Hello! This is the new chapter to my story, which will be at least around 1,000 words. Each chapter, excluding prologues and epilogues, will be around 1,000 words long. New sneak peek at the new villain. And back to Kerlon! And, if you review, you'll get a free cookie!

Chapter 3: The Black Dawn

A pair of two eyes were the only thing that broke the blackness of the cave.

A voice was heard , most likely that of a squirrel. It echoed through the dark cave.

"Ah, another fool who comes to my domain, presumably to 'slay" me, hmm, let's see what happens"

He closed his eyes as soon as he heard the squirrel approach. "Show yourself, vile creature! Hiding in the darkness of this musty cave!" saying so, the squirrel spat on the ground. Receiving no reply, he rummaged through his bag and found a lantern and some flint. As he was about to light the lantern, a voice broke the stillness, the coldest voice the squirrel had ever heard, "You have asked me to show myself, haven't you? Well, here I am!" spoke the voice.

Two yellow eyes opened and a loud hiss was heard.

The squirrel drew his sword. The voice continued "Ha! Swords and spears do not even prick me! You are ill-prepared for this fight"

"We'll see who wins, monster!" said the squirrel.

"We'll see, won't we? Minions!" spoke the voice. In an instant a hundred yellow eyes opened and there was the most terrifying creature the squirrel had ever seen, a massive cobra, surrounded by a hundred smaller cobra, without any warning, lunged at the poor squirrel who was too shocked to react. In the squirrel's last breaths, "The army of Queen Alsta will kill you and your followers in minutes!" he said, and died.

The cobra, after swallowing the squirrel, reared up his massive head, breaking through the stone roof of the cavern and letting sunlight in, roared to his followers " Serpents of Naglok! , your master, command you to kill every single beast you see!To war!"

As the light touched the snakes, they began to writhe in pain and discomfort, shedding their skin, and growing arms. They armed themselves, and they rushed out of the opening. " Those poor fools will soon be ruled by Sslabar! Ha ha ha ha ha!" thought the massive snake.( That giant cobra didn't sprout arms, thankfully.)

~~O~~

As Kerlon and the exploring party reached the shore, he saw no beasts on the shore.

"A welcome sign, I suppose." thought Kerlon. By now the boat had reached the shore and all the beasts but two sturdy otters climbed out of the boat.

Samantha, as usual, had fallen on her face and was spitting out sand.

"By Jove Samantha, you look a fine sight, wot wot!" chuckled Jane. Even Kerlon, who was quite serious most of the time, started chuckling.

"Fine sight you look yourself, floppy ears!" retorted Samantha.

"Dust tail"

"Stomach on legs"

The quarrel turned into a sand throwing fight and sand was flying everywhere.

"Alright, stop the fighting, we need to make camp here you know, don't ya?"

A moment later, an arrow flew out of a bush and landed a few feet near Samantha.

The startled woodlanders drew their weapons and braced themselves.

Suddenly, a large group of vermin ran out of the bushes and charged at the group.

Kerlon, stabbed a large rat while Samantha shot a fox.

Suddenly, a large rat attacked Kerlon and swung his massive axe at him but he dodged the blow and stabbed at the rat's footpaws.

The rat roared in pain and slashed at Kerlon and severed the tip of his ear.

The rat was about to deliver the killing blow when a spear came through the rat's body.

The rat fell over, and Kerlon saw Jane with a bloodied spear in her paws.

"Thanks Jane, you saved my life." said Kerlon.

"Think nothing of it, wot wot!"

A horn blew and as suddenly as they came, the vermin retreated to the forest.

"Is everyone okay, Andrew?" Kerlon asked to a healer mouse/

"Just some wounds, no beast dead" replied the mouse.

Kerlon sighed a sigh of relief and went back to help

Alright, that's it for now folks, hope you enjoyed reading this. Remember, free cookie to first five reviewers!