The sound of axes and saws biting into wood filled the air as the men worked tirelessly to cut the massive tree blocking the water's path. Rain continued to fall steadily, mixing with sweat as the men focused on their task, each taking turns with tools, their breaths misting in the cold air.
Mira's father coordinated with the other men, helping everyone find their place along the trunk. "If we can get this cut evenly down the middle, we might be able to push the halves aside just enough to let the water through."
The others nodded, each stepping up to the challenge. A few muttered how they hadn't seen a tree this big in years, let alone had to clear one in such conditions. But seeing Blue nearby, scuttling back and forth in the mud, boosted their spirits. The tiny scorpion had been drawing small maps in the mud, marking where the tree was heaviest, where the ground was slippery, and even where it seemed safer to cut. The men found themselves following the marks Blue made, grateful for the guidance, even if it came from an unlikely source.
"Looks like the little guy has some sense about him," one of the men chuckled as he worked. "Seems almost as if he knows exactly what he's doing."
Mira's father grinned. "That's my daughter's friend for you. Got a knack for keeping us on the right track."
Blue waved his pincers enthusiastically, happy to be of use. Though he couldn't speak to them, he eagerly demonstrated his excitement, scuttling around and showing his approval of their work. The men shared a chuckle, their spirits lifted as they continued to chop away at the massive trunk.
.
Meanwhile, Wobbles was wobbling through the forest, following Blue's instructions to keep an eye out for anything unusual. They wobbled over stones, through puddles, and around tree roots, examining every detail in their path. Blue's voice echoed in their mind—or whatever they had for a mind—reminding them to return if they found anything strange.
Wobbles spotted another large footprint, then another, each embedded deeply in the mud. They seemed to circle around, leading through the forest in a winding pattern. Curiosity got the better of them as they followed the footprints, their squishy body wobbling over the damp ground.
Just as Wobbles turned back to find Blue, a powerful force struck them from behind, sending them flying several meters before they landed hard on the muddy forest floor. The impact left them dazed, their vision blurred. Gathering their senses, Wobbles looked up, only to be met with a terrifying sight.
Towering above them was a massive creature, part lion, part bird, its body covered in thick, tawny fur and feathers. It had the powerful build of a lion, but its talons were sharp and curved, and a beak jutted out from its face, glistening in the dim light. Its eyes were fierce and wild, and they fixed on Wobbles with a hungry intensity.
The creature let out a low, menacing growl, its breath visible in the cool air. Wobbles's whole body wobbled with fear, and for a moment, they considered fleeing. But the thought of disappointing Blue and failing the villagers filled them with a surge of courage.
I have to do something, Wobbles thought. Gathering every ounce of bravery, they began wobbling as fast as they could, attempting to lead the creature away from where Blue and the men were working.
The creature lunged after them, its talons digging into the ground as it chased Wobbles. Wobbles zigzagged through the trees, wobbling faster than they'd ever thought possible. For a moment, it seemed to be working—the creature was following them, its growls growing fainter.
But then, Wobbles felt a chill of dread as they saw the creature stop, turning its head back in the direction where Blue and the villagers were. It sniffed the air, seemingly catching a scent, and began lumbering toward their direction with newfound purpose.
Wobbles's heart—or whatever they had for a heart—sank. Desperate, they wobbled back, slamming into one of the creature's massive legs. They slipped beneath its foot, causing it to momentarily lose its balance and fall with a loud crash. Hope sparked within Wobbles—they had managed to trip it!
But the victory was short-lived. The creature quickly regained its footing, shaking itself off as it got back up. Wobbles steeled themselves, attempting to repeat the maneuver, hoping to delay it just long enough for Blue and the others to escape.
As Wobbles moved in again, the creature swung its powerful tail, sending them flying through the air. They crashed into a tree with a blinding force, their body hitting the ground hard.
Dazed and weakened, Wobbles tried to get back up, their vision fading. They wanted to keep fighting, to stop the creature from reaching Blue and the villagers, but their strength was slipping away. As darkness began to overtake them, a final, fleeting thought crossed their mind.
I'm sorry, Blue… I couldn't stop it.
And with that, Wobbles's world went dark, the terrifying silhouette of the creature stalking toward the village, its growl echoing ominously through the forest.