“I’m sorry, I hit my head and broke my wings, so I can’t fly or do much of anything. I fell into the Sinister Forest, and I’m trying to find someone. And I’m not from around here and have been looking for them since I woke in the forest.” Dante tried to expin but the more he expined, the less sense it made.

  Tana was a very smart Chimeran. She smiled graciously. “Don’t worry. We’ll get this all figured out. So you hit your head. You are presumed to have lost your memories of your life. But… I can tell you’re not a Chimeran. You see, most Furthians have a lot of feathers. You don’t. Furthermore, you only have them on your wings and those I would not call feathers! You also have your wings on your backs while most Furthians have them on their arms. Besides these facts, there have only been a few Furthians that look like you. We’ve called them High Furthians. Most notable would be our Forever Queen and the one that created us–according to legends.”

  Then as she examined further, “Another thing that truly sets you apart, is this glowing rock in your chest.” She tapped it with her cw. The module faintly reacted.

  Dante retained a confused look on his face.

  “Perhaps you did hit your head. Perhaps you did break your wings. However, you are not a Furthian. Anything I do for you would be for a Furthian and ineffective for you.” Tana inspected further, “Let’s see. You are also not a human. But Since humans have not had much reason to come here, that would be strange for you to be here... That being said, the town’s in an uproar due to all the human sightings in other parts of our world. Plus the strange happenings in the forests and caves and the Meorbin vilge up north.” She stroked her furry chin. “You said you woke up in the forest? Maybe you are a science experiment gone wrong? Yes. That expins it!”

  Dante smirked, “Sure, let’s go with that. I’m just rather shocked that you are not surprised by any of this…”

  “Our world has quite a history, legends, and myths that have been surfacing as of te so no, I am not surprised.” She said, tapping the side of her rabbit-like nose.

  “I see… I suppose that makes sense… anyway, I should probably get going.” Dante was about to stand.

  “You do have a guide, right?” Tana asked, pcing a paw on his chest to keep him still. “To help you find your friend?”

  “Yeah, he’s back at the inn.” Dante nodded.

  “Good.” Her eyes widened. “Wait… are you the one that beat up the Ferenzials at the Wolf Den?”

  “Uh… I wouldn’t say I beat them up.” He said shaking his hands around.

  Tana chuckled, “Well, whatever you did, Mr. Mascal’s paw is completely broken. I had to set 16 bones thanks to you!”

  “Is Mr. Mascal the bartender?” Dante shook his head in apology, “I didn’t mean to. He punched me and he broke his hand.”

  Tana ughed loudly, “Serve’s him right. Mean ol’ Ferenzial. He said it felt like he punched a brick wall and by the sounds of it, that is exactly what he did. This skin, look, I can’t even poke it with a knife.” She proceeded to poke Dante with a scalpel which made a tink-tink sound.

  “Uh, solid workout pn?” Dante joked.

  “Hmmph, you are a mystery, Mr. Dante. Even more so is your appearance. Surely you’ve heard of our legends?”

  “Nope… I hit my head… remember?” he looked around sheepishly.

  “Right, well, I don’t think I have the skill to help you. I am sorry.” Tana put her tools away and started to clean up her workspace. “Anyway, I heard the whole story from Mr. Mascal. You know you can’t just go into a bar for Ferenzials and scare them all, right? I mean, you genuinely scared them.”

  Dante apologized and realized something, “Ok, I think I get it! That’s why he got mad because of what I called him… I called him ‘wolfy’. Forgive me for any offense but bear with me. The Furthians are the bird-like Chimerans. Ferenzials are the dog-like Chimerans. What are the rabbit-kind called?”

  Tana promptly answered, “We’re called Vigas, which means small ones but don’t ever call a Chimeran by human nomencture. We get very offended by names like that!” She paused for a moment in thought, “How… did you come to know the human nomencture anyway?”

  “Uh, prior knowledge? Anyway, I realize now what I did, and I am sorry.” He hung his head in shame, “Again, I’m not from around here.”

  “I forgive you, of course, I know that you don’t remember though I think it is more likely that you don’t know at all.” She winked, “Am I right?”

  “You’re right,” Dante said in surprise, he thought that Tana was very bright indeed. “I don’t know anything about this pce. Or the Chimerans. Or this world…” He noticed that Tana was staring into his face and cocking her head. “What is it?” He said while wiping his face.

  “Mr. Dante, I must admit that you are very familiar to me.” Tana’s dainty eyes squinted, “I can’t quite tell for sure. Your bck wings. Your human features. They’re very simir to our legend. But… it’s impossible… or is it? Seeing as you are here,” she shrugged and sighed. “At any rate. Nothing I can do for you. I’m sorry. I may know of someone who can help you though. Our Forever Queen, Artemis herself. But that would require some remarkably spectacur events for you to ever be graced by Her Majesty.”

  Dante nodded in appreciation, “I see, so I just need to meet the queen then.”

  Tana giggled, “It’s not that simple. You would have to be extraordinary! I mean, you are as you are since I do not see any Chimeran in you, your resembnce is uncanny. Even then, I don’t think it is enough to grant an audience with our Forever Queen.”

  Dante felt like time was running away, “Well, I thank you for all your help and kindness. I should be off now to meet my guide.”

  Tana’s eyes lit up, “Oh yes, the one you were with at the Wolf’s Den, Silver. He’s well known and should aid you.”

  “What do you mean well known?” Dante inquired.

  “A bit of a wanderer, a loner, always looking for the next big treasure. You should have a great time with him.” she smiled.

  “Great. Thanks again.” Dante turned and exited Tana’s hut. While walking to the inn, his thoughts diverted to his conversation. So humans exist here. And others that look like me… I wonder if that’s what the voice from the flow of time meant. Or maybe it’s one of those Kaleidoscopians in disguise… At any rate, I must meet these people. Maybe Silver knows something? He’s well-known after all.

  Nighttime in Artemis Roost was peaceful. Owl Furthians flew above keeping watch. The bird-type Chimerans were typically the guards and watchers of the city. Dante watched them as they flew around in the sky. He was amazed by how well they could fly. The Furthians didn’t have tail feathers. Their wings were extensions of their arms unlike himself where his wings were on his back, just as Tana eborated on. When a Furthian nded, its wings folded against its arm. Their feet were just like a bird's feet with sharp talons. Their legs were long and powerful. It allowed them to leap great distances. They could fp with ease, even while wearing serious armor.

  “Their bodies must be extra light. That’s the only thing that makes sense.” Dante said to himself as he followed the path back to the inn. There were other Chimerans that were typically nocturnal. Raccoon types and bat types. They seemed to be cleaners of some sort as they were cleaning out vacant stalls.

  Eventually, Dante returned to the inn before the morning sun peeked over the horizon. He sat on the bed and gnced at Silver. The Ferenzial was on his back, kicking his leg, snoring loudly, and drooling over the pillow. Dante snickered as he id his head down. The bed was comfortable, but he was not able to sleep. So he y with his eyes open, waiting for the sun to appear.

  The dawn brought with it a routine. Silver, ever so punctual, greeted the morning with a loud, exaggerated stretch, followed by lighting his pipe. “Nothin’ like a good smoke to start the day,” he remarked, exhaling a cloud of fragrance. “What say we grab some breakfast and gear up before we head out? I know a guy nearby who has some Furthian armor for cheap. Free, if ya py yer cards right.”

  Dante nodded, appreciating the simplicity of Silver’s suggestion. A hearty meal and some decent armor sounded like a good idea, considering what y ahead even though he wasn’t hungry in any shape or form despite wanting to refrain from being rude.

  Breakfast was a delicious smoked ham, with fruit and vegetables included. There were some rolls of rye bread. Along with some ale to wash it down. The ham was exceptionally cooked, moist, and tender.

  “Delicious, Pas!” Silver said with juices running down his neck. Dante nodded with intent.

  Pas bowed, “The southern armory can hook you up with some Furthian gear if you’re interested, Dante.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea,” Dante said as he studied his ck of armor.

  Pas nodded and said goodbye. “Don’t worry about payin’. It’s on the house.”

  “Generous of ya,” Silver said as he tipped his paw, and the 2 left the inn.

  Artemis roost was once again bustling with energy. Crowds of Chimerans all around. It was much busier than the first time Dante arrived.

  “Is it always like this, Silver?” Dante asked while avoiding the inhabitants.

  “Ya. It’s pretty lively. Not like the Quadraseph or the Coliseum but ya know. Our kind make do.” Silver easily slid between the crowd.

  Dante nodded while he followed Silver through the cobbled streets. Near the South Gate was an additional market area with multiple stores, including an armory.

  The armorer, Marcus, was a stout bulldog Ferenzial. He was fully aware of Dante’s bar fight. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give ya that,” he said, sizing Dante up. “How about we get ya fitted with something more protective than those strange leggings and busted bits?”

  Dante was introduced to Furthian armor—light but durable gear that offered a much better visual than his broken equipment. Protection wasn’t important anyway at this point, but it was good that his module was covered, it was drawing too much attention and eyes. The armorer expined the intricacies of the armor while helping Dante suit up. As he adjusted the straps, the armorer suddenly paused, his eyes narrowed.

  “You’re not from around here, are ya?” Marcus asked in a curious tone.

  “No,” Dante replied, meeting Marcus’s gaze. “Just passing through.”

  Marcus grunted, satisfied with the answer. “Well, ya helped out at the Wolf’s Den. Think ya turned that pce around. Now I can get a proper ale there! Heh, consider this a gift.” He finished securing the st strap and stepped back to admire his handiwork.

  Dante and Silver were about to leave when they saw a group of heavily armored Ferenzials, feline, and buffalo Chimerans march through the crowd towards the South Gate.

  “Looks like they brought in the Calvary…” Silver nodded to the soldiers.

  “They?” Dante asked.

  “As I told ya, there’s been strange happenin’s before ya arrived. Could be a human force or maybe a forest actin’ up. Or it could be yer friend. We probably should hurry. Don’t worry I got plenty of supplies.” Silver expined.

  Dante and Silver quickly left Artemis Roost, the city’s vibrant colors faded behind them, repced by massive farm fields. The marching Chimerans headed in a different direction, towards the south.

  “They must be going to the other forest…” Silver hinted.

  Dante was shocked, “Other forest? You mean there is more than one?”

  “That’s right. Dark energies have been poppin‘ up all over the pce. Forests, caves, ya name it. The rgo have been up to their eyes in logs tryin’ to stop the spread. No one knows why. Can’t go investigatin’. Everything there can kill.” Silver expined. “Just gotta move quickly through it.”

  “Wow… I didn’t realize that.” Dante shuddered at the fact that he had been through one of these pces.

  The duo eventually reached the end of the farmnds and followed through dense vegetation and thickening shadows, hinting at the dark forest they were approaching. Silver led the way with his usual confidence.

  “Silver… can you tell me about your Queen, Artemis?” Dante asked.

  “What d’ya wanna know?” Silver replied.

  “Well, I spoke with the doctor, and she said that Artemis could fix my wings,” Dante admitted.

  Silver puffed on his pipe, “Hm, Queen Artemis is powerful but I dunno ‘bout her healin’ abilities.”

  “What do you mean by powerful? Who is she?” Dante then thought about his conversation with Tana. “And… I also heard about another from some kind of legend, that looks like me?”

  “Ah, ya must be referrin’ to the High Furthians.” Silver said with a thoughtful eye, “They’re mostly featherless, but they also have strange powers. Artemis is one. There was one of ‘em that was the most powerful of all. He created us. I’ll need to refer back to my schoolin’ days.”

  “He created you?” Dante stopped.

  “Ya. Created. His name was Sebooro. Now that ya mention it. Ya do kinda look like ‘em. Big bck wings, mostly human features. But only for a bit. Accordin’ to the legend, Sebooro changed himself to become one of us back when the humans came.”

  “What happened with the humans?”

  “Well, if I remember right, the humans messed up this world. Real bad.” Silver expined as he scratched his chin fur, “So Sebooro kicked them off and repaired the world. Which he somehow made us. Then the humans came back to get their world and started killin’ our kind with their tech. Then these huge bug things came outta the ground and started eatin’ everythin’.”

  “Whoa… that’s crazy,” Dante’s eyes widened.

  “Heh, doesn’t stop there.” Silver went on, “Sebooro was able to get the bugs to go away but then… he went away too. That’s when Artemis took over and made a treaty with the humans by cuttin’ the world in half. One for us and one for them. She also banned human tech since it messed up the world before. Sides, we don’t need it. It’s been peaceful ever since. Well… till now it seem.”

  “So… why is Artemis called the Forever Queen?”

  Silver nodded, “That’s the strange powers part. She don’t age. We’re talkin’ hundreds of years ago. The longest a Chimerans’ lived, be around 175 years, yet Artemis? She’s still kickin’! Ain’t no one know how old she be.”

  She’s immortal… she sounds like a Kaleidoscopian… but why…? Dante thought. They quietly continued to their destination. Why would a Kaleidoscopian be here? And for this long? I thought they had other things to do. Maybe they were waiting for the amulet to come here? But… none of this makes any sense!

  “Ya alright mate?” Silver asked, “Been quiet ever since.”

  Dante caught himself, “Oh yeah, sorry, I was just thinking about your story. And about mine.”

  Silver stuffed his pipe, lit it, and took a massive drag. Smoke billowed out of his nose and mouth. “I love me a good story with some pipeweed.”

  Dante cracked a smile, Silver sure loves his pipe, he thought. Decidedly so, it was time to share more about himself and his quest. “I suppose I should tell you more about why I’m searching for this friend.”

  Silver, intrigued, gnced at Dante. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

  “Well, obviously I’m not from around here.” Dante began.

  “Obviously.” Silver jibed.

  “So… Uh… I’m not from your world. My home was destroyed by a demon with ram horns and bck wings. She nearly killed me for an amulet. I’m searching for the owner of that amulet. This friend, Ezekiel, might help me understand why all this has happened.”

  Silver’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Hmm… That’s quite a revetion. So, this Ezekiel is vital to ya. Anythin’ else?”

  Dante continued, “I fought with that woman and traveled through space, then I touched the amulet and this gate appeared and brought me here. I was able to fly among the stars, but now everything has changed. I can’t even fly anymore.”

  Silver ughed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Wow, ya really must have hit yer head hard. No wonder ya don’t know anythin’. Ya crazy!”

  Dante couldn’t help but ugh at himself, expecting a yokel to understand his story. I don’t know why I tried to expin that…

  Silver stopped, “Ya know… that reminds me. This is why I keep thinkin’ that ya look familiar to the one before. Plus that… weird rock in your chest. Not to mention the bck wings. Anywho, there was a prophecy that Artemis repeated for centuries. Sebooro would be back. And now, yer here. Strange things been happenin’ in the forests n’ caves. Yer friend for instance. Human sightins’ bein’ reported. None of this been happenin’ till bout ya arrived. Could ya be?” He stepped closer and looked into Dante’s swirling blue eyes. “Nah… can’t be…”

  “Heh, I don’t think Sebooro is me but… it could be a version of me.” Dante smiled and shrugged.

  Silver scratched his head, “Don’t be daft. That ain’t rational. C’mon, the forest is just ahead!” He said as he darted towards the darkened forest.

  As they ran, Silver was quiet, up until they reached the mouth of the Sinister Forest. They stopped and looked in, it was dark and menacing for sure. Much more so than the other forest Dante woke up in. Silver turned to Dante, “Ya know… I was thinkin’ about what ya said… Perhaps ya did once live in another world. Mebbe ya did end up losin’ ya world. And then ya floated in space and touched a strange object which brought ya here.”

  Dante ughed, “That’s exactly what happened.”

  “All these strange occurrences ever since I met ya… plus you were unfazed by that gut punch… and eatin’ poisonous berries. Yeah, I heard the story-don’t ask. Yer quite the creature Dante. Not a man… not a Furthian. Ya making this trip very interestin’.” Silver then checked over himself to ensure nothing would get caught on the vines.

  Dante shook his head. “Gd I can be of service… but, um, do we really need to go through the forest? Can’t we just go around?”

  Silver let out a loud, barking ugh. “HA! Go ‘round. Yer funny.”

  Dante raised an eyebrow. “What, was that a dumb question?”

  Silver gestured wildly toward the horizon. “You see how big this damn forest is? It go fer miles in every direction. You wanna walk fer a week just to avoid a few creepy trees?”

  Dante gnced at the towering bckened woods. “A week sounds preferable to whatever’s in there.”

  Silver scoffed. “Yeah? An’ what ‘bout the kes?”

  Dante frowned. “Lakes?”

  Silver crossed his arms. “Yup. Lakes. Plural. Big ones. Ain’t got no safe way ‘cross ‘em ‘cept takin’ the ferry, an’ guess what?” He spread his arms dramatically. “There ain’t no ferry.”

  Dante exhaled sharply. “You’re telling me we’d have to swim?”

  Silver gave him a deadpan stare. “We’d have to drown, more like. Them kes is bottomless. Ain’t natural. You step in, and the water grabs you.”

  Dante tilted his head. “It… grabs you?”

  Silver nodded. “Heard stories. Folk tryin’ to cross, thinkin’ they can paddle through. Next thing, they sink, straight down, like the water’s pullin’ ‘em under. No bubbles, no strugglin’—just gone.”

  Dante’s gaze flickered back to the ominous forest. “So, what you’re saying is… the creepy, evil-looking woods are the better option?”

  Silver shrugged. “Ain’t sayin’ it’s good. Jus’ sayin’ it’s less likely to kill us outright.”

  Dante sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fantastic.”

  Silver grinned, already stepping forward. “Told ya! Now quit yer whinin’ an’ get movin’. Nightfall ain’t somethin’ we wanna be meetin’ in here.”

  Dante took one st gnce toward the endless dark trees before following him in. “Why do I feel like that was an understatement?”

  The two looked on as the path became less distinct, swallowed by the creeping darkness of the forest. The air grew thick, heavy with an unnatural stillness, as though the very trees were holding their breath. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the ground, twisting and shifting as if alive. The towering metallic trees loomed overhead, their jagged branches cwing at the sky like skeletal fingers. Their dark, smooth bark reflected slivers of dim light, giving them an eerie, liquid sheen.

  The ground beneath their feet trembled with occasional, unpredictable quakes as if something massive stirred deep beneath the earth. Each step forward was met with the unsettling crunch of brittle, gss-like leaves that shimmered faintly before disintegrating into fine dust. The deeper they ventured, the more the forest seemed to close in around them, the gnarled roots forming tangled barriers, forcing them to weave their way through like prey in a predator’s den.

  A distant, guttural sound echoed between the trunks—a low, reverberating moan that seemed neither animal nor wind. It slithered through the silence. The once-familiar surroundings had become unrecognizable as the nd itself had contorted into hostility. The oppressive gloom wrapped around them like a living thing, pressing in from all sides, making even the air feel treacherous to inhale.

  Silver gestured in the forest. “Welp, this here’s the sinister forest I was tellin’ ya about. It’s known for its dangerous pnts and treacherous terrain. We should be careful now on.”

  Dante observed the forest’s ominous transformation, his heightened senses alert to the differences from the other forest. The pnts seemed more aggressive, and the darkness within the forest was deeper.

  “It sure is different from the st one I was in…” Dante tried to peer in but it was illusory.

  “Yeah, this forest… it’s been like this for quite some time. But not this alive. It’s like it’s reactin’ to ya. Yet another strange thing occurrin’ near the same time as yer arrival. Mebbe ya tellin’ the truth?”

  Dante smirked. “More than you know…”

  The duo stepped into the tunnel of darkened trees, their massive, metallic trunks stretching high like twisted pilrs of some long-forgotten temple. The air was thick, dense, pressing against them like an unseen force. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the feeling hit—an eerie, suffocating sensation.

  They weren’t alone.

  Silver’s ears flicked, his tail lowering slightly. “Don’t like this… forest watchin’ us.” His voice was hushed, but his stance was tense, ready to spring into action.

  Dante kept walking, his gaze shifting left and right as he listened to the unnatural creaks and groans from the trees. “You sure it’s the forest watching us and not something in the forest?”

  Silver snorted. “Ain’t makin’ a difference, either way.” He kicked at the ground, watching how the bckened dirt seemed to shift beneath his paws like something lurked just beneath the surface. “Whole pce wrong. Like it ain’t supposed to be here.”

  A low tremor rippled beneath them. Just subtle enough to be unnerving, but not strong enough to throw them off bance.

  Dante frowned. “Feel that?”

  Silver nodded, his ears twitching wildly. “Feels like the whole damn forest breathin’.”

  A sharp crack echoed through the trees. Both of them snapped to attention, eyes darting toward the source. But there was nothing—just shadows stretching and shifting like living things.

  Silver exhaled through his nose. “Nope. Nope, don’t like that one bit.” He gripped his cloak tighter, his muscles coiled like a spring. “If somethin’ jump at us, I’m bitin’ first, askin’ questions never.”

  Dante chuckled. “You always this jumpy, or is it just creepy forests?”

  Silver shot him a gre. “Listen here, ya smug featherhead. Jus’ cause you don’t got instincts no more, don’t mean I ain’t trustin’ mine.”

  Another tremor rumbled through the earth. This time, it was stronger. The sound of shifting metal groaned through the trees, and a barely audible voicelessness curled through the air.

  Dante’s smirk faded.

  “… Ya hear that?”

  Silver’s fur bristled. “Didn’t wanna hear it, but yeah.”

  The sound came again, slithering through the trees like something unseen, watching, and waiting.

  Dante rolled his shoulders. “Alright then… guess we see what’s waiting for us.”

  Silver exhaled sharply. “Or, hear me out—we turn ‘round an’ pretend we never saw this creepy pce.”

  Dante grinned. “Where’s the fun in that? Besides… you said it was the only way we could go. Remember?”

  “Ya, I know what me sayin’ but me body don’t like it!”

  Another tremor. The forest creaked, the shadows pulsed, and the noises grew louder.

  “Shh… quiet…” Silver said as he tip-toed along.

  “What’s that smell?” Dante asked as a foul order penetrated his nostrils.

  “Smells like… death…” Silver shuddered.