Dino made stops at some of the cliff faces, her wings flaring as she landed on narrow ledges that jutted out like shelves. The air here was colder, sharper, with gusts that tugged at her frills and ruffled the bandanna around Scout’s neck. Each stop gave them a chance to catch their breath before continuing upward. At one particularly narrow ledge, Dino peered down, taking in the vast expanse of the jungle far below. “How’re you holding up?” she asked, glancing down at Scout. “Still here!” he chirped back, his voice full of excitement. “You think we’ll make it to the top soon?” Dino nodded. “We’re close.” She flapped her wings, pushing off from the ledge as they ascended once more, the cliffs growing steeper and the air growing thinner. Whatever lay at the top, she could feel they were getting closer. And the sea? It waited just beyond these mountains, just out of reach—but not for long. The adventure had only just begun. The night was peaceful in the cave, save for the occasional crackle of the fire Dino had managed to start by scraping two rocks together on a stick. The flames danced and flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls, illuminating the space just enough to keep the dark at bay. Dino gazed down at Scout, who had fallen asleep in the pouch, his little head poking out with his blue scarf wrapped snugly around him. She stretched, letting out a soft yawn, and decided that tonight wouldn’t require much comfort. There was no need for sleeping bags—they would have only been an unnecessary burden. Gently, she slid the pouch off her neck and onto the ground beside the fire. Scout barely stirred, curled up in his makeshift bed. Satisfied, Dino gave a powerful flap of her wings and took to the air, landing on a small outcropping in the ceiling of the cave. She dug her claws into the rock, steadying herself before wrapping her wings tightly around her like a bat. Her frills relaxed, soothed by the warmth of the fire below. It wasn’t long before she drifted off into a deep sleep, the gentle crackling of the flames her lullaby. The next morning, the fire had long since burned out, leaving only smoldering embers in its wake. The sky outside the cave entrance was a dull gray, with soft light peeking through the clouds. Dino stretched her limbs, her wings unfurling as she dropped gracefully to the cave floor. She nudged Scout, who stirred and rubbed his eyes with his tiny paws. “Morning, sleepyhead,” Dino teased. Scout yawned, then blinked up at her. “Morning! So, what’s the plan today? We still headed for that haunted temple?” Dino narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “You mentioned it was far from here. How far, exactly?” Scout hopped out of the pouch and stretched. “Well, it’s supposed to be pretty far—further than these mountains. But I’ve heard there’s a village at the base of this one. Maybe we can ask around for directions.” Dino tilted her head, considering. She’d flown over countless villages before, but many prey animals were wary of predators like her. That was something she had gotten used to, even if it still stung a bit. She nodded. “Alright. Let’s head down and check it out.” With Scout perched back in the pouch, Dino spread her wings and glided down the mountainside, the cool morning air brushing against her frills. As they descended, the village came into view—small and nestled between the trees at the mountain’s base. It wasn’t much, just a few stalls, some stone houses, and animals milling about. Dino could already sense the tension in the air as soon as they landed. Predators like Dino weren’t exactly welcomed in every village. Prey animals—like the possum she saw scurrying away in fear—were understandably cautious. Dino’s appearance didn’t help matters. With her sharp claws, long wings, and rows of teeth, she looked every bit the hunter they feared her to be. But Dino wasn’t here for prey. She was here for information and supplies. She walked through the village carefully, her head held high as she approached the nearest stall. An elder squirrel behind the counter eyed her warily but didn’t run. Not yet, at least. Scout poked his head out of the pouch. “Just looking for some food, ma’am,” he chirped, his voice as light as ever. “And maybe some directions.” The squirrel nodded nervously and handed over a few fruits in exchange for some of the shiny stones Dino had collected. As they moved through the village, Dino couldn’t help but notice the nervous glances thrown her way. One young possum even darted behind a stall, terrified, as though she might pounce at any moment. Dino sighed. She hadn’t chosen this name, or this life. "Dino." It was just a nickname, something the villagers had called her when she was younger. Her egg had been left in a leaf basket, abandoned in her old village—the very one she and Scout had just flown from. No one knew where she had come from, or what species she even was. Some believed her to be a hybrid of sorts, while others simply shrugged and accepted her as she was. It was Willow, a kind-hearted ankylosaur, who had taken her in. Willow, with her green scales and shades of white, had raised Dino like her own, teaching her the ways of the world and protecting her from those who feared her for her differences. Over time, the nickname “Dino” had stuck, and eventually, it had become her name—whether she liked it or not. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Dino and Scout had gathered all they needed from the village. They spent the rest of the day exploring the outskirts, wandering through the tall redwood forest nearby. The trees here were ancient, their trunks towering into the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Despite the size and majesty of the place, there wasn’t much to note—just trees, bushes, and the occasional skittering of small creatures. Scout sniffed around, hopping between fallen branches and sniffing the air. “Not much here, huh?” Dino shook her head. “No, not really. But that’s okay. Tomorrow, we head for the temple.” The redwood forest was quiet, peaceful even, but it was clear that whatever mysteries awaited them weren’t hidden here. As the sun began to set, casting the forest in shades of orange and purple, Dino and Scout made their way to an inn on the edge of the village. It wasn’t much—a small room with straw beds—but it would do for the night. As they settled in, Dino’s thoughts drifted back to the stories of the haunted cliffs and the temple beyond. Tomorrow would be a new day, and with it, new discoveries. She wasn’t sure what she would find out there, but whatever it was, she and Scout would face it together. With her frills smoothed and her wings tucked in tight, Dino drifted off into sleep, the weight of the journey ahead both exciting and uncertain.
Tomorrow, the real adventure will begin.
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