"Hrm… Go!" Verago hisses at the flaringos as he keeps watching the tall grass before him.

He takes on a firm stance with all fours spread evenly, bracing himself for a possible impact to come. He also stretches his wings completely, making himself much wider to prevent the unknown something from getting to the flaringos and thus his only son. When he realises the flaringos aren't heeding his call, he quickly glances at them and bellows: "I said go!"

The look in the flaringos' eyes turn from anxious to horrified. Zuni, Maya, and Lomo indeed start running. Their spindly legs carry them as fast as possible and away from the tall grass. Little Skylar bounces up and down on Lomo's back, holding tight onto the flaringo's small wings. All of them hear the rustling noise grow louder. That something is moving more rapidly than they are.

This sound also grows louder to Verago's ears. Still standing tall, the jaquin starts growling fiercely. He has a strong sense of what's drawing near. Just as the unknown something reaches the edge of the tall grass, Verago jumps up and performs a backward volley. While doing so, he keeps his gaze on the tall grass and sees something springing from it and straight at him. During his somersault, Verago manages to kick shut the jaw of his besieger. Upon landing back on his feet, he notices the foe got flung over him due to the sheer impact of the kick received. Verago then quickly identifies it: a nguruvilu, one of Chatana's aquatic monsters. "What is it doing outside of the water?' Verago mumbles yet immediately snarls at the elongated fox-like creature, 'Hmph, you are not welcome here, fiend!"

The nguruvilu hisses at the black-and-green jaquin, jettisoning some droplets of blood from its mouth in the process. "This is my domain. You have no permission." the creature hisses through gritted teeth.

"Nothing here is yours, abomination! Return from whence you came and leave us be… Tell your maker her magical dominion has started crumbling. It is but time that is on her side – for now."

"On the contrary…' the nguruvilu hisses at Verago again but in a high-pitched voice and cackles once before repeating itself, 'This is my domain…"

It then goes to stand tall on its hind feet with its elongated body stretched, effectively making itself 10 feet tall. The black-and-green jaquin, however, isn't intimidated at all. Instead, he lifts himself from the ground and starts hovering at an equal height as the nguruvilu. To Verago's surprise, however, the monster starts smirking malevolently. Without any notice, it suddenly lunges at Verago again. With two powerful strikes to its face, Verago manages to keep the monster at bay. Or so he thinks… Being distracted by this attack, Verago doesn't notice the nguruvilu's elongated body folding around him. Verago suddenly feels how his wings and hind legs become bound tightly to his own body. Without generating any lift, he plummets to the ground.

The nguruvilu's smirk becomes more apparent now that it has Verago in its death trap. It starts dragging the helpless jaquin to the nearest pool using its front feet, ready to sink him to the bottom of it. Verago realises what his fate is going to be and starts struggling, but cannot free himself from the squeezed position he's in. "Papá!" Skylar shouts anxiously from a distance.

"No, little one. We are not safe over there. We are safe here." Zuni says to the yellow-and-blue cub comfortingly.

"Indee-eed. We should not partake in this fight. It causes bad feelings to erupt. That is not our way of li-ife." Maya adds in a sing-song manner.

"But… Papá need help…" Skylar says hesitatingly and saddened now.

Meanwhile, Verago buries the sharp talons of his forelegs into the soil, hoping to bring the dragging to a halt. It's without avail as the nguruvilu keeps pulling him toward the bank of the nearby pool. When the creature reaches it, it says: "You are in my domain. Now you are my prey!"

"I – will not give up!" Verago screams in horrified resentment.

Just as he plans on striking at the creature's body, Verago starts feeling water surrounding his own body. Slowly but surely, the nguruvilu is taking him further into the pool without the possibility for the black jaquin to swim. Verago starts panicking now as he starts hearing sloshing water all around him. There's not much else to focus on but the loud sloshing due to his floundering, as well as a faint sound of galloping. Just as Verago feels his upper body submerging into the water completely, a shadow moves over him. The nguruvilu suddenly starts screaming frantically. The black-and-green jaquin notices the creature's body being pecked at by a beak, the one belonging to Lomo. "Yeah!" little Skylar yells excitedly.

The yellow-and-blue cub jumps from the flaringo's back and goes to hover over his father. He grabs Verago by his neck and starts pulling with all his might. "Stop. Get away from here. It is not safe." Verago says anxiously.

"No! You need help!" Skylar yells and groans as his wing muscles become soar.

The nguruvilu manages to drag Verago further into the pool, leaving only the jaquin's head above water level. As Lomo's pecking at the monster's elongated body continues, Verago realises how Skylar and Lomo try to save him. If he doesn't do anything, their effort will be in vain. Inspired by their bravery, Verago starts clawing at the creature's body.

The nguruvili screams of pain. Against its own desire, it sees no other option but to release its grip on Verago and save itself. With an agonising wail, the creature lets go and swiftly slithers toward the middle of the pool. It disappears underwater and creates a whirlpool out of anger.

Verago wheezes as he drags himself back onto the bank, safely out of reach of the nguruvilu. Lying on his back now, a soaked Verago sees two overexcited faces look down on him: Skylar and Lomo are quite relieved seeing the black-and-green jaquin being finally safe. "Thank you… Both of you. That was – excellent teamwork." Verago says wheezing still.

"Lomo, dude! That was heavy. Such inspiration, right there." Zuni says excitedly as he and Maya approach them.

"And now we should move away-ay from that uninspiring be-ing." Maya suggests calmly.

With the fight over and both jaquins and flaringos being safe, Verago and Skylar say their goodbyes to Zuni, Maya, and Lomo and head back home. The frightening battle between Verago and the monster has left little Skylar tired. He realises this after the long return flight home and makes it back inside the safe environment of the Palace, the humongous structure that's both the epicentre of jaquin society and culture as well as a safe haven. Together with his father, the yellow-and-blue cub land inside the throne room, a circular chamber that, because of its shape, easily stands out from the other rooms. Orange marble-like support columns stand next to the similarly coloured walls and are evenly spaced out in a circular pattern, carrying the solid walls above them that spiral upward into a cone-like tower. At the very top is a hatch that can be controlled using a footplate in front of the throne, a ceremonial seat carved from the wall in the back of the room. It has a two-story-tall backrest leading up to a ledge in front of the entrance to the royal bed-chamber.

Verago feels very much at home in this particular room. It's because recently he's been here more than he has been in the nest he calls home, where he likes to spend time with his family; his beloved mate Myra and their son Skylar. Oftentimes he craves her affection and love, but he also desires to dedicate his time to training the Skyguard or debating political views with his fellow generals. He's seen them more during these past few days than he'd seen her. She's been incredibly understanding and forthcoming with him about this, knowing and accepting the burden of her mate's duties that require him to be elsewhere often. Each time this realisation springs to mind Verago feels blessed with Myra's support, which has his feelings for her grow only stronger.

He thoughtfully looks at his son. He sees so much of Myra in him, both in personality and appearance. The blue feathers on Skylar's cheeks, wingtips, and heels… All are identical to Myra's. It produces a faint smile on his face. He says calmly: "Go see your mother, Skylar. She must be exalted to see you again."

After receiving a quick and happy nod from Skylar, the large jaquin strides toward the throne. He walks past muscular-built jaquins standing on attention for him now that he's back. As Verago walks past them, they salute their general using their right wing. He reminds himself how much their serious gazes are filled with confidence not originating from arrogance but from experience. This comes forth from countless battles they've seen against adversaries far bigger and more ferocious than themselves, and yet all are still alive to tell these tales in person.

All of this, however, goes unnoticed by little Skylar. Instead, he sees his mother at the far end of the throne room, sitting next to king Corona and his nuclear family of four. The cub solely focuses on Myra as he dashes towards her. In her turn, Myra gazes at Verago intensely the moment he enters the room. It's of longing, finally seeing him back again unscathed. Her blue eyes, standing out from the white fur surrounding them, betray a certain lust for him, a craving that never really went away since the first night they slept together. Feeling his body against hers, synchronising her purring with his, folding wings around each other to create the bubble in which they find absolute happiness. To her, each night is a dream come true carrying the magic as powerful as the first time she experienced this…

"Mommy!" a young and exhausted voice calls out to her from nearby.

"Skylar! You are back. I missed you.' Myra says happily now she sees her son back safe and pets him on the head, 'Tell me, how was the adventure?"

"I save papá! And flaringo did, too! We attack enemy and it fled. Then, papá was safe!" Skylar says with clear enthusiasm.

"Wow! What a story, so full of bravery. It fits you, hihi. You know, you have such a vivid imagination and always had.' Myra says and winks at him before she adds, 'Know what? Why not go and visit little Luna? She is having Anoki berries for lunch. You definitely deserve some for your gallant behaviour."

"Anoki!" the yellow-and-blue cub yells excitedly and immediately darts toward his best friend Luna to have lunch together.

Myra smiles as he dashes off. He likely stopped listening upon hearing the word Anoki. But she cannot blame him, because jaquin cubs crave those berries to no end.

Myra follows up Skylar with her eyes. Those same eyes then spot a jaquin heading her way. She can recognise her mate from miles away, simply by his build and unique fur colour. Besides, his longing emerald green eyes are fixated on her deep blue ones. This is something that always triggers a deep desire within her, a craving for him. As he walks up to her, Myra rises to her feet. They rub heads a couple of times. "Hi, honey! I am so glad to see you again.' she says excitedly about seeing her mate again but then notices something awkward about him, 'Oh, you are soaked. What happened, darling? Did you trip into a river? Hihi, even you can be clumsy. But that is alright. Everyone has their moments."

Verago gives her a loving look, one of tranquillity. He says calmly: "Actually, it was nothing like that, at all. We were ambushed. But it is a long story so I will spare yo–"

"Wait! Ambush, you say? Did an enemy attack you – and did Skylar and a flaringo save you?" Myra asks in utter surprise and frowns.

"How do you… How can this story has already preceded me?" Verago asks in return while feeling confused.

"Never mind. I am glad you are okay. That is all that matters now.' Myra says relieved as she lays her head against his shoulder before continuing with concern in her voice, 'I could not bear the thought of losing you. Just promise me you will not put yourself in any unnecessary danger, okay?"

"I promise. For you and for our son. For now, let us forget about what happened and focus on spending this time together. Just you and me." Verago says with benevolence.

Myra smiles at the black-and-green jaquin. She replies lovingly: "I like that idea…"


In the course of a few days, Verago alternates his time between spending quality time with his family and picking up training the Skyguard rigorously again together with Zephyr and Thunder.

One evening, when everyone heads home to the comforts of their nests as is usual, Thunder and Zephyr arrive back at the Palace with the Skyguard after an evening training round. That night and by order of king Corona, all of the Skyguard and their generals, Verago, Thunder, and Zephyr, are spending the night inside the Palace. With the recent find of some of Chatana's minions close to the Palace, everyone who's committed to defending the spiralling structure is currently on high alert. The Skyguard takes turns being on watch, both patrolling the indoor grounds carefully and being on the lookout for suspicious movements outside.

Thunder, however, cannot fathom sleep well. This purple-and-gold jaquin turns every now and then, caused by a bemused feeling of unknown origin he can't explain. It's as if a hunch keeps him awake, telling him sleep is out of order. He slowly opens his eyes. As he does, Thunder notices a member of the Skyguard suddenly collapsing to the ground. *Odd… Falling asleep on the spot without prior notice… Tomorrow, I will scold him for sleeping o–* he thinks grouchy but is interrupted as another such occurrence takes place.

Thunder finds this even odder that the same happens now to two more patrolling jaquins. *What is going on? This has never happened before to so many in a single instance. It seems as if some-thing is doing this. But what? What could force them to–* he ponders but holds his thoughts as a realisation sinks in.

His eyes are now wide open. Thunder knows exactly what's going on: they're under siege!

He quickly jumps up from the floor, his wings generating a forceful lift as he goes airborne. Granting himself a vantage point from up there, Thunder receives questioning looks from those on patrol that are able to see their general lift himself into the air in the dead of night. It is from here that Thunder sees clearly what's attacking them.

"VINES!" Thunder bellows ferociously from the top of his lungs.

His voice carries throughout the Palace. Everyone close to him immediately wakes up in a startling motion, either agitated or groggy but collectively unknown to what they woke up. "Marimonda is inside the Palace!' Thunder shouts in an aggressive shout and yells a command that makes everyone stand at the ready, 'Skyguard! Wings up, claws out!"