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The ocean stood before him, once again he smelt the salt breeze that thickened in his nostrils as he took a deep breath and clapped his cheeks. The leaves rustled against his body as he walked forth with bangles of pebble and fishbone jangling off his limbs and a leather-skin satchel at his waist.

[i]"Ready to go?"[/i] cried a voice from the sea.

[i]"YAHUH!"[/i] He patted the sword at his thigh. [i]"Where we going?!"[/i]

[i]"This great island I found waaaaay out there, but it's not too far so don't worry you'll get back before it's night."[/i]

[i]"Okay."[/i] He waded through the water and patted her scales. [i]"Mother and father are hunting and I told Stonevoice I would be safe."[/i]

[i]"Alright well let's go, hop on!"[/i]

The icthyosaur dipped her body slightly to let Seaclaw on her back, the boy grabbing her sharp blue fin as the young velociraptor rode the acamptonectes towards the southeast, her body skimming through the sea like a pebble as Seaclaw bowed his head and braced against the winds. The waters streaked past their body in cutting waves that Highwave pierced through with her snout, the boy on her back cackling with glee as he stretched out his arms on a calmer strait and embraced the glorious tropical winds, whilst the clouds dotted the endless blue above in tufts of white.

[i]"What you think clouds taste like?"[/i] Seaclaw asked.

[i]"Uhhh, like air?"[/i] she looked up.

[i]"I think they taste like, mmmm, you know when you get a liiittle bit of bone in your meat, like really small that it's like dirt?"[/i]

[i]"Ohhhh yeah I know what you mean, maybe they do! What you think they're made of?"[/i]

[i]"Stonevoice told me they're made of water, when it's not water yet!"[/i]

[i]"Okay how can water NOT be water?"[/i] she chittered clacking her beak. [i]"It's just water, that's all it is!"[/i]

[i]"Yeah but it comes from somewhere!"[/i] he patted her head. [i]"When there's like skyfire, where's the water come from then?!"[/i]

[i]"I just thought the wind sucked up the water and it just stayed in the sky."[/i]

[i]"YAH, that's what Stonevoice said!"[/i]

[i]"Hahaha, well yanno you learn a few things when you live your entire life in water."[/i]

[i]"Soooo..."[/i] he leaned over to her eye, [i]"how do you sleep, do you just go to the bottom of the sea?"[/i]

[i]"Nah I just keep swimming."[/i] She ducked beneath the surface then resurfaced soaking their bodies. [i]"It's sorta weird, like my body's still moving but my head's really sleeping."[/i]

[i]"BLUH!"[/i] Seaclaw shook the water off him. [i]"Th-that's weird yeah cuz when I sleep my body sleeps too!"[/i]

[i]"Well, some of my body sleeps, some of it doesn't, it's weird like I said."[/i]

Dipping through the waves before shooting up high to crest through them, Highwave soaked her body in the glorious salt as Seaclaw relished the thick waters in his face, eyes blurring below the depths as intrigue filled his heart for what tantalising things lurked beneath. Gathering her speed the acamptonectes dived deeper when the shallows disappeared as the boy clung on tight with claws tender around her fin, streaming bubbles behind in their wake as curtains of light rippled through the azure. Sometimes they saw a fish in passing, a fellow icthyosaur or a smaller derivative, whilst other times they encountered savage primal trout that Highwave speared with her snout and gouged through the eye to make them flee or catch them for food, sharing half with Seaclaw who at first refused.

[i]"Come on there's nothing else to eat out here."[/i]

[i]"I-is it okay?"[/i] he asked. [i]"Cuz, you're a fish and I don't wanna eat-"[/i]

[i]"Don't be stupid!"[/i] she barked back at him. [i]"There's all kinds of fish out there different from me, what you think this is my little brother?!"[/i]

[i]"Um...I-i'm sorry."[/i]

[i]"Just eat it."[/i]

She clacked her beak with a mocking ring as Seaclaw ate up the fish, tearing through its juicy oils and soft plated skin with a zestful tongue quickly savouring the nutritious blood. The raptor slipped his hand in the water and felt it trail behind his claws, giggling at the warm ripples he left as his tail patted the back of Highwave whilst she darted through the sea. Then she went even deeper under the waves and spiralled like a bullet making Seaclaw dizzy with glee, grasping her sides tighter as she swung up high in a V-shape and shot from the sea, launching herself 12 feet as the boy cried with joy feeling he was flying for a moment in time. The landing shook through his body as Highwave cackled with him, the sun peaking towards noon as they finally reached the island by its lonesome shore, a black twisting spire with a sandy ring around its base and a long central strip where large tufted clumps of green came jutting out its sides.

[i]"Theeeere it is,"[/i] she grinned up at him.

[i]"Wwwwoooooow,"[/i] Seaclaw's eyes twinkled, [i]"looks scary!"[/i]

[i]"I checked it already, it's all small fish here so you're fine, but I didn't look INSIDE the island, it's a bit of a tight fit for both of us so I was thinking you go over land and I go under water."[/i]

[i]"YAH YAH!"[/i] he clapped his hands bouncing on her back. [i]"Let's go let's go, issan adventure!"[/i]

Circling round the isle to find a suitable beach, Highwave scooted up close for Seaclaw to disembark as he made his way forth into the wilderness, a black shale steppe from the sands where a thick cluster of plants bunched up inside the stone valley Sometimes he found small clearings where mossy dirt soothed his feet, large overhanging leaves that sheltered from the sun between stones that jutted high above his head. Vines clumped in front of him as he took his sword to hack through them, carving a path towards the centre of the isle that lied in the shadow of the great spire. But it was not as direct as he thought when curving paths forced him around walls and at one point he found a junction of several paths that webbed through the forest of more than two-dozen trees that formed a spiral around the centre, the raptor sniffing out which way he came and heading opposite to keep his bearings. The salts of the sea made it difficult to track, clogging his nostrils as he watched small insects creeping around the bark and scuttling through the leaves, mostly dragonflies and centipedes that buzzed over his face and hissed at his passing, none of which he recognised as he raised his sword towards one centipede and pressed the cold tip beside its head. A red little thing that crept its feelers curiously over the sharp steel, touching its legs upon the surface and slowly shifting its body on top of it. Seaclaw smiled watching it run along the flat of his blade, trying to grip the surface before it went too far to one side and fell off as he swept his hand underneath and caught it safe in his palm.

[i]"OH, it's okay, are you okay?!"[/i]

The bug curled up briefly in surprise before skittering around his hand.

[i]"It's okay, I won't hurt you, I don't eat crawlers. Don't hurt me, alright?"[/i]

Sensing the boy's lack of aggression the centipede slowly crept around his fingers, reaching around to the back of his hand and crawling over his wrist to slink up his arm and over the bonefish bracelet, tasting the oils with intrigue as Seaclaw giggled from the ticklish little feet.

[i]"Okay, I have to go now, so you go back to your tree."[/i]

Sheathing his sword first, he put the crawler in his other hand with coaxing fingers before slipping it back on the tree, giving a small wave as its feelers almost waved in response. Trekking through the forest with dappled sun on his back, the raptor youth found his path as it trailed downwards to the island depths, echoing droplets of water from the hidden rocks as darkness filled his view. He kept his hands in front of him as the light faded behind him, before deciding to turn back and grab a sturdy branch to set alight with flint and tinder. Torch in hand he descended once more, touching the stones that felt damp and slippery underneath his claws whilst slinking through the gloom. He heard water from below him, lapping against the shore unseen as the sound of clicking reached his ears.

[i]"Highwave?! You there?!"[/i]

[i]"Yeah!"[/i] she called out. [i]"I can see you, you alright?!"[/i]

[i]"I'm okay, I got fire!"[/i]

[i]"Okay good!"[/i]

The dampening darkness withered his flame but he kept onwards with a steady pace, circling the drain at the centre of the island before he found the inner ocean and Highwave blinking up at him.

[i]"Hi hi."[/i]

[i]"Heehee, hi hi!"[/i] Seaclaw waved. [i]"This island's GREAT!"[/i]

[i]"Right?! What's it like up there?"[/i]

[i]"There's lots of trees and, a-and crawlers an' smallwings, I wanna see where the trees go!"[/i]

[i]"Hahaha, well yanno there's some caves round here to check out if you want."[/i]

[i]"YAH!"[/i]

Leaping onto her back once more, he kept his torch high to illuminate the depths as Highwave circled the wide inner lake for other passages within the rock, finding a tunnel that was just low enough for Highwave to submerge herself but keep Seaclaw above water with his flame licking the roof where dozens of minerals sparkled like stardust over their heads. Sharp echoing droplets scraped through his ears as he heard a muffled sound from Highwave beneath who kept clicking her way through the path, sensing sonars that bounced from the rocks as she slipped lower to have Seaclaw in water up to his waist. Soon they reached the end and found a wondrous little trove, a fraction of Eden that hid from the world as crabs scuttled in fright from the intruders approaching.

[i]"Woooooow!"[/i] Seaclaw whispered.

[i]"I...didn't think we'd find a place like this."[/i]

It was a small room with a tall roof, large enough just to contain Seaclaw and one of his siblings as he leapt ashore into the precious cove. A shallow pond filled with seaweed that brushed over his ankles, wading through with his knees parting as he was surrounded by small crystals that gleamed from inside the walls covered in vines. Highwave scooted in just enough to push her head into the room, staring with her beak agasp at the lights streaking over the water like stained glass become fluid, the light from his torch shining upon gems in a crisscross of gold and red and blue,

[i]"This...is wonderful,"[/i] murmured the fish.

[i]"How's a cave like this...even happen?"[/i] the raptor twirled all around him. [i]"S-so many...sh-shiny...shiny things."[/i]

[i]"Yeah, like...wow, it's so small but it's everything."[/i]

[i]"Yah."[/i] Seaclaw pushed his torch into a crevice and sat next to Highwave, [i]"thanks for taking me here."[/i]

[i]"Well yanno,"[/i] she rubbed her beak on his lap, [i]"s'not fun exploring on your own."[/i]

[i]"Yah but,"[/i] he stroked her head, [i]"I like being with you a lot, we go on lotsa adventures and, you always make sure I'm okay."[/i]

[i]"Because I trust you."[/i] She licked his belly and shuffled closer. [i]"You saved my life when we first met, you helped me get friends and family back from the starbeasts."[/i]

[i]"Cuz it...it's the right thing to do. I know we're hunters, and we eat but...we don't let others suffer, we don't...leave them hurting."[/i]

[i]"You believe that too?"[/i]

[i]"Yah, that's whut my mother and father taught me. Hunt to survive, not to hurt."[/i]

[i]"But that doesn't mean you HAVE to help others, you didn't have to do all that for me."[/i]

[i]"Why not?"[/i] He scritched his claws on her cheek. [i]"You're my friend. That's what friends do."[/i]

[i]"Hhhahahaha..."[/i] she licked at his fingers, [i]"you know, you always seem a lot younger than you should be."[/i]

[i]"I wuz born nine cycles before, I'm a BIG hunter!"[/i]

[i]"HAH! Okay, okay well, I was born twelve cycles before so-"[/i]

[i]"You think we should take one of these shinies?"[/i]

[i]"Mmmmm...I don't, know, do you think we should?"[/i]

They looked to the walls of twinkling stars as their faces became painted with rubies, sparkled with cobalt and shone with flaxen quartz. The two simply sat and watched the crabs skitter through the weeds, chewing up little foods in their claws with curious eyes on stalks peering up towards them as the light from the crystals danced over the waters that lapped round their bodies. The raptor smiled and laid his head against Highwave, hearing her heart beating in his ears as she nuzzled his leg with a soft breath as he almost fell asleep. They rested for an hour at least, savouring the tranquility of this miniscule paradise before they decided it was time to leave.

Taking his torch Seaclaw leapt onto her back as Highwave slipped through the tunnel and took him back to the inner shore, the raptor climbing up to the forest and dousing his torch once he reached the outside world before making his way back through the woods and to the outer beach where the icthyosaur waited. They travelled back over the sea, heading homewards to the great sandy shore of the main continent as they dove and spun and even swam alongside each other with Seaclaw trying to keep up next to Highwave during calmer straits, pumping his arms and kicking his feet to swim somewhat gracefully round the acamptonectes who chittered next to him. By the time they returned to Seaclaw's home it was two hours til sunset, the sky a dimmer blue than before as the child leapt off his friend and thumped through the sand.

[i]"Thanks again!"[/i] he squeaked.

[i]"No prob Seaclaw,"[/i] she clicked her beak, [i]"wanna meet up again maybe...six days from now?"[/i]

[i]"YAH, yah!"[/i] He rushed back in the water to hug her body. [i]"Yer a good friend Highwave."[/i]

[i]"Th-thanks,"[/i] she rubbed her body up to his, [i]"take care alright?"[/i]

[i]"You too, g'bye!"[/i]

Waving her off as she turned to swim back to the sea, the boy watched her blue fin fade to the depths and streak through the water like a blade azure as he walked up the shore and back to the jungle. His arms swung out and rolled windmills before swerving through the trees and sniffing out the scent of his uncle's outpost.

[i]"Uncle?"[/i] He whispered keeping his head low. [i]"Hiiii?"[/i]

[i]"Hello!"[/i]

[i]"OH!"[/i] He turned to a pile of mouldy leaves. [i]"Hi uncle Barkclaw!"[/i]

[i]"How are you?"[/i] the blob rustled.

[i]"Gooood, whatcha doing?"[/i]

[i]"Waiting for crawlers, they like the old leaves."[/i]

[i]"Okays, you know where Stonevoice is?"[/i]

[i]"He went that way,"[/i] the shape stretched out with a raptor's head poking northwards, [i]"he is playfighting with his longstone."[/i]

[i]"Thanks uncle!"[/i]

He waved him off as Barkclaw sunk back onto the pile, the young raptor soon hearing the sounds of a sword cutting the air in the midst of a clearing he knew by the scent. A song of steel rung through the glade as Seaclaw came upon the mantis testing his blade, carving through the trees without touching a single strip of bark as the youth waited for him to finish.

[i]"Hello Seaclaw,"[/i] he stopped mid-swing and turned to him, [i]"how was your journey?"[/i]

[i]"It was GREAT!"[/i] he kicked through the leaves. [i]"We found an island a-and it was deep with trees and I found crawlers I never seen before!"[/i]

[i]"Barkclaw would enjoy that,"[/i] the robot nodded, [i]"would you like to playfight with me?"[/i]

[i]"OKAY!"[/i]

Bringing out his sword the two stood apart from each other, tensing their legs to a braced position as the mantis stepped forth with a testing cut to Seaclaw's head. He blocked with a horizontal strike, scraping the badnik's sword off of his in a parry before he lunged forwards with a raking slash at Stonevoice's leg. Faking a limp in response to his [i]"wound", the badnik punched the boy lightly in his snout to make him back up before sweeping a cautious slice at the knees, the child leaping over the blade to counter the second strike that came from above as Stonevoice swung his sword up high to come down cleaving. Parrying once again Seaclaw kicked him in the chest, bashing the shoulder with his handle and trying to sweep the leg to kick the mantis down and brandish the tip of his sword at the badnik's face.

The bot quickly deflected, striking his sword across to force Seaclaw back as he sprang back up on his feet and lunged his blade at the raptor who dodged left and spun with a cleaving strike that just missed the robot as he ducked beneath the swing. Rushing forwards he scraped the edge of his blade over Seaclaw's chest, barely hitting the sternum as he tightened his fists and ignored the pain of his grazed flesh. An upwards strike forced Stonevoice to block as the youth immediately double-cut left and right to knock his guard aside and barge him with his shoulder. The badnik stood firm with tightening brace, knocking Seaclaw on the head with his handle to kick him back and make a daring thrust with his sword that the boy swerved to counter with his stab of restraint, stopping just short of the mantis' waist as he reacted with appropriate injury, staggering to the side and kneeling with weakness feigned.

[i]"Excellent."[/i] The mantis nodded to him. [i]"You are learning very swift for someone your age."[/i]

[i]"Heehee, thanks Stonevoice!"[/i] The boy bowed and sheathed his blade. [i]"What you want to do now?"[/i]

[i]"Now we rest,"[/i] he stood up sheathing his sword in turn, [i]"you have had a long journey, and fought a good battle."[/i]

[i]"YAH, yah I did! Is father back yet?"[/i]

[i]"No, he is still meeting with the other tribes, let us go to your mother."[/i]

[i]"Okays!"[/i]

Taking the robot's cold fingers in his claws, Seaclaw put his sword away in his favourite tree before they went back to the nest, his tail wagging as he frantically narrated in richer detail the mysterious amazing little island he uncovered.

"Right," Jane sat before the wooden stump, "welcome, and thank you all for coming. I know this seems rather unusual bu-"

[i]"I do not think this has ever happened before,"[/i] said the pterosaur.

[b]"Nevuh hurd uff all uth meetin' withou' a fight,"[/b] snorted the kaprosuchus.

[i]"So why am I here?!"[/i] the therizinosaurus scratched his long claws. [i]"I'm not an alpha or anything-"[/i]

[i]"Because you represent the Birthlands,"[/i] said Oddclaw, [i]"I would have asked Firetail but-"[/i]

[i]"I'm the clever one right?"[/i]

[i]"No, you are more cautious."[/i]

[i]"And here I thought it was alphas only,"[/i] a blood-feathered raptor stood next to him, [i]"I would have thought your alpha would come."[/i]

"Well first," Jane raised her hand, "I asked each tribe who would come as the best representative. So I'd like all of you to introduce yourselves first so we get to know each other a little better. We go clockwise so, I am Jane Addison of the T.E.A.R. base."

[i]"I am Sunblood, the alpha of the Bloodfeather tribe."[/i]

[i]"I am Stonesea, the prince of the Flyers and the Skylands."[/i]

[i]"I am Oddclaw, of the Swiftclaws."[/i]

"I am Mobenheim, of the Mohberrin Village."

[i]"I'm uhhh, Plainslash, not really an alpha but, from the Birthlands like Oddie said."[/i]

[b]"Uhm Fruuzentung, uff thuh Wuhteryawth."[/b]

"Right, good."

Jane took a deep breath as she stared across the motley crew, all sitting in a circle round an old deadened tree stump in the plains of the Land Before.

"I gathered you all here to discuss something important, something that concerns all of this land."

"Is it another anomaly?" the moblin tapped his thumb.

"Well, something like that."

[i]"You all really got a death wish with all these starbeasts,"[/i] Plainslash scratched the stump.

[i]"I know only what the scouts tell me,"[/i] Sunblood shook her head, [i]"but I recall Mobenheim's people at the Greatbeast's Spine."[/i]

"We were brought here by the humans' experiments," the quartermaster nodded, "unconditionally, but since then we have tried to minimise our impact upon your environment."

[i]"You are good hunters, you never take more than needed, we have respected your territory."[/i]

"Yur chief fought me," the croc-beast slapped her head on the table, "didn't win."

[i]"But did not lose,"[/i] Oddclaw raised his claw.

[b]"Yah cuthh you waded in an' thtopped it, uh wuthh winning!"[/b]

"Alright alright," Jane clapped for their attention, "let's just get this out. Some of you probably wonder why the humans are here in the first place, using our technology to create such incidents unintentionally. The time has come for me to tell you all, as representatives of the major tribes in this region, why we are here."

She took a deeper breath as their eyes stared upon her, feeling like a mouse in a serpent's den.

"My people come from the future. We live many thousands and millions of years after you and your families. We discovered a power, that allows us to go back in time, back to days, months and years before."

[i]"You what now?"[/i] Plainslash reeled back. [i]"How do you go BACK a day before, what you spin the moon back real fast to the east?!"[/i]

[i]"If they brought beasts from the stars,"[/i] the pterosaur bowed his beak, [i]"then who is to say they cannot do such?"[/i]

"For the sake of discussion let's say yes," Jane clenched her hands, "that is what we can do essentially, but only to ourselves so we can move through days and nights in a flash."

[i]"I think I understand,"[/i] said the blood-feathered queen, [i]"it is like your tribe was sleeping, but every morning you woke it was the morning before."[/i]

[i]"Yes, exactly! So, we came here to your time because something has gone horribly wrong in our time. Something that happens during this period, something that, if it were allowed to continue, would erase humanity from existing."[/i]

[b]"But..."[/b] Frozentongue squinted, [b]"yer heer now."[/b]

[i]"Think of this,"[/i] Oddclaw suggested, [i]"you are born here, but what if a thief came to kill your father, or grandfather, or even just simply steal you when you were an egg?"[/i]

[b]"Uh wouldn't be heer,"[/b] she nodded.

[i]"Exactly. The hairless are trying to stop a thief, or some beast that would stop them from being born."[/i]

"Thank you Oddclaw," the human bowed to him, "that is exactly right. It's not so much a thief but some fearsome beast, some thing that should not exist here."

[i]"What about him?"[/i] Plainslash pointed across the table. [i]"He's not supposed to be here."[/i]

"No, no it's not Mobenheim we know that-"

[i]"How do you know, don't you know what this thief looks like?"[/i]

"That's not-"

[i]"Let her explain,"[/i] Stonesea flapped his wing, [i]"we will end up in an argument if we keep interrupting."[/i]

[i]"Fine..."[/i] the therizinosaurus crossed his lengthly claws, [i]"but I still say watch for that guy-"[/i]

"My people are immensely grateful to the humans," said Mobenheim with hand to his chest, "I will not grace your accusation with insult but I will tell you now I have no desire to harm them as friends and allies to our living."

[i]"Ehhh...alright, sorry."[/i]

"As I was saying," Jane rolled her fingers in waiting, "we do not know whether it's a thief or some beast, but we fear that it could do immense damage not just to us, but to your entire livelihoods and the future of your people."

[i]"Can we not fight this thing?"[/i] Sunblood cocked her head. [i]"Surely if it is but a beast it can die."[/i]

"That's the problem...it might actually be a far greater beast than any you have all encountered. Something that could be as great as a mountain."

[b]"Bigguh then thuh Deep Hungur?"[/b] Frozentongue scoffed.

"Yes, bigger. And I don't want any of you to lose your families, so we've made a plan."

The human braced herself with a latent scent of anticipation that all of them sensed.

"Our plan, is that once our base has repaired its machine to travel back through time, we send this entire continent through time itself to a place of safety, far from the reach of any monster so you all can live your lives still at peace with your families. And once the danger has passed, we summon you all back to this time."

[i]"Through...what?"[/i] Oddclaw gasped.

[i]"Woah woah woah, you taking us with you?!"[/i] yelped Plainslash. [i]"What the shit why?!"[/i]

[i]"You mean,"[/i] Stonesea flapped, [i]"to send our home through many days and nights far beyond our own families' lives?!"[/i]

"I know it sounds drastic," Jane clasped her hands, "but if you all stay here

[b]"You dun think WE did it do yah?!"[/b] snapped the croc.

"NO, no, absolutely not-"

[b]"Then why yuu takin' uthh frum our home?!"[/b]

"I'm not taking anyone from any home, I am taking your home WITH all of you still on it, we're taking the ENTIRE continent and moving it to a different time."

"To when?" asked Mobenheim. "Surely this land still remains in the future, you aim to put us in the same place a million years thence?"

"Not exactly," she waved a finger, "things will change in the future, landmasses shift over the sea and pieces break off to join other places."

[i]"OH like the Firesea?"[/i] Plainslash raised his giant mitt. [i]"The longnecks told me that came from somewhere else."[/i]

"YES exactly like that, so our plan is to just move this entire land, safely, to another time away from the danger that will happen in this time. Then, once everything is settled, we move you all back, it won't change anything in your lifestyles, you'll have the same food, the same air, we found a good place-"

[b]"Whut abou' thuh thea?"[/b]

"Hmmm?" she turned to the crocodilian.

[b]"Thuh thea'll be different. Differen' fithh, differen' thmell, khun we even eat them?"[/b]

[i]"I have to agree with Frozentongue,"[/i] said the prince Stonesea, [i]"the beasts of the land will be unchanged, but you cannot take the sea with us."[/i]

"Oh...that, that is a good point," she rubbed her head.

[i]"Can't you just NOT eat fish?"[/i] Plainslash asked.

[b]"NUH!"[/b] Frozentongue slammed her head in the stump. [b]"Yuu khan't tell me ah khan't eat fithh!"[/b]

"No one is going to stop you eating fish!" Jane raised her hands. "Plainslash please, I do not want to make any sacrifices for anyone."

[i]"So how will we live?"[/i] the pterosaur stretched his wing. [i]"Do you know what fish live in the sea beyond this land?"[/i]

"I...do not, no."

[i]"Then I cannot agree to this. My tribe must be fed and we can only eat fish."[/i]

[b]"Mhun tuu!"[/b] Frozentongue barked. [b]"No fithh, no move."[/b]

"Alright, I understand," Jane tapped her fingers, "what about the rest of you, do you agree with the plan?"

[i]"If this will keep my tribe safe,"[/i] Sunblood purred, [i]"but I would like to see this coldfire for myself before I can decide."[/i]

"That is fine, we can arrange a visit, anyone else?"

"I entrust us to you," Mobenheim placed his hand on his heart, "if you promise us our way of life shall not be endangered."

[i]"I also trust the hairless,"[/i] Oddclaw smiled to his friend, [i]"if this is the only means by which to keep our home safe, then I will help."[/i]

[i]"Well if it's good enough for Oddie it's good enough for me,"[/i] Plainslash croaked, [i]"you guys haven't bothered us ever so I can trust you too."[/i]

"Alright, thank you," Jane stood up from the table, "I will invite Sunblood to our base so she can see our device, and I will also discover what fish you can eat in the new sea."

[i]"How do you plan to do that?"[/i] asked Stonesea.

"By returning to my time first, then once that's done I shall head to the new location we want to put you and find what fish are lurking in the sea as well as samples. Comparing it with the ones here, we can then determine if-"

[b]"Juthh tell uth if we khun eat it or nuht,"[/b] Frozentongue turned from the table with a creak of her jaws, [b]"if ithh good enuff, then we move."[/b]

[i]"Yes exactly,"[/i] Stonesea bowed with beak, [i]"until then, we cannot agree to this."[/i]

"Right, well, meeting adjourned, thank you all for coming."

The beasts soon departed their separate ways, Stonesea flapping off to the sky whilst Mobenheim took the journey west and Frozentongue waddled off north with Plainslash heading to the ship that was parked near the site. Jane felt a small nip at her elbow as she turned to see the raptor in feathers.

[i]"May I speak with you alone?"[/i] she asked.

"Of course Sunblood, what is it?"

Taking a small distance away from the group she was led by the yurgovuchia to the forest edge.

[i]"Something just occurred to me,"[/i] she started, [i]"what if you are the ones who have doomed your own tribe?"[/i]

"What do you mean?"

[i]"You are the ones who bring starbeasts here, where they should not be. What if you brought a beast, somewhere in this world so fearsome that even we cannot face it?"[/i]

"Well...um..." Jane pressed her fingers to her lips, "that is certainly a possibility."

[i]"If that is such, then you are trying to correct a mistake that you yourself created."[/i]

"...yes." She bowed her head with bitten lip. "That would...be the case."

[i]"Then I ask you this."[/i] The blood-feathered alpha stood to her fuller height above her. [i]"If this danger came for my tribe and yours, who would you save first?"[/i]

"I-i...what, sort of question i-"

[i]"I want your truth. I cannot trust you unless you speak truthfully, who would you save first?"[/i]

"Alright. I would save your people first."

The answer made Sunblood reel back with a gasp.

"I know that our coming here has caused problems, things that should not have been or should not be here. If I had to save only one tribe, I would save yours because you belong here, not us and if we lose our lives then so be it, we tried, we lost, that is our fault. But you should not have to suffer, none of you should pay the price that we made."

[i]"Is that truly what you think?"[/i]

"I've always liked animals...more than humans." She rubbed her wrist. "We deserve the consequences of our mistakes, but you should never have to pay for that. That wouldn't be fair."

[i]"...then I trust you."[/i] She rubbed her feathered neck against Jane's. [i]"I will support your hunt, and moving our land to a safer place."[/i]

"Wait, really?!"

[i]"You are an honest warmblood, I can tell from your eyes. Take me to your coldfire, and I shall give my full support."[/i]

"Right...thank you, Sunblood."

They walked into the small ship where Plainslash sat hunched amongst the seats, feeling especially cramped from his hulking size as his claws dragged over the floor with Oddclaw waiting beside the entrance as he bowed to the yurgovuchia.

[i]"Jane,"[/i] he asked before she went in, [i]"what of the stonebeasts, what do they say about this?"[/i]

"We discussed it with them already," she said patting him, "as part of our base we needed to have a consensus amongst all our workers, both human and machine. There were some worryworts but we managed to smooth it over and all agreed to this plan with the Ark."

[i]"That is good. I will tell Fishclaw all this, do you know when this will happen?"[/i]

"Possibly the next couple of years so, just be careful and keep yourself alert."

[i]"Alright, be safe Jane."[/i]

He hugged her tight as she did the same before heading on into the ship, squeezing herself between the therizinosaurus and the yurgovuchia struggling to sit in the seats as the Ducky took off whilst Oddclaw headed east. A day and a half's journey brought him back to the Hunters' Nest, greeted by his family at the plains.

[i]"FATHER!"[/i]

[i]"AH, children!"[/i]

Two large raptors barrelled into him with croaking barks, knocking him over playfully with thick tongues slurping his face. Then he felt a child's weight pounce on his belly.

[i]"OOOPH, h-hahaha goodness when did you all grow so much?!"[/i]

[i]"Uhhh we were like thith when you left?"[/i] Oddtooth nipped his face.

[i]"Mmmm I do not think so, your mother fed you something good."[/i]

[i]"I been eating stonefish!"[/i] Skyfang hopped beside him. [i]"Auntie Sand an' Leaf taught me how to CRACK them open!"[/i]

[i]"Well that is good!"[/i] He hugged both their necks before looking at Seaclaw. [i]"And what did you do while I was away?"[/i]

[i]"Mmmmm just,"[/i] he pursed his lips, [i]"just playin' with Highwave an' playfightin' with Stonevoice."[/i]

[i]"Very good."[/i] He pulled him in a hug before rolling him onto his back. [i]"Now time to eat!"[/i]

[i]"NOOO, DADDY-AAAAGH!"[/i]

Oddclaw bit into his neck with a growl as his son shrieked with cackling mirth, kicking his claws as his siblings grinned to each other and started to bite at his feet with playful snarls.

[i]"Oh how could you?"[/i] Moonclaw's voice came behind them. [i]"My smallest child even!"[/i]

[i]"Mmmmm but he's tasty!"[/i] Skyfang pulled at his ankle with soft gnashing teeth.

[i]"Alright alright, come on now."[/i]

They all pulled off of Seaclaw as he giggled breathless, pushing himself up as they walked back together through the nests.

[i]"How was the meeting?"[/i] his wife asked licking his face.

[i]"It went well,"[/i] he said smooching her face, [i]"we had a few problems so Jane is going to make sure those are dealt with."[/i]

[i]"Nothing too great I hope."[/i]

[i]"I cannot say, not until our alpha tells us."[/i]

[i]"Why can't you tell us father?"[/i] Seaclaw pulled at his arm.

[i]"Because it is something dangerous, and I do not want to frighten anyone until we know everything."[/i]

[i]"Will we be alright?"[/i] Oddtooth sniffed his face.

[i]"We will, I promise. I have to speak with the alpha, I will see you again at the nest."[/i]

[i]"Okay father!"[/i]

The children licked him all at once before heading with their mother back home. Taking a route to the southern part of the nests, he found Fishclaw sitting amongst his family, all fully-grown raptors curling up in the sun.

[i]"And this was a FEARSOME beast, its body was nothing but fire and it screeched with the most horrible sound!"[/i]

[i]"OOOOH!"[/i]

[i]"When it walked it led fire in its wake, trails behind it that made the water part before it into air."[/i]

[i]"H-how did you fight it?!"[/i]

[i]"Well, it turns out fire cannot breathe when crushed under stone, so with Starleaf I took a great stone up high!"[/i]

A pebble floated before them to suddenly thunk into the dirt like a bullet.

[i]"But even that was not enough to stop the beast, pushing itself through the stone and screaming at me with blind sorrow, and it lunged for me!"[/i]

[i]"AAAH!"[/i]

[i]"Wh-what happened next?!"[/i] his wife Shadetooth stammered. [i]"How did you survive?!"[/i]

[i]"I fought it with my sister, we trapped it in the swamp and she kicked a dead tree against it whilst I came down with another great stone, CRASH!"[/i]

He demonstrated with a twig and a pebble crushing together in midair.

[i]"And yet still it was not dead! And that was when we saw...it was nothing but deepest bone, not a trace of flesh upon it."[/i]

[i]"Hohhh, how horrifying!"[/i]

[i]"is that why they made you alpha?"[/i] asked one son. [i]"Because you fought a firebeast?!"[/i]

[i]"No,"[/i] Oddclaw came up to their nest, [i]"it is because he is kind, and clever and has a great strength that none of us have."[/i]

[i]"Well,"[/i] Fishclaw turned his head, [i]"look at you flattering me, you must want something."[/i]

[i]"He already has a mate,"[/i] Shadetooth snickered licking his face, [i]"you are a few cycles too late."[/i]

[i]"Hahahaha,"[/i] Oddclaw grinned bending down, [i]"I think I have the better mate out of us."[/i]

[i]"What is THAT supposed to mean?!"[/i]

[i]"He sounds jealous,"[/i] said one of the daughters snorting, [i]"and he should be!"[/i]

[i]"Hmhmhm, you are right dear, how can we help you Oddclaw?"[/i]

[i]"Well,"[/i] the anthro bowed, [i]"I need your mate for something important."[/i]

[i]"OH there it is!"[/i] Shadetooth cackled showing her dull-coloured teeth. [i]"Just like you said daughter of mine, he is jealous."[/i]

[i]"If you want our father,"[/i] said one of the sons, [i]"you should bring us some meat!"[/i]

[i]"I will make sure he does,"[/i] Fishclaw stood up from the nest stepping up to his brother, [i]"if anything because he interrupted my story, I shall return to tell you all."[/i]

[i]"Okay!"[/i]

The family chirped with a brief goodbye as the red-backed leader of the tribe headed to their private place of discussion, close to the old home where the previous alpha lived in the menhirs that leaned against each other, a small gathering of large smooth stones like the claws of a beast tightening towards the sky. Fishclaw gave a nudging bump to his smaller brother, standing a full 2 feet taller than him.

[i]"You are looking well,"[/i] he started.

[i]"So is your family,"[/i] Oddclaw grinned, [i]"you not so much."[/i]

[i]"OH, wait until I tell mother about this!"[/i]

[i]"Hmhahaha...alright, so the meeting."[/i]

They stopped in the darkest corner of the Hunters' Nest as Oddclaw gathered his words.

[i]"The hairless have told me their true reason for coming here."[/i]

[i]"Ohh?"[/i] Fishclaw narrowed his eyes.

[i]"Something will come to this land and harm it so great that it would prevent the hairless from ever being born."[/i]

[i]"Wh-...what? How can they not be born if they are here-"[/i]

[b][i]THE SUN[/i][/b]

[i]"Hmm?!"[/i]

[b][i]IF DAY DOES NOT COME NOR WILL THE MOON[/i][/b]

[i]"...ahhh,"[/i] the alpha chirred, [i]"thank you Starleaf I understand."[/i]

[i]"He knows what I mean?"[/i] Oddclaw asked.

[i]"Yes, so this beast, do they know what it is?"[/i]

[i]"No, only that it will come during these cycles, and it will be too great for any of us to fight."[/i]

[i]"I see. And what of us then, are there plans to keep us safe?"[/i]

[i]"The hairless wish to use their coldfire to take this entire land and send it to a safe place, many cycles after. Once the beast is gone or killed, they will then bring the land back, so our families will still live."[/i]

[b][i]A SEED TAKEN DESTROYS THE TREE[/i][/b]

[i]"Hmm,"[/i] Fishclaw closed his eyes, [i]"if I understand this, this would cause problems in the cycles beyond if we were not returned."[/i]

[i]"They told me this yes,"[/i] the brother nodded, [i]"that is why they will make sure we are returned."[/i]

[i]"But they cannot even return to their own home. How do they know they can help us?"[/i]

[i]"By only doing this when they do return. There is also the problem of a different sea we would end up in, Stonesea and Frozentongue would not agree unless they were assured they could eat the fish in the new sea."[/i]

[i]"I agree,"[/i] the leader huffed looking upwards, [i]"the sea in the south can be different from the sea in the north, I cannot imagine what fish lie in this other place."[/i]

[i]"All our nests and all our prey on the land will still be with us,"[/i] Oddclaw clasped his hands, [i]"the entire land will be safe."[/i]

[i]"I understand that but I must agree with Frozentongue and Stonesea. And not just because I do love my fish."[/i]

[i]"Hmhmhm...do not tell my son."[/i]

[i]"Noooo I know of his friend, I do not hunt at the southern sea anymore for the sake of him."[/i]

[i]"Really?"[/i] Oddclaw blinked with a smile. [i]"Thank you, brother."[/i]

[i]"Anything for my favourite nephew,"[/i] the raptor licked his face, [i]"he is so very like you when you were a child...but better."[/i]

[i]"What, better how?!"[/i]

[i]"Well he stopped crying sooner than you did."[/i]

[i]"I-i did not cry that much!"[/i]

[i]"You cried every cycle until you were old enough to breed!"[/i]

[i]"YOU...you...I am telling mother you said that!"[/i]

[i]"HAH, go ahead, she will agree with me!"[/i]

[i]"SHE WOULD NOT!"[/i]

He snarled with a mock disgrace as his brother laughed, purring shudders from the back of his throat as he nipped at Oddclaw's neck before his brother bumped his chest.

[i]"Ahhh well, is that all then?"[/i] Fishclaw asked.

[i]"Yes,"[/i] the anthro grinned, [i]"I will tell you if anything else should happen, so what should I tell Jane?"[/i]

[i]"That I agree with Frozentongue and Stonesea, that is what I believe."[/i]

[i]"Alright then."[/i]

With a smooching lick to his alpha's snout, Oddclaw headed back to his family nest as Fishclaw looked towards the stone plinth that towered.

[i]"He is gone now."[/i]

A shadow slinked from beneath the shade.

[i]"You heard all of that yes?"[/i]

[i]"I did,"[/i] said Eggfang stepping forth, [i]"what do you think?"[/i]

[i]"That as much as I trust the hairless, I do not trust their coldfire."[/i]

[b][i]FIRE HAS NO MASTER[/i][/b]

[i]"Agreed, Starleaf says one cannot control fire fully, any sort."[/i]

[i]"You say that,"[/i] Eggfang licked her large tooth, [i]"but Oddclaw and his son are very good with fire."[/i]

[i]"Mmmm that is true...I do miss the meat when he burns it."[/i]

[i]"Mother cannot tell you no."[/i]

[i]"No but as alpha I must be an example, I must eat the same food that all of us eat, and that means keeping the fire out of the Hunters' Nest. They are free to use fire outside of the nests, when on their hunts but not here."[/i]

[i]"Understood,"[/i] she bowed sitting against the rock, [i]"what is your plan then brother?"[/i]

[i]"I want you to speak to the other tribes,"[/i] said Fishclaw stepping beside, [i]"to form an alliance without the hairless knowing."[/i]

[i]"We should never tell Oddclaw this."[/i]

[i]"No, no one but us and the other alphas."[/i] He walked beneath the shade. [i]"If there is a threat to our land, it is our right to find other ways to defeat it."[/i]

[i]"I agree,"[/i] she sniffed the growing breeze, [i]"what should I tell them?"[/i]

[i]"That we are making another plan should anything happen to the hairless. This is NOT to say we do not trust them, we do, we are just being cautious, to keep ourselves alert and to keep this land safe."[/i]

[i]"That is good, shall I leave now?"[/i]

[i]"As soon as you can yes. I would not ask any other to do this-"[/i]

[i]"I know."[/i] Eggfang stood up with a stretch of her limbs. [i]"Everyone else has their family to tend to, and our sisters have done well in raising their children."[/i]

[i]"I really thought at least two of them would be dead by now,"[/i] Fishclaw shook his head, [i]"I am glad that I was wrong."[/i]

[i]"I would not tell them that,"[/i] she picked the dirt from her feet, [i]"they would gloat about it for the rest of your days."[/i]

[i]"Hmhmhah...so yes, the Bloodfeathers, the Waterjaws and the Flyers are those you should speak with."[/i]

[i]"What of the tribe near the Deep Mountain?"[/i]

[i]"They are very trusting of the hairless, they will be cared for by them. The Birthlands I know now how we can reach them, and having no one alpha amongst them makes it difficult."[/i]

[i]"The Flyers will know them best, I shall ask them on this."[/i]

[i]"Alright, good."[/i] He stood up and licked her cheek. [i]"Take care Eggfang. This land may become more treacherous the next cycle."[/i]

[i]"You should speak with Barkclaw more,"[/i] she nuzzled him, [i]"he can sense the danger in the wind."[/i]

[i]"That is true, I should...this is why you are the cleverest of our family."[/i]

[i]"Do not start that,"[/i] she huffed walking away, [i]"I am a hunter and I know what I must do, simple as that."[/i]

[i]"I would wish we all follow you as an alpha rather than me."[/i]

[i]"Really?"[/i] She twitched her crimson back and turned with dusted blue eyes. [i]"I did not expect to hear that from my alpha."[/i]

[i]"I have always trusted you more than anyone in our family. And that is why you trusted me with your secret."[/i]

[i]"I know. I will not fail you."[/i]

[i]"You never could."[/i]

Taking her leave due west, the long-toothed Eggfang made her journey through the plains to The Land Before, trekking towards the passage that laid between the great Jaws of the Earth and the searing peak of the Skylands. Her scent was almost invisible, to which no beast would detect even when she was but an inch against a triceratops foot without them even turning their head before she slinked through the rushes of long grass, and through the caverns of red before emerging out to near the forest of the Bloodfeathers.

[i]"Alright...let us start with my sister's cousins."[/i]

She trekked into the woods, her gleaming fang shining deep through the trees beneath the paling sun.

[u][i]Alistair's Diary[/i][/u]

[i]4th of Deireadh Lemhair, Year 29 AF[/i]

[i]Father's taught me many things about the bartering system, after our very successful trading in the western reach. I admit that my real reason for being under his wing is just to explore new places and to further perfect my mapmaking. Father's said that if things go well he might even start selling my maps if I can just chart enough of the island to get a bird's-eye view. I don't want to rely on other maps, I need to learn from my own eyes just as other cartographers did when they first ventured through the isle.[/i]

[i]I still wish my brother could take me with him to other realms though, even though I know his work is vital, I would love to join him and see what incredible beasts he's encountered. Maybe one day. This week he is leaving again for Oddclaw's world, another experiment that the humans are having. This time however he's been much more excited than usual, almost obsessed to the point he spends a lot of his days with us in his room scribbling away at things.[/i]

"Sell, bright!" his father said pulling the cart. "Paint so good, tribals love!"

"Thank you!" Alistair grinned pulling beside him. "I'm really glad you took me on your journeys."

"Boy think, stone." He tapped his head. "Hands, mud, make head strong, heart turn deep."

"Yes of course, that's why I wanted to come, get out of the village some and well, see what the world has to offer! At least before we all have to leave."

"Mmm. Water, wide, but tomorrow bright."

"Do you think this is the right thing?" His son heaved with a wilting grin. "To build the vessel and leave all this?"

"One path," Harold raised his finger, "no more, sky is free, sky is home, night not stop."

"What about James, didn't he have an idea, I know it was scary bu-"

"Not. Too much."

"Do you think MAYBE one day, not now but in the future he might actually defeat the Great Darkness?"

"Not." The father shook his head. "Nought stop night, too much, too wide."

"But, if no one's ever tried," Alistair shrugged, "how do you know if it can't be defeated?"

"...son."

He stopped the cart for a moment and stretched his limbs with a deep sigh before turning to his youngest.

"James...nerve I."

"He...wait, he frightens you?"

"He, good, strong look but...heart. Heart is...thin, head is soft, dance with dreams, you hear talk when he bed?"

"I...I-i have heard him talk in his sleep," Alistair plucked his hair, "he's done that a lot more than usual and everytime he wakes up he just frantically starts scribbling things like I've never seen him do."

"How his face eyes?"

"He...he looked...different." He rubbed his hands with a biting lip. "But I believe in him father, I know he can do great things, he is...he is a good brother, he wouldn't do anything to hurt us."

"Mmm." Harold put his hand on his son's shoulder. "He not wound you. Know that."

"Of course he wouldn't. I think he's just upset that no one believes in him, shouldn't we help him I mean we're his family!"

"Help also stop. To help, if heart thin in night, stop if he run beyond."

"R-really? No, no I don't think he ever would-"

"But if do...help, with stop, yes?"

"...alright." The youth nodded. "I understand."

"Good son." Harold patted his son's head. "I want best, with you."

"With me, and James yes?"

"James long age. Raised him poor, raise you better."

"What do you mean?" Ali squinted his head.

"I weren't...good. Failed with James. Won't fail with you. Can't fail with you."

He hugged his son, feeling a soft tear escape from his eye before clearing his throat and picking up the wagon's yoke with Alistair joining as they breached over the hill to see their village. In the coming of night they saw lights flickering from the windows, stars to guide them home beneath a deep dismal blanket of black clouds and a cold bitter wind. No one was outside, the last of the fisherlems taking their bounties home in swinging baskets as they bantered lurid stories of strange gorgeous visions they met on the sea or so they claimed. The father and son packed their cart within the stable, clapping their hands as Alistair walked in with a beaming grin.

"Hi hi mother!"

"Ohohhh who is THIS handsome trader?!" The lemming mother grabbed him in her arms and squeezed him tight. "And what are you selling my good sir?"

"Mmmmm well I do have a kiss for the best mother in the isles all for free!"

"OH well what a good bargain for me!" She offered her cheek for a peck. "Ooooh you're awfully cold sweetie!"

"Son's good," Harold scratched his beard, "Sell bright, sell fast."

"And I met other cartographers!" Alistair cried. "They gave me really good advice about my perspectives, take a look!"

He brought out from his satchel a small collection of scrolls he laid out on the table, showing a series of maps and detailed landscapes in various levels of shading.

"Oh my goodness they're incredible," the mother gasped, "gosh you've gotten so much better Alistair I really think you could sell these!"

"I also!" Harold chuckled patting his son's back. "Bright paint, strong, good offer!"

"Really, oh that is wonderful!" she rubbed at his shoulders with another smooch. "James is still in his room but dinner is almost ready."

"How is he?" the youth rolled up his scrolls and put them away. "I know he's been very excited about this week more than usual!"

"Ohhh yes," Winnie walked over to the kitchen, "even bought himself a new set of clothes, armoured even!"

"What?" Harold stiffened. "Armed?"

"Yes he had them specially-made," she stirred up the pot of stew, "venturing to other realms he said and well, he wanted to be safe to make sure I wouldn't worry."

"Oh." He unclenched. "Good."

"I'm glad to hear," said Ali setting their bowls on the table, "I was worried about him and all that happened last year-"

"Let's not speak of that," she cooed, "but I agree it sounds like James is trying new things and hopefully discover something safer."

"I did hear him say he was preparing for a great plan, something that would happen this year at whatever is going on in that other realm. I tried to ask master Durai about it but he just tells me the humans there are just trying to get home."

"Oh I do hope they manage this year, maybe that's what James is planning, perhaps he finally solved it!"

"Good," said Harold sitting at his seat, "think for family, think for home, think too deep of night, lose family."

"Yes dear," Winifred sighed, "I know he means well, but I agree that maybe he should focus more on what's best for him rather than what's best for us. But it is nice he wants to help others like this."

"Mmmm."

"Aaaand...there!" she took a sip from her spoon. "Ready and perfect, could you get your brother Alistair?"

"Yes mother!"

He went to his bedroom door and knocked quietly whilst his mother poured out soup into each of their bowls.

"James? Are you decent?"

"Mmm?" His voice came from inside. "Decent as I'll ever be."

"Dinner is ready, just letting you know!"

"I will be right out in a moment!"

A brief sigh went through his lips with a smile at his voice, sitting down with Winifred doing the same as they waited not more than twenty seconds before the door opened.

"There you are you little mole, I was half-expecting that you buried yourself in-...o-oh. Oh my talisman."

The moment that door opened, Winifred never saw her son again. It was his voice, but there in the door something else had replaced him. She no longer saw James, but instead saw a reflection of him, one as cold and ruthless as a steel blade. Where there had once been her soft doe-eyed bairn with tender curls of verdant hair and a long flowing blue robe of mystic joy, was a soldier braced for war that no one wanted.

Stern boots stepped out in front, hollow greaves with dull steel that the light died within as a faded brown kilt of thick cloth hung ragged from his armoured legs. His chest besmocked in a sturdy vest with thicker bronze underneath, the lemming's blue cloak wrapped round his shoulders to form a ragged cape flowing down his back, the brolly at his side now painted over its charming blue-and-yellow into a cold dismal silver. Even his skin was more pale, his eyes and hair become piercing sharp with venomous jade.

"Well?" he smiled spreading arms. "How do I look?"

"I-i-i...um-"

"Don't hold me in suspense," James twirled around for them, "am I winning the gala anytime soon?"

"W-woah," Alistair hiccuped, "w-wow you...you look, s-so different!"

"Different? Hmm, not quite what I was hoping," he fluttered his cloak and walked over to his seat, "oooh lentil soup, my favourite."

"What, that?" His father pointed at his look.

"Did mother not tell you?" James started to sip. "Preparing myself for the great mission I have."

"You look like...well, scary," his brother grimaced.

"I have to make an impression in dangerous realms, the old robes were not quite cutting it."

"But you looked so lovely in them," Winifred mewled, "you looked so gentle and...well, this is so different."

"I know this may come as a shock mother, but it is necessary...mmmm," he smacked his lips, "this soup is wonderful as always."

"Hmhm, thank you."

His compliment soothed her as they started to eat, nervous but keeping their heads down despite the constant looks to his grim fatigues. But then the silence came, a long sombre still despite the clinking of spoons and the slurp of their stew which was pure anguish to the mother.

"Soooo," she began, "your brother's doing well with his maps."

"How is that going?" James asked with a grin. "Selling any yet?"

"Mmm, yeah!" His younger licked the spoon. "Father and I went to the Beach tribes and they really loved my maps, said they wanted to see me do ocean currents!"

"Ohoh wow that's a challenge!"

"I-it would, yeah but, I mean normally I love doing mountains and the rivers and deep ridges but, maybe I should try the ocean if we're going to be on the vessel-"

"Oh you'll be fine, we're not going on the vessel."

"Well I mean I should-...wait, what?"

"We're not going on the vessel, remember?" James sipped his stew with a piercing grin. "I said to you before you had nothing to worry about."

"Son," his father cut through with a bark, "sky is free, sky become home, sky is safe."

"Oh really father are you going to give me that?"

"James, Harold please," Winifred put her hand between, "let's not spoil this, it's just a nice dinner."

"I agree, it matters not when I shall save the Lemming Isle and we shall have no need to move ever again."

"Wh-what?! No, that's not what I-"

"Are you serious?!" cried Ali.

"Of course I am." James nodded. "That's just fact by this point, fact I shall prove to you and the elder who will have no choice but to recant his words against me."

"James!" Winifred gasped.

"You, NOT!" Harold slammed his fist. "Elder of strong mind and strong heart, YOU an infant!"

"Can an infant do the things that I have done?" the son reached forwards with hands clenching the wood. "Considering your achievements pale to what I've mastered you should be careful who you call an infant."

"James, not more speak."

"Then speak [b]properly.[/b]" He stood up with a lurch. "You call me a child when you can hardly put a sentence together to save your life-"

"That is ENOUGH!" Winnie grabbed his wrist standing beside him. "H-how, that is a HORRIBLE thing to say you should be ashamed of yourself!"

"Like how father was ever ashamed for how he treated me?"

He turned as the look on her face became blanched with fear. His eyes turned to Alistair leaning back in his seat as James whispered in her ear:

"[i]Shall I tell him?[/i]"

"N-no, James, no no please-"

"[i]Father can't, even if he wanted to. Do you want me to tell my little brother what my first memory was?[/i]"

"NO!" She pushed back with shaking hands as James spread his hands.

"Wh-what's going on?" Alistair stood up at last. "James why are you being weird, wh-why are you saying things about father?!"

"Because I've seen everything," said his brother, "I'm going to the elder, after dinner, to tell him the error of his ways and that my plan to defeat the Great Darkness will come to fruition, whether he wishes it or not."

"James this is, this," Winifred clutched her chest, "this isn't like you, this...stop this."

She went for his hand but he made no motion to look at her.

"Stop this, whatever you are doing you're frightening me, you're frightening Alistair-"

"Don't use him as a shield, he can speak for himself."

"B-but you are!" The youth shouted. "James, j-just...just stop, I don't like this, I don't like you like this!"

"It's alright Alistair," he turned to him with a simple nod, "I know you know too little of things beyond this realm, but I assure you I will keep our island safe, I will honour the name I was given and I will save our people from another mistake."

"You, not leave."

The voice of Harold came with his hand pressed against the door in front of him.

"Home you live, home give you heat, bed, elder let you read magic, THIS how you owe him?!"

"I know well enough our history that if it were not for him there would be more of us alive today."

"INGRATE!" he slammed his fist. "Insult, worthless tongue!"

"Oh stop banging your fist, you're only upset because I dare to speak when you remain a coward."

"One. Threat." The father tightened his teeth. "Speak not, or-"

"Enough!" James swept his hand in disdain. "It seems I am not welcome in this house tonight, so I shall take my leave."

"Not."

"Father, please remove yourself from the door."

"Not!"

"Fine, fine."

The son stepped back and walked to his room, leaving the family confused for a moment before he walked back out with his satchel filled as Winifred tried to step in front of him.

"James, no-"

"I am sorry mother," he pushed her aside, "I cannot delay any further."

"W-WAIT, wait!" Alistair grabbed his wrist. "Do you...do you really think the vessel's a bad idea?"

"I think it's a coward's way, and our people should not be-"

"B-but, but-"

"Do you not believe I can best the Great Darkness?!" he scowled for a moment. "That I can become a saviour, someone you can look up to!"

"BUT I DO LOOK UP TO YOU!"

"Then why do you not believe me?! Why do you question my plan to destroy the darkness itself?!"

"BECAUSE YOU CAN'T!"

His eyes turned cold before ripping his arm away from his brother. His father nodded to his second-born as Alistair spoke with a tearful strength that stopped his brother dead in his tracks.

"I know you can do, a lot of things. You do a lot, you really try and I love all the things you do and tell me...but no one can defeat the Great Darkness. Nobody knows anything about it except it comes and it devours everything and I don't...I-i don't want to lose you."

"You...you do not believe in me."

"H-huh?!"

"He was right." James stepped back with a clench of his fists. "All of you...nothing but fear in your pathetic heads, just as he said/"

"J-james, James wait who said-"

"I must go." He turned towards the door where his father stood. "Stand aside father, I will only say this once."

"Back...in chair," Harold snarled.

"Do not make me force you aside, I am not the child you saw me as."

"Stop, NOW!"

"I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN!"

"HAROLD NO!"

The moment his father grabbed him James slammed his face against the back of the door and threw him against the table with a hard crunch. The mother and brother screamed keeping back as Harold grabbed his son's hair and yanked him hard to the floor with a thundering fist into his face before James shot a burst of fire from his hand, causing his father to recoil with burning pain as he clutched his face and pulled back onto his feet. In a burst of fury Harold grabbed his chair and swung it upon James, cracking the legs against his head as the son groaned with a splitting bruise in his hair before his father lunged and grabbed both of his arms to pin him hard.

"[i]HAROLD STOP IT![/i]"

"[i]JAMES DON'T![/i]"

Alistair and Winnie tried to grab them both, but the two males rolled fast to throw them back as James slammed his head into Harold's snout and grabbed a bowl that had fallen on the floor to crush it against his face. Bloodied welts formed under his beard as he roared clutching his cheek, thrusting his arm forwards to grab his son's throat and pin him against the wall.

"HHRRRKH! HHHHNNGH!"

"STOP! [i]NOW![/i]"

"Hhhheh. Hhheh. Hhhheheheheheh. Hhhhahahahahaha-"

"Not...funny?"

"Oh, this is funny." James smiled a hollow grin. "This is a feeling you missed, isn't it Harold?"

"James JAMES NO!" Winifred shouted.

"Whatever grievance you have with my new mission, does not excuse you. Nor does it excuse you Winifred."

He turned to her with a piercing stare, forcing her to sit and clutch her chest with panic as Alistair tried to step forwards and push the males apart.

"James, f-father please, please stop!"

"I won't tell him," said the elder son, "if you let me go and I leave peacefully."

"Not," Harold's face darkened. "Enough. Now."

"Let me go, or I will ask him one single question that will destroy any happiness you have for this family's future?"

His grip never faltered. Harold's burning look fixed into his mind as James stared with a creeping sneer before he turned to his brother.

"Do you know what father did to me?"

"[i]NOOOOOO![/i]"

The moment his mother screamed Harold loosened his grip. James clenched his fist and summoned a vicious gust of wind to propel it straight into his father's face with such force that he went flying across the room and his head cracked against the corner. He did not waste a moment to grab his umbrella and shove Alistair from his path to run outside into the brazen cold wind, his mother's screams lost in the gale.

"[i]HAROLD! HAROLD PLEASE NOOO NOOOO OHHHH S-SAVIOUR HELP HIM![/i]"

Marching across the square James headed to the elder's house, a small place on the hill where light still glinted from his window as he braved against the shrieking howl in the night, banging his fist on the door hard enough to shake.

"GOOD, HEAVENS WH-WHO IS THAT?!"

"MASTER, MASTER LET ME IN!"

"JAMES?!"

The door opened to reveal Haytham inside with the lemming chief, James barging in as the door closed behind him in the small bedroom study.

"What is it my lad are you-what in Faram are you wearing?!"

"Is something wrong?" Arino squinted from his bed with stale eyes. "What...what is that apparel on you?"

"I have come to tell you my mission," said James planting his weapon like a staff, "my future to save this island."

"Wh-what?!" The old lemming shook his head.

"I will destroy the Great Darkness, no matter what you say, no matter what fear or trepidation you carry in your old feeble heart I will stop at nothing to destroy the darkness from existence."

"Oh, Talisman's grace not THIS again!" he pounded his own umbrella-cane. "I have told you, time and time again-"

"SHUT UP!" James snapped stabbing the floor. "THIS IS NOT YOUR DECISION, THIS IS MINE AND MINE ALONE!"

"James enough of this!" Haytham grabbed his wrist. "Did you not swear to me that you would give up this nonsense!?"

"I DID NOT! My promise to you was never honoured in the first place when YOU betrayed me first!"

"Wh-what, betray you?!"

"YOU said the cursed city had lost its heirs, that the cult was all erased from your realm but I know the truth, I studied the so-called forbidden texts, yes TEXTS AS IN PLURAL!"

"What?!" His face blanched as he stepped back. "Oh...J-james no, no you did not, no no heavens preserve thee-"

"Did you think I only brought ONE book from your realm from whatever dark forgotten corner of the realm your people buried it in, people too afraid to see the TRUTH of such strength, such power that only the bravest and most pure of heart can ever wield!?"

"NO JAMES THAT IS FALSE! THAT IS INCORRIGIBLE, YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND!"

"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Arino shrieked struggling to his feet. "You...you are obsessed with this, what do you demand out of this pointless crusade against the Great Darkness that could never be stopped?!"

"Just like Meen the warlock could never be stopped?!" shouted James clenching his fists. "All you ever needed was someone who could stand up for ONCE in their life, someone who wasn't you because you were too foolish to trust those who would abuse us, and too cowardly to stand up and FIGHT THEM!"

"What could you ever know about the sacrifice I had to make?! You never had to watch thousands of your own die when you were enslaved-"

"IF I WAS OUR CHIEF I WOULD DIE FIGHTING, AND I WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH, HERE AND NOW!"

"Don't be such a damn fool James I am sick and tired of your childish fantasies!"

"I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO IS TRYING TO PROTECT OUR HOME, [i]AND YOU CALL ME A CHILD?![/i]"

"STOP IT!" Haytham stepped between them. "ENOUGH of this, James please I implore you, I beseech you upon my hands and knees not to pursue this cursed city and-"

"The Gran Grimoire?"

Haytham turned silent. James gave a smile that bled fear into Arino's heart.

"The great and powerful tome by which one can control the very darkness itself, THAT secret forbidden text you were so desperately trying to hide from me?"

"No. N-no, James, gods do not-"

"Oh I know, Haytham. I know all about it, well enough that I even know the name of the city and where the source of it lies."

"You...y-you cannot be serious, if you truly read these forbidden texts then you of all people should surely know you cannot control it, i-it cannot even leave the city!"

"Correct. But what if I [i]moved[/i] the city?"

The scribe pulled out a book from his satchel. One that Haytham did not recognise except for the name of that city inscribed upon its front.

"I read through the texts, and how this darkness cannot leave the city's borders by some great sigil pressed upon it, as well as the powers of this Gran Grimoire that can sustain it. But what have we been doing all this time Haytham?"

He leaned forwards with wider grin.

"[i]What purpose did you teach me the Art, if not for this?[/i]"

"James...J-james, no." Haytham stepped back raising his hands. "James that is, no, that is insane, it is imbroglio, pure madness!"

"So was facing a warlock with naught but a school of prisoners. I have no need for cowards, if you both wish to continue building your vessel, then I will not stop you. But my mission is clear."

He walked towards the door with his book against his chest.

"I will become a saviour. At any cost."

"You...you belligerent little..."

The chief hobbled towards him.

"What sort of sickness in your mind could make you possibly think you could bring an entire city to this realm?!"

"Not here, no." James turned his head. "Even I know such a feat requires an immense reach of power, something that would bring islands, landmasses to another realm, why-"

"Oh...good gods James you are not serious," Haytham gasped.

"Remember your notes about that gravity well Haytham? I still have the notes, and in theory I could make this book using the power of my Kinetlatives to absorb the great power of the next anomaly to-"

"N-NO! NO THAT IS IT, I CANNOT LET YOU CONTINUE THIS!"

The scholar grabbed at his student to pull him from the door as James immediately pulled back against.

"GET, OFF OF ME!"

"STOP THIS JAMES, STOP, I BEG YOU TO STOP!"

"LISTEN TO HIM JAMES!"

The chief Arino swung his cane at the student's head, James taking the hit before grabbing the brolly of his elder and punching the handle back in his face to make him bowl over with howling gasp as he clutched his face. Trapped in a brief battle with his master, the lemming pulled hard when Haytham grabbed his book in one hand and frantically shot a spell of wind from his other to punch him against the door and rip the tome from his grip.

"I cannot let you...I-i cannot, you have gone too far, it is beyond imperative that I destroy this."

[b][i]His fear.[/i][/b]

James staggered to his feet.

[b][i]Even your mentor has turned against you.[/i][/b]

"I am sorry James," Haytham clenched his fist to turn into flames, "I want you to succeed, truly I do-"

[b][i]Stop him.[/i][/b]

"But not like this."

[b][i]The darkness has blinded them with fear.[/i][/b]

"You will understand, tis better we live a new dawn in peace than to brave uncertainty."

[b][i]You are not blind James, never again will you be.[/i][/b]

"I won't...I won't be." James stepped forwards. "I won't be blind like you."

"What, what do you mean?"

"All of you, blinded by the darkness, the fear it's infected you, all of you its willing slaves just like with Meen!"

"James get back, I warn you now-"

"[i]I WILL NOT BE YOUR SLAVE ANYMOOOORE![/i]"

He leapt for his mentor and threw his head against the wall, pulling on his face and trying to wrench the book free from his grasp as Haytham furiously pushed his burning hand against the pages. The lemming slapped him hard by the wrist and punched him straight in the chin as the two fought in the small room to make the desk and ornaments tremble with fury as James screamed with such a piercing rage that the windows shook, his eyes becoming pinpricks of black for an instant as Haytham slammed his burning fist into his face out of fright to throw him off. He opened the book on the floor and threw his hand into it ready to rip the pages apart.

"[i]Wh-...what?[/i]"

Something cold in his ribs. Something sharp and alien that a thick burning heat consumed, flooding some deep recess of his body that soon dripped down his leg.

"[i]...why?[/i]"

He turned towards James.

"[i]...wh-why...my boy.[/i]"

He clutched his stomach. His eyes turned faint as his heartbeat deepened with his breath. He felt warmth on his fingers and cold in his chest as he watched James' eyes widen with horror from the blood-stained tip of his blade exposed from his umbrella, his hands tightening on both the looped handles.

"N-n-n-...no. N-no, no I-i-i, I didn't..."

James watched his master's hand fade with its fire as the magic died from his fingertips. He curled against himself, clutching his body tight as he tried to keep hold of the book. His fingers clenched. Then he stopped. Red began to flow in a small pool around his chest.

"Murderer."

The word shook James deep to his stomach.

"Murderer!"

He turned towards Arino stumbling back away from him.

"[i]MURDERER![/i]"

James said nothing, his eyes switching between him, his blade and the body of his mentor. His stomach twisted with the urge to vomit as he clutched himself with one hand before he noticed the book.

[b][i]Run.[/i][/b]

The voice gave him strength to stand.

[b][i]Run, or lose everything.[/i][/b]

"GUARDS! [i]GUARDS, I NEED HELP, I NEED HELP![/i]"

Chief Arino had leapt for the door and was screaming to the night. Soon as his eyes were off James the former student grabbed the book from Haytham's body and threw the elder back to flee. Torches came out as guards went towards him, and even in the darkest winds of the deep hallowed fall they saw the red upon James' book.

"[i]STOP HIM![/i]" The chief's voice screeched to its crack. "[i]HE'S A MURDERER, MURDEREEEER![/i]"

He ran to the western shore as guards chased after him, a line of torches with baying calls to stop and cries of fear and outrage that rang through the lemming village. He did not stop, putting the book in his satchel mid-run as he pounded his feet towards his house and raced for the soft cliff's edge just beyond.

"JAMES!"

He heard Alistair's voice. He did not stop to look.

"[i]JAMES COME BACK! JAAAAAMES![/i]"

His brother ran after him ahead of the guards, skirting round the cliff with the olden path that they both knew well through a series of steps. The sand kicked back in sprays of white under the faint glimpse of the moon between the clouds as James hurried to the shore's edge before he stopped and turned to his brother, the guards making their way down with a fumbling haste and roaring shouts.

"Wh-what did you do?" Alistair gasped. "Wh-what...what happened to you?"

"I...I-i-i-"

[b][i]He has lost his faith.[/i][/b]

"A-alistair...I'm-"

[b][i]Do not show him his brother.[/i][/b]

"I will, I will be some time, before I-"

[b][i]Show him his true saviour.[/i][/b]

"...I will become your saviour."

His face darkened with cruel eyes of jade.

"Protect our home for me."

"JAMES, J-JAMES WAIT!"

"Goodbye brother." James pulled out his linking book. "Have faith in me. I will return."

"S-STOP, [i]STOP HIM![/i]"

He slammed his palm upon the page where a deep forest could be seen, a small picture of moving creatures from ancient times and a mountain that pierced the sky. It was then that Harold knew he lost his son, the morning after the news had broke. But Alistair refused to believe the way this night had gone. He believed in him. He begged silent from the pit of his soul as if hoping that inner strength of his would flow into his brother, across the realms and into his heart to bring him back, to pull him free from this madness unleashed upon them. But no one came. No one smiled the same way again.

The night when Alistair lost his brother, was the day that Alistair lost his childhood, just as his brother had lost his years ago.