The Red Moon Always Shines

Chapter 43: A titan

Waking up in a cold cave wasn't the most pleasant experience but it was better than waking up half dead out in the snow. So Doc, Cleo and Tango considered themselves lucky.

"Next time we're asked to find the ancient being of something, we ask to take the one right next to a free of charge hotel." Grumbled Doc, scratching his arms above his head. They cracked with a satisfying crack, and he sighed blissfully when he brought them down.

"Agreed." Said Tango, eyes still closed as he remained laying on the ground.

"We'll if the two of you are done talking I think it's time we get moving." Commented Cleo, the zombie coming back from just having explored shortly out into the tundra. "The snow has stopped, but I don't know for how long it will stay like that."

"Five more minutes?" Asked Tango slowly, one of his eyes opened just enough for him to see decently.

"No." Said Cleo, already walking up to him and pulling him up by the scruff of his jacket. The fire elemental (I know I might have said demon in the past, but since Tango doesn't like when people draw his skin with horns I'm changing it. Reference will hopefully be in the end notes as long as I remember to draw it up) tried to protest but it didn't do much. So they all left the cave, Cleo dragging Tango whilst Doc followed them with an amused look in his face.

It didn't take them all that long to make their way through the rest of the tundra, since there was a clearly marked trail.

"There. Was. A trail?!" Shouted Doc as soon as he saw it, hands thrown to the sky. "Why wasn't that on the map!"

"Maybe because the trail is fairly new and our map is hundreds of years old?" Suggest Cleo, pointing at the map that clearly said "Made in 105" in the bottom left corner.

The creeper hybrid took a long and deep breath before letting out a suffering sigh. "I'm killing that glorified bird when this is all over."

His companions snickered at his declaration, but wisely didn't question it. 

It didn't take them long to get to the other side of the tundra with the help of the trail, and it was actually quite nice. It was surprisingly warm and the bright sun made the sun sparkle like newly polished diamonds. The sky was vibrant and inviting, just begging to be flown through on either wings or elytra. But the best part in the trios opinion was the honey red blur at the end of the trail.

"The forest." Breathed Cleo, her green eyes wide with relief as she gazed at the birch wood covered at the top with red leaves. "We've made it!"  

Almost as she said it the gyrfalcon they'd seen earlier came swooping in over their heads. All three watched it disappear above the treetops with a few powerful flaps of its wings.

"Is it just me, or does it feel like that falcon is following us?" Asked Tango, eyes following gray and white raptor as it flew over their heads and out of sight. "This is the second time we've seen it in less than a full 24 horse."

"We have gotten really lucky?" Suggested Doc, more interested in scanning the tree line for any potential dangers.

"Maybe." Agreed Tango quietly. Although he didn't truly believe Doc's guess he didn't bring it up again.

As they officially made their way out of the tundra they couldn't help the happy smiles forming on their faces. And as soon as Doc gave the all clear they strode up to the forest, gravel and stone filtering out into soft grass as they continued to walk forwards.

Once they were all inside they couldn't help but to look around in wonder, it was beautiful inside! Lean and sturdy black-and-white tree trunks held up honey red leaf crowns as they gently swayed in the subtle breeze. The forest felt, and was, alive. Flowers and bushes grew on the forest floor as ivy elegantly danced up the sides of the larger and older of the trees, the green standing a great contrast to the white, black and red of the rest of the tree.  Small animals explored the forest they called home in search of food, though the youngsters stayed close to observe. A faint scent of lavender came from the wild flowers, calming the three's nerves slightly. Their attention was mostly on the clearing just past some bushes. It was decently sized and was mostly just a shallow and clear pool of water with a group of boulders in the middle.