The rat continued to circle around the group, its eyes taking in every detail. The group stood still, unsure of what to expect. Avovome's patience was wearing thin, and Mike's grip on their arm was a reminder to stay calm.
As the rat completed its circuit around the group, it stopped in front of them and stood up on its hind legs. It looked up at the group with an almost intelligent gaze, and then began to speak in a high-pitched voice.
"Greetings, travelers," the rat said. "We have been watching you. We know of your quest, and we know of your bravery."
The group exchanged surprised glances. They had not expected the flying rats to be able to speak.
"What do you want?" Gidado asked, his voice cautious.
"We want to offer you a proposition," the rat replied. "We can help you on your journey, or we can hinder you. The choice is yours."
The group looked at each other, weighing their options. What could these flying rats possibly offer them? And what kind of help could they provide?
"What kind of help?" Mike asked, his voice curious.
"We can show you hidden paths and secret ways," the rat replied. "We know this land like the back of our paw. We can help you avoid dangers and find what you're looking for."
The group considered the rat's offer. It sounded tempting, but they didn't know if they could trust these strange creatures.
"What do you want in return?" Bisola asked, her voice suspicious.
The rat smiled, showing sharp teeth. "We want a small favor," it said. "A favor that will benefit us greatly. But we will tell you more about it later. For now, let's just say that we are willing to help you, if you are willing to help us."
The group looked at each other, unsure of what to do. They knew that they needed all the help they could get, but they also knew that they couldn't trust everyone they met on their journey. They decided to hear more about the rat's proposal before making a decision.
"Tell us more about this favor," Mike said, his voice firm. "What exactly do you want us to do?"
The rat nodded, its whiskers twitching. "We want you to retrieve an object for us," it said. "A small, valuable item that is hidden deep within the Dark Cave. It's a cave system that is treacherous and difficult to navigate, but we believe that with your skills and determination, you will be able to retrieve the object for us."
The group exchanged skeptical glances. "What's so special about this object?" Gidado asked.
The rat's eyes gleamed with excitement. "The object is a rare gemstone, one that holds great significance for our community. We've been trying to retrieve it for years, but the cave system is too treacherous for us to navigate. We believe that you, with your bravery and skills, will be able to retrieve it for us."
Avovome raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for us?" It asked.
The rat smiled. "In return for retrieving the gemstone, we will provide you with the information and assistance you need to reach your destination. We know the land well, and we can help you avoid many dangers that lie ahead."
The group considered the rat's proposal. It seemed like a fair trade, but they still had some reservations. "We'll need to discuss this among ourselves," Mike said. "Can you give us a moment?"
The rat nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need. We'll be here, waiting for your decision." With that, the rat and its companions flew off, leaving the group to deliberate.