The Obelisk

-Chapter 88-

“Hello?”

Nyx’s voice echoed through the dark ravine, repeating her call acrossed the dark stone walls and bouncing back at her. The stars and moon cast a bleary light on the overgrown plants around her, making the giant cliffs look eerie and ominous to enter. She knew the Shadowmane home was close, judging by the very faint scent of water and other carnivores.

She had been away from the camp two days now. ‘Three, if I stay out here any longer. They’re probably so worried.’

     She took another step sideways, wondering if she should investigate the ravine. It looked dangerous enough, and she knew she should probably—

There was a sudden, booming sound like rocks cracking from the ravine, and Nyx gasped and backed away. Her gasp echoed back to her, and a hiss came from the darkness.

‘Oh no oh no oh no…’ She crouched low, her belly touching the grass. Through the waves of panic, she called, “Peeri?”

Two yellow eyes appeared a few tail-lengths inside the ravine. “Hello there,” a female voice said.

“Hello,” Nyx called back faintly.

Footsteps. Blinking sharp eyes, the creature came closer, moonlight spilling onto its scales. Nyx spotted blue and black spikes trailing down the creatures long body, along with a strange frill and a dark, angular snout.

“What are you?” Nyx asked.

“What do you know about Peeri?” The creature asked with a curious tilt of its head.

“Not much, if I’m honest.” Nyx said. “Just that she made the prophecy everyone’s heard about. About— the five.”

“What is troubling you?” It asked, obviously catching the lilt in Nyx’s voice.

“Something stupid,” Nyx said. “I thought I was one of them.”

There was a sharp hiss, almost unhearable, followed by the thing asking, “What is your name?”

“Nyx.”

“Why, Nyx,” It said, lifting its long, tall body, smiling sharp white teeth. “You are one of them.”

“What?” Nyx exclaimed.

“I know Peeri,” said the creature. “She talks about you all the time!”

“Really?” Nyx couldn’t help feeling excited, despite all of her doubts about being part of the prophecy. “You really know her?”

“Yes!” she said. “In fact, that is why I’m here. I’ve been looking for you. Peeri wants to meet you.”

Nyx’s eyes lit up. “That’s incredible!”

“She’s waiting for you past the forest, deep in a giant cave. She’ll be expecting you all.”

“All of us?” Nyx asked. “Well, I’ll have to go tell—”

“Oh no, don’t worry,” The thing said. “That’s handled. They’re already on they’re way. If you get going now, it’ll take about a day to get there. I hope you find it.”

“I will!” Nyx turned to leave, then looked back at the creature. “You never told me your name.”

The spiked creature smiled once more. “I’m Ri— Ripple. It was nice to meet you, Nyx.”

“You too!” And Nyx was running, joy ripping through her.