Steps… steps… steps…
"What are you two fools mumbling about?" A scar-faced T-Rex entered the chamber like a grumpy landlord inspecting his least favorite tenants.
Our silent gazes were immediately drawn to him. His presence was irritating, like nails scraping a chalkboard. Scarletface sneered at me as if I were his next victim.
"What are you staring at, kid? Angry because I beat this little girl? Laughable insect. Come out – your parents are here to pick you up."
Ignoring him, my attention shifted to the lonely girl sitting quietly, her smile blooming like a flower in a garbage dump. I mouthed silently, I'll come to see you again. Words were unnecessary; lip movements sufficed like secret agents with the world's worst communication skills.
"Rider!" Emberheart's voice carried relief and exasperation, unmistakably maternal, like a mother finding her child covered in paint but still alive. "My son, there you are!"
Guilt struck me sharply, like a balloon popped by sharp regret.
"I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to get lost."
Emberheart's eyes scanned me thoroughly, checking for injury. When they met Scarletface's, it was as if two trains were on a collision course.
Scarletface hesitated, trying to divert her attention like a magician botching a trick.
"Long time no see, sister. Almost forgotten your dear brother after marriage into the Scorchclaw family? Don't worry; I provided good hospitality to my nephew."
I froze. The realization hit me like a tourist deciphering a map written in hieroglyphics.
"I was adopted by the Lavaforge family before I chose your father. By relation, he is your maternal uncle. Did he give you trouble, knowing his cunning nature?" Emberheart asked.
I was dumbfounded. The family I believed were enemies, who had treated me poorly, were actually my maternal relatives. It felt like discovering a longtime enemy was your lost cousin at a reunion.
Confidence surged like a chess player realizing his opponent was actually playing checkers.
"No, mother. Uncle was kind. Only the chamber I was locked in was unpleasant."
Suddenly, my mother's body erupted in flames like a rocket powered by pure maternal fury.
"How dare you imprison my son! How dare you show this behavior to your own nephew!"
Scarletface lowered himself, sweating like a guilty dog caught raiding the neighbor's shoes.
"Sister, it was a misunderstanding. We weren't certain he was your son. You can't blame us – his body is… unusual."
Emberheart's throat flared like a volcano long held in check.
"You dare comment on his appearance?"
A commanding rumble carried through the cave from outside, like a freight train:
"Calm down, Emberheart. We are here to collect him, not to start a fight. Consider it a lesson for him not to roam into unknown territory."
I instantly recognized the voice of authority. No one else could sound like that except father, like thunder deciding to speak.
"It's okay, mother. Let's return home. It was my mistake," I said.
Outside, I saw father conversing with Magmaroar, the head of the Lavaforge family, like two corporate executives negotiating a hostile takeover.
"How have you been, my friend Magmaroar? I haven't seen you outside for years. Are you aiming to become a leader?" Scorchclaw asked.
Magmaroar sneered, like a politician answering questions about campaign promises.
"I am no match for you. I merely enjoy family leisure. Perhaps you should teach your children that entering other properties without consent is dangerous."
"I'll take your advice to heart. A week-old wyrmling cannot be expected to understand tribe rules. I hope his actions did not offend you. Compensation will be provided for any inconvenience," Scorchclaw replied.
Magmaroar lifted his head, seizing an opportunity to mock subtly.
"No offense taken. My sister married into your family. Rider is my nephew by relation. He may freely roam Lavaforge territory."
Scarletface added with sly caution, like a snake in a salesman's suit:
"But brother, what if he entered another family's property by mistake? Couldn't that spark conflict? Some punishment seems necessary."
My chest tightened, seeing a leader endure mockery for a child's mistake, like watching a king lectured by jesters.
Scorchclaw's face darkened, like a storm cloud preparing to rain.
"A child's mistake is the parent's responsibility. Enough. As compensation, the hundred-year mining rights of the heat coal mine beneath my territory are granted to the Lavaforge family."
Both sneered like hyenas discovering an unattended feast.
"Oh no, leader, we are not greedy, but since it is offered, we accept," they replied.
Shameful. That was the only word to describe their duplicity. My worry for Pallet grew – how could such a pure girl survive in this environment? Helplessly, I could only observe, like a spectator at a disastrous reality show.
My father's shadow fell over me. I met his furious gaze with innocent eyes, like a kitten explaining a broken vase.
"You little rascal! I told you not to roam. Look at the chaos you've caused!" Scorchclaw rumbled.
Being carried in his massive jaws, I had ample time to reflect on my mistakes, like a prisoner contemplating crimes during transport. Between his teeth, I memorized the landscape, noting the route back to Lavaforge territory. Not planning anything, merely observing, like a GPS anticipating a future adventure.
Upon reaching our cave complex, something felt off – like entering a surprise party without gifts. The usual warmth was replaced by tense whispers and concerned glances from relatives.
Aunt Emberdance paced near the entrance, barely containing agitation like a caffeinated cheetah.
"There he returns! We dare not venture outside ourselves, and he fancies himself a forest sailor," Blazefang announced as Scorchclaw set me down gently, like a delivery service with attitude.
My scales burned with embarrassment, like a chameleon in crisis.
"Blazefang," Emberheart warned, landing beside us, "he's been through enough today."
"Has he?" Infernotail asked, curiosity outweighing mockery. "He explored another family's land, met new wyrmlings, and caused a diplomatic incident in one afternoon. Exciting."
I ignored them, facing father.
"Sorry, father. You had to suffer embarrassment and lose centuries of mining rights."
Scorchclaw remained calm, like a mountain weathered by storms.
"Centuries mean little to me. Still, your error cannot be ignored. Punishment is necessary. You are not allowed to leave the cave until the flame ceremony."
Meaning at lavaforge family cave
Slap....slap ....slap.....
Gentle figure girl hit on rocky stones wall , bruises her shoulder.
Sneered by Tyrannosaurus Rex with big scar on his face
" Still behaving defiant , check my patience. Rule of lavaforge family is female have obey command of males and females have act accordingly to it or they will be killed without bias . Brother i tired of giving her daily punishment , should i kill her "
Girls expressionless one threat , hardly standing up of ground , pressed bruises at lip corner to stop bleeding. Her intense eye straing his father who silent and brothers enjoying show.
Magmaroar snort
" What are you giving eyes, blem that father defective wyrmlings you are protesting.
that scorchclaw bastard, first he surpass me becoming leader first , humiliate me more and my family took away adopted sister emberheart brainwashed her,
Was not enough he using defective wyrmlings to catch another flower of my family to humiliate . Lock her inside room ,only one time fruit and berries are allowed to serve "
Movement everyone leave , exhausted girls fell down on her knees. Tear rolled on her adorable cheeks
" Mother , father, i am missing you all"
She stand up like brave girl blankly stare at distance bright start beside big moon .
" Mother , father ,my planet i knew you are real not mere dream whirling .
Planet lotusbloom home of our elves , i knew you exist somewhere hidden between star dust of this galaxy.
My friend and families , all of your sacrifice paid off, i return thousands year back before everything begin , sorry my people I am not Longer same Galadriel , commander Lotus Army Tribe, worst i reborn inside body of monster .
We elves living happily peacefully life on our planet , but suddenly out of nowhere dungeon door open up connecting door of to planet .
At begin everyone happy by infinite resources supply but soon it twist into our nightmare . That dungeon swallow up our whole planet and we pride elves turn into slaves for those flying Lizard.
I given up centuries of my life following oder of that ghost Lizard just for promise that he will free over planet one day.
I foolish , I was believed on theirs words . But no more , universe given me another chance to save my people . flowing that ghost Lizard command I am very much familiar of future Event of this planet .
I am no Longer weak body elves now , with this body flame tyrannosaurus, within few centuries i will become strong enough to fight that ghost Lizard . Cherry on top i finally meet key character behind all catastrophic event.
I not sure because still Very little, but his appearence is Very much similar to that weapon of destruction.