“Nova, we have to get into those mountains. In the Mythical Forest will be the Tribe,” I tell Nova. All of a sudden the two youngest members of the party are leading the way.
“What you all are going to see soon will take your breath away,” I tell the others.
“I can’t wait, then!” Rapicik laughs.
We travel through the prairie. The tall grass blocks part of my view and it’s hard to see with the blazing sun. There’s little clouds out and there’s a blue sky. Up ahead the mountains are visible; so tall there’s snow on the peaks of them. And the trees where the Tribe of Ersel Animals lives are visible, too.
“Hey, Cup? Are we headed towards the Mythical Forest?” Rapicik asks, squinting his curious eyes.
“Actually, yes. There’s a Tribe of different animals there, and they are helping us find the Forgotten Alpha. They know his destination,” I assure.
Rapicik nods, and we continue our journey through the prairie. Just then I spot an opening in the ground. I know exactly where it leads.
“Nova, that’s Kurkah’s old house,” I whisper.
“I know. Let’s just ignore it,” replies Nova.
The sun gets brighter and I need to take a quick break. I am sweating badly and the heat is really getting to me.
“Let’s take a break from walking for a little while,” I tell everyone. Rapicik is the first to nod. Keenen follows him, along with everybody else.
I sit down on a wooden log that looks like it’s been here for a while. Sinsar sits next to me.
“So, how do you feel about finally being off that dreadful island?” I ask him.
Sinsar glares at me, and then says “wonderful”.
“Have you ever seen the Forgotten Alpha before?” I continue the conversation.
Sinsar glares at me once again. His expression quickly brightens up, and he explains that the Forgotten Alpha is older any of the other Alphas.
“He was everybody’s friend, and was the best fighter Jamaa has ever had. He was a ginger wolf and loved to train everyone the best he could. He was wise, very wise. Wiser than anyone I knew. Barely any of the Jammers know about him today- they say he’s just a myth. But if it wasn’t for him, Jamaa wouldn’t of won the first battle against the Phantoms. He’s an amazing animal to be around. Sadly, even before I got lost on Carntimyus Island, he disappeared. Some say that he sides with the Phantoms, but I know that’s not true. There has to be a greater reason, a much more important one, as to why he’s gone today. But nobody knows the truth,” Sinsar finishes.
All of us decide to continue the journey to the Mythical Forest now. The sun is at its highest point. We might have to stay the night there.
Once we reach the forest that leads into the mountains, the mythical feeling hits us all right away. I remember the last time I was here- Kurkah, Nova and I were going through this forest when one of the Tribe’s members found us. I was scared, but it turned out to be a great part of our adventure.
The forest is shady, with green trees surrounding us. We are climbing up the mountainside and I know that we must be getting close to The Tribe of Ersel Animals. There’s not alot of sunlight in here because there’s so many trees the leaves block it.
Finally, I spot Ikenus, one of Ersel’s most trusted tribe members.
“Ikenus, we need to see Ersel,” I say out loud. Everyone except for Nova and I is staring at the large wolf in wonder.
“Oh, Cup! I remember you now. I will certainly take you to Ersel,” the large, black wolf Ikenus responds quickly. He glares at the rest of us with his gray eyes.
“Who are these? I know Nova, but none of the rest,” Ikenus questions us.
“We’re on a journey, and they’re coming with us,” I explain.
“Okay then. I’ll take you to Ersel now,” Ikenus turns around and races to the hidden staircase that goes down into the dome.
We all follow him through the thick branches, fallen leaves and green grass. It is late summer and autumn will be coming soon.
Rapicik flinches as we walk down the winding, wooden staircase. It almost seems too dangerous to walk on, but it doesn’t give out. I’m thankful for that. Vines grow through the cracks in it, and it creaks every time you take a step on it. The only light there is in this area is from dimly lit torches. We all eventually reach the bottom, and I can easily spot the dome at the top of the ceiling. All of the wooden huts are still here, and there are larger versions of every animal in Jamaa scrambling around. I clearly remember being here. Once again, the light is only coming from the many torches, and the light coming from the dome.
“Ersel’s palace is at the other side of this part, so it’ll take a minute or two to get there,” Ikenus points out.
“Okay,” Nova and I reply.
Every other member of our party is staring at the underground world of wonder except for Nova and I. We have both been here, but the others haven’t. Padanda is getting glimpses of every part, along with Rapicik and Dawn. Mincero, Sinsar and Keenen are doing the same. Sinsar seems to be the most curious, however, because he was one of the best explorers Jamaa has had and he likes to discover things.
I peer at the wooden huts. They are all small compared to the larger palace that Ersel lives in. I can get a view of it from here- tall, broad, and full of rooms and windows. It looks large, and it has many more torches in it than a regular wooden hut. Each member of the Tribe stare at us and wonder, just as we stare at them.
After walking down the dirt path for a few more minutes, we reach the large palace that Ersel lives in. Ikenus opens the door and tells the guards to let us all in. They obey, since Ikenus is most likely second in command for the Tribe of Ersel Animals.
Inside Ersel’s palace it is much fancier than the wooden huts Kurkah, Nova and I stayed in the last time we were here. There are much more torches, red carpet, and fancy art along the walls. We climb another flight of stairs, and these stairs are made of stone, not wood. They aren’t as dangerous, either. Once we’re at the top, Ikenus leads us down a narrow hallway and at the end we enter Ersel’s room.
“Visitors? I haven’t had them since… Nova! And Cup! It’s you two again?” Ersel exclaims.
“Yes, and we need your help again,” I answer.
Ersel is a very, pitch black wolf. He’s so black he could be a shadow slithering in the night sky, just waiting to pounce onto its prey. He has ice-blue eyes and a huge scar across his face. Wait… it now looks as if his right eye is completely white, while his left eye is still the ice blue. Compared to the the other members of the Tribe, he is very small. He is only Nova’s size, which is average for a Jamaasian. But most of the Tribe members are double Nova’s size.
“Ersel, what happened to your right eye?” I say out loud. I regret asking now.
“The Phantoms invaded us, and I had to fight them off. The King got me in the right eye, and now I’m blind in it. I still killed the King, and the Phantoms fled,” explains Ersel.
“Okay, but anyways, this is our story,” I get back to the main subject. Ersel sits on a stone throne that has vine growing over it. I can peer out of the windows and see the village below us.
“After we got back, we fought off the Phantoms with your tribe. Then Liza told all eight of us to go and find the Forgotten Alpha, because he would help us in our final battle to save Jamaa,” I tell Ersel.
“The Forgotten Alpha?” Ersel squints at me.
“I thought he was dead…” I can hear Ersel whisper.
“No, he’s not. And according to Liza, you know where he could be at,” I raise my head high.
“Well, it’s been quite a long time since I last saw him. We used to be best friends, but then… well, it’s a long story. I know so many secrets they are hard to find the depths of my brain. But if I’m not mistaken, he is northeast from here. Very far northeast. He’s even farther than Carntimyus Island. I think he could have a Tribe or something, too, but it’s been years and I can’t remember. You’ll find out for yourself, I guess. Just go very far northeast, and eventually, there will be a rocky area with rivers around it. I think that’s where he is,” Ersel gives us the directions.
“Okay, thanks,” I tell him. Then I start yawning.
“And, I’m sorry about this, but can we stay the night?” I ponder.
“It’s fine just as long as you stay within my palace,” Ersel orders.
“Cup, I can guarantee you that not all of your members going with you will survive the journey. I barely did myself. You better watch you back for danger,” Ersel warns.
“Now, Cup, there are some rooms for you to stay in on the first floor You can bring your friends with you, too,” Ersel breaks the sudden silence after his warning.
“Thanks,” Nova beats me to it.
We all begin going down the stairs, but Ersel tells me to stay behind while the others find rooms.
“Yes, what is it, Ersel?” I ask.
“Cup, you are brave. I know that for a fact. Do you remember Ice? The lonely wolf that helped you and Nova break the ice? It was me all along,” admits Ersel.
“But why?” I questions his actions.
“I needed to figure out how the Jamaasians were doing. You see, there isn’t just one Forgotten Alpha. There’s two. And the second one was me,” Ersel lifts up his chin.
“Then how come Liza never mentioned you?” I ask with disbelief.
“Because I was part of Jamaa before her. I am the creator of my Tribe, while Zios created his. We were both friends, and after Zios created Mira, they had to recruit Alphas. I was the first chosen. But when I realized that their animals were going to hev evil souls, I ran away. I created the Tribe of Ersel Animals because most of the Jamaasians are greedy and cruel. It’s the truth, and you have to admit it,” Ersel points out.
I think about Archie and his followers. Then I think about the Jammers that bully others. And then Kurkah. Not all of the Jammers are bad, though… even the famous Jammers can be good.
“Yes, I know it is,” I say, “but it is my home, and we can always change. It is the greatest land that any animal could ever live in.”
Ersel stares at me. Then he says “indeed it is great. But anyways, they never told the Jamaasians about me. That’s why I was never in their history books. They wanted to forget all about me because I left Jamaa. That’s why I am with the Tribe today,” Ersel finishes.
“Then why did you help Jamaa during the last battle with the Phantoms?” I ask Ersel.
“Because I couldn’t just watch all of you die. The Alphas still won’t say anything about me to the new generation of Jamaasians, though,” Ersel swears under his breath.
“Ersel, you can’t blame them, though. They;ve changed alot, and if they even remembered who you are, they’d welcome you back,” I try to convince him.
“Yes, I can blame them.”
“Well, then you can. But they are all still my family and nothing can stop that,” I glare at him, deep in his good eye.
Ersel glances at me, and then looks down a his paws.
“Yes, I know they are your family. I am sorry for my rudeness. And I know they need your help, Cup, because you will be the greatest warrior they have ever seen before their eyes,” Ersel guarantees.
I give him a forced smile. It’s hard to smile when your home is in danger.
“Thanks, Ersel. But how did the other Forgotten Alpha leave?” I ask my final question.
“Oh… it’s been quite a long time. But I think he left and told me this before he was gone: ‘Ersel, I am leaving because of a Prophecy from Zios. He has explained I need to start a tribe of animals to help Jamaa in the distant future. I am sorry to leave Jamaa, and I am sorry you left, too. I hope they explain you in their history soon. Goodbye, Ersel’,” Ersel quotes what Faber, the Forgotten Alpha, had told him.
“So he has his own tribe, too?” I ask Ersel. He nods quickly.
“I went there a long time ago, but the guards wouldn’t welcome me in through the gates. Good luck getting past them. By the time I arrived back here, I was weakened by the long and tiring journey,” Ersel says.
I look around the room . I need to get rest so we can get up bright and early for the journey tomorrow.
“Ersel, I must leave now. I need to get rest for tomorrow,” I end our long conversation.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. The Tribe of Ersel Animals has got your back anytime, despite the Alphas not liking me that much. By the way, once you finish this quest, I want you to come back here before going home again. I have something I need to give you,” Ersel winks.
I stare at him in confusion. Then I tell him goodnight, and I race down the stairs to find my room.
I find a room next to Nova’s. It is wooden, with little light in it, but it’s enough for the night. I quickly fall asleep.
“Cup, remember what Kurkah did. He betrayed you. And the final battle with be a betrayal, also. Remember, Cup… trust only the ones you know you can…” Zios says. We are currently sitting in the Chamber of Knowledge, chatting.
“But Zios! Can you tell me who we will battle?” I beg.
“We don’t know, but we only know there will be a final battle and betrayal. Cup, you will save Jamaa and your dearest friends. But first, you must go through training with…” Zios stops.
“Training with who?” I ask.
“You shall find out. Now I must leave you. You have a long journey ahead of you,” Zios squints. Right now Zios is a dark brown Koala, but according to legend, he can shapeshift into any animal that he wants to.
I suddenly jolt awake. Nova is hovering over me.
“Finally, you’re awake! We have to get going on the journey right now, otherwise the final battle could happen before we even get home. Remember, it could start at any time,” Nova grabs me and pulls me to my paws.
The eight of us race out of Ersel’s palace, and he waves goodbye.
“Remember, visit me before returning home!” Ersel shouts as Ikenus leads us out of the underground dome.
We exit the Tribe of Ersel Animal’s underground lair, and Ikenus tells us goodbye.
“We have to all go northeast from here. If we run into a rocky area with rivers around it, that should be where the Forgotten Alpha is,” I tell the other seven members coming with me on the journey.
I have the mythical feeling inside myself right now as we are in the Mythical Forest. Then we all start heading northeast, which will lead us higher into the mountains.
“Cup, northeast is going into the dangerous mountains. We’re going to have to make sure we don’t fall off a cliff,” Nova laughs.
“Why are you laughing about that?” I question.
“Because I could only imagine what Kurkah would do if he was on this adventure,” Nova replies.
“Yeah, he’d fall off,” I laugh a little.
“Cup, I’m glad that you’re my best friend. If it weren’t for you, none of this would’ve happened, and we wouldn’t of been able to save Jamaa,” Nova blurts out.
“I’m worried about you,” I reply with an icy stare.
“What do you mean?” asks Nova.
“These adventures and all- well, we’re just regular animals… what’s so special about us? We could easily be killed,” I explain.
“Don’t get your hopes down, because we were chosen for this. We are the ones to save Jamaa. I might not like the fame, but I know we can do it. You and I, we’re like one animal. I believe we can save Jamaa and I care about every animal there is in it. They might be annoying like Wandel, but everyone is my family. And if you’re right, about us being killed, then I’m glad I will die defending my home,” Nova raises her head up high.
I remain silent, thinking about what Nova said. I guess she’s right. We have to save Jamaa.
We’re now in the tall mountains. On the peaks of them is snow because of how tall they are. It’s getting extremely difficult to climb the mountainside because it’s is now steeper than ever. The morning sunlight peers down onto the eight of us, greeting us with glee as we continue climbing. And then I see something rustling behind a bush.
I sneak over to it, then pounce onto whatever is behind the bush. Everyone else pauses, waiting to find out what’s going on.
“Oh, hey, Cup! Is Nova here?” Rocky, the lion around my age, exclaims.
“You again?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Yes, me again.” Rocky grins.
“I’ve been following you because I didn’t want to stay in Jamaa. Wandel is the new leader of the bridge in Jamaa township since Archie, well, was consumed by the Phantoms. But he’s been bullying me, and I can’t stand it. Then I followed you guys secretly. Can I please stay with you, and find the Forgotten Alpha?” pleads Rocky.
I stare at Rocky. He looks like the average lion, and is bigger than me. He has ocean blue eyes, but they don’t have an icy tint like Ersel’s.
“Fine, you can stay with us. But don’t cause any trouble on the journey,” I demand.
“Thanks!” Rocky sprints over to where Nova is.
“Nova, I’m sorry about acting so weird the last time I saw you. I’ll admit it, I like you, but you don’t have to like me. But can we be friends?” asks Rocky.
“Umm, sure,” Nova stares at him awkwardly. Suddenly I feel a small pang of guilt for Rocky. Maybe he is just misunderstood. But that’s exactly how Kurkah acted on our last journey, so I don’t trust this Rocky yet.
As Nova and I lead the way with Rapicik, Rocky catches up with us and wants to talk to me.
“So, the Forgotten Alpha? But why do we have to find him?” Rocky wonders.
“For an upcoming battle. He’ll help us,” I tell Rocky.
“Oh,” Rocky says.
We’re now on the peak of the mountain, and it’s chillier than I expected. The snow hits my paws as cold as winter’s breath.
Since we’re at the top of the mountain, I can clearly see what lies ahead. Another forest that stretches for miles- but is covered in snow. It lies on top of a flat mountain, but it is still high in the air. That’s why it has a white blanket of snow covering it.
“Guys, we have to go through a snowy forest. It’ll be tough, and it goes on for what looks to be miles,” I glare at the forest ahead of us.
“Well, that’s exactly what we need. A harder adventure. Let’s go!” Nova begins running down the slope and towards the white forest.
I glance at Rapicik. He glances back at me. Then the rest of us start our ways down the mountainside and into the forest of snow. I’m just hoping on the other side we’ll be away from the mountains.
Once the eight of us are in the forest, it is freezing cold. And then I think about Ersel’s warning that not all of us would make it out alive. What dangers could lie ahead?
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