Chapter Ten: 'THE BEGINNING OF GATHERING THE ARMY"

Skell walked over to the Zofs. “Like you have said, I have brought you an army.” Many creatures were line dup in front of them.

“I shall introduce them all. This is Chaos the Salrahn who is my bets friend, Firefly the Vetemortem who does not want to be here, Hathor the Sigmatox, Crystal and Emerald who are still considering which army to go too, General Sand Shark only here because he likes war, Electric who doesn’t know why she is here, Kaisa and Kochi who definitely wanted to help, Artemis who decided to be here to protect Flower, Oracle, and Nola the wandering Celeritas. Together we have eighteen I think including me and you,” He said to the four. The Zofs huddled up and discussed what to do. “I think we should leave to find more creatures and have them wait here,” Ora said. “Also, maybe to find any creatures on the dark side,” Zela added. “Great idea!” SunDrop said as Flower nodded her head. “We have decided to go out and gather more creatures to add to our army, also to find any creatures on the dark side,” Flower said as they turned around. “However, that does mean you lot will have to stay here. Sadly, we can’t have so many creatures of different colors parading around.” The crowd nodded in agreement. “Well then, off we go!” The Zofs took off and began their flight. “So, where too?” Ora said. “I think we should split up. We’ll cover more ground. Plus, some of us are better in different environments.” Zela said.

“Ok. I’ll take the desert, Salt Flats and Flower cove. Ora can take the ocean, plains and volcano. Flower gets redwoods, volcano plains and maybe hot springs. SunDrop gets the tundra, swamp if she can and probably anywhere else, we might’ve missed.” Zela announced. GoldenRose grabbed Flower’s claw, and cut her hand with it. She gave an ounce of blood to every creature, saying Ani’s blood can heal.The four nodded and went off, Flower with GoldenRose on her back.

Zela wondered the desert, searching for any sign of creatures. She looked down. She saw a small Zethines sticking his head out of a tunnel. Zela swooped down to meet him. The Zethines had huge front claws, walking on its wrists. Its six eyes looked at her in confusion. His body was completely blue, covered in tendrils and stripes and dots. “Yes ma’am? How may I help you?” He said.

“Hi. My name is Zela, and I have come to ask of you a question. Will you join me and my friends to help fight an evil darkness?” Zela asked him. “Uh…is there any room for healers? I have been trained in the medical arts; however, I do not know how to fight,” The Zethines said.

“Well, then yes we do! With only one healer so far, we won’t get that far along in the battle.” Zela responded. “Oh! Where are my manners?!? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lio.” Zela nodded. “Well then Lio, please go to the Salt Flats. That is where our army is currently camping.” Lio nodded and left. Zela set off again. On the side of a big sand dune laid a small den. Carved out by crafty claws, the den was quite good-looking. Zela swooped down to check if any creatures might live there. She saw two Keruku. One was sitting down as the other was clattering around what appeared to be a nest.

“Hello-’’ Zela was cut off. “No. Go away,” The Keruku rudely replied. “I’ve come to ask a question,” Zela resumed. “Will you help me and my army fight off the darkness?” The Keruku looked at her mate. “I suppose.” She sighed. “Yes!” Her mate said at the same time. Three baby Keruku burst out of their nest. “Fighting? Can we help? I wonder who their fighting? Tell us everything when you come back!” They all said at once.

“No. You are not coming. Go to sleep my little ones.” The Keruku said. “Anyways, I’m Decka. My mate here is Terren and these little nuisances are Mala, Haren and Hertal.” She said. “Ok! Our army is gathering at Salt Flats.” The Keruku looked at Zela. “Salt Flats? Ok. Well off we be little ones.” She licked each one on the head and flew off with her mate.

Decka flew next to Terren. The two’s wings brushed at one point. Swooping through cacti fields and ancient tier 5 bones, the two Keruku were having fun. Decka did a spiral in the air, spinning in a lovely, fluid motion. Terren chuckled. “Getting your fun on again, aren’t you, old girl?” He laughed. “So are you, “old boy”!” Decka responded. The two flipped and turned and went upside down in the sky as Lio ran and jumped and played underneath them on his way.

Next Chapter: Chapter Eleven: "GLIDING TO ASK"

Previous Chapter: Chapter Nine: "MESSAGES OF THE DARK"