Let's build an army of babies!

Grotto


Hunter

Hunter had been watching the strange pair ever since they crossed the river, his dark fur easily blending into the shadows. It just didn't make any sense for a pair of hatchlings to walk into danger without any protection at all. He was well aware that most creatures his age would be discouraged from taking such risks, and for the most part he would agree with that sentiment.

Consider the current situation: the duo was about to stumble into a pair of trolls, creatures that at the moment he wasn't entirely sure were actually dumber than them.

As expected, the two hatchlings burst into the clearing the trolls were in, and the trolls started to get ready to attack. With a groan, Hunter got to his paws. It appeared that the time had come to make his presence known. Without any adults or adolescents close enough for him to bring, he would have to save them himself.

Glancing around, he grabbed the biggest rock he could fit in his mouth and shot it like a bullet at the troll farthest from him and sent a razor wind to the other one before jumping to the other side of the clearing. As the razor wind busily killed its friend, the rocked troll received a slash on its jugular and died.

The first troll finished dying, and Hunter turned to the pair with a deep bow. Hello, ladies. My name is Hunter, and who might I have the honor of rescuing?

Grotto

"I know it's scary, Zima..." Yae said quietly. "I'm not afraid! Let's go!" Zima said despite her fear. Yae nodded. "Do you mind carrying me? I'm not very fast..." Yae asked quietly. "Not at all!" Zima exclaimed before she knelt down and let Yae climb up and settle on her shoulders.

"All right, now let's find the Hunter!" Yae urged Zima. "R-right!" Zima agreed in a faint stutter before she began to make her way deeper into the forest.

Grotto

"Let's go then," Zima said, mustering up her courage. "If this is what I must do to save Zuri, I will."
"Are you sure?" Yae asked. "The Hunter is very dangerous as well. He might think we're enemies and destroy us as well."
"It's worth a try," said Zima, her heart racing faster every second. "Let's go."
Zima and Yae set for the Enigmatic Grotto.

Zuri was confused.... she wanted and needed Yae to come with her to find the Hunter, but how? Yae smiled and said, "not a problem, I am very light and can ride on your back!". After getting Yae settled in Zuri started loping towards the Grotto, staying off all the main paths for secrecy.

Yae provided helpful hints on where to turn and what leaves were good to eat and eventually the two friends neared the Grotto. "How are we to find the Hunter?" asked Zuri. Yae answered, while chewing on a nearby leave, "Not a clue....."

"Ahem".... both friends jumped several feet in the air! "Sorry to startle you two younglings, but I couldn't help overhearing that you were looking for me." Behind Zuri stood a large full grown Luporo, but due to his markings he blended in perfectly with the surroundings! "Please, let me introduce myself. I am Jaecar, or Hunter, if you prefer".

Grotto

"I will do whatever it takes to get to my sister!" Zima said and gulped. She remembered all the warnings about Enigmatic Grotto.
"Don't worry, I might not be of much help but I'll go with you," Yae said while munching on her leaf.
Yae wasn't very scared but she did have her own concerns. "Before we go, there is one small problem," she said with a sheepish look.
"Oh no, what is it?" Zima said, a bit more worried now.
With a bit of blush, Yae managed to ask: "Would you mind giving me a little lift..."

So the two of them started their way towards Enigmatic Grotto. The journey was to be long, as they were still young and had to walk most of the way. But they soon arrived at a river. Now they had to make a choice.

Grotto


"To the Enigmatic Grotto it is then! You'll have to help me with directions though, I've never left Umbra Forest before."

Yae nodded. "I might seem small, but I have great knowledge." She puffed out her chest, making Zima giggle. "Oh, but I do need a lift." She looked up at Zima.

Zima giggled again, What a funny friend I have!, before leaning down to let Yae climb up onto her shoulder. "To the Grotto!"

Grotto

Zima had never been to the Enigmatic Grotto before, and with good reason, too. The stories around the place was enough to keep even a full grown Vylnux away. She squared her tiny shoulders and padded over to her caterpillar friend to help her onto her furry back, knowing it would make it easy for the baby lune.
She knew the journey would be difficult. What she hoped to avoid was a fight with some unknown creature. Zima didn't want to think about that right now, though. She wanted to focus so she could do a better job of helping Zuri. "Yae, tell me more about this Hunter. You seem to know more about him."
"Well, it's been said that he's very fierce, but loyal to those who earn his trust."
"Sounds like me."
"He's not a Sylesti you'd think would be the Hunter."
"What is he?"
"No one knows."
The journey continued for a very long time. The shadows grew longer, the trees took on scary shapes. Suddenly, a hideous odor hit the little Vylnux in the face and nearly knocked her off her feet. She shook her head as she sneezed.
"What's wrong?" Yea asked.
Zima shrugged and crept towards the bushes up ahead. She peered out and froze.
Yae's breath hitched in her throat as one word snuck passed her lips. "Trolls."

(Grotto)


"I-I guess we could go try and find the grotto" Zuri said her fur standing on end.Yea seemed happy,"We'll then let's go!" she hollered running off."W-Wait!" she replied running off after her.They wove thru woods and rocks till they got to a tree.Yea stopped confused,"uhm" she said looking around."I might've..." she paused."Gone the wrong way..." she looked at Zuri and stopped."Don't...Turn...Around" she said backing up."What?" Zuri said her fur going back on end."Children" a Onimnouse voice seemed to say."you seem" it paused."lost" it cackled."Why don't i show you they way home?Or to what your looking for?" Out of the shadows a blood red lupora appeared."try to run,you'll end the same as your sister" he growled smiling.

Other luporas stalked out of the shadows,but none seemed really...alive.Each seemed to move like shadows flowing from one area to the next.

"Y-Yea?" Zuri asked backing up into her freind,together they back up against the tree.A loud Screech filled the air followed by a woosh of wind.Not another one not another one Zuri panicked closing her eyes as tight as she could curling up against her freind,

Day 4 Prompt

Sorry for the delay for this entry, there wasn't that many submissions for this day so I was wanting to wait as long as possible for further entries. Thanks again to all participants! I'm still greatly enjoying reading through everyone's submissions. :)

Please put the word Troll at the top of the post so I know that you are replying to the current version of the story.

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By Griffinlokison

Zima had never been to the Enigmatic Grotto before and with good reason, too. The stories around the place were enough to keep even a full grown Vulnyx away. She squared her tiny shoulders and padded over to her caterpillar friend to help her onto her furry back knowing it would make it easier for the baby Lunemara.

She knew the journey would be difficult. What she hoped to avoid was a fight with some unknown creature. Zima didn't want to think about that right now, though. She wanted to focus so she could do a better job of helping Zuri. "Yae, tell me more about this Hunter. You seem to know more about him."
"Well, it's been said that he's very fierce, but loyal to those who earn his trust."
"Sounds like me."
"He's not a Sylesti you'd think would be a Hunter."
"What is he?"
"No one knows."

The journey continued for a very long time. The shadows grew longer, the trees took on scary shapes. Suddenly, a hideous odor hit the little Vulnyx in the face and nearly knocked her off her feet. She shook her head as she sneezed.
"What's wrong?" Yae asked.
Zima shrugged and crept towards the bushes up ahead. She peered out and froze.
Yae's breath hitched in her throat as one word passed her lips. "Trolls."