The hybrid brother and sister ran after their aunts up the mountainside. By the time they reached the top, Carita and the others were nowhere to be seen. Zuno raised his head and howled to draw attention. "Our father was stolen by the Shadow Haunters!" He howled out, "We need help!"

The first responder to the call was not, perhaps, reassuring in appearance. The great pounding of large, lumbering steps announced the arrival of the Guardians' largest member: a male grizzly by the name of Ruin. He came within a few yards of them before he made a halt, staring gently down at them. Wolves were normally something the bear would kill and eat, so it would have been terrifying to see him come so close to them, if not for the passenger that sat atop his broad back. Mo< Even as Ruin looked down at them, a silver and white head peered over the bear's shoulder, loosing a strangely soothing purr as he perked his tufted ears forward to catch the wolf's words, if he should gather the courage to respond. To the grizzly's huge size, the bobcat looked tiny indeed, and yet these two had become strange friends. It was Tyranus who spoke. "We are here."

Ralla's eyes widened at the sight of the larger animals, but now was not the time to flee. "Quick! Our father has been taken to the Shadow Haunters' home! They want to kill him!" She blurted out.