THE MESSAGE FROM ROU

{"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become."}

GENERAL TIGER'S POV

The forest was silent, wrapped in the embrace of night. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant hoot of an owl. I was asleep, my body heavy with exhaustion, my arms wrapped protectively around Ralph. His warmth against me was a grounding presence, a reminder that for now, at least, we were safe.

Then, the dream came. It wasn't the kind of dream that drifted in softly; it struck like a sudden storm, tearing me away from the darkness of sleep and throwing me into something else entirely. A vast, endless, and cold space stretched before me. A low hum filled the air, vibrating deep in my bones. And then, a voice rose from the void, strong and familiar.

"Ralph, wake up and listen to me."

My breath caught. I turned sharply, but there was nothing. Only the voice, Rou's voice was echoing all around me.