Just then, the ground shook beneath her, and from the depths of the volcanic landscape, a familiar presence charged forth.

  Mama!

  Idalia's heart leapt at the sight of her massive silhouette breaking through the manifested portal.

  A force of nature and protector of the pride. Mama's jaws opened wide. The Pterodactyl turned, its focus shifting from Idalia to the even larger threat looming behind it.

  Mama snatched the Pterodactyl in her fangs, her anger palpable in the way she shook her head, letting the beast know that this was not its domain, nor its time to hunt. The Pterodactyl screeched in terror, its wings flailing helplessly. The creature was now the prey, and Idalia marveled at the raw power that her mother displayed.

  Crunch!

  The Pterodactyl ceased its movement. But Mama did not stop. No, she seemed different. She seethed. She appeared meaner. Odd and scary. Mama dropped her fallen prey. Her foot stomped against the Pterodactyl several times before she kicked it aside.

  Mama roared. She roared continuously. She stamped toward a boulder and smashed it underfoot. Then she began to wreak havoc in a blind fit. It looked as though it would never stop.

  Idalia's ears flattened against her head in nervousness and fright. Mama looked… so upset. She was not herself. Idalia had never seen her like this.

  Finally, Mama's shoulders slumped after she tore a tree out of the ground, roots dangling. Her mouth crushed through it as her chest heaved. Her angry eyes were much more serene than during her prior rage. She appeared calmer. Maybe?

  "Mama?"

  Idalia's voice trembled as she took a cautious step forward, the tremors in her legs still reverberating with the fear she felt moments earlier. Mama turned her head slowly, and the fierceness in her gaze softened as she recognized her daughter, her big, brave cub.

  "Idalia…" Mama breathed. "I—" She paused, her breath hitching as if the weight of her anger began to dissolve. "I'm sorry, little one. I didn't mean to frighten you."

  Idalia's heart pounded, torn between the relief of her mother's calmness and the confusion of what had just transpired.

  "Why… why did you do that?" She nodded toward the battered remains of the Pterodactyl. "You were… so angry."

  Mama sighed, a sound that mirrored the winds sweeping across the volcanic sands.

  "It wasn't just about that creature, sweet one. I felt you out here alone, and when I sensed danger… I lost control." She hung her head, the frustration of her own vulnerability evident in the way her massive shoulders drooped. "I should have been watching over you better. I should have been with you."

  Idalia stepped closer, her instincts urging her to comfort her mother even as she wrestled with the image of the destruction Mama had caused.

  "I… I caught a rodent! A big one!" The words spilled out, a desperate attempt to shift the tension. "I did it all by myself, Mama."

  Mama's expression shifted instantly, as pride igniting in her eyes. "Of course you did, my brave cub!"

  "Yes! I was so close to—" Idalia hesitated, remembering the taste of victory, the warm satisfaction of her first hunt. But the chaotic scene around them felt too heavy to celebrate.

  "I mean, it was amazing until… until that bird," she glanced nervously at the remains of the Pterodactyl. It was still intact enough to eat. But… was the Liorex rage normal? She tilted her head as the thought fell away like leaves in wind. More food!

  Mama stepped closer, her imposing frame now a protective shield around Idalia.

  "You're growing stronger, Idalia." Mama licked her head, and Idalia squirmed under the weight of the wetness of the tongue. But she liked it. The fear she had felt moments ago faded, replaced by a warmth of joy.

  Nevertheless, she still had questions. Papa said it was fine to ask around family, but to tread with caution when around superiors.

  "Mama, what if I lose control like that? What if I let my anger take over?"

  Mama turned to face her fully, the sun casting patterns across her fur.

  "It's okay to feel anger and fear, my dear. It's how we channel those feelings that truly matter."

  "Like smashing stuff?"

  "That does feel satisfying at times."

  "Can we take the Pterodactyl back to the pride?" Idalia suggested, her eyes gleaming with excitement at the thought of sharing both her hunt and her mother's victory with Pyra and Pyrokit.

  A spark of amusement flickered in Mama's gaze as she considered the question.

  "You're certainly thinking like a true hunter now! Yes, let's bring it back." With that, she approached the remains, her powerful jaws gripping the large bird effortlessly.

  Idalia followed closely, her steps light as she mirrored her mother's confidence. Together, they made their way back through the ferns.

  But a sensation made her pause. Not distortion. A call? She took a deep, steadying breath and noticed movement in the distance: a flash of white at the edge of a cliff.

  She froze, ears twitching. The creature she had mistaken for a wolf earlier had reappeared, watching her. Its gaze lingered for a heartbeat, curious, calculating, almost… smug. It was small, clever, and definitely not a wolf.

  A fox.

  Its presence made sense now. Mama hadn't intervened sooner because her attention had been split. She had been focused on that intruder.

  Idalia turned to warn her mother about its return, but by the time they looked, it had vanished before Mama could notice.

  Idalia's fur stood on end. Should she feel excited, proud, curious? This fox seemed far too interested in her hunt.

  ??? ???

  The trip back home went smoothly after Mama roared open a portal. Although the fox was never found. Nonetheless, tasty, creamy, sweet juices of their recent catch tantalized Idalia's tongue.

  She chirped with delight as she seized the chance to drag the massive Pterodactyl's body over to the ever-growing pile of the Pride's hunts.

  Mama watched, allowing her to take the honors. The pile had already swelled with remains. Great beasts that outmatched even the Pterodactyl.

  Sharks, ankylosaurs, magma rhinos; they lay scattered, many still fresh, their savory scent wafting through the air. Idalia's mouth watered with temptation; she could practically feel the tender meat beneath her teeth, begging to be devoured.

  But no, not today. That kind of behavior would surely rouse the wrath of the elders, and Idalia had no desire to face their ire. She shivered at the thought, choosing to keep her cravings at bay.

  Suddenly, a voice cut through her thoughts, clear and commanding.

  "Idalia, follow. Alpha Pawail wishes to speak with you." It was Mama, her tone both reassuring and firm.

  Idalia jumped, up and down, her heart racing with a mix of concern and excitement. What could that Grandpa want with her? She padded toward Mama, her mind churning with possibilities, each more intriguing than the last.

  She hadn't done anything wrong had she? Could this be the—gasp!—the ceremony rite? Idalia heard that once a Liorex kit had grown to a certain age, they received the honors to be officialized into a Toothling. Adolescents in training, not yet full warriors.

  However, Idalia was still a kit. The youngest, protected by the clan. If Alpha Pawail were seeking to see her personally, it might mean she had been chosen. But that didn't seem right. Idalia was no more than three full moons old. Most Toothlings were twelve before being selected.

  The thoughts whirled in her head, hopeful with trepidation, as she flanked Mama, her sturdy guardian.

  "What if it's just a chat? Maybe a story about the time he fought the great humongous Spinosaurus! Or perhaps he wants to share wisdom about the strange plants the elders have been muttering about... the ones that make our scales shimmer and our roars echo louder!"

  She continued to chatter at Mama as she resumed following along. The pile of remains loomed behind her, a mountain of past glories and feasts yet to come. The aroma beckoned like sirens calling to the lost.

  Oh, how she wished to sink her teeth into the juicy meat, to crush bone beneath her powerful jaws, to howl with delight as the clan gathered around, sharing tales of her conquests. But no, that was a dream for another day, one she must tuck away deep in her heart.

  As they reached the clearing where Alpha Pawail resided, Idalia squeezed close to Mama, her pulse quickening.

  There he stood, a grand figure, his glorious mane catching the sunlight, casting shadows that danced like restless spirits upon the ground. His eyes glimmered with an ancient wisdom, fierce and kind. He was the link to legends, a guardian of traditions; every word he spoke carried the weight of a thousand roars.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  "Idaliakit," he began, "come closer."

  Her heart raced; fear and excitement churned in her belly. What could he want? What if he asked her to fetch something from the murky depths of the feeding grounds?

  Oh, she could not! The mere thought of those depths chilled her, full of lurking shadows that whispered of dangers hungry for a predator like her. Or perhaps, he wanted a story of bravery, some valiant feat she had concocted in her young imagination.

  "Your spirit shines brightly, little one," Alpha Pawail continued, his gaze piercing her right to her core. "We see your potential, and the clan feels it too."

  Idalia's heart soared, lifting her spirits higher than even the wispiest of clouds. Yet, fear gnawed at the back of her mind, whispering doubts. "But am I ready? I'm far smaller than the others."

  "Ah, it seems your heart lingers on the passage to the title of Toothling. No, no." He shook his great head. "Instead, I'd like for you to peer through the Crystal of Internal Might."

  He swept his tail toward the underground cavern located further within his den.

  "You earned the right to visualize your growth. I heard your feat against the Big Rodent. Your courage against the Saberdactyl. Follow, child."

  Idalia gasped at the honor, but followed. The Crystal of Internal Might was a rare privilege only bestowed upon those who showed promise, a glimpse into one's inner strength and potential.

  It was said that gazing into the crystal allowed one to see not only their current self but also the magnificent creature they would become. She had heard the rumors from the older Tyrannos, but none ever revealed what truly occurred inside. They'd always laughed, vowing to keep their lips sealed.

  As she stepped forward, her tail quivered with excitement—oh, to glimpse the future self that lay waiting within her!

  What would it be like? To stand tall and proud, teeth ready to rend into the flesh of enemies, scales glimmering like the finest treasures after a rain.

  A vision of conquering a rival clan flashed through her mind, leading her kin with glory. Echoing in victory as she let out a rallying roar that would stir even the ancestors from their slumber.

  "Mama, did you hear that? Did you?" she breathed, darting a glance at her mother, who nodded with a serene smile.

  "Yes, little one, I saw and heard. Your heart is brave and your dreams are wide. Now, the crystal awaits your gaze. Trust in your spirit."

  Idalia felt a bubbling energy rise within her, a vibrant force that made her feet feel light as air.

  She approached the mouth of the cavern with Alpha Pawail, every step thrillingly electric.

  The shadows of the entrance swallowed her momentarily before parting to reveal the Crystal of Internal Might, aglow in iridescent hues. It shimmered like the surface of a serene ocean, but she felt deep down it was alive, pulsing with an energy that resonated with her very being.

  "This is it…" she whispered to herself, lost in awe. She leaned closer, the light reflecting in her wide eyes, illuminating the dark recesses of her fears, hopes and dreams.

  What would she see? Would she be a Titan of the Skies, towering over her peers? Or would she be a Hunter of the Night, prowling through the underbrush, invisible and vicious? Perhaps a Guardian of the Mist, her presence like a shadow among the trees.

  Idalia reached out a claw tentatively, brushing the surface of the crystal. Instantly, a wave of warmth enveloped her, flooding her senses with clarity like nothing she'd ever known. Memory and vision merged.

  She could see! Oh, she could see so much!

  But it confused! She saw the odd shapes forming themselves on the crystal's surface:

  ???

  Name: Idalia

  Given Name: Idalia [Kit]

  Species: Liorex [Kitten]

  Grade: [Rare]

  Evolution Stage: [Fledgling] (F)

  Power Particles: [500] Units

  Attributes: [Deino], [Spatial], [Atomic]

  ???

  Huh? It made her mind itch as more strange symbols swirled across the crystal. It forced her to understand, know what it meant, when she didn't have a single clue as to what they were. Her head hurt as she squinted. Brain felt like it was being pinched and poked:

  ──── ? ────

  ──── ? ────

  ──── ? ────

  ──── ? ────

  ──── ? ────

  ──── ? ────

  Idalia blinked rapidly, her mind spinning in a frantic cyclone. The shapes on the Crystal… they were squiggly, sharp, twisting, twirling! They didn't make any sense!

  Her claws itched to swipe at them, to dig, to bite, to smash, anything to make them obey her. But they only floated, unyielding, mocking. She let out a frustrated growl that rattled her chest.

  "Alpha Pawail… um… what… what's… what is this?" Her words tumbled out in a jumble, punctuated with sharp inhales and little bursts of roar-like squeaks. "I don't understand it! It's… it's not… meat! Not bones! Not… anything I can chew! Why does it… move? Why does it… look at me?!"

  If you haven't yet, favorites and follows are always welcome! It means a lot to me!