Warning: potential fourth wall breakage so everyone get the glue.

P.O.V: Princess Neijha

"I'm so excited! This will finally be the first time I get to leave this forest." I yelled out loud with my bare feet hitting the leave covered ground in a sprint.

"And I don't blame you." My dad chuckled running beside me before slowing to a stop, which I didn't understand at first. Until I looked down to see no ground below me a couple seconds later and the cliff behind.

*This scene pauses while construction workers are bracing the wall*

You may have thought I would fallen to death then end of story, but fret not faithful readers. For I, the Great Neijha Jessica Hughes have learned a couple of tricks through my years from a certain pink party animal. Whom I shall not name but I'm pretty sure at least a few of you guys will know. Besides, this story isn't about me, I'm just a side character created for your amusement.

*This scene now resumes with the belief that the wall is secured*

"Oops.." I slip out. Not making a deal about my mistakes a simply walk back to cliff's edge like the ground was below me the entire time.

My dad just stood there, staring at me blankly for at least a minute before shaking his head at his thoughts. I just gave him a playful smirk knowing that he knew not to question me anymore.

Smiling with pure joy, I clutch my father's loose beige sleeve of his shirt as we stare across the vast ocean that lies ahead of us.

"I was only a young little pup when I wanted to venture across the sea. Now seven years later and that dream will be fulfilled." I smile to myself as my wolf tail with fur that's as yellow as the sun sways behind me with anticipation.

Oh yeah! It's about time for introductions! As you've already noticed, my name is Neijha Hughes. I'm daughter of the Alpha, which is Alpha Mitchell, but he goes by Mitch across the citizens of Silvae, and to me he's my Daddy. I'm about 4'2", that apparently comes from my mother, and speaking of mothers, don't expect to see the mothers to the royal descendants, I believe it's to prevent shipping wars or something like that. Anyways, I have long wavy cocoa hair that has a purple streak in back that I'm had since birth. You'll usually see me wearing a single layered dress that's either purple, green, light blue, or a mix of those. It's extremely rare to catch me with shoes on, those things just cause blisters and drag you down. I also have this pendant that my dad gave me a while back. It's a flat, forest green pearl that has a lime green outline, and a very pale tiny green spot that stays along the line of the color shades and changes it's location based on perspective.

And I believe that's it for now, I'll give more as more characters are introduced.

"I've been in need for a change of scenery as well, but you know why we stay hidden." Dad chuckled at first but then turned to me with a serious look.

I sigh knowing what he is referring to. "We need to protect the pack."

Despite my dismay, I know that if I'm going to the Alpha of our kingdom, I need to do what's right for our people, and give them what they want. And many want to stay safe from harm, and those who want a bit a risk and challenge, explore, work in the gem mine or make trades with the other kingdoms.

"We should head back and get ready to go." Dad went back to a smile taking my hand. He has this mark on his right wrist that is basically identical to my pendant that blinks quickly and then we're suddenly whizzed back to the den. Well, by whizzed I mean teleported. My dad can teleport at will, and I can teleport with the use of my bow, arrows, and pendant. Pretty cool huh?

Anyways, the den is our home. It's not really a hole in the ground, it's just a term sense our home is ever so slightly bigger than those living here. Most residents of Silvae, including us, live in teepees and some share tents with a few of their friends or that's just where they work so it's more convenient. The value of The Pack is that we don't need a lot in life in order to be happy. Should probably mention why I keep referring to the citizens of Silvae as the pack before you guys get even more confused.

There's not one human living here, all of us are hybrids or some other species. It's not that we're speciest or something, just humans don't seem to understand our living conditions and whenever someone ventures here they try to make things "better." Like when would we need technology when we already have everything that we need.

Only on a rare occasion has that stuff been useful to us. For example, making gem mining and medicine production easier and safer. Otherwise that's all we need.

Okay, that's enough background information for now, on with the story!

I decided to skip on out of our tent to let daddy get ready, and just take things slow for once, check up on people.

'Note to self, don't walk by the fire circle with your eyes shut. Tails trip you, especially the long, scaly, spiked ones.' I mentally mark with my face now in the dirt and dried leaves.

"Hey!" A familiar; at least me and maybe some others; girl's voice growled.

"Nice to sort of see you agree Star..." I mutter but my words are for the most part muffled by the ground that I'm still face first in for some reason. I then bounce back to my feet to find a black scaled dragon hybrid with these really cool looking tattoos on her right arm glaring at me, but her gaze softens after about three seconds.

"Oh, it's just you." The girl I already called Star, but her full first name is Stargazer huffed and she turned back to the pit in the center of the circle, having moved her long, black scaled tail over the log she sat on so it was next to her and out of harms way.

I sat next to her on the opposite side still retaining my bright smile despite Star's emotionless expression.

"So are you going to the coronation next week?" I chirp to the gem miner, playing with my pendant.

"I'm off duty that day, and I've got nothing else better to do." The dragon hybrid shrugged, which got me over joyed that one of my closest friends would be coming too.

I can proudly say that the two of us bounce off each other pretty well. She feels safe to be herself around me without being judged, in return I give personal space when she asks for it and I know how to avoid getting on her bad side.

"Plan on going with anyone?" I ask eagerly, despite knowing very well I seem to be the only one on the island she gets along with.

"No." About the answer I expected. "But maybe I might meet a family member there, though something tells me it won't be for a good reason." She muttered the second half as she stood up. I felt it was my time to leave as well so after rising to my feet, I gave Star a quick wave before skipping off to my next destination.

And to the mess tent I go! As the distance between me in food grows closer, I watch the irregular flow hybrids walking in and out of the tent flaps. Inside, I'm instantly drawn to the delicious smell of the food made by the amazing chefs using the fresh ingredients grown right here.

I resist the urge to go straight to the dessert trays, when I catch sight of a fellow wolf blood sitting at a small table by themselves while everyone else was having fun and socializing.

Unable to resist having a little but of sugar, I snatch up a cinnamon roll and carry it in my mouth over to my childhood friend, and sit next to him, much to his dismay.

"What do you want Neijha?" Gale Evergreen asked with a hint of a groan. He used to be so happy just as I am, even pursuing a path in music for a while. But this all changed when his  parents died tragically due to a snake's venom while they were simply going about their day.

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to join me in going to the coronation next week as a special guest?" I asked him toning myself down to make him a bit more comfortable now that he found more enjoyment in being alone.

"Thanks for the offer, but I need to refuse." Gale sighed staring at me with bored eyes. "And before you ask why, I thought you of all people would have known that the king of Alis is a dragon, and you know what that means."

I was in fact aware of Gale's dilemma, he could be labeled as suspicious if he shows his dislike of the dragon species and might be associated with the rogue dragon slayers that aren't welcomed into any kingdom. It's really too bad, because he and star would be so cute together, given their personalities. But then once again there's the species boundaries, and Gale "claims" he's seeing someone else. Oh well. I mentally shrug, I guess there won't be any special guest this time round.

"Don't worry about it too much, I'll make sure to say goodbye before leaving." I smile calmly, and get one in return as I stand, popping the pastry back in my mouth. It's time for me to get ready for my grand adventure!

Hey guys! Welcome to Darkness Rises! I'm so so so sorry I took forever to give you guys something to read on here, but the good news is, is that it's here, and that means updates will come sooner for other stuff! And that's pretty much it for now.

Question #2: Which kingdom should be introduced next?

Till next time;

Stay strong my cookie lovers!

~Dolphin