Chronicles of Yugure: Plummeting into Uncharted Depths

Day Five

We arise at dawn and continue our hike to the Crevice. It does not take us long to reach the Endless River, a long windy river that actually runs into Salmon Falls. The Crevice is just across the freezing death of a liquid. If you fall and are not protected from the cold, then you are dead within minutes from hypothermia. There are many tragedies between the Tsume pack and this river. I heard that one of the aunts of the High Female died of hypothermia after she was rescued from the river's grasp. She was only in the river for a minute and a half, but that is all that it takes in a never-ending flurry environment.

The way across are stones placed methodically in the river; each are the perfect jumping distance. The water, however will not give up that easily. A layer of frozen water tops the boulders and more water splash up on top of it, continuing to add cold, slippery layers. My wings give me easy access to the other side of the river. I offers to carry Hawk, but she refuses. The saber wishes to do it on her own. Her first jump is a success. Hopping diligently, she reaches the last stone within seconds. Her judgment is rushed, however, on her last jump and her white frame becomes limp as she slides across the surface of the last stepping stone.

"Gyah!" She lets out a scream as her left hind paw-pad hits the surface of the icy water. Her body quickly recovers as she leaps to the dirt beside me. Her paw seems a bit wet, but nothing that can be a danger to her. I manage to create some moss from my pollen and make a sort of sock to keep warmth in her foot. Nothing is said until after we have reached the Crevice's opening. Silence has been our ally against irascibility. After many hours of travelling in a bitter cold environment with nothing to keep you distracted from the feeling that each one of your toes is going to fall off, you can enjoy keeping to yourself.

Insanity, though, is the result of too much silence, so I begin a conversation with my travelling companion, "How is y'er foot, m'dear?" I say in my quirky accent. I am not sure where in the realms I got this from, but it has become a trademark of mine.

Her face looks somewhat expressionless as we pass under the roof of the tunnel, "It's fine, thanks." We have a sort of silent language already formed within the short amount of time knowing each other. I can tell it isn't, as she is favoring it. If we could reach the Second Realm, it may be hot enough over there to thaw her foot.

From the cracks of the sock that the moss don't cover, I can see a slight shade of blue. "We need to get you out of this realm," my forked tongue slices through the chilled air. The sounds it makes echoes back, creating a chorus of words. "'Tis far too cold for your paw to heal here," I add, "My research can wait." She looks at me with a smile and a short nod. Apparently, she agrees.

The tunnel is boring; not what I hoped for. I had hoped to see some more life forms than this: a small fern here, a mushroom there, and a wonderful mammoth skull decor that is fused in the one side of the wall by years of formed ice. We pause for a moment to apply more moss to the frozen paw and continue our journey. On the other side of the Crevice are more pine trees and rocks. A few raptors are on the right side of the gravel road eating the flesh off of a doe elk. Blood stained faces look back at us as we pass. They aren't too interested in us as they turn back to their meal and continue gorging.

Heavy footsteps shake the ground as a large cranium reaches back behind us. A tyrannosaurus just takes the elk carcass, along with a few raptors that are too occupied with their lunch, and swallows them whole. Enraged raptors begin lunging at the king of the reptiles with their sickle claws attached to their feet. What good it does them as the t-rex begins snatching up the tiny morsels. We waste no time passing through.

I quickly begin sketching all new organics I pass by, hoping to work on their descriptions and names later. I, of course being a curious one, also sketch the scene of the tyrannosaur and the raptors. 'I bet this will become extra credit,' I muse to myself as I finish the one eye of the tall creature. Lady Hawk has to pull me away from a few rocks and trees when I begin to stray away from the path with my muzzle too involved in my journal.

The portal stands about a mile away. My stomach churns and sinks as the idea of travelling there pops into my mind. Although it is my idea to head to the Second Realm, I am not quite ready to face my fears. Would my father be there? What would he be like? Would he be evil like the sabers anticipated. Not all Kurai dragons could be that dastardly, could they?

Hawk glances over at me, "You okay?" The white cat tilts her head over to one side. I have stopped in my tracks with fear of the unknown. It is a dream of mine to head into the mysterious other realms, but am I ready? I wasn't even sure at first if I was ready to go to the Third Realm. I nod. It is probably best to keep my lineage a secret for now. Who knows if Lady Hawk would be alright with hanging around me if she knew that I am apart of the supposedly evil Kurai Clan.

It is about dusk as we reach the portal to the Second Realm. We both agree not to wait until daytime tomorrow to head on in, because time is different for each realm. Holding my breath, I take my fore-hand and place it through the liquid-feeling hole in the air. My hand goes warm, enjoying the sun of the Second Realm. "Y'er foot may like it in the Second Realm Hawk," I say cheerfully.

She can tell I am nervous to completely go in, so she jumps ahead of me. Bracing myself, I plunge head-first into the Second Realm. All I can see is a bright light, and a shadowy frame slowly gliding down to us. . . A dragon.