The Obelisk

-Chapter 96-

Tears ran down Orbits snout. He stood rigid where he was, staring down at Moonbeams unmoving body. “No,” he whispered. “No, no, please no!” He shook her lightly, sobbing more and more. “Moonbeam!”

“She’s gone,” Crimson said firmly from behind him, her eyes soft.

Orbit snarled to the sky and dropped his head into Moonbeam’s scales.

Darkness stretched around them. Sounds came from behind the carnivores, and Forest blinked, denial and grief reflected in his blue-grey eyes.

Spark turned her head towards the noises as bushes rustled and talons padded from the darkness around them. “We have to go, now,” she said.

Nyx leaned against Orbit, her eyes slammed shut.

Eyes gleamed from the rocks and trees. Ravagers watched, from far off, snarling quietly.

“Spark’s right, let’s go,” Rust said urgently. He nudged Nyx with his tail, and she lifted her head, shrinking at the sounds of the Ravagers.

Orbit didn’t move. He stayed there, gritting his teeth and crying quietly into Moonbeams neck. “Orbit—” Spark began—

“No,” Orbit said shakily. “I’m not leaving her.”

“Orbit, please,” Nyx whispered. “We have to get out of here.”

“No!” He repeated. His voice shook. “I’m staying right here. I can’t leave her. I won’t leave her!”

Crimson looked behind her and then back to the others. “Come on,” she said gently, nudging Forest to follow. A large cave loomed overhead, right near where Moonbeam lay. The Kapro headed towards it, gesturing for the others briskly.

Rust followed, then Spark. Forest gazed silently at Orbit, his face full of emotions he’d never felt in his life. Then he turned and went, glancing back at Orbit sadly.

Nyx reached a talon towards Orbit, but stopped as Crimson called her. She blinked wide eyes at Orbit and quickly ran off to join them. They disappeared into the cave, and just as they did, the ravine grew quiet. Orbit nuzzled Moonbeam, his heart beating and his head fuzzy.

Hisses came from the terrain behind him. Moonbeams blood soaked into the ground Orbit dug his claws into. Slowly, he turned his head to look back at the eyes watching.

His heart pumped faster as he stared back at the creatures that murdered Moonbeam. His spines stood up slowly on his back and his pupils narrowed.

Then Orbit roared, a desperate, grieving roar filled with hatred and fear and fury. The Ravagers snarled back and he turned, leaping with his jaws wide and his claws outstretched. A swarm of black and brown bodies came into view and he screamed his anger, landing into the mass as his scales began to glow.

A burst of light erupted from Orbit, blasting in all directions. He landed squarely on a Ravager and sunk his teeth into their scales, her eyes glowing violet and his ruff flared.

More Ravagers came. They jumped and clawed at him and he roared, swiping his paw in a massive arc and sending blood flying. He whirled, ducking his head and standing still as they climbed on top of him. Then he reopened his eyes and another explosion of light came from him. The Ravagers were thrown back as he roared loudly, tears filling his eyes.

“ORBIT!” The voice came from Nyx, who had run out of the cave and stood at the edge of the entrance, watching in terror.

Behind her the others came as well, stopping at her side.

Orbit smiled at them as rocks began to tumble down from the sides of the ravine. “Go save Fjordur,” he called.

Nyx yelled out as the entrance to their cave began to collapse. They gasped and stepped back quickly. “Come on!” Crimson cried.

Orbit watched them diving further into the cave as it collapse inwards.

A Ravager jumped and clawed at his side, and he winced as another came and bit into his neck. A boulder fell from above where he stood. He looked up at it as the Ravagers piled onto him, and he closed his eyes.

‘I’m coming, Moonbeam.’