A meteorite, vast, blazing, and beautiful tore across the black clouds above Mount Vulkhanzhar. Every living thing within a hundred leagues felt it: the tremor, the roar, the promise of ruin.
Below, the Pride watched in silence as their world's doom came hurling straight for their nest. And at the peak of that furious world stood Alpha Pawail, the Silver-Bearded Tyrant of the Liorex.
When the star-fire plunged toward his mountain, he didn't flinch. He opened his jaws. Then the world ignited as a beam of white-gold annihilation lanced from his throat, carving through the meteorite like a divine blade.
In a single breath, the falling star was no more. Reduced to vapor and ash by his [Rift Ray]!
Only one fragment survived, spiraling down like a dying ember. It struck the volcano's heart with a splash.
"Hmph. Just a pebble," Pawail rumbled. "No one disturbs the cradle of my Liorexes."
He paused, then sighed. "Blazes take it! I'll miss the hatching again. Every time the sky falls, it's on my shift…"
???
Far below, in the lake of living magma, an egg trembled, cracked, and began to glow.
Sightless. Dark. Cramped. The not-yet-born Liorex cub tumbled into the lava's embrace with a plop. The shell split open, releasing her into the molten pools of Mount Vulkhanzhar.
She yawned and giggled as if waking from a nap, poking her head through the shell's largest split. The lava didn't burn, not a single bit; it wrapped around her like liquid warmth.
And her first lesson was this: lava apparently tasted like… well, best not to get ahead of ourselves.
When she tried to paddle, her clumsy limbs flipped her over and she gulped a mouthful of the glowing red liquid.
"Lukewarm…" she whispered. The warmth spread pleasantly through her belly. Instinct whispered that this must be what others called water.
Water? she wondered. Is that like… cold lava? Odd.
Not the best first bath ever, she thought, though a little metallic tang on her tongue did make her smile. Somewhere deep beneath the magma, the old stones might have chuckled too.
She licked her lips. The spice tingled against her tongue until she grinned. Who would've guessed lava would taste like an adventure? Kicking her legs, she paddled in loose circles, scattering molten ripples across the surface. Her laughter bubbled up like fizz.
What would she find next? What waited beyond this sea of fire? She had a feeling this was only the beginning of something spectacular, daring, and just slightly out of control.
"Idalia."
Two tones, deep and gentle, called her name. Mama. Papa.
Her vision sharpened with each eager stroke forward. Instinct guided her toward her mother, who stood at the rim of the volcano's heart. The air was thick with warmth and the scent of safety.
She did not remember much about the day of her birth, but some small truth whispered that she had always known them.
In time, on the first day of her life, Mama and Papa led her to a crystal that shone brighter than starlight. It hovered above an endless split in the earth, a patient mouth waiting to swallow galaxies. They lifted her gently by the scruff, the way creatures of love carry what they treasure.
It was strange, being held like that. Strange, and perfect.
The crystal hummed and the world bloomed with symbols. Letters. Lines. Numbers. They flitted through her mind like a flock of bright insects, impossible to catch.
She squinted.
So much information, and none of it made sense!
[Liorex Details] *Click!*
[Vitals & Stats] *Click!*
[Stats Description] *Click!*
[Particles to Distribute] *Click!*
[Traits] *Click!*
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Queasy, she spat up warm lava. Then the dizzying images were gone. It was terrible. She understood nothing!
"We will name you Idalia," Papa rumbled.
"Is that fine with you, Alpha Pawail?" Mama twisted her neck to face a new figure who stepped forth from an amazing, void-like portal.
"Then we'll cherish the child's designation. Idaliakit shall be her name," said a gigantic, silver-bearded T-Rex.
[Name Granted by the Alpha]!
???
Name: Idalia
Given Name: Idalia [Kit]
???
Idalia squealed. Then time moved very quickly. Memories blurred. Two Liorex kittens were born! They played together, filling her mind with enjoyment, happiness, and lovely memories of the new additions to the Pride. Mama and Papa were always there with care, affection, and valuable lessons. Idalia recalled the everyday sweetness of milk from Mama. One evening, a new scent suddenly caught Idalia's nose. Papa had arrived with a strange, pungent package of flesh. She sniffed after he offered it to her.
"Fur-on-meat!" the other kits squeaked in excitement.
Fur-on-meat? Idalia wrinkled her face in disbelief. Still, curious against such absurdity, her first bite of the so-called meat splattered her tongue with a rich, metallic, earthy flavor.
What?! By Vulcan-Boom's name, that was a marvelous flavor on her tongue! She purred, tail wagging.
Oh, how she cherished her first encounter with meat. She wanted more. And Papa would occasionally deliver it, mostly for Mama, which made Idalia joyous when Mama shared. She adored their gifts. Many moons soon passed, and many bland memories were soon forgotten.
The earth convulsed. Volcanoes bellowed. Thunder rolled across a sky splitting with fire. Then came the roar.
It pressed against her fur, a force more than sound, vast enough to rattle her bones. Papa's voice, tearing from his throat and into the world. Glorious. Unstoppable. [Rift Roar]. The air itself shivered, then ripped open in a burst of brilliance too sharp for sight.
A portal yawned before him!
That was [Rift Roar]. The kind of spatial power only full-grown Liorex were allowed to wield. She wasn't supposed to even watch. But how could she not, when the sky itself had just been broken?
Realms waited beyond. Endless paths. Endless hunts. Mammoths. Great birds. And savory rodents of various shapes and sizes lay beyond their domain. Her whiskers bristled at the thought. What if Papa left her behind? Surely, he'd make an exception for her?
[Idalia the Liorex]
The liorex kitten poked her head from the ferns and fireherbs, eyes wide at the spectacle. She padded across the volcanic soil, heedless of watching eyes. She forgot the pride's settlement. Forgot the elder Tyrannosaurs who would scold.
Forgot Grandpa, who was strict but fair. Unlike Bloombark, the Vice Chief whose glares could cow even the boldest warriors. Worst of all, forgot Mama, whose single growled naughty could wither her heart. They would forgive her. Surely.
She was a cutie kitten, after all. A snarl or two wouldn't kill her. She'd toughen through them. Or… at least try. She smiled, puffed out her chest, and roared to imitate Papa's magnificence.
What came out was a very un-terrifying "Yowl!"
It caught her father's attention, and he turned his massive head. She winced. Partially to being noticed, another to remembering how she'd nearly lost her voice the last time she practiced too long. She wanted so badly to master the roar, but Papa always said she wasn't ready.
And Papa was right: she wasn't.
"Ah, Idalia, I didn't notice you, dear."
Relief bloomed. No scolding!
Papa's enormous footsteps shook the earth until he loomed over her. His mane, vast and golden, streamed in the breeze. To her, he was unmatched. Even Grandpa admitted as much, though never within Mama's earshot. One day, Idalia hoped she would be just as mighty. And just as beautiful as Papa and Mama.
"You're heading out? Where to? Can I come with? I like to—"
Papa chuckled, the warm sound rumbling the field. He brushed his snout against hers. Then lifted his head again as he seemed to give consideration to her questions. His following hum vibrated the air.
"A mission…" His voice sounded heavier than usual, though he tried to keep it light. Why did it feel like he was choosing his words so carefully? "You're to remain here, Idalia. You know the law for the young."
"Yes, yes. No leaving beyond the settlement, especially without the escort of an adult Liorex." Idalia plopped to the ground, her tail wagging in a proud manner. Her thoughts trailed. She hoped the twins hadn't seen her sneak out. If Pyrakit and Pyrokit saw her, they'd tag along for sure.
Otherwise, she nodded several times to make it clear she understood. But she couldn't resist the temptation to prod further. To ask Papa the reason he was sneaking out on a mission alone.
"Surely, Alpha Pawail didn't send you out alone? What secret does the great Hunt Captain hide from his daughter?" She fought against the smirk that sought to creep across her lips.
Papa adjusted uncomfortably, only to quickly regain his composure by clearing his throat.
"That is not your concern, though you wear my title proudly in your grin." He dared to grin back at her, deepening the innocuous look with a sneer.
At that moment they remained deadlocked, their piercing stares fixed on each other. It felt like an eternity of silence stretched as the sound of the portal's whine warbled like a lavafall's downward stream.
Thousands of blinks passed. Her scruff felt scratchy, and she was drifting into boredom. She wondered who would break this uncomfortable peace first, as her desire for meat became more evident with each passing moment.
Then, boom!
[Thanks for reading ^_^ ]
The official launch date of Ida Rex is October 1st. Please add it to the following list so you never miss any releases.
Ida's Adventurous Alerts: She tried chasing Pyrakit and Pyrokit through a mini portal once. Tip: Spatial distortion does not improve sprinting speed.
Would you consider this a Portal Fantasy?