"So, here's what's goin' on," Arytil said to Mohaki and
Frojinza. They were standing in front of the Shadow Tree, the tallest, darkest
oak tree in the forest.
"Synexz took a very powerful BD item from me,
which I was planning to sell," Arytil lied. "It's called the Black Vortex."
Mohaki raised an eyebrow. "The Black Vortex?
Never heard of it."
Arytil glared. "Shut up and listen."
"Yeah, shut up 'n' listen!" Frojinza echoed in
her squeaky voice.
Mohaki rolled his eyes, but let her continue.
"As I was saying, the Black Vortex is worth a
heap, so I want it back," she continued. "Only I can't find her anywhere. Her
secret hideout is well-hidden, and we need an expert to find it." She grinned
at Mohaki.
He snorted. "What makes you think I can find
the blasted thing?"
"Because Keiroth knows where it is," Arytil said.
"And if he knows, you can find out."
Mohaki was beginning to like this plan. "Okay.
He's here in the forest anyway. I'll go get him."
He disappeared into the forest for a second,
and returned a second later carrying Keiroth by the scruff of his neck.
Arytil got right in his face. "Where's Syn hiding
you little ball of scales!?" she hissed.
Keiroth blinked. "Not tellin'," he said simply.
Arytil gritted her teeth. "Do something, Mohaki!"
Mohaki dropped Keiroth to the ground. Instantly
Keiroth began to run away through the forest.
"What in blazes did you do that for?!!" Arytil
yelled.
"Yeah, what'd ya do that for?!" echoed Frojinza.
He shrugged. "I expect that he knows Syn's hideout's
pretty safe, so that's where he'll run."
Ary growled, and flew after Keiroth. Frojinza
hopped after her. Mohaki followed.
Synexz sat deep underground, reading a book titled
'Theories of Physics.' It was pretty good, so she was almost shocked when a
sharp knock sounded on the fake rock hiding her tunnel chamber.
"Who's there?" she called up, her eyes still
on the book.
"Heeeelp!"
Synexz instantly recognised Keiroth's voice.
"Coming!" She climbed the tunnel and opened the rock, letting Keiroth fall in.
"What's the matter?" she asked. "Who's out there?"
"They're comin' for you, Syn! Mohaki and Ary
and Fro, they're comin'!" he squealed. "You gotta be ready!"
Syn's eyes widened with shock. "Are they following
you?"
"No," Keiroth said.
There was a loud thump on the rock.
"Yes!" Keiroth changed his mind, cowering behind
the Kougra.
"Calm down, they can't get in," she reassured.
Crrrrrrack!
"They can't, but Mohaki can!" Keiroth said fearfully.
Syn's mind raced, searching for a way out. She
grabbed a necklace off of her bookshelf, but her paw slipped and it flew back
toward the bookshelf, bounced off of the wood, and towards Keiroth, who's mouth
was hanging open in terror. The necklace flew in his mouth, and he gagged, clutched
his throat, and swallowed.
"Keiroth! Did you swallow that necklace?!" Synexz
asked, eyes widening.
Keiroth nodded. "Sorry," he muttered.
Synexz slapped her paw against her forehead.
"Oh no!" she cried. "We're doomed."
"You most certainly are!" cackled Arytil, poking
her head out through the tunnel. "Give it up, Syn, I know you've got the Vortex!"
Synexz shook her head. "I haven't got it anymore,"
she said.
Arytil's expression twisted. "You lie!"
"I'm telling the truth. It's out of my hands,
and I can't get it back."
"Get your hide up here!" Arytil shrieked.
Syn sighed and came out of her underground chamber,
surrendering to the little mutant Korbat. Keiroth, too, emerged, fidgeting.
"Mohaki! Read her mind or something!" Arytil
hissed.
"Yeah, read her mind!" Frojinza copied.
"Will you SHUT UP!" Arytil screeched in Frojinza's
face. Frojinza cowered.
"Sorry," she murmured, and fell silent.
Mohaki stepped forward, grinning. He looked from
Syn, to Keiroth, then to Syn again. "Keiroth's... swallowed it," he said.
"WHAT?!" Arytil was flabbergasted.
"It's true," Keiroth admitted. "It was an accident,
honest."
Arytil's fur turned bright red. A column of steam
seemed to rise from her head as she opened her mouth and shrieked...
Keiroth took this opportunity to run as fast
as he could toward Elgnad.
"COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE-" Arytil yelled loudly
as she flew after him.
Frojinza chittered as she hopped after them.
Mohaki turned to Syn, sighing. "We'd better go
after them," he said.
The Kougra nodded, and they ran after.
To be continued... | 
