The crystal walls of the canyon seemed to close in around me as the full weight of my predicament sank in. What had started as a simple exploration had turned into a nightmare of identical passages and twisting turns. Every path split into two or three more, each gleaming the same way confusing, endless, mocking me.
"Father!" I shouted, my young voice cracking with panic the kind of awkward squeak that would embarrass even a teenage boy trying to sound cool. "Anyone?"
Only my echo answered back, bouncing off the crystal-embedded walls until it multiplied into a dozen distorted cries like a chorus of lost wyrmlings calling for help.
I tried to follow the stream I'd entered through, but it split and rejoined in ways that made no sense. Was the water flowing left or right when I came in? I couldn't remember. My mind spun faster than a dragonfly in a thunderstorm.
Taking what I hoped was the main channel, I pressed deeper into the canyon. The crystal formations grew more elaborate shimmering sculptures that might've been beautiful if I wasn't busy being terrified. Now, they just looked like glittering maze walls designed by someone with a cruel sense of humor.
The blue sun climbed higher, its light bouncing from wall to wall until the air shimmered with heat. The reflection made me dizzy, like I was trapped inside a giant disco ball from dragon hell. My tiny wyrmling body wasn't built for this no food, no rest, no clue. My energy drained fast.
Then I smelled it smoke and sulfur. The air felt different here, heavier, older, less familiar. I noticed new carvings burned into the canyon walls markings that didn't belong to my family.
I had crossed into another family's territory.
That realization should have terrified me. But honestly, at that point, I just wanted someone, anyone, to help me find home. So when the canyon widened into a valley and I spotted caves carved into the cliffside, my heart lifted.
This was Lavaforge territory. Their cave entrances weren't natural like ours they were carved with sharp, geometric precision, every line and edge perfect, as if someone with severe OCD had designed them. Streams of lava flowed through channels and fountains, glowing like molten art pieces.
But what really caught my attention was the sound voices. Young voices, wyrmling voices echoing from one of the lower caves.
"Hello?" I called out, hesitating. "Is anyone there? I'm lost!"
The chatter inside stopped instantly. Then came a rapid thudding of footsteps like a herd of caffeinated dinosaurs rushing my way. Moments later, a young female T-Rex emerged from the cave, her scales glimmering crimson in the blue sunlight.
My breath caught.
She was… stunning. The most beautiful T-Rex I'd ever seen crimson-red scales streaked with rainbow-tinted shimmer, flowing across her body like liquid fire. Her eyes were a glowing amber, bright with curiosity and mischief. When she moved, it was with effortless grace that made my clumsy self feel like a hatchling learning to walk.
on contrary to my emotions her ember eyes quivering as seen ghost ,
" Destrrrr, how can be there " immediately calmed her fluctuating emotions ,
" Who are you?"
While My brain is hanged in her beuty ,For a moment, my brain completely froze like a computer that had just crashed mid-update. "I–I'm Rider Rex. Sorry, I got lost and ended up here. Can you tell me where I am?"
She stepped closer, voice calm but cautious. "This is Lavaforge territory… how dare you intrude?
Wait ,Rider Rex I've heard that name before. You're the newborn son of the Scorchclaw leader, aren't you?"
I scratched my head like a confused monkey. "Uh… yeah? You already know me? Guess my name's getting famous around the forest."
Her eyes sparkled as she circled me, inspecting every inch like a detective. "Famous, huh? Maybe. A purple T-Rex born into the Scorchclaw line that's enough to get everyone talking."
I blinked. "What do they say about me?"
She leaned in close, her breath warm against my snout. " special colour whiling of tribe "
I stumbled back, startled like a cat spotting a cucumber." Special colours ? I thought they called me defective! You're not teasing me, right?"
"Teasing?" She chuckled softly. "Pallet doesn't lie. Grandma taught me that.
Everyone here looks the same red, red, and more red. It's boring! You're different. I like your color violet with a hint of crimson flame."
Her words hit harder than dragonfire. She was confident, clever, and mature not like the other small-brained wyrmlings I'd met. For the first time, I felt something strange pulsing through me heat, rhythm, excitement. Something ancient in my blood recognized her.
Pallet tilted her head. "Why so quiet? boring like every other members of tribe "
"Boring? No! I'd love to talk, but could you maybe show me the way out first? My family's probably losing their minds right now."
Before she could reply, heavy footsteps echoed nearby.
Pallet's eyes widened in panic. "Oh no! Those boring old fellows are here! You need to run now! Our families may act friendly, but the Lavaforge and Scorchclaw are rivals. If they find you here, you'll be in huge trouble!"
I turned to bolt but two massive juvenile T-Rex burst out of the cave, blocking the exit like bouncers guarding a royal nightclub.
"Where do you think you're going, stranger?" one of them sneered, flame ridges glowing along his back.
"Brothers, stop!" Pallet shouted, stepping between us. "He's not an enemy he's a T-Rex like us!"
They stared me down, scanning every inch like suspicious guards at a checkpoint.
"T-Rex, huh? We thought some mutant beast wandered in."
"Sorry," I said quickly, "I got separated from my dad while exploring. I didn't mean to cross your borders."
They exchanged glances, whispering I caught fragments.
"…purple scales…"
"…never seen that before…"
"…spy?"
"What's your family name?" the older one demanded.
"Rider Rex Scorchclaw," I said and immediately, their expressions turned to stone.
Pallet forwarded defencing me behind her back
" Yes , brother , he is rumours son great leader scorchclaw youngest son , mistakenly step in our teratory , i will help for exit "
"Pallet, move aside. Even if he came by mistake, he's committed a crime."
She didn't move an inch. "No, brother. He's the leader's son. Hurting him could backfire on as "
They laughed darkly. "Little sister lecturing us about politics? Step back, before you regret it."
Before the argument could escalate, a thunderous voice rolled through the valley.
"Pallet!" The sound alone made my scales tingle. "You forget the laws of the Lavaforge family males decide, females obey!"
The ground shook as massive adult T-Rexes emerged from the cave. The leader Chief Magmaroar — towered above the rest, his dark red scales marked with blazing flame runes. His piercing amber eyes locked onto me like a predator sizing up prey.
"I heard everything," he said, his tone heavy with authority. "A stranger wyrmling in our territory?"
"Papa," one of the juveniles spoke, "this is Rider Rex, the Scorchclaw leader's son. He says he's lost."
"I didn't mean to intrude," I said quickly. "I got separated in the crystal canyon."
Another T-Rex stepped forward smaller, sharper, his crimson crest gleaming like a blade. Pallet whispered urgently, "That's Uncle Scarletmane be careful, he's dangerous."
Scarletmane circled me with a cruel smirk. "A Scorchclaw wyrmling wandering into our territory? How convenient."
"I'm not spying!" I shouted. "I just want to go home!"
"Of course," he said mockingly. "After gathering your father's precious intel."
"Uncle, stop! He's just a kid!" Pallet cried, stepping in front of me again.
Scarletmane's tail lashed out, striking her face. She crashed to the ground, blood dripping from her lip.
"Pallet!" I shouted.
"Silence!" Magmaroar thundered. "You've spoken out of turn again, girl!"
Rage boiled in my chest, but I was powerless.
Scarletmane grinned. "What shall we do with him, brother? Roast him? Perhaps a taste test first?"
"Enough," Magmaroar growled. "We can't kill him. Scorchclaw would burn our lands to ash."
"Then imprison him!" Scarletmane snapped. "Hold him until we get compensation."
Magmaroar nodded grimly. "Fine. Lock him up and Pallet too. She seems too fond of outsiders."