

-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.