The Training Forest rose before us through the flame-trees like a settlement carved from living rock. Stone platforms stacked at different heights between the glowing trunks, each connected by winding paths that followed the natural streams of molten lava.
Dozens of caves were cut into the towering cliff face beyond the flame-trees—our new homes.
"Look at this place," Pallet whispered as we walked under the ember-lit canopy toward the stone gates. "I heard it took fifty years to carve the mountain. Elder Pyrothane designed all of this to train future T-Rex hunters."
At the center stood a massive round arena carved from red lava stone, built around a cluster of ancient flame-trees whose roots drank directly from molten streams. Stone benches surrounded the arena in rising tiers, while the glowing branches above bathed everything in warm orange light.
Lava channels flowed through the complex, creating heated pools and small lava-falls that filled the air with comforting warmth. The familiar scents of sulfur and flame-tree sap made it feel almost like home.
"NEW T-REX WHIRLINGS! GATHER IN THE ARENA!"
That voice made my scales crawl. No. Impossible.
"Welcome to the Training Forest," the voice boomed from the demonstration platform beneath the flame-trees. "I am Scarletface, head instructor of this region of the Training Forest."
My heart plunged into my stomach like stone in magma. Of every instructor in this forest, why him?
Pallet glanced at me and whispered, "I know. My uncle the head instructor of the outer region. Bad news for us."
Scarletface's hostile amber eyes swept across the crowd of young T-Rex, but they lingered on me and Pallet with particular malice. His massive form cast long shadows across the arena.
"Listen carefully, spoiled hatchlings. I don't care if your father leads a clan or your mother is a war hero. In my forest, you're all equally pathetic.
"First rule: when instructors speak, students close their jaws and open their minds. Anyone I catch whispering will spend the night hanging from the Punishment Tree."
His gaze locked onto me like a spear.
"And some of you already know what happens to wyrmlings who break rules in my territory."
"Chief Instructor," came a melodic voice, soft yet commanding.
A breathtaking female with rose-gold scales stepped onto the platform beside him. "Perhaps save the threats until after introductions?"
Even Scarletface seemed to deflate slightly in her presence, though his eyes never left me or Pallet.
"Fine," he growled. "Instructors, present yourselves to these future disappointments."
The first instructor stepped forward, and my whole body went still.
It was my third brother Ironhide. And like Scarletface, he didn't look happy to see me.
"I am Instructor Ironhide," he said, his voice carrying the weight of countless hunts. "I teach claw combat, territory tracking, and wilderness survival. Under my training, you will become predators… or you will become prey."
A grizzled veteran followed, his scales scarred from brutal battles.
"Ghostface," he said. "I teach survival what flame-fruits heal and which kill, how to track enemies, and how to disappear from creatures that could swallow you whole."
Then came the final instructor, moving with liquid grace between the glowing roots.
"I am Instructor Roseblaze," she said, her voice smooth as silk and sharp as claws. "I specialize in flame techniques and hunting strategies. I will teach you to kill with fire. Try not to disappoint me."
"That's my older sister," Pallet whispered, pride in her voice. Then dryly added, "I knew you were already dazzled. She eats her mates and leaves no crumbs. To her males are just tools."
I swallowed. "Why is no one in your family normal?"
"Demonstration time!" Scarletface barked, flames flickering between his teeth. "Each of you will introduce yourself, display your flame-breathing, and prove you deserve the meat we'll waste feeding you. Then the instructors will sort you based on how hopeless you are."
The demonstrations began under the flame-lit canopy and they were impressive.
"Blazewing of the Forgefire family! Two-star awakened!"
A bronze-scaled youth stepped forward confidently. His flames emerged as steady crimson fire with metallic sparks dancing through them. The heat shimmered the air, the sparks revealing his forge-working lineage.
"Solid technique," Roseblaze said. "Ironhide, claim him."
"Denna of the Flameroar family! One-star awakened!"
A crimson-pink female glided forward with dancer's grace. Her flames curved and spiraled instead of blasting straight elegant, controlled, artistic.
"Artistic flame-shaping," Ghostface nodded. "She's mine."
"Motormaw of the Flamefood family! One-star awakened!"
The round wyrmling I remembered from the ceremony shuffled forward nervously. His fire came in thick, steady streams that lasted longer than anyone else's. Not flashy, but strong and enduring.
"Endurance breathing," Ironhide observed. "Useful for long hunts."
"Fungi of the Crowpeak family! Two-star awakened!"
A tough brute stepped up. His flames were short, explosive bursts—darker red, nearly orange, roaring with heat.
"High-intensity flames," Ironhide said with a fanged grin. "Work with raw power."
One after another they took their turn until mine arrived.
Every eye turned toward me beneath the glow of the flame-trees. Scarletface's stare felt like burning coals pressed against my scales.
Whispers sparked immediately:
"The leader's son…" "The one who trespassed in Lavaforge territory and made Scorchclaw lose mining rights…" "Scarletface's nephew…" "Purple scales—what even is he?"
I stood tall despite the weight of their stares.
"I am Rider Rex of the Scorchclaw family," I said, my voice echoing off stone. "One-star awakened."
For my demonstration, I called on weeks of secret training with Pallet. Purple flames burst from my jaws—not my full destructive breath, but a controlled display using advanced dinosaur breathing patterns.
The color alone sent ripples through the crowd.
"Pathetic," Scarletface sneered loudly. "Weak flames. Unnatural color. Just like when he invaded our territory." He let his contempt drip like acid. "We'll see how long this defect lasts."
The other instructors looked uneasy, but none challenged him.
Then came Pallet's turn—and she owned the arena.
"I am Pallet of the Lavaforge family," she declared, scales gleaming beneath the flame-trees. "Three-star awakened."
What followed was pure dominance. She opened with precise flame strikes, hitting tiny targets without a miss. Then her fire curved through the air like living serpents, controlled and elegant. Her flames burned brighter and hotter than anyone's.
For her finale, she leapt fifteen feet into the air between two flame-tree branches, spun three full rotations while breathing a spiraling flame around her body, and landed in perfect combat stance on stone.
The arena erupted into roars.
"You're amazing, Pallet!" I shouted without thinking.
She flashed me a bright smile, though I caught a flicker of worry when she glanced at Scarletface.
"Impressive flame breath," Roseblaze said, eyes glowing with sisterly pride.
But Scarletface's expression darkened like gathering storm clouds.
The instructors gathered beneath a cluster of flame-trees to make their selections.