⛰🦕 Expedition in the Lost World : Hollow Mountain Adventure🦖🏔

The mountain wind was sharp enough to bring tears to one’s eyes. Skadi’s pink eyes could only narrow from this as she looked at the map that they picked up. Both Skadi and Cyrus had to venture through these mountains to the next village as missionaries. Though if they could find any treasures, they could always sell them for a good price.

“Cyrus, I think this cave has something…! I think we can find some treasure here!”

After an attempt to carve a smiley face on the wall, Cyrus hurries over.

“Treasure? One of my many favourite things!” He grinned.

They both enter the cave. It was patterned with fossils and all kinds of treasures along the wall, there just would be too much to choose from.

Almost immediately, there was a big gem on the wall. Of course, both of their eyes glimmered at this.

“Well, don’t mind if we do–” Cyrus raises his rock hammer in anticipation to uncover the potential discovery underneath, then brings it down on the chisel wedged in the rock. His hammer struck true, revealing a geode. However, they did not expect the collateral damage to the cavern floor by them as he drew back his tool.

CRACK

“Oh my god, what have you done–”

A deafening split echoed, followed by the ground as solid ground vanished beneath them. As if to unintentionally one-up the loud noise from the ground caving in, the twins' yells trailed after their path of falling and tumbling through icy tunnels. Fortunately, it landed on some soft moss with some debris of snow sprinkling on it.

What surrounded them now was another world, the air was warm and humid, there was the scent of undiscovered flora, and there were the cries of unfamiliar creatures in the distance.

Though their moment of wonder was temporary, Skadi jumped at a soft nudge at her elbow.

“Mhrrp?” an inquisitive sound came out from what seemed to be a small creature.

Cyrus had the courage to look back first. It was a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex, it was no fearsome predator. Just a clumsy, curious child, evident by the wiggle of its tail and by its nuzzle against his sister’s hand.

“Aww Skadi, look at this little one!” He cooed.

However, that moment of wonder was cut short.

A deafening bellow echoed through the air that collectively shook the three of them to remain hidden and quiet. Though it clearly didn’t help, as they heard the footsteps of the predator get closer.

So they ran, the baby dino clutched in Skadi’s arms.

The goal was clear, though: get back to the surface. But there was a mission that came first to the twins, reunite the baby Tyrannosaurus Rex with its mother. The twins turned to each other, determined.

A determined smile spreads across Cyrus’s lips, “Skadi looks like we have a large task on hand. Are we ready for another adventure?”

“You bet. Let’s reunite this baby with its mother and get out of here!”

They eventually outran the predator as its cries faded, where they now remained hidden in ferns.

“But we need a plan. Those look like the mother’s tracks.” Skadi whispered to Cyrus, pointing to the tacks on the mud nearby.

Their quest had begun.

It was anything but easy. Steep cliffs, rockslides, misty gorges… Tracks would sometimes lead to dead ends or the edge. As they almost despaired, a wounded Quetzalcoatlus cried out nearby. With the power of Skadi’s knowledge of first aid, the siblings carefully tended to its wing. In appreciation and gratitude, once healed enough, it offers the trio a flight. Thus, they soared above the chasms, while the baby dino let out a noise of delight in Cyrus’s arms.

Though they now neared a geothermally active zone, where hot steam ejects, and the air and heat are thick. They managed to land in a temporary safe area to recuperate a little, to stay hydrated, and as a short break from the exhaustion.

However, a low growl came nearby, making the four jump as it emerged from thick steam. This predator raptor seemed to have tracked them, and there was no room to run in this corner of the environment.

“Get behind me!” Cyrus shouted, holding out his hammer as a weapon.

The baby dino whimpered behind the siblings in fear.

Though the raptor was about to lunge, a thunderous roar shook the very ground as a full-size Tyrannosaurus Rex charged from the steam out of nowhere. Its aggressive body slammed the raptor, sending it away as it tumbled away with a terrified screech and scurried away.

The baby then breaks the tension with an excited squeal, and the mother T-rex turns to lower her head with tenderness. She then gives a nudge to her child, which the baby dino returns with a nuzzle happily.

“Phew… at least this ended well. Skadi let out a relieved sigh as the mother was not outwardly aggressive towards them. Though stiffened slightly when her gaze went to the twins.

After a low rumbling sound, she lowered her body, which they both responded to with awe. 

“I think… She's offering us a lift.” Cyrus whispered in excitement.

They climbed onto her back, and their Quetzalcoatlus let out a final sound of gratitude, circling above and soared back to its home. The mother T-rex carried them through the rough terrain with ease and stopped at the base of a rocky slope where the familiar tunnel they came through in a rush was within sight.

Both Cyrus and Skadi let out a breath of relief when they saw the cave that would lead them back.

“I bet the next village we visit totally won’t believe us when we tell them what happened…”

“Please don’t break rocks like that again, the next time we’re in a cave Cyrus…”

(Story written by Sophie G & Ravyn)