"What was that?!" Zephyr and Thunder call out in horror simultaneously.

All three generals' gazes are filled with surprise that slowly makes way for anxiety. Their fear originates not only from the unknown source of the sudden reverberating roar, but also from the possible consequence if something were to happen to the human delegation. They remember well Corona's anger over his daughter Miguella merely getting caught in eaglespider webbing, let alone his fury if the humans were harmed. After all, the jaquin king considers them part of his plan to save the species from possible extinction.

The generals try to determine the origin of the loud roar. Alas, finding themselves amidst trees and bushes, no one has a clear view of their surroundings. "I will take a look." Verago says as he lifts himself into the air.

Hovering slightly above the canopy level of the surrounding trees, Verago grants himself a clear vantage point. He notices dust and dirt being swept up into the air some distance away. He observes how the dust cloud is moving away from him and is wildly carving a path through the jungle, leaving felled trees in its wake. Without any lush vegetation around him to block most of the noise, the sounds produced are ear-deafening to the black-and-emerald jaquin.

Verago squints his eyes to get a better view of whatever is causing this ruckus. The dust cloud conceals a humongous silhouette, but he cannot determine its actual form; he can only tell that the creature towers above the trees so it must be enormous. Seeing this event unfold in front of him reminds the black-and-emerald jaquin of one specific thought, one he had a few days ago in which he visualised his young son Skylar threatened by a gargantuan foe. Perhaps the ominous warning of Quita Moz about Kizin made him give shape to such a tall adversary, but the comparison between both giants is scarily similar. Even though he's trying to tell himself it's based on sheer coincidence, this ordeal instils fear in Verago that his family is in grave danger…

"Verago! What do you see from up there?" Thunder asks impatiently.

The purple-and-gold jaquin's calling startles Verago out of thought. He quickly descends onto the jungle floor, where he says with a slight tremble in his voice: "There is something gigantic running wild. Trees are snapping like twigs… It hurls a cloud of dust in the air, making it impossible for me to identify it. Whatever it is, we need to get these humans to safety."

"Is it coming this way?" Zephyr inquires calmly.

Though worry emanates from his eyes, Verago shakes his head. "No. It is moving away from us."

"We cannot take the risk with these humans here.' Thunder states quietly to prevent the human delegation from hearing him and he grunts once before adding sternly, 'Flying the humans back will likely draw its attention. And with the humans in this weird state, our return trip on foot will be troublesome. So I suggest we start moving. Now."

Verago and Zephyr nod in unison with Thunder's suggestion. While Verago informs both Miguella and Diestáy of their decision, Zephyr and Thunder are gathering the humans. Unbeknownst to them, the three men who unearthed Kizin are still separated from the group and nowhere to be seen…

Later that day, the human delegation and their guides and escorts made their way back to the Palace. With the humans in this odd state, they're ordered to stay in their quarters for the remainder of the day. All but Alacazar who, being unaffected, remains with Miguella and Diestáy. He's requested to stay with the royal family of the jaquins. At least until king Corona, being displeased with the whole situation, decides about the humans' stay in Vallestrella.

While the generals inform Corona about what happened, all of them, as well as Miguella, Diestáy, and Alacazar see a slender shadow moving over them. As they look up, an elongated body with red scales passes them overhead. "Amazing… What is that creature? Is it a friend of yours?" Alacazar asks in sheer wonder.

While Quita Moz touches down, he curls his tail to rest his snake-like body on it. "Indeed. I am a friend of theirs. And you must be a human. You do know there are three of your group unaccounted for, yes?' Quita Moz says cockily and turns his head to face Corona before adding in a serious manner, 'I assume you have heard of the grave news by now, king Corona. Kizin is at large. It has been released."

"Released?" Miguella asks in surprise with a frowned expression plastered on her face.

"Yes. Released. By sets of hands. They seemed to be digging for something. Something I could not deter at first, for even the Flames cannot peer past the obscuring curtains of darkness. Only on my way here was I able to ascertain their mean–"

Thunder then states accusatively: "Chatana has hands! She is the root of all this–"

"She does not have some pares de manos, Thunder, nor do her minions.' Diestáy waylays Thunder and turns to oracle sunbird, 'Quita Moz. Does this mean…"

"Yes. The humans have enabled it to go free."

Both Alacazar and Corona avert their gazes from Quita Moz. Their eyes emanate loss, yet both for a different reason. The generals watch their king closely for they understand his pain, feeling as if an important opportunity has gone to waste. Corona returns his gaze to the oracle sunbird. Despite the alarming nature of the situation described, a smile finds its way across Corona's face. In between all of the turmoil and burden that weighs heavy on his heart, the jaquin king finds a mere moment to amuse himself. "You are highly known for speaking in riddles, Quita Moz. Once again, you honour that feature.' the teal-and-indigo king says heartily only to frown at those same words by the oracle sunbird which he hadn't expected in such a combination, 'But tell me. Are you sure the humans have caused this tragic event? Even though something has intoxicated their minds it sounds like something they would not do, not to us nor this realm."

Quita Moz nods slowly, knowing that no more is needed to support that claim. In response, Corona says sternly: "Hrm. Then we must not let them stay here any longer. We shall see them back to Avalor for their safety."

Verago goes to stand next to Alacazar and offers him a ride to the quarters. The human wizard can then pass on the message to the rest of his delegation. Before they can take off, however, a Skyguard member hurries into the throne room. "King Corona! A huge creature is coming directly at us…" she says with distress in between her panting from racing all the way here.

Zephyr positions himself in between the Skyguard member and Corona. He wants to prevent the jaquin king from becoming inundated with stressful information, who's already heavily burdened by recent developments in Vallestrella that have him on edge. Thus, Zephyr starts questioning the Skyguard member to learn more about this rampaging menace.

All the while, Alacazar's eyes no longer emanate loss. Instead, they show amazement over something he fails to comprehend until curiosity gets the better of him: "What are we talking about? What exactly is – it?"

Quita Moz turns to Alacazar and replies calmly: "It is Kizin… An ominous being summoned by a potent will. It had been lurking behind a shrouded veil until now."

Alacazar's face displays shock, while all three generals, as well as the royal family of the jaquins, gasp in horror. Realisation strikes their minds that Kizin appears more dangerous than they'd thought.

After a brief moment of silent gazes directed at one another, Zephyr turns to the throne. It leads to Verago and Thunder glancing at the grey jaquin questioningly. Zephyr turns to them and states with concern: "This – Kizin is causing havoc alongside the mountain range on its way here. It appears to be moving into–"

Yet, he's cut off by Verago: "Is Kizin going toward the glen? Into dragallos territory?"

Thunder bellows excitedly: "Hah! Let them deal with it. Excellent idea! Perhaps Kizin will be feasted on alive by those dragallos, given their insatiable appetite. Saves us the fight!"

"A disturbing thought…' Verago says reluctantly yet nods as he finds a certain solace in Thunder's words, 'But it would solve our problem."

"If only that monstrosity would deviate from our part of the realm… I would sincerely welcome that idea. Quita Moz mentioned this aberration in his predictions. Therefore, it will likely find its way here one way or the other…"

Zephyr nods and adds calmly: "Kizin must move around the mountains that form our southwestern border with dragallos territory. This will grant us some time…"

Thunder looks back at the entrance of the Palace, reminding him of the other jaquins who are spending their lives outside of it. He turns back to Corona and states: "Not all jaquins can fend for themselves or join the fight against Kizin, king Corona. If that monster is coming to the Palace then they are not safe here."

Corona sighs. He's well aware of the danger they're facing, as well as the number of jaquins that'll serve in the upcoming battle. He thus nods slowly and says: "Agreed. The humans will return to Avalor. All jaquins who cannot fight must go somewhere safe."

"I can help. I know many types of spells. Surely at least one will help you against this Kizin." Alacazar states.

"No. I made my decision. We jaquins will have to come up with the following steps in the preparation for Kizin." Corona states firmly.

"There is this cave. Hrm…' Zephyr says bitterly over his failing memory of its location and has his eyebrows furrowed, 'It is close to here. If I recall correctly, it must be southwest of the Palace…"

Unbeknownst to all and hiding behind a shrub located at a higher level in the throne room are two youngsters. They're Cruz and Vestia. Both are eavesdropping on this conversation. Upon hearing the cave being mentioned, Cruz's face displays astonishment while thinking those words over at first, only to exchange his expression for one of excitement as if he just had an epiphany. He swoops down to the ground below, where he asks with pride: "You mean the one in between the Palace and the portal leading into Avalor? That cave my sister and I always hide in?"

He immediately feels a hard prod to his left wing. He finds his sister right by his side who came down in pursuit of him, knowing he was going to say something foolish. "Do you need to tell everyone about our secret hiding spot?" Vestia hisses at him.

"Oh, right.' Cruz whispers of regret while shame starts emanating from his eyes as he addresses everyone again, 'Never mind! I thought you guys meant a different cave. One not to the southwest – at all…"

Vestia releases an exasperated groan as she rolls her eyes. She feels displeased by how stupid her brother can sometimes act, let alone be. Cruz looks uncomfortably now that many eyes are on him, all of them radiating confusion. "Enough with you!' Thunder states sternly to correct Cruz for distracting everyone and directs his attention back to the other generals, 'I have no clue as to what cave you speak of, Zephyr."

Verago nods as if picturing in his mind the cave that Zephyr was describing. "I know that cave… It should be big enough to keep all inside who are weak and vulnerable. I believe that Miguella and Diestáy cleared it about two months ago from minions summoned by Chatana. I will make sure everyone gets there safely."

Corona smiles mildly. He expected this from none other than the black-and-emerald jaquin. He must confess to himself that he'd been watching Verago closely — more than he would with the other two generals. Something about Verago sparks Corona's interest, a particularly intriguing fascination. It pleases the teal-and-indigo king, even though he cannot call on any explanation as to why. But it matters not at the moment as there are more pressing matters to attend to. "Cruz, you seem to know this cave well. You shall aid Verago in his assignment."

Cruz bears a blank expression whereas Verago's face displays tension. The black-and-emerald jaquin is distracted. It's due to the thought he had earlier that doesn't seem to let go of him, somehow strangling his mind and filling it with fright. As his beloved Myra and little Skylar occupy his mind, he suddenly spots two individuals standing in front of him who look exactly like them. His face shows a troubled look as if he cannot tell whether they're really there or if they're just a figment of his mind playing tricks on him.

"Tag! You it!" Skylar yells gleefully to tagging his father and quickly goes hiding behind his mother.

Though a playing Skylar nearly always brings joy to both his parents, Verago's expression remains unchanged. It does betray a fear that he cannot hide. "Verago!' Myra says relieved of seeing him again but adds in a stunned manner, 'Guau. You look like you have seen a ghost. Are you okay?"

"Papá look spooky." Skylar adds as he looks up to his white-and-blue mother.

"Spooked. He looks spooked, sweety.' she corrects her son with an amiable smile but then asks with unease when gazing at Verago again, 'What is on your mind, honeybird?"

Verago displays a pained smile. He's genuinely happy to see his mate and son again and he wishes dearly to remain by their side to protect them during this moment of turmoil. Yet, he very well knows that his place is not beside his family right now but with king Corona, where he'll play his part in an offensive strategy against a rampaging Kizin to safeguard the Palace. Wherever he's bound to go, he desires his mate and only son to move to safety and away from here, away from him…

Despite feeling torn between emotions, he must make a choice. "Myra, sweetheart. I need you and Skylar to go somewhere safe. This place will not provide you with this, and neither does staying close to me. Both will do none of us good. I need you to go into the cave between here and the portal to Avalor. Cubs, youngsters, and the elderly must go there, too. Make sure they do and remain there until I return. Have Cruz and Vestia help you. Sweetheart. I wish I could stay with you and Skylar…"

"Not leave us! You must stay! You big – and strong!' Skylar shouts furiously out of anxiety about getting separated from his father and looks at Myra in disbelief, 'Right? Mommy, tell him…"

Myra nods at Verago once. She understands the situation solely by the look in his eyes, though she clearly senses the tense atmosphere inside the Palace. Something has everyone fretting and apparently, Verago knows more of it. The white-and-blue jaquin then pets little Skylar on the head and says amiably: "You need to listen to him, mijo… Your father wants what is best for us all."

The cub, however, doesn't take no for an answer. With tears forming in his eyes, he shouts: "No! Please, papí. Stay. I promise I behave – forever… I not want you or mamá go away!"

Verago releases a brief chuckle. Seeing his son's dedication like this, trying to keep this family of three together… It warms his heart. A happy smile finds its way on his face as he says: "How about this, Skylar? Let us play a game. One of hide and seek. Just you, Myra, and me. You and mother will go hiding from me in a place away from here. Then, I will come and search for you two. As we have done many times before. What do you think?"

With a sad expression and droopy eyes, little Skylar looks at his father and pleads: "But, papá… You always win. When we play game you always find me."

"Precisely.' Verago says cunningly and pets his son on the head before adding, 'I will come and find you. This time, however, the game will take a little longer. Perhaps a day… One full day of playing. Sounds fun to your ears, am I right?"

Skylar looks at his black-and-emerald father with enlarged eyes of wonder, wonder over the idea of spending one entire day playing a game with him and his mother. "I guess…" he says slowly.

Verago bunts heads with Myra out of deep-rooted affection for his mate before saying: "Good. Now off you two go."