Khybon groaned in frustration. He was piloting his hovercraft with Herring close beside him. He listened to the roar of the Mowercycles belonging to Chaor and Odu-Bathax, the Danian Battlemaster as Frafdo, Viqtar, Intress and Gespedan escort them through the forested path that leads them to Kiru City. He couldn't stand the sunny sky. He would rather go back to his forge and clean up the mess made by the thief who beat the living daylights out of Jiggorex and almost killed him. He'd blame the Mepedians, but he never met one who had the ability of turning his whole body into a walking shadow. The battlegear resembling a serrated blade had burst out several hidden spikes which nearly caused severe damage to his hand. His whole body ached. He found himself in desperate need of sleep.

"Rough night too, huh?" Herring spoke at last. He had bags under his eyes and looked like he would faint any minute.

Normally Khybon would ignore the underworld scout, but he could stand for something to keep him awake. "Yeah…I still have to clean up my workshop. Luckily I found a Song of Desperation mugic for Jiggorex. So, at least he can take care of it while I'm gone."

"It's like the M'arrillian invasion all over again!" Herring squeaked. He began cringing as he recalled his time when he encountered Milla'iin and was brainwashed for a while. "I have been getting nightmares for weeks! I even have to barricade my door!"

"Well, whoever they are…" Khybon paused. His thoughts going back to the conversation that Chaor had with him and Odu-Bathax. "They seem to focus more on stealing stuff from the Underworld, but demolish villages in the Overworld. What could they be planning?"

"Tree!"

Khybon and Herring looked up in time to see that they were about to crash into a large tree trunk. They screamed, eyes widened in fright. Khybon pulled on the lever that made them point upward into the sky before flying over the branches and back down to their original position. "That...was close…"Khybon spoke.

"I hope we get to Kiru City soon…" Herring said, clinging to Khybon's leg. "My stomach can't take much more of this…" He placed a hand to his mouth.

"If you even think of throwing up, I swear-"

"Khybon!" Chaor roared. "Quit arguing with Herring and get a move on!" The red Underworlder leader turned his head up to Frafdo. Blue horns glittered in the light. "How much longer?"

"Just a few more steps and we'll arrive before noon." Frafdo answered. The eagle-headed Overworlders flew on ahead of them, checking to see if anything happened.

Khybon sighed. He just wanted his day to be done as soon as possible. Just before he could propel his vehicle forward, he felt a strange brush of emotion. It felt like fear and sorrow. Not his own. "Huh?" He looked around. What was that? He thought. Finding nothing that could point him to the source, he shrugged to himself. Maybe I was imagining it.

"Did you feel that?" Herring asked.

"What are you talking abou-" Khybon cried out in pain. Clutching his head until his nails were leaving red marks. Images began to flash around him. Mournful cries. Whips snapping at helpless creatures. Malevolent faces calling him abomination. Creatures hiding in the bushes and trees. Along with them were the same emotions stronger than ever. A screech erupted that snapped him out of the pain. He looked up and grabbed Herring before a strange spear could hit them.

"It's an ambush!" Odu-Bathax cried. "Attack!"

Before long, a battle erupted. The strange invaders popping out of the bushes and trees. Some resemble the mipedians while others resemble hyenas, alligators and rats. Weapons whistled in the air. Wicked blades trying to cut Dainian shells. Frafdo unleashing a melee of plasma arrows. Odu and Wamma fending off enemies with hive ability. Chaor unleashing a wild blaze while still on the Mowercycle. Takinom battles foes in the air, aiding Frafdo. Gespedan speeding around them. Faash took down two rats before a hyena intervened.

"Ahh!" Herring screamed, his ears straight up in fear. "We gotta land now!" The little scout clung to Khybon's leg to prevent from falling off.

Khybon lowered his hovercraft close to the ground. "Jump!" He flung himself to the ground with Herring close behind him. It crashed into a nearby tree. "They are going to pay for that!" He activated his flame thrower. Half of the enemies clear away from the flames. He kept at it until the area was clear. Well, not entirely clear.

A lone hyena laid on the ground. Chaor loomed over him, glaring at him angrily. "Who are you!? Why were you attacking us?" The creature didn't answer. Chaor growled in frustration. "Spread out! They could be camping nearby!"

"We don't take orders from you, Chaor!" Odu hissed. His blue-green shell glittering like sea glass. Orange eyes bright with fury.

"Woah!" Wamma said. "Chill out Odu! Let's see where they're coming from so they won't attack the hive again." Wamma was never one to fight and enjoyed the good life. Right now, he had to make sure that Odu didn't do something that would cause a never-ending battle with the Underworlders and their unknown adversaries. To his relief, Odu calmed down and nodded.

"Excuse me, Lord Chaor." Everyone turned their attention to the little Underworld scout. "I did over hear what some of those goons said before they retreated. One of them had trouble remembering the location and had to repeat it over and over." Herring grabbed his long ears. "I also think the screech was close by."

"He's right." Frafdo spoke, moving closer to the group. "I did see some smoke, but I've known several travelers use that particular spot to rest so I didn't think too much of it at the time."

"We should head over and get the jump on them while we have the chance." Intress added.

"Khybon," Chaor said. "You stay here and fix the-" He turned around but couldn't find the underworld taskmaster anywhere. "Khybon?"

****************A little while later*************************************************************

Khybon ran after the rats. They must be rushing back to finish off what caused the noise. I've known machines and I know that was not that machine. He could hear a scuffle and rustling of taskmaster hid behind a large bush to make sure no one took notice of him. He looked up to see that the two rats were struggling with something inside a prison wagon. He noticed a hyena with a large scar that went down his face all the way to his arm was trying to catch a strange looking bird that was circling above his head. Khybon narrowed his eyes on the prison wagon while listening to the conversation between the rats.

"I thought you darted her!" One shouted.

"Hey! She was weak! I didn't think she would make such a fuss." The second shouted. "Guess it's feeding time." He wielded an axe that was big as Chaor's head and lifted it high.

"Kyu!" A strange sound that was similar to an orca erupted in the forest. The rats clutched their heads while a flash of brown leaped past them, withering on the ground.

Khybon had a brief flash of fear in his mind. Strong but not as lasting as the first time. He took the opportunity to attack. He summoned a flame orb that sent the wagon ablaze. The rats were sent flying into the bushes. Khybon turned to find the scarred hyena turn in his direction to shoot an arrow at him. Barely dodging, Kybon lifted one of his arms and shouted "Torrent of Flame!" A large wave of fire burst out and hit its target. Before his enemy could get up, Khybon charged into him. He got up quickly but found that the hyena was now unconscious. He looked around and saw no one else. This must be one of their base of operations. He thought as he saw a large stand of weapons close behind the wagon. He glanced around, expecting more opponents to arrive. No one was seen. I guess thanks to that screech, their cover was blown and they had to leave their stuff behind. Maybe it was that weird bird causing it. Looking around, he noticed it had vanished. Probably took off after I attacked. Then he noticed a strange form of brown clawing frantically at a nearby tree. That must be the prisoner they were handling earlier. He walked over to the strange creature.

"Hey." He spoke. The creature stopped clawing and glanced up at Khybon. It's body looked slightly streamlined but the bulk of mud was hard to tell. Chains around its wrists and neck had a few links dangling and seemed to be tight in a few places. Pale blue eyes wide with fright at the Underworlder before her. Her body shook violently.

Khybon walked a little closer, only a few inches away from her face. "Who are you? What did you-" He cried out in shock when he felt another ounce of pain. Emotions of fear and sorrow crept into his mind. When it was over, he found his face wet. He wiped his bandaged hand and found that the source of the wetness were coming from his three eyes. He had been crying. He looked back at the creature again only to see her collapse against the tree trunk. Her breathing slow and ragged. Slowly, an ugly picture formed in his mind. There was only one tribe in existence that had the power of the mind. The very same tribe that cost him his home and his life. This prisoner was in fact a M'arrillian. "Not again…"