The Dire had been happy to accompany his bond when she set off for her journey to the Grove. She had often gone off on adventures for weeks on end, and all the creatures had always missed her until she returned. She always chose one creature to come with her, and this time, he had been lucky enough to be chosen.
When they first arrived in the Grove, he had known something was just..
very wrong there. Of sure, of course! The sliepnir get a nice trip to Alabaster city gathering feathers, but he had to come to the spooky Grove! Aah well, he had been chosen for this quest, and he wouldn't let his bond down. With a shuddering breath, he followed her into the Grove.
In the Grove, he met a celebrity! All the animals always spoke of Muzu when they returned, and now he finally got to meet the Crow! He and Muzu had a blast running around and collecting wisps, and he almost forgot about the darkness looming over them. After a couple days of this, he settled into a routine. He would play with Muzu and Rue in the day, gathering wisps and romping around happily. At night he would lay by his bond's side, licking her face to remind her to stay awake.
It was in the darkness of these nights that he remembered the evil he had first sensed. He was glad to be close to his bond's side, for truly the evil residing there terrified him. He often thought he saw eyes staring at him from inside the tree, but whenever he blinked they would be gone again. It was as if something was just waiting.
A few days later, they found out exactly what that something was.
The terrifying creature had come out of the tree with barely any warning. It attacked his master, pulling her closer to itself to capture her within it's terrifying jaws.
And so the dire did what he did best. He Guarded his human.
He lunged forward with a snarl and latched onto the giant dragon's outstretched paw. Somewhere in the corner of his eye he saw Muzu doing the same, only to see the bird flung to the ground with a sickening thud. That strengthened his resolve, and he bit down harder. What was that coming at him from the side? He barely had time to wonder before the tail slammed down on him, and he blacked out.
When he came to, all he could see was the underside of a crow, who was happily napping on his face. He jumped up with a yowl, knocking off a very disgruntled bird. He glanced around in alarm, eyes seeking his bond.
He saw her toward the center of the grove, kneeling by the side of the ancient, who lay on the ground peacefully. For some reason, a single tear flowed down the cheek of his bond. He couldn't understand it, nor did he understand why there were suddenly a couple hundred very scary looking crows swirling around above him. All he did know was that the evil he had sensed in the grove was gone. Perhaps he had had his fill of adventures for now. He snuggled back down next to Muzu, and closed his eyes once more.