Zeldritzon [Cycle 22] - Afternoon

  Current Location:

  [Lylore Zone]

  [Crystal Shelter]

  [UvoSath Forest of the UvoSath Realm]

  Viz flapped his wings anxiously while perched among the camouflage of the treetop foliage, scanning the area below. He twisted his head, trying to get a better view of the path the group was taking through the forest. A shiver ran down his spine as the memory of the Grimgem seizing the tiny Mezmeic while everyone had been distracted haunted him… and now, witnessing the takedown of the Dorvus had left him a trembling mess.

  "O-oh, man! W-what should I do?" Viz whispered in a frantic mutter, trying not to rustle the branches. "Do I intervene? Gosh, jeez, Viz. S-stop being a chicken. You're a bat. A N-Nexperbax! Act like one. B-be tough. You can do it…!"

  He dared another glance from his precarious perch. Below, a team of kolkobalts was hauling the Dorvus between them, the creature's body limp but breathing—thank the stars. Viz's keen ears strained to catch the faint rise and fall of its chest. Relief fluttered in his heart...but it was short-lived. The kolkobalts, especially with the Grimgem leading them, meant serious trouble. What if they spotted him? What if—

  His gaze flicked uneasily to the Grimgem. The tall, curly-furred gremlin stood with a smugness that rivaled Nex's on his worst days, still clutching the terrified Mezmeic roughly in his gnarled hands. The poor little creature wept, struggling against the iron grip.

  Eek! Viz's instincts screamed to dive down and help, but rushing in now would guaranteed being carved. Worse, he could put the Dorvus and Mezmeic in even greater danger if he messed up.

  —Shut up, Viz! J-just see where they go!

  The smartest thing he could do was warn KiAera. She would know what to do. Her lovely—uh, brilliant mind always found a way to beat the odds.

  With a frantic series of wingbeats, Viz launched himself into the air. He soared over the treetops, fighting the tremble in his wings and the overwhelming urge to look back. The bitter sight of the Dorvus, shackled and helpless, gnawed at his heart, but he forced himself forward.

  "Focus, Viz! You've got this," he muttered under his breath, weaving through the foliage, wings slicing through the humid air. He replayed the scene over and over, burning every detail into his mind: the Grimgem, the kolkobalts, the Mezmeic. KiAera needed to know everything, and fast.

  At last, the Crystal Shelter came into view, its crystalline towers catching the last golden rays of the setting sun. Viz landed softly, scanning the courtyard frantically. There—KiAera, sleek-furred and radiant, was busy organizing a group of shelter inhabitants preparing for the evening's festivities.

  She spotted his fluttering descent instantly, her blue-violet eyes furrowing with concern.

  "Hey, Viz! What's wrong?" she called, striding toward him. Around her, the others fell silent, sensing the tension radiating from his trembling form.

  "K-KiAera! It's bad!" Viz blurted, wings flailing. "The Dorvus… the Grimgem is after it! There are kolkobalts too! They—they've got the Mezmeic!"

  "What?" KiAera gasped as her composure cracked. She whirled, scanning the distant glades as if she could already see the danger closing in. "We have to move! We can't let them take the Dorvus or Willow!"

  "Yeah, but they're strong! That Grimgem... he said his power was over [30,000]! And the kolkobalts—they're moving fast!"

  KiAera's expression hardened. Without missing a beat, she turned to the gathering crowd. "Gather everyone! We mount a rescue, now! No one gets left behind!"

  The atmosphere around the Crystal Shelter shifted immediately. Creatures of every size and shape, from tiny osseods to the massive skyrawsoarian wyverns, sprang into motion, answering her call without hesitation.

  "Woah, bro. What's going on?" Rox asked, landing beside Viz with a thud.

  Nex was already there, grinning broadly. "Seriously, dude, look at the chaos you started!" He flashed a cocky smile. "Haha! Finally, something exciting! I was getting bored."

  "Y-yeah," Viz mumbled, uncertain. Battle always thrilled his siblings, but for him, it felt more like... impending doom.

  As he tried to steady his nerves, he caught a soft crinkling noise. Looking down, he saw one of the remaining Mezmeics tugging at his wing, tears brimming in its wide eyes.

  "Viz-bat...where did she go? M-my sister? Did you see her?"

  Viz's heart twisted painfully. He knelt, placing a gentle hand on the trembling Mezmeic's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, little guy. I didn't see where they took her."

  The Mezmeic choked on a sob and buried its face into its nubs. Viz fought back his own surge of helplessness. If only I'd been braver...

  "We'll get her back, little one," KiAera's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. She knelt beside the Mezmeic, scooping the small creature into her arms. "I promise you, we won't stop until she's safe again."

  The Mezmeic sniffled and leaned into her, finding comfort in her arms. Viz watched, swallowing down a lump of guilt that refused to budge.

  "Don't worry," KiAera said, turning to Viz and the others, her eyes burning with determination. "We're saving the Dorvus and your sister. Viz, Rox, Nex—you three have the best stealth and scouting abilities here. Track the Grimgem's party. Find them. Report back the moment you can."

  "Sure thing, Ki!" Rox said, flashing a thumbs-up.

  Viz and Nex nodded firmly, and KiAera gave them a quick, fierce smile. "Alright, then—move out!"

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  They were just about to leap into action when Mina, the Minokaurbo, casually sauntered into their path, arms crossed, an amused smirk tugging at her lips.

  "Whoa there, speed demons," she drawled. "Let's not rush into a game of 'Who Can Get Eaten First.' If that yellow-streaked Nexperbax is even half right, we're about to tangle with Berylgem the [Rare]. And trust me, he's not your average Grimgem. He's nasty, even by their standards."

  Her gaze shifted past them briefly, worry flickering through her sharp eyes as she caught sight of Tailza and Scarbol readying themselves.

  Oh, and another heads-up—you've got Tilz to worry about too. He's one of the smarter kolkobalts. I worked with both of them before. And I can personally vouch they're not riding Jalkra's coattails for fun. Underestimate them, and you will regret it."

  She dropped her arms and jabbed a thumb at her chest. "That's why I'm coming too. You're about to cross into DreaGoth, my old homeland. And once we hit their turf? All bets are off. You'll need someone who knows the ground."

  Nex eyed her suspiciously. "How do we know this isn't some kind of trap?"

  Rox nudged him hard with her elbow. "C'mon, bro! Give the minokaurbo a break. She's risking herself to help."

  KiAera nodded firmly. "We don't have the luxury of doubt. Time's running out." She turned to Mina, extending a hand without hesitation. "We're glad to have you."

  Mina grinned, shaking it with a firm grasp. "Wouldn't miss the party."

  Without wasting another second, the group moved out. Viz, Rox, and Nex flew ahead, slipping through the trees like shadows. KiAera and Mina mounted Kyrawl’s broad back, soaring behind, while Scarbol rode atop Amber, doing his best to keep pace.

  "You may need me for this operation as well!" Scarbol called, his voice earnest as he jostled along.

  KiAera sighed and called back. "Alright. But don't fall behind!"

  Kyrawl swept forward, carrying the group at full speed.

  As Viz flew, the pit of dread in his stomach only grew heavier. Berylgem. Jalkra. Tilz. All in one place.

  What kind of hell awaited them in DreaGoth?

  And more importantly…

  Would they even arrive in time to save the Dorvus—and the Mezmeic? The wind carried no answers. Only the scent of danger was ahead.

  ??? [Scarbol]

  Remaining at the back, Scarbol's thoughts churned. He hadn't said it aloud, couldn't say it aloud, but he'd been worried about Tailza from the start. He was supposed to be past attachments. A leader. A warrior hardened by the ages.

  But some things, no matter how long you lived, you just couldn't shake.

  He reasoned that by volunteering for the mission, he could keep an eye on the situation and ensure the team's safety. But most importantly, he had a bone to pick with Tilz—Tailza's father—and that scar-eyed backstabber who was working alongside him. He clenched his teeth as his mind drifted again to Tilz. That cursed traitor. The so-called "Father of Tailza," though he'd thrown away any right to that title long ago.

  Scarbol's tail lashed behind him as he remembered the night Tilz deserted them for power, the night he had sold out his own kind to the Minokaurbos. Scarbol had escaped the shackles of Jalkra's tyranny, had carved his freedom with blood and claw—but Tilz? Tilz had chosen to grovel.

  And now, it seemed, Tilz had bred more treachery under him.

  The Red Fang Clan... Scarbol's jaw tightened. He'd caught a whiff of their stink on the wind—those Red Fangs were in on this attack, just like the reports said. Their leader, a kolkobalt with a scar over his eye, was somewhere ahead. The deputy... the backstabber... Scarbol could still see the smug grin from their last encounter, the time the bastard helped capture three of Scarbol's kin and delivered them to the Minokaurbos like prizes.

  He flexed his clawed fingers, the bones popping. If I get my hands on you, I'll show you what loyalty really means.

  Ahead, the party pressed on, unaware of the darker storm brewing inside him.

  Scarbol exhaled slowly, steadying himself. This wasn't just about vengeance. It was about protecting Tailza. About proving that no matter how much betrayal tried to claw its way back into his life, he would not let it take her too.

  He urged Amber to fly faster, keeping close to the group but letting his brooding simmer quietly in the back. There was a reckoning coming. He could feel it in his bones. And this time, he was ready.

  ??? [Tailza]

  Tailza sat quietly near the edge of the Crystal Shelter, her clawed hands twisting the hem of her tunic in slow, anxious motions.

  The festivities had long since faded into distant noise. The shelter, once bustling with excitement and laughter, now felt hollow, echoing with the absence of those who had rushed off into the forest. They had left so quickly. Even Scarbol.

  Especially Scarbol.

  Tailza hugged her knees closer to her chest, resting her chin atop them. She had seen the way Scarbol had volunteered, so suddenly, so decisively, to join the mission. But she didn't understand why. He had been her mentor, her guide through the trials after her old home fell. He never just left without saying something. Without at least giving her a look of reassurance.

  But this time, he'd said nothing. Maybe she had disappointed him somehow.

  Her ears drooped at the thought. Scarbol had always been so stern, so unflinching, but she could feel the edges of warmth beneath all his barked orders and gruff lessons. Even if she never had the courage to say it, he had become something of a... protector to her. A quiet pillar she could always rely on. And now that pillar was gone.

  Tailza sniffled softly, glancing toward the dark line of trees where they had disappeared.

  She hated this feeling. This smallness. Like she was a helpless hatchling again, waiting for someone stronger to decide her fate.

  She pressed her forehead to her knees, the distant sounds of the Crystal Shelter a faint blur around her.

  Why didn't he tell me?

  Was she not worth worrying about? Was she... a burden?

  Tailza's tail curled around her body as she squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the useless sting of tears. She didn't know much about the Red Fang Clan. She didn't know about her father's betrayal. She didn't know the true reason Scarbol had gone.

  All she knew was that the ones she cared about were flying toward danger, and she was left behind, too weak, too timid to follow.

  Please... be safe, she thought, the words too fragile to voice aloud. But they were swiftly drowned under the steps pressing down the floor.

  Tailza flinched at every creak of the crystal floorboards, until she felt a gentle nudge at her shoulder. She looked up to see Ollie standing just a wing's span away. His amber eyes were soft, but determined.

  "Hey," Ollie murmured, keeping his voice low. "You're not alone, okay?"

  Before Tailza could reply, Loop bounded forward in a swirl of excitement, his striped tail looping through the air. "Scarbol would've wanted us to watch your back," he chirped, flashing a reassuring grin. "So we're doing it. Right, Julgi?"

  Julgi slipped in beside them, her healing satchel clinking softly. She placed a warm hand on Tailza's other shoulder. "I'll keep you safe," she whispered, the glow of her mana already tinging her fingertips.

  From the shadows Ryla emerged, her lavender scales shimmering like dusk. She offered Tailza a delicate flower, one of the crystal blooms from the glade outside. "For courage."

  Zolrak swaggered in next, draping an arm around Tailza's shoulders in a rough but affectionate hug. "Don't let those Grimgem stories scare you," he rumbled. "We'll show them what kobolds can do."

  Behind him, Gulli and Ilak arrived together. Gulli with a tray of steaming herbal tea, Ilak with an ancient map spread in his clawed hands. "Drink this," Gulli insisted, pressing the mug into Tailza's trembling fingers. "It'll calm your nerves."

  "And I've charted the safest route back," Ilak added, tracing a path from the Shelter to the forest's edge.

  Cello crept forward next, clutching a leather-bound journal. She flipped it open to a blank page. "Here," she said softly, offering a quill. "Write down anything you need to remember or just draw how you feel."

  Fewel hovered tentatively at the edge of the group, peering at Tailza with wide, empathetic eyes. "I… I'm here, too, if you need a friend," the small kobold squeaked, stepping into the circle.

  Finally, Hull stood behind them all, silent as a statue. His steady presence was its own comfort; no words were needed.

  Tailza's heart tightened as warmth seeped in around her. She swallowed hard, blinking away the last of her tears.

  "Thank you," she whispered.

  Her thoughts trickled to herself and Mina, before eventually thinking about what her mother would have done. But the terrifying reality traced her mind. If her friends encountered him, would her father soon perish just like her? She stayed there, silent and small, as the last light of the day faded from the crystalline walls.

  Next chapter begins Thursday.