“This is a terrible idea,” Kai grumbled. “You always say that,” Ravage replied. “And it’s always true.” “Not always. We found that treasure chest behind the waterfall last month.” “It was empty. And we couldn’t get back out of the cave without jumping into the lake.” “Which was fun.” “No, it really wasn’t.”
“Wow, look at that!” Ravage came to an abrupt halt as they entered the central chamber of the ancient ruins they were exploring. The ruins were thought to be an archive of sorts, full of ancient machinery storing complex data that seemed unintelligible to even the brightest of scholars. The whirling cogs and gears of the ancient data devices were of little interest to Kai and Ravage though. They were more interested in the giant archway standing in the middle of the chamber. A magnificent portal to nowhere, it dominated the room with its presence.
“What do you think it does?” Kai asked, vibrant blue eyes sweeping up and down the impressive stonework of the archway. “There’s only one way to find out,” Ravage declared. Before Kai could stop his impulsive friend, Ravage was halfway across the room, snowy white paws jabbing aimlessly at the various dials on what appeared to be a control panel beside the arch. “That seems like a bad idea,” Kai warned. “You worry too much,” Ravage scoffed. “You worry too little,” Kai replied.
At that very moment, Ravage’s paws found a lever that seemed to set off a series of cogs inside the archway. A blinding light flashed out of the centre of the archway, filling it with a swirling arcane that hummed as it glowed. Ravage felt himself being dragged towards the glowing light, and he turned to face Kai with a panicked look on his face. “This is a terrible idea,” Kai repeated as he watched his friend disappear into the portal.
2: Celestial Observatory
Kai was a very logical Kiamara, and logic suggested that approaching the strange swirling portal that had sucked in his best friend would be a very, very bad idea. Of course leaving his best friend to an unknown fate beyond the strange swirling portal was also a very bad idea. What Kai needed was a rescue plan, and after spending many adventures running after Ravage, he knew exactly what that would entail.
First, he needed someone to help him. A rescue mission would be much more likely to succeed with another Kiamara to provide assistance. Secondly, he needed supplies. He had no idea where, if anywhere, that portal lead. He would need water, food, first aid supplies, rope, and a torch if his past rescues of Ravage were anything to go by. Finally, he needed information. How did the portal work? Where did it lead to? What was its purpose? An exploration of the room he was in may provide important information to aid his rescue.
Satisfied that he had devised a sound plan, Kai began to make his way out of the ruins, intent of locating the first thing necessary for his plan. Now where was he to find someone to help out at this time of evening? Most Kiamaras would be in the warmth of their homes by now. Climbing atop a short wall of rubble, Kai took a moment to look around, searching for inspiration. His steady gaze fell upon a large dome shaped building further up the hill. Of course, the celestial observatory! Someone was sure to be there at night.
The dark Kiamara quickly made his way up the hill, feeling uncharacteristically optimistic as he noticed the lights shining through the eastern facing windows of the observatory. His optimism began to fade has he entered the building’s grand lobby though. Nobody was around. Before he could decide which direction to try first, he heard a low clattering sound, like a clipboard or tray hitting a hard surface. Making a beeline for the noise, Kai soon found himself peeking into the laboratory of a busy astronomer.
3: Return to the Ruins
"Oh!" the astronomer squeaked, blinking owlishly at the stranger in his laboratory. The scientist had a brilliant celestial coat with hues of purple, blue and aqua. It was speckled with white stars and adorned with symbols from the night sky. Kai took a moment to admire the astronomer's design before launching into the speech he had prepared on the way to the observatory. He had barely finished recounting the story of his friend's unfortunate encounter with the strange portal before the other Kiamara, who had introduced himself as Setari, volunteered his aid.
"We'll need some supplies..." Kai began, but trailed off as Setari set a satchel onto the table and started gathering various tools from around his lab. Kai was impressed by the display of logic and efficiency before him. Carefully sorting the proffered items, Kai began to pack them neatly into the bag and made a mental checklist of everything they would need. The pack already contained a torch, first aid kit, rope, compass, water bottles, and food packets. Setari was also handing him pieces of technology that he couldn't quite work out what they were, but he assumed that they would be useful given the other items he had been given. In no time at all, the two Kiamaras were packed and ready to begin their rescue mission.
"Before we enter the portal, we should examine the ruins further," Kai announced as he lead the way back to the ruins. "Of course. It's important that we determine as much information as possible about this portal, its purpose, and its likely location before entering. Research is key!" Setari replied enthusiastically. Now this was a Kiamara that Kai could get along with. He loved his friend Ravage dearly, they had been best friends since childhood, but his snowy friend was so brash and impulsive that they always ended up in trouble. It was refreshing to be spending time with someone who appreciated science and logic for a change.
4: Enter the Portal
They made it back to the central chamber in no time. Fortunately the portal was still swirling with life, his aqua glow bathing the room in an eerie hue. Setari wasted no time at all inspecting the room and, from a safe distance, the arched portal. Kai watched the other Kiamara taking elaborate notes, attempting to decipher the runes etched into the walls and ceiling. The ceiling in particular was interesting to him, as it appeared to show some kind of celestial map.
"Are those stars?" Kai asked, gazing upwards. "Indeed, I know these constellations. That large one though, with the lines around it," Setari paused to point at a rather focal point of the map. "I thought it was the sun, but maybe..." "Maybe it's a planet," Kai filled in, eyes darting between the circle in question and another one beside it. "Meaning that's its star." "Precisely," Setari nodded. "So that means..." "The portal probably leads to another planet."
"Well, I guess there's only one way to really find out," Kai pointed out. "Enter the portal," Setari concluded. "Enter the portal," Kai agreed. "We'll need to anyway, to find Ravage." "We'll find your friend, don't worry," Setari announced with optimism. "When Ravage is involved, there's always cause to worry." Kai began to tie one end of the rope they had brought to a piece of solid machinery near the portal. The other end he tied to Setari. "I'm sure everything will be fine," Setari reassured him as they began to approach the portal. "Yeah..." Kai replied doubtfully.
The Kiamaras stepped into the blinding light. When their vision returned, they found themselves surrounded by darkness, the only apparent source of light the swirling portal behind them. "Is this some sort of cave?" Setari asked. They carefully stepped forwards, noses twitching at the strange smell that permeated the darkness. Turning a corner, they noticed a light purple glow in the distance. They made their way towards it carefully, stopping only to untie the rope around Setari as it would stretch no further. Eventually they came to the mouth of what was indeed a very large cavern opening.
"Woah," Kai exclaimed. "We are definitely on another world." "Judging by the twin moons and abundance of purple florae, I'd be inclined to agree," Setari nodded. "Well, I guess it's time to find where Ravage went." "And so our journey begins."