Chapter 11 - The Code By Which To Remember Me

The mysterious Heartstone found in the ancient city has been brought to what the Alphas believed to be it’s proper home: The wetland in the northwest of Jamaa, between Mt. Shiveer and Appondale. Upon it’s arrival, rocks in the surrounding area lit up with a blue energy, like the Heartstone had activated a long forgotten magic. Although the wetlands were close to civilization, the Alphas were coming across structures had never been seen before. It was as if the architecture of a forgotten society had just reappeared out of thin air. Immediately the group began to scout the area in hopes to make it safe for all animals to visit. Soon enough, they were ready.

The Land Hidden From the World

For many years it was speculated by Jammers that one day this land would be open for all to visit. They could see it from the peaks of Mt. Shiveer, and many thought something was always odd about it. But no one could ever quite pinpoint why they felt that way. Now, though, it’s secrets had finally begun to be unraveled. On February 15th, 2018, the beautiful wetland known as Balloosh was welcomed into Jamaa and declared safe by the Alphas. It’s atmosphere was grand but mysterious, with it’s towering weeping trees, the old market over the marsh, and the strange multi-leveled waterfalls. Moss and lily pads were scattered across the water, and the sun could barely reach the ground through the thick canopy of leaves.

The Heartstone of the unknown species was placed at the land’s core, at the base of a stone stairway flanked by waterfalls on each side. The steps led up to a temple embedded in a hill, overlooking all of Balloosh. It’s design was similar to the architecture of the ancient city. It was almost like it was begging to be explored, but the structure was covered in vines and it’s door was shut. It was decided by the Alphas to save investigating the temple for last, guessing that it would require even more work than they already had in front of them. They wrapped up their studies of the rest of Balloosh’s wildlife and ruins, and only then cleaned off the entrance to the great temple.

The inside of the Temple of Ancients was awe inspiring. It’s sheer scale rivaled that of the shrine that held Mira’s feather. The dark, polished stone chamber was lit by dazzling blue crystals, as well as glowing markings and trims. Water cascaded from a fountain on the back wall, flowing down gracefully into pools at each level of the structure. Although there were many walkways through the elaborate series of towers and waterfalls, there was a clear main staircase going down the middle of the temple. It was flanked on each side by two intriguing stone blocks, both massive in size. At the top lied a statue of an arctic wolf, decorated in a glowing suit of armor.

A few days later, the one of the large blocks of stone would suddenly crack. Chunks of rock fell into the water below, and the shape of what was inside the block began to show. It was a carving of an animal! But didn’t resemble any species currently living in Jamaa. Rumors spread of what the creature could be, and soon the Jammer’s questions would be answered. The rest of the encasing stone broke away, leaving everyone speechless… the statue was of an ancient and long extinct sabertooth! The Heartstone at the center of Balloosh surged with power, as if it was the reason for the freeing of the statue. The activation made the sediment covering the stone crumble to dust, revealing a symbol of two fangs engraved into the Heartstone. Sabertooths began to return to Jamaa, finally rescued from the Ancient City and brought to their new home!

Amidst the celebration of another animal returning to Jamaa, the other block of stone on the opposite side of the Temple of the Ancients began to crack and crumble. Seemingly, whatever was under there didn’t want the sabertooths to have the spotlight for too long. Over the course of the next couple weeks the stone broke away much like the first. Eventually, with a final great pulse of energy the second sculpture revealed itself. It was a giant direwolf! The direwolf Heartstone was discovered to be buried deep within Balloosh, hidden away inside the Temple of the Ancients. It’s activation was seemingly linked to that of the sabertooth’s, leading Jammers to believe that the two species were connected in some way. With that, direwolves had returned to Jamaa and were reunited with their sabertooth companions.

The mysteries of