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[ Cryptide | Waterclan Chief | Finding impossible answers | Word Count: 1828 ]

  "You will have to learn for yourself," the spirit insisted, coiling this way and that. Its transparent frame crushing into his fur. Tightening its body until the breath was locked in his throat. "The Avatar will be reborn, in the next element in the cycle. Fang died in the Avatar State ending the cycle." It smirked, tail looming over the Chief's face as his vision started to get fuzzy. Cryptide couldn't breath, his lungs being constricted by the snake body of the dragon spirit. Its face mere inches from his own, and it continued to spill out these nonesene words. Almost teasing him, as if it were mocking him!
  "The clans are in danger. You will have to learn for yourSELF!" The serpent lifted its head back only to spring it forward in a strike. Cloaking everything into darkness as the Chief was finally able to gasp out a breath- but he couldn't see now. Thrashing as he felt as if he was falling, the scent of fear and blood suffocating his nostrils. Cryptide tried to scream but nothing came out- no cry for help. Nothing but the spirit's echoing voice filled his ears. "Learn for yourself!--"

Blue orbs snapped open with a cut off cry of alarm, claws dug into the pelt that made up his nest. Cryptide panted heavily as he tried to collect his barrings, darting his eyes right and left- up and down. Scanning everything in the den as he expect the spirit to be watching him. "Ju...just a dream..." The leader decided after a labored pause. Regulating his emotions as he tried to calm down, "A dream..." After another glance around his den, he curled himself against the warm furs. Laying his head on his paws as his tail rested against his flank.
After another moment or two, the Chief stood from his nest with an audible sigh. He couldn't sleep, not with the spirits God awful mug dancing behind his eyelids. Was it a sign? It was no surprise that Waterclan's leader was a bit on the spiritual side, he held a high respect for the monks of Airclan. He wished one day to be able to have a bond with the spirits. Just not the one that currently gave him nightmares.
Cryptide sighed once more as his paws lead him to the night air, pushing aside the curtain of moss as his pads made contact with the pebbly flooring of camp. Drawing in a large intake of air through his mouth, the cool air worked wonders on calming his unsettled nerves. But it didn't help the thumping in his chest, once again the tom scanned the area as if he expected shadows to jump out and grab him. Nothing came.
"Relax, just relax..." He spoke to himself, taking a step as he worked his way to the edge of the island. Padding lightly as to make sure he did not wake any of his clan-mates, the Chief kneeled down to peer into the waters edge. Staring at his reflection, he couldn't help but relive his night terror. Yes, it was just over using the words that had stuck with him most from the meeting at the beginning of the month. But it continued to nag at him, "What are they planning, the spirits?" Another sigh passed by his lips, crawling past the edge to take a lap of the lake. Thoughts continued to bounce around in his head- but none showed him answers.
With the sudden idea his ears perked- "The Room of Statues..." Cryptide muttered to himself as he stood to his full height. Craning his head to glance behind himself, seeing his camp asleep in their nests. It was barely midnight, and if he hurried he would be back before anyone would even notice. "I need to find the answers...if the spirits won't tell me, then I might as well go to the source."
  Nodding his head once again, the Chief twirled on his paws as he jumped into the lake, the water freezing beneath his paws. Standing on the board of ice, he used his tail to give him a boost to cross the lake in record timing. Crouched low against the ice, water splashing against his pelt- this was a nice night to take a swim he decided. With the moons light showering him with welcomed energy. He felt alive. Once arrived at the opposite bank, he jumped off his icey surfboard and allowed it to melt back into the lake. Turning his attention to camp once more, before entering the Tangled Forest that boarded with Fireclan.
Having known these lands like the back of his paw, he maneuvered easily through the twisting roots and vegetation. In the back of his mind he was enjoying the night air in the thick forest, a walk with the moon was one of his favorite pass times- but that thought was pushed aside with the growing concern of the spirit's words. His mission was clear, he needed to reach the Room of Statues in the corner of the Ruins, often he would visit the area when meeting with Guru Sirocco. But there was no time to invite the Airclan leader today.
Crossing the forest almost as quickly as he had the lake, he dug his claws into the moss that over took the abandoned bridge to bring himself on top of it. Black asphalt could be seen underneath the vines and greenery, after years since the last human walked on the land, the Earth had taken back all of their creations. Leaving them covered in a layer of plant life, or turned to nothing but a clutter of rubble. Padding across the bridge and passed the border into the abandoned city. Towers of damaged concrete greeted him as the floor was cracked and layered with a cover of dirt and grime. Wires stretched far overhead and attached to the buildings and poles- the Chief always wondered their origin. But nobody was alive to tell- besides the spirits that took home in the destroyed ruins of a once great civilization.
Continuing in his march, his white pelt did nothing to help him blend in with his surroundings- it never did. He stuck out like a sore thumb anywhere he went, unless it was winter and the grounds were blanketed in snow. Looking around obsessively, Cryptide was visibly on edge. But that was just his cautious nature getting the better of him, catching the eye of a few spirits that floated about. He gave them a nod before turning a corner. Between two buildings was the vine infested building, cracks scarred its surface with large holes settled at each level. Giant doors rested at the front, normally Sirocco would open them with his airbending, but the Chief was without the Guru this time around.
"Now how to open these doors?" He questioned aloud, looking about before shrugging as he walked forward. Pressing his paw to the wooden surface, a smirk slid onto his lips as he pushed it open with ease. They were old and warn, making it easy to push his way through into the darkened first floor littered with the human statues made millions of years ago. These were the original Avatars- the human Avatars. Taking a step over to one of the newer additions, he took a bow as he paid his respect to the waterbenders before moving to the steps closer to the door. Taking his time as he clawed his way to the higher floors, towards the top was were skilled earthbenders carved the feline Avatars out in blocks of stone- each hair was detailed flawlessly. Well as perfect as a feline could sculpt pure stone, anyhow, for the most part they matched the quality of the ones made by man.
Already knowing the placement of the one he wanted, Cryptide walked to the back of the upper floor. Set beside an open window and dozens of cracks, between two pillars, sat Avatar Fang's statue in all its glory. The Maine Coon sat to the side with her tail wrapped around her back, turned forward with a smirk on her maw. The Chief gave a bow before lifting his head with a defeated look.
"I'm not really sure why I came here...But Avatar Fang, please, by any way could you tell me what the spirits are planning?" He begged the inanimate object, lowering his head after he was given no response. "Fang, you helped the past Chiefs of my clan with so much in your life time. It's a shame I couldn't have seen your accomplishments first hand, but only hear them in stories." He continued to ramble, sitting before the lifeless stone, eyes gazing back with a sigh. "I just want to know the best way to protect my clan..."
Rotating his ear, the Norge turned on his heels to stare into the beady eyes of the spirit that sat before him. Its body was translucent, as its frame was feline origin but its tail was split in two and face the structure of a ferret. The spirit tilted its head before vanishing and reappearing on the head of Fang. Staring him down with a curious expression. Was the spirit trying to communicate with him...was this being going to give him the answers he craved. But before his words could stumble from his teeth, the spirit jumped out the window into the night sky. Once again leaving Waterclan's Chief to his own mind.
"That would be too easy..." Cryptide declared with a small chuckle, curling his tail around his paws. Glancing to the window to take in the view of the abandoned cities, the moon was just in view. Its light hitting his paws and growing as it lowered outside. Narrowing his eyes, he watched the edge of the moonlight crawl up his own form, as it did the light also reached towards Fang's statue. Eyes widening as he realized what had happened-it was giving him the answers! With perked ears he turned to the statues just to watch as the light shrouded the stone in a bright hue. Lowering his ears as nothing seemed to happen afterwards, his hope draining from his body as he started to turn away. But as expected, as he turned around was when the statue activated. An orange glow came from the carved in eye sockets, swirls of redish colours resembling fire drifted from its eye. But the Chief did not notice as he looked to the window to see the rising sun. He needed to get home.
"What...is he not telling us," Cryptide questioned as he padded away from the statue. "Great Dragon Spirit- what is going to happen to the clans? Who is the next Avatar...So many questions gone unanswered..." Sighing once again, he left the Room of Statues and continues on his way back to camp. Hopefully nobody missed him too much.


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SAI
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Artwork is mine

Description
[ Cryptide | Waterclan Chief | Finding impossible answers | Word Count: 1828 ]

  "You will have to learn for yourself," the spirit insisted, coiling this way and that. Its transparent frame crushing into his fur. Tightening its body until the breath was locked in his throat. "The Avatar will be reborn, in the next element in the cycle. Fang died in the Avatar State ending the cycle." It smirked, tail looming over the Chief's face as his vision started to get fuzzy. Cryptide couldn't breath, his lungs being constricted by the snake body of the dragon spirit. Its face mere inches from his own, and it continued to spill out these nonesene words. Almost teasing him, as if it were mocking him!
  "The clans are in danger. You will have to learn for yourSELF!" The serpent lifted its head back only to spring it forward in a strike. Cloaking everything into darkness as the Chief was finally able to gasp out a breath- but he couldn't see now. Thrashing as he felt as if he was falling, the scent of fear and blood suffocating his nostrils. Cryptide tried to scream but nothing came out- no cry for help. Nothing but the spirit's echoing voice filled his ears. "Learn for yourself!--"

Blue orbs snapped open with a cut off cry of alarm, claws dug into the pelt that made up his nest. Cryptide panted heavily as he tried to collect his barrings, darting his eyes right and left- up and down. Scanning everything in the den as he expect the spirit to be watching him. "Ju...just a dream..." The leader decided after a labored pause. Regulating his emotions as he tried to calm down, "A dream..." After another glance around his den, he curled himself against the warm furs. Laying his head on his paws as his tail rested against his flank.
After another moment or two, the Chief stood from his nest with an audible sigh. He couldn't sleep, not with the spirits God awful mug dancing behind his eyelids. Was it a sign? It was no surprise that Waterclan's leader was a bit on the spiritual side, he held a high respect for the monks of Airclan. He wished one day to be able to have a bond with the spirits. Just not the one that currently gave him nightmares.
Cryptide sighed once more as his paws lead him to the night air, pushing aside the curtain of moss as his pads made contact with the pebbly flooring of camp. Drawing in a large intake of air through his mouth, the cool air worked wonders on calming his unsettled nerves. But it didn't help the thumping in his chest, once again the tom scanned the area as if he expected shadows to jump out and grab him. Nothing came.
"Relax, just relax..." He spoke to himself, taking a step as he worked his way to the edge of the island. Padding lightly as to make sure he did not wake any of his clan-mates, the Chief kneeled down to peer into the waters edge. Staring at his reflection, he couldn't help but relive his night terror. Yes, it was just over using the words that had stuck with him most from the meeting at the beginning of the month. But it continued to nag at him, "What are they planning, the spirits?" Another sigh passed by his lips, crawling past the edge to take a lap of the lake. Thoughts continued to bounce around in his head- but none showed him answers.
With the sudden idea his ears perked- "The Room of Statues..." Cryptide muttered to himself as he stood to his full height. Craning his head to glance behind himself, seeing his camp asleep in their nests. It was barely midnight, and if he hurried he would be back before anyone would even notice. "I need to find the answers...if the spirits won't tell me, then I might as well go to the source."
  Nodding his head once again, the Chief twirled on his paws as he jumped into the lake, the water freezing beneath his paws. Standing on the board of ice, he used his tail to give him a boost to cross the lake in record timing. Crouched low against the ice, water splashing against his pelt- this was a nice night to take a swim he decided. With the moons light showering him with welcomed energy. He felt alive. Once arrived at the opposite bank, he jumped off his icey surfboard and allowed it to melt back into the lake. Turning his attention to camp once more, before entering the Tangled Forest that boarded with Fireclan.
Having known these lands like the back of his paw, he maneuvered easily through the twisting roots and vegetation. In the back of his mind he was enjoying the night air in the thick forest, a walk with the moon was one of his favorite pass times- but that thought was pushed aside with the growing concern of the spirit's words. His mission was clear, he needed to reach the Room of Statues in the corner of the Ruins, often he would visit the area when meeting with Guru Sirocco. But there was no time to invite the Airclan leader today.
Crossing the forest almost as quickly as he had the lake, he dug his claws into the moss that over took the abandoned bridge to bring himself on top of it. Black asphalt could be seen underneath the vines and greenery, after years since the last human walked on the land, the Earth had taken back all of their creations. Leaving them covered in a layer of plant life, or turned to nothing but a clutter of rubble. Padding across the bridge and passed the border into the abandoned city. Towers of damaged concrete greeted him as the floor was cracked and layered with a cover of dirt and grime. Wires stretched far overhead and attached to the buildings and poles- the Chief always wondered their origin. But nobody was alive to tell- besides the spirits that took home in the destroyed ruins of a once great civilization.
Continuing in his march, his white pelt did nothing to help him blend in with his surroundings- it never did. He stuck out like a sore thumb anywhere he went, unless it was winter and the grounds were blanketed in snow. Looking around obsessively, Cryptide was visibly on edge. But that was just his cautious nature getting the better of him, catching the eye of a few spirits that floated about. He gave them a nod before turning a corner. Between two buildings was the vine infested building, cracks scarred its surface with large holes settled at each level. Giant doors rested at the front, normally Sirocco would open them with his airbending, but the Chief was without the Guru this time around.
"Now how to open these doors?" He questioned aloud, looking about before shrugging as he walked forward. Pressing his paw to the wooden surface, a smirk slid onto his lips as he pushed it open with ease. They were old and warn, making it easy to push his way through into the darkened first floor littered with the human statues made millions of years ago. These were the original Avatars- the human Avatars. Taking a step over to one of the newer additions, he took a bow as he paid his respect to the waterbenders before moving to the steps closer to the door. Taking his time as he clawed his way to the higher floors, towards the top was were skilled earthbenders carved the feline Avatars out in blocks of stone- each hair was detailed flawlessly. Well as perfect as a feline could sculpt pure stone, anyhow, for the most part they matched the quality of the ones made by man.
Already knowing the placement of the one he wanted, Cryptide walked to the back of the upper floor. Set beside an open window and dozens of cracks, between two pillars, sat Avatar Fang's statue in all its glory. The Maine Coon sat to the side with her tail wrapped around her back, turned forward with a smirk on her maw. The Chief gave a bow before lifting his head with a defeated look.
"I'm not really sure why I came here...But Avatar Fang, please, by any way could you tell me what the spirits are planning?" He begged the inanimate object, lowering his head after he was given no response. "Fang, you helped the past Chiefs of my clan with so much in your life time. It's a shame I couldn't have seen your accomplishments first hand, but only hear them in stories." He continued to ramble, sitting before the lifeless stone, eyes gazing back with a sigh. "I just want to know the best way to protect my clan..."
Rotating his ear, the Norge turned on his heels to stare into the beady eyes of the spirit that sat before him. Its body was translucent, as its frame was feline origin but its tail was split in two and face the structure of a ferret. The spirit tilted its head before vanishing and reappearing on the head of Fang. Staring him down with a curious expression. Was the spirit trying to communicate with him...was this being going to give him the answers he craved. But before his words could stumble from his teeth, the spirit jumped out the window into the night sky. Once again leaving Waterclan's Chief to his own mind.
"That would be too easy..." Cryptide declared with a small chuckle, curling his tail around his paws. Glancing to the window to take in the view of the abandoned cities, the moon was just in view. Its light hitting his paws and growing as it lowered outside. Narrowing his eyes, he watched the edge of the moonlight crawl up his own form, as it did the light also reached towards Fang's statue. Eyes widening as he realized what had happened-it was giving him the answers! With perked ears he turned to the statues just to watch as the light shrouded the stone in a bright hue. Lowering his ears as nothing seemed to happen afterwards, his hope draining from his body as he started to turn away. But as expected, as he turned around was when the statue activated. An orange glow came from the carved in eye sockets, swirls of redish colours resembling fire drifted from its eye. But the Chief did not notice as he looked to the window to see the rising sun. He needed to get home.
"What...is he not telling us," Cryptide questioned as he padded away from the statue. "Great Dragon Spirit- what is going to happen to the clans? Who is the next Avatar...So many questions gone unanswered..." Sighing once again, he left the Room of Statues and continues on his way back to camp. Hopefully nobody missed him too much.


---
SAI
---
Artwork is mine