The Haste Troodons circled, and Idalia peered up at Lyrawinn. Oh, she'd crush them. She had to crush them! Lyrawinn was enormous! Four Troodons tall, maybe five if she stretched on her toes.

  But the Troodons were after their belongings. Their food. Heat burned in Idalia's chest, a growl bubbling up before she even realized it. Their food! She whipped her head toward the Stegos.

  The Troodons wanted to take what they'd earned. The nerve. Her tail lashed, her claws flexed. "Let me fight too, Lyra!"

  Lyrawinn's gaze softened for a blink, but her stance stayed iron-solid. "This isn't a game, Ida. Haste Troodons are cunning. They hunt in packs for a reason. You must listen and stay close."

  Idalia's heart thumped like a drum. That didn't sound exciting at all! Then—movement. Shadows slithered through the grass.

  The Troodons emerged, eyes gleaming with that terrible, greedy hunger. One darted forward—a blur of speed—and stopped just short. It smirked. It actually smirked, tail lashing like it was mocking her.

  A snarl ripped from Idalia's throat before she could stop it.

  You little—! She wanted to launch herself at it, to show it the new strength she'd just unlocked, but Lyrawinn's firm, warning glance froze her mid-step. Her muscles quivered with unspent fire.

  "Stick to my side and remember our lessons. Use your roars, but do not strike unless I say so." Lyrawinn took a cautious step forward, her muscles looked coiled, ready to spring into action as well.

  Meanwhile, the Troodons' screeches filled the clearing as a chorus of rattling, dry clicks. Idalia's hackles rose; every sound was an itch she couldn't scratch. Her portal glands tingled, humming for release. She swallowed hard. Stay still. Stay still. Don't leap. Don't—

  Idalia crouched low, fighting the urge to bolt over and fight against those wild calls.

  "Lyra! They're—" she began, but the moment shattered as the closest Troodon lunged toward them, teeth bared, claws glinting.

  Another zipped left. Another zipped right. Three, no, four, weaving through grass like liquid lightning.

  Idalia squeaked, before yelping, "They're so quick! Too speedy! They're—they're like Pyro and Pyrakit but meaner and sharper and way too fast!"

  Lyrawinn ears flattened, claws unsheathed. "Memorize their attack pattern," she hissed, eyes scanning sharp, her fur bristling. "And they're not after the razorback. After us."

  Idalia's stomach dropped into her paws. Us? Us-us-us?! Why us, not the big spiky snack right here? We're stringy, not delicious. Oh stars, they think we're delicious!

  One of the Haste Troodons darted close enough that Idalia saw its teeth flash, needle-thin, dripping spit.

  But Lyrawinn was a flash of golden fur, intercepting the creature mid-leap with a powerful swipe of her claws. The Troodon skidded back, but it bled out quickly, letting out a furious howl as the rest of the pack surged forward, emboldened by their fallen comrade.

  "Now!" Lyrawinn commanded, and in her leap, Idalia sprang into action, her paws a blur against the dirt.

  Faster than a blink, she shot to the left, darting past Lyrawinn, who was busy fending off another Troodon. "Idalia, remember to—"

  She was already on it, dodging the snapping jaws of one Troodon as it dove for her.

  Her mind flashed through everything Papa had taught her. Use the terrain. Keep moving. Be a shadow. She was quick, faster than she thought, weaving through the grass as she ducked and spun.

  In her opponent's frustration, the Troodon she fought overcommitted. It gnashed its teeth near Idalia's ears. But she released a [Portal Breath] beneath her feet. The air rippled and twisted below them.

  Yank!

  They both fell through the pit created by the dimensional tear. A portal had reappeared in the sky as she and the Troodon plummeted.

  During their descent, Idalia clamped her fangs onto the nape of the Troodon's throat, while her claws raked its back furiously. {Claw Rend} went from [9] to [10], then from [10] to [11] in her flurry of strikes.

  They soon hit the ground with a thud. The Troodon landing with bone-shuddering thud, belly first.

  Its movements had ceased. Then Idalia saw the runes flashing faintly around her.

  Power Particles: [1900] → [3100] Units

  [Accumalated Particles: {3000 | 3000}

  Development (Lv3) reached.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Stat Increases: +1 to STR, DEF, FPWR, RES, SPD]

  [Next Development (4) at: {3100 | 4000}]

  Idalia licked her muzzle, tasting savory with copper and heat. "Hah!" she barked, whipping toward the others. "Who's next?!"

  The first wave of Troodons hesitated, and in that moment of shock, Idalia saw her chance. She lunged, sinking her fangs into the nearest Troodon's neck. Her jaws held on tight as she felt the bones crack.

  It hit the ground with a solid thud. Idalia relished the flavors on her lips, and her runes came alive again with a tingle.

  [Bite]: {Level 11} → {Level 12}

  Power Particles: [3100] → [3900] Units

  "Two down!" She yowled.

  Suddenly, two Troodons flew over her head and landed with a thud, thud. Still. Silent. They did not twitch, they did not hiss. Because Lyrawinn had arrived, all calm fury and golden strength.

  Knowing that victory was assured, Idalia felt the warmth of triumph in her chest! She scraped her claws against the ground and gave the Troodons a hearty hiss.

  But their leader, a particularly massive Troodon with scars crisscrossing its sleek body, let out a furious screech, rallying the remaining members. The air thickened with tension as the remaining Haste Troodons shifted back into their wicked dance, circling her and Lyrawinn once more.

  "Idalia, stay by my side. Careful with that one." Lyrawinn then roared, but Idalia's heart was pounding with exhilaration, her blood racing from the thrill of the battle. She didn't want to retreat; she wanted to push forward, to taste victory again.

  However, she obeyed, fighting her instincts and scampered closer to Lyrawinn's side. "I got one! I can do it again! Just watch!"

  Lyrawinn's eyes were sharp and unreadable, but she nodded, a flicker of approval in her gaze. "You've done well beyond expectations, Ida. But be vigilant; they're regrouping."

  She was right. The Troodons were hesitant, their snarls echoing through the clearing, but their resolve hardened like stone. They were determined to claim their prey, and Idalia felt a spark of defiance. She wanted to leap right into the fight and initiate once more.

  "Stick together!" Lyrawinn commanded. "I'll draw their attention, then you circle wide and flank from the side!"

  Idalia's fur bristled as she readied herself, heart racing, every muscle poised like a taut wire.

  Decisively, Lyrawinn bolted forward, a golden blur against the ashen grass, her claws flashing as she took on fourteen Troodons and their leader at once. They lunged, jaws snapping, but Lyrawinn was a whirlwind, parrying their blows and forcing them back.

  Idalia followed her with awe. Every move was sharp, perfect. She had to learn that. She would!

  When one Troodon broke from formation, Idalia saw it instantly. She pounced.

  "Now!" she roared, slamming into it. Claws tore, flesh gave, her blood sang.

  The moment was electric. Idalia's body thrummed with fire as she brought the creature to the ground. The Troodon flailed, but Idalia's grip was relentless.

  "Finish it!" Lyrawinn's voice cut through the din.

  Idalia obeyed with a snarl, jaws sinking deep. She let out a victorious yowl, echoing through the clearing.

  [Power Particles: 3900 → 4800 Units]

  [Accumalated Particles: {4000 | 4000}

  Development (Lv4) reached.

  Stat Increases: +1 to STR, DEF, FPWR, RES, SPD]

  [Claw Rend: {Level 11} → {Level 12}]

  The runes in her mind blazed with unprecedented intensity, swirling and crackling with vibrant energy. Her body thrummed. The world felt brighter, louder, sharper. She turned to Lyrawinn, tail flicking wildly.

  "Three! Three down! Did you see?!"

  But the tide of battle had not yet turned. The remaining Haste Troodons regrouped, their leader screeching furiously, rallying their spirits. Idalia felt the chill of determination wash over her; these beasts were resilient, and they were very hungry.

  "You've got this, my little star," Lyrawinn encouraged, her blue eyes aflame with fierce pride. "Stay sharp. They're coming for you now!"

  Lyrawinn tackled the scarred-scaled leader as the remaining Troodons charged.

  And oh, how that thrilled her.

  Her breath came quick, her heart hammering in delight. Let them come. She wanted them all.

  The gray-feathered Troodon lunged at her again and again, and she laughed—actually laughed—as she danced around it.

  She spun away from its snapping jaw and dashed past another, using her speed to outmaneuver their attacks. However, the second-largest Troodon remained a constant presence on her flank, its eyes locked onto her with a predatory glint.

  "Focus, focus!" Idalia chanted to herself, eyes scanning for an opening as the chaos continued to explode around her.

  Through [Spatial Sight], she could see Lyrawinn deflecting blows, striking with elegant precision.

  Idalia had to copy her—and outdo her. Her thoughts narrowed to the hunt, just as she had practiced!

  Idalia's back legs tensed, coiling like a spring, and then she launched herself at a Troodon that had gotten too close, her claws outstretched. She made contact, knocking it off balance and following up with a savage bite that tore through flesh.

  [Power Particles: 4800 → 5600 Units]

  [Accumalated Particles: {5000 | 5000}

  Development (Lv5) reached.

  Stat Increases: +1 to STR, DEF, FPWR, RES, SPD]

  [Bite: {Level 12} → {Level 13}]

  Her whole body vibrated with triumph. She was unstoppable. Invincible! Alive!

  Suddenly, a whistle split through the air, catching her attention. Startlingly, another Troodon dashed toward her, claws and fangs poised to strike. Idalia readied a [Portal Breath] for it.

  But before she could react, another blur slammed into her target. Crack! The Troodon's jaw snapped sideways; its body crumpled.

  The Troodon lay shattered and motionless.

  Idalia's eyes widened. A small, strange figure stood over her prey, frowning. Not an ape. A boy.

  A young Wanderan.

  Her ears flattened, and she snarled. How dare he steal from her? Mine!

  Ida's Adventurous Alerts: What are they feeding their cubs?!

  Ida's Post Chapter Stats (Development [Lvl 5]):