Submission (#6217) Approved

Nyriss paced down the shoreline, scanning the sand with a growing air of urgency. Something precious was gone-a cluster of crystals dear to her, passed down along the lineages of birth. Its absence was a hollowness in her heart, and to think either that it was lost or stolen made her chest even tighter.

Above was a huge spaceship, casting a huge shadow upon the land. Its coming had only managed to heighten the base sense of unease that was beginning to settle upon Terrah. Strange happenings had followed its coming, fixing dread within their senses.

Something's wrong, Wraith growled low, his voice suspicious. Lying flat in the sand, he watched as Nyriss searched frantically, his claws flexing as his gaze darted from sky to forest shadows. First the plants, now this ship? They're up to something. I say we take that ship down.

Spiritual, by nature the more cautious of the two, lay beside his brother. His eyes shone in dim light - coming from the spaceship making its labored way across the sky. He yawned, "You really think you can get that thing, Wraith? It is up in the air, not exactly our usual hunting turf."

Wraith's claws dug into the sand. "I don't care. Whoever took Mom's crystal is going to regret it."

Spirit lifted his head, thinking better of it. "Rushing after it might not be the best idea. We need to figure out what they're after and how to get the crystal back without getting ourselves zapped."

Wraith shot him a glare. "Scared?"

"Cautious," Spirit replied, his voice serious. "Besides, if we act too quickly, we might miss something important.

Wraith snorted, the muscles tensing in his body as he glared at the spaceship. The mere thought of someone stealing something so dear from his mother made his blood boil, but he knew that Spirit had a point. Charging in with no plan could make things worse.

Meanwhile, Nyriss hesitated and looked up at the spaceship, moving steadily across the sky. Her hands were clenched in her sides, and her tail flicked in frustration.

"We'll split up," Wraith said, voice resolute. "I go looking around for some clues. You, on the other hand, stay with the ship in case it moves, and track its movements."

Spirit nodded, his playful streak for once smothered by the solemnity of the situation. "Just don't get in too much trouble while I'm gone."

"No promises," Wraith growled, already heading toward the shore where Nyriss had been searching.

As Spirit leapt into the water, watching for the spaceship's reflection, Wraith began combing the sand for signs of the crystal cluster. His keen eyes picked up the gleam in something buried in the sand-something little and out of place. Gently, he picked it up in his jaws and carried it back to Nyriss.

She took it from him, her fingertips skimming the surface. It wasn't the crystal cluster, but it was a clue, one important piece of the puzzle that might eventually lead them to who had taken it.