The Hunt for Koronoks

Dawn balanced on a high branch, crouched with the grace of a playful predator. Below her, Malour was muttering to herself, trying to untangle the vine wrapped around her boot. The forest was thick with the smell of moss and earth, the sun slanting through the canopy in golden streams. It was the perfect setting for their mission to observe and assist the Koronoks, one of the rarest species in the Jurupa Forest. But it also meant that Malour was likely to trip over every root or fall into every muddy patch in sight.

“Come on, Mal! Just follow the trail,” Dawn called down, grinning.

Malour shot her a look. “You’re not the one stuck in the swamp,” she huffed. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “If I follow the trail, I’ll end up knee-deep in some weird goo.”

Dawn chuckled, flipping herself off the branch to land nimbly beside her friend. She was dressed in light, flexible gear—khaki pants, a loose shirt with pockets for tools, and a pair of boots that made her look ready for anything. Malour, on the other hand, had layers of protective armor-like clothing, a tactical vest crammed with gadgets, and a face that clearly screamed "not here for fun." Her gear was practical, but not exactly suited for the playful ease of the forest.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Dawn teased.

Malour adjusted her goggles. “Ready? I’m just trying not to get eaten by something weird that you’ll find hilarious.” She shot a pointed glance at Dawn’s mischievous grin.

Dawn didn’t bother hiding her amusement. “I’ll have to check the traps you set earlier for signs of the Koronoks. They’ve been avoiding us lately, so maybe we’ll find them near their dens,” she said, handing Malour a small toolkit. It had a few basic medical instruments and a high-tech scanner for tracking animal footprints.

As the two made their way deeper into the forest, the air grew cooler, and the hum of the trees seemed to intensify. Malour was scanning the ground every few steps, jumping at every unexpected noise. A rustling in the bushes made her freeze, her hand on her communicator, ready to call for backup.

Dawn, on the other hand, was already crouching by the bushes, grinning. “Relax, it’s just a squirrel. See?” She pointed at a small, furred creature darting up the tree.

Malour let out a long breath, and then shot her a glare. “I swear, if I had half your nerve, I’d be fine in this forest. But noooo, I have to deal with every leaf as if it’s a giant predator.”

“Just wait until we find the Koronoks. You’re gonna be in awe,” Dawn said with a wink, moving ahead to check the traps.

The Koronoks were notoriously elusive creatures, with sleek, feline bodies and eyes that shimmered like liquid mercury. They were protected under the Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release program, and Dawn had been tasked with observing their habits to help the program’s team. Their numbers were dwindling due to habitat loss and illness, so it was important to track their health and behavior in the wild.

As she moved through the underbrush, she noticed something unusual—scratches on the bark of a nearby tree, a sign that a Koronok had passed through. She crouched, activating her scanner to check for any nearby activity. The small device pinged softly, showing a faint outline of movement a few meters away.

“Malour, get over here!” Dawn called, excitement creeping into her voice.

Malour approached cautiously, but with curiosity now overpowering her fear. “What is it? Did you find one?”

Dawn nodded, pointing to the trail. “I think they’ve been here recently. Let’s move quietly.”

They proceeded in silence, taking care not to disturb the underbrush or make any unnecessary noise. Dawn was focused, her eyes darting to every shadow and movement, while Malour’s senses were stretched to their limit. She gripped her toolkit tightly, scanning the trees and ground for any sign of danger.

After a few tense moments, they spotted the Koronok. A slender creature, its eyes glowing with that same mysterious, silvery light. It was perched on a low branch, watching them with an intelligence that made Dawn pause. The animal wasn’t afraid, but it wasn’t coming any closer either.

“See?” Dawn whispered, a proud grin on her face. “You didn’t get eaten.”

Malour exhaled in relief. “Okay, okay. I admit it’s amazing. But I’m not doing this alone next time.”

Dawn laughed. “Deal. But we’ll have to find more Koronoks to check on, and you’ll need to help. We can’t rehabilitate them from the safety of your gear, you know.”

Malour sighed dramatically, but her eyes were sparkling now. “Fine. But you’re carrying the snacks.”

Dawn nodded, grinning. “It’s a deal.”