The Obelisk

-Chapter 74-

There was a splash as Forest tossed water over his face. The trickling of water from a large stalactite plopped into the small puddle. Forest lowered himself closer to take a quick drink.

Rust sat by him, preening his feathers roughly.

“You good?” Forest asked him. Rust had been rather quiet since they arrived.

“Perfect,” Rust mumbled, not looking up from his work.

“Ok,” Forest said.

“I don’t know, you don’t sound ‘perfect’, Rust.” Crimson said, walking into the cave. She threw several fish onto the floor. “Oh, and Nyx, guess you were right about the food. lots of fish here.”

“Crimson!” Nyx said, surprised. “How long have you been awake?”

Crimson blinked, right before tilting her head with a shrug and saying, “not long.” She nudged one of the fish. “Just go up early to do some hunting, that’s all. It’s not like any of you would have done it.” She made a wry smile a she said it, a very rare thing to see Crimson do.

“Hope you all slept good,” a voice echoed from outside of the cave. Moonbeam poked her head inside, glancing at each of the Five one by one. “Training’s soon.”

“When are we starting?” Spark asked.

“Not long from now,” Moonbeam said. “Eat, drink, get ready. And then meet me at the Central Cavern.”

She pulled her head back out of sight. A second later Rust whispered, “Does she not know I have no idea where that is?”

“She knows,” Moonbeam called, making Rust yelp. She peeked back into the cave. “She just wants you to try and find it yourselves. Try not to get lost.” And she disappeared once more.

“Gosh, I like her,” Rust said.

After they were all awake and ready, the Five went to the Central Cavern, the large cave where they had first met Orbit. Moonbeam was waiting for them, looking slightly bored. She faked a yawn as they arrived. “Finally,” She said. “Did you take a few more naps before you left?”

Nyx scoffed loudly and flicked her with her tail, and Moonbeam laughed. “I’m kidding,” she said. “You came rather quickly. Follow me, and we will begin the first part of your training.”

She led them to the largest den in the Cavern, a huge opening covered in hanging moss. Moonbeam ducked her head under and entered. The others followed.

Inside, skyholes filled with plants and hanging vines let rays of gold light in, glistening over several gemstones and relics throughout the den. A pale teal and gray Shadowmane entered from another room, looking tired.

“Cyan,” Moonbeam greeted the Shadowmane, inclining her head to the ground. “I have brought the Five here to train with you.”

“Oh, good,” sighed the elder. “This will be fun. Who would like to go first?”

“Wait, What are we doing?” Forest asked.

“All Shadowmane juveniles in the camp undergo this training with Cyan before they reach adulthood.” Moonbeam said. “it is a test.”

“You will go one at a time,” said Cyan in her creaking voice. “So lets do this quickly. Who will go first?”

“I will.” Forest said.

“the Rock Drake,” Exclaimed the elder. “Very surprising. Come close, young one.”

Forest cautiously padded over to her. “You are a brave soul,” she said to him.

“No, I’m a coward.” Forest said.

“We’ll see about that.” She whispered. “Now. What I am about to do will be very strange. But when I do, just remember, none of its real.”

Forest swallowed the lump in his throat, wondering if he’d really thought this through.

Then Cyan stepped forward, closing her eyes and touching her nose to Forests’.

Forcing down any panic he could find, Forest took a deep breath and closed his eyes.