"It's a nice view, isn't it?"

I turned to Paddy, who gave a small nod. As the sun slowly descended, its warm orange rays reached the leaves of an oak forest not far from view.

We were standing on a mountain, in hopes of spotting the Kingdom from a higher viewpoint. It was definitely worth the climb, for the brilliant sunset and the sparking waterfall that  cascaded down a rocky slope greeted us when we reached the summit.

However, it painfully reminded me that I was gone for at least nine hours. I wonder if Ender is feeling okay now...

"We should get some rest and move out in the morning," I told Paddy, giving him an affectionate pat.

He barked, acknowledging my words. Everyone knew that it was dangerous to go out in the night, as it was ruled by monsters. Furthermore, the low visibility would add fuel to the fire.

A yawn escaped my mouth. I leaned back on a rock and quickly dozed off.

~~~~

I woke up to Paddy prodding me with his paw. I got up, stretching as I did a quick look around us. Nothing suspicious.

"Let's go," I said, suppressing a yawn. The faster we get back, the better.

Paddy took the lead, sniffing the air. Perhaps he caught a scent from the Kingdom? I gave the dog a hopeful glance.

He barked, striding forward. I followed, sprinting a little to catch up with him.

Towering jungle trees greeted us. I stared at them, fascinated by their great height. Looks better than in the pictures...

Paddy went ahead, sniffing the air while I stopped to collect a cocoa bean. Maybe I could plant some back home.

I looked up and spotted Paddy disappearing behind a set of bushes. "Wait for me!" I called.

When I got there, Paddy was crouching over a black and white cat. It mewed pitifully as I approached.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," I said, picking up the cat gently. That was when I noticed the scratch marks on its pelt.

Paddy barked, staring at me questioningly.

"I don't have anything for its scratches," I responded. "We will have to head back to the Kingdom, if that's okay with you." I directed the last part of my sentence to the mewing cat.

It gave a hesitant nod.

"Do you have parents?" I asked softly. The cat seemed rather young, so it should be taken care of by its parents, but it was alone.

The tuxedo cat meowed, shaking its head.

"All right then... I will take care of you until you get better," I decided. "We just need to get back to the Kingdom... somehow."

We continued travelling. It seemed that we were going the right way as I was beginning to see some familiar sights.

At last! I thought in relief as the cobblestone walls of the Kingdom came into view.

"There you are!" Hailbert had spotted me, walking up to me with a worried look. "Where have you been?"

"Umm... I'll explain that later," I mumbled. "This cat needs help first."

He looked at Paddy and the cat, frowning slightly. Paddy barked a greeting while the cat remained silent in my arms.

Hailbert blinked. "I'll leave you to it."

I gave him a curt nod and made my way to the infirmary. Ender looked better than I last saw him, even striking a conversation with Pancer.

He was happy to see me back, leaping into my arms just as I put the cat down.

"I'm glad you are okay too," I smiled.

Meanwhile, Pancer took one look at the injuried cat and ran off. She returned a moment later with leaves in her jaws.

"Thanks Pancer," I said, giving her a well earned pat. "I'm sure..."

The cat meowed.

"... Stripes appreciates it too."

I left them to mingle among themselves. I needed a quick breather after all the crazy things that happened: me finding myself in an unknown place when I woke up and not to mention the countless dreams and random visions.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the sky, as if the answers I desire would fall on my lap any moment. If only I knew what was going on... then I would be able to sort this out.

"Frost!"

I recognised the voice. It was Flight, one of Swoop's sons who I met not too long ago.

"Quickly, there's no time," he spoke urgently. "It's... it's Swoop. He's dying."

My eyes widened in shock. Without a word, I followed Flight to the Library. We headed to a room, where Swoop was lying down on a bed, looking frailer than when I last saw him.

Swoop was mumbling incoherently, his eyes wide, like he was in shock.

"Swoop... I'm here," I spoke, my voice faltering.

"I'm... glad..." Swoop's voice was barely a whisper. His eyes began to close.

A heartbeat later, they snapped open. "Please... save them..." he gasped. "The darkness will swallow Forest, and us all... The dark lord... is coming..."

My heart skipped a beat when I realised that Swoop was staring at me. In one last shuddering breath, he forced out two words.

"... for... you."

Swoop suddenly relaxed and his eyes closed, for good. Flight was speechless, his head lowered in grief.

Stunned, I walked out of the room, figuring that it was best if I left Flight alone to grieve.

What stunned me most was not Swoop's death. It was what he said, about "darkness" and "the dark lord". I felt a shiver coming up my spine.

Something told me that this moment of peace was only the calm before the storm.