Salazar and Groundy were getting closer and closer to Mountryu. Salazar was still particularly week after the flames, but was getting better. While walking, he decided to relive a moment in his life he never mentioned.

"Say, Groundy," Salazar asked. "Have I ever told you about the time I represented the Miggens Pash colony in a world-wide quiz bowl?" Groundy, who was still helping Salazar along, seemed to take interest in the story. "I'll bet that was fun," she said. Salazar looked at the ground. "Yeah... It was... but that was around the time Adrian started to turn sour. Adrian wanted to be in the bowl more than anything. The only thing standing in his way was me. And when they chose me, Adrian went berserk. After I came home from the bowl after a long tourney and Quarter Finals ribbon in my snakes mouth, he had almost tore the house down." Groundy started to think out loud. "Wait, you only made it to the quarter finals." Salazar looked over at Groundy. "Hey, I'm not perfect. I may be smart, but I'm still no rocket scientist. But that's not what I was wanting to mention. I just..."

Salazar paused for a moment. "I just wish my brother wasn't always so jealous. Deep down, I wish I could change him back. Into a brother. I know I can. ...But maybe I'm just a little naive." Groundly lightly patted Salazar's back. "I don't think so," she said. "You'll get your brother back some day... well probably." Salazar kept an optimistic mind. He wanted nothing more than to free his brother from jelous rage. ...But maybe he was only naive.

As they were walking, they eventually made it to the next footnote of the journey, the Betha ruins. Groundy couldn't believe her eyes. "Huh, this place seems old, and it looks like it's starting to crumble," she said. Salazar had finally recovered fully, and started to walk himself. "That's why they're called Ruins, Groundy," he stated profoundly. Eventually they walked inside the ruins. The ruins were dark and a gritty shade of yellow. The place wasn't holding up too badly, and there was even writing that was visible on the wall. The writing was not easily recognizable, and in a different language than Salazar or Groundy could understand. Still, Salazar decided to attempt at deciphering the writing. "It says here the ruins were made ten thousand years ago." Groundy jumped back in startlement. "Wow, I didn't know you could read ancient script," she said. Salazar looked away from the script toward Groundy. "I can't. I made that up," he said before continuing. "Besides, why would they tell us when the ruins were made. That's impossible to decipher." Eventually the two started walking down the halls, and that's when anxiety set in.

"This place is kind of creepy," Groundy stated. Salazar took his first long look at the ruins, and as they walked further, it got more glum. "Yeee... You have a point," he said, getting nerved himself. Deep down, neither felt safe in these ruins. And Salazar, once again, started to think about being a Marmera. Was it really worth it? How badly did he want to be a Marmera? They already survived a horde of Shiftevils, a giant Icermist, and a pair of Wallirons. How could it get anymore dangerous than what they've already went through?

They had no idea. In the shadows, another figure appeared. A ghastly dark red and black bird like creature called a Shadaire. The Shadaire watched Salazar and Groundy from a distance, keeping in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike the two unsuspecting monsters. Even so, Salazar and Groundy both kept an open mind.

Salazar eventually walked into a room with more figures scattered along the wall. "I know I should be scared, but these ruins are so fascinating," he said. "So much history. Though it's said these ruins are often rigged with traps. But don't worry, I'm sure this won't be one of those ruins." But as they were walking, Groundy noticed a tile on the floor, marked with an arrow sign. "Still, trap tiles are normally indicated by a symbol," Salazar continued. Salazar neared closer to the tile before stepping onto it. "You mean LIKE THAT ONE!?" Groundy yelled before grabbing Salazar. And of coarse, the tile Salazar stepped down on was a switch, which released an arrow from the wall to their left that shot straight out infront of Groundy and Salazar, passing by both of them.

"Huh, good call, Groundy," Salazar complemented. "That's good for an accolade or two." Deep down, Salazar was surprised he didn't catch on, but was glad he was impressed with Groundy. "Thanks, but that only means it's one of THOSE dungeons," she mentioned. Salazar just thought of that. "Yeek. You're right. We better keep a sharp eye out for other things."

But it would take more than that. Eventually, the Shadaire started to creep in on the two. Salazar noticed the sound, however. "Did you hear something, Groundy?" Salazar asked. Groundy started to shake. "Uh... maybe it's a ghost?" Groundy asked. "Ghosts don't make movement noises," he responded. Salazar eventually turned around and that's when he spotted the hideous bird flying at them.

"Look out!" Salazar yelled before both of them ducked under the Shadaire as he outstretched his talons in an attempt to catch one of them, but failed on both accounts. "I hope that's not one of Adrian's goons," Salazar said before getting up. "I doubt it," Ground mentioned. "That was a Shadaire, a creature known for hiding in dark areas. It eats whatever it can find." Salazar grabbed the back of his neck. "Wow, they never taught us this in school," he said to Groundy.

The Shadaire started to turn around for another attempt. Salazar decided to take the time to use one of his attacks. He puffed his chest out again, and breathed a stream of purple flames at the Shadaire. ...But they didn't even phase him. "Perhaps we should run," Salazar suggested. So they did just that. The two ran under the Shadaire a second time as it swooped down before running into the next room.

It almost seemed they would make it out. However, the Shadaire quickly turned around and was back on their tail again. They both tried their hardest to outrun the Shadaire. But while running, Salazar was looking at the ground, and eventually stopped right in front of another tile. "AHCK! TRAP ROOM!" Salazar called out. But that pause allowed the Shadair to catch up and grab him in his talons.

Salazar struggled to release himself from the grip of the deadly bird. He even went as far as to breathe more purple fire, but it still had no effect. "Groundy!" Salazar called out. "I could use some help! Do something!" Groundy thought for a moment, then realized: She was a Grounderl. She could control the Earth around her. Groundy started to bolt toward the Shadaire. She tried getting closer and closer before eventually pouncing onto the ground.

When Groundy pounced, the ground started to shake. And what happened next was exactly what Groundy was going for: Bricks started to fall from the ceiling. Many of the bricks hit the Shadaire and made it stagger. The Shadaire started to falter closer to the ground. "Now's my CHANCE!" she yelled before jumping and slamming her claws right into the Shadaires back. All of this is what eventually caused the Shadaire to pass out.

With the Shadaire passed out, Salazar managed to escape the grip of the bird. "He he, that deserves a few more accolades," Salazar said before walking over to Groundy and giving her a pat on the back. Salazar really did admire his friendship with Groundy. ...But deep down he couldn't help but wonder: Would they still be friends after Salazar became a Marmera again? Assuming of coarse he did become a Marmera again.

"Groundy," Salazar started. "We make a great team. I hope our friendship doesn't end after I turn back into a Marmera." Was it right for an adult to befriend a teenager? In most societies, Adults befriending children was considered a crime. Was it the same in their society? "Don't worry," Groundy said. "I reassure you, we will still be friends through thick and thin. Even if you grew back, we Grounderl are generally a very pleasant and peaceful race. We generally like making friends."

Salazar couldn't help but smile before taking his claw and grabbing Groundy's claw together. They both walked their way out of the ruin. And both of them hoped this would be as hard as it would get.



Groundy and Shadaire belong to  drilburblue