After the harrowing encounter with the gecko deer, Team Uno trudged through the dense forest for hours. The adrenaline from their narrow escape had long since faded, leaving them weary and tense. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs set their nerves on edge. Their relief was palpable when they finally emerged into the rest point—a circular haven where trees dared not encroach, but lush grass thrived underfoot.

"Looks like a good place to catch our breath," Ben muttered, scanning the area. "Maybe we're finally on the right path and this is those rest points we spotted on the crater wall."

As they moved cautiously towards the clearing, Mr. Major's sharp eyes caught sight of something unusual. "Hold up," he cautioned, raising a hand to halt Ben and Timmon. His voice was low, carrying a mix of wariness and curiosity. "Wait. I think I see some animals over there. Let's see what kind of creatures we're dealing with before we move in."

Ben: How many are there?

Major: Use your eyes. I'm seeing what you're seeing. Don't be lazy.

Timmon: Can we take them?

Mr Major: I don't think we should. I can see at least two wolves, a horse, a snake head and smaller animals like squirrels.

They crouched at the edge of the rest point, eyes scanning the area. At first glance, it seemed like an idyllic spot teeming with wildlife—various animals, large and small, dotted the landscape. But something felt off. Not a single creature moved.

"Are they... statues?" Ben whispered, squinting.

"Let's get closer, but be careful," Mr. Major said. "We don't want to get caught off guard again."

Each member of the team took a different angle to approach the strange scene, moving stealthily to avoid drawing attention. As they neared the creatures, the reality of their situation became clear. These weren't living animals; they were stone sculptures, so lifelike that each seemed to pulse with a unique presence.

"Unbelievable," Timmon murmured, running his fingers over the textured fur of a sculpted wolf. "This level of detail... it's beyond anything I've ever seen. And the surface of this rock it's sculpted from is like nothing I've ever come across." With a pause, he then asked. "Is this really a sculpture?"

Before they could marvel too long, a low growl emanated from the forest. They turned to see a large green cat, its fur resembling fern leaves, prowling just outside the clearing. The creature's eyes gleamed with an almost predatory curiosity.

"What is that thing?" Ben whispered, eyes wide. "It's like a mix of a cat and a plant. Dibs on the name. I'm calling it a Fern Panther," Ben decided, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and nervousness. The others nodded in agreement, understanding that naming a new creature was part of their journey on this alien planet.

The panther moved closer, its muscles rippling beneath its leafy coat. But instead of attacking, it stopped at the edge of the rest point and began to circle the perimeter, never stepping into the grass. At times it even disappeared when it stopped moving, the layering and colours of green blending in with the background, middle ground and foreground.

"Why won't it come in?" Ben asked, glancing nervously between the statues and the panther.

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"Maybe it's afraid of the sculptures," Timmon suggested. "Or the rest point itself holds some kind of protective aura. Either way, I'm not eager to find out the hard way."

"Look at that fur," Mr. Major said, pointing to the green cat. "It's not just fur—it looks like fern leaves. The detail is incredible like these lifelike sculptures. But why is it just watching us?"

They gathered in the centre of the rest point, among some of the sculptures as their voices hushed with awe and worry. The Fern Panther continued to circle, its gaze never leaving them.

"Who could have created these sculptures?" Ben wondered aloud. "Someone incredibly talented and intelligent, that's for sure."

"Maybe they're markers," Timmon suggested. "Left by an advanced civilization to warn or communicate something important."

Ben: They must be strong to come all the way out here. Being able to defend against the beasts, warn us about animals, and get those rocks here seems like a crazy stunt.

Timmon: I see your point. I haven't seen any rock like this in the area remotely, so it must have been selected and placed here from somewhere for some reason, right? Maybe it's just an art piece. On Earth, people would put statues in random caves and in the great depths of the sea, deserts and forests. It wouldn't be hard for them to airlift something like this into a dangerous environment.

Mr Major: Stay alert! I lost sight of the Fern Panther. If these sculptures were a warning, then why isn't the Fern Panther among them?

"So it's a trap then?" Ben countered. "Designed to lure in people to die? But why?

Timmon: What if this isn't a trap by intelligence but by the evil forest?

Mr Major: I'm more inclined to think it's a trap by the Fern Panther because there it is again, moving around like a ghost, just waiting.

Timmon: "Waiting on what?" worry and anxiousness in his voice.

Ben: No fucking way. Are you saying that this trap was designed to lure in and petrify unsuspecting creatures—or even intruders like us? And the Fern Panther might be behind it?"

Mr Major: no. I'm not saying that, but it clearly knows something and is waiting. Maybe the animals in these sculptures are the type to attack quickly, but that creature isn't and is more of a cautious type.

"Whatever it is, I'm not keen on finding out by inviting it in," Ben muttered. "I'd rather not end up as a new addition to this rock garden."

"Whatever created these sculptures had a purpose," Mr. Major said. "We need to figure out what that purpose is and how it relates to that cat."

"Let's not forget," Mr. Major said, "we still need to find that mystery box we lost. It could hold clues to what's going on here."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the clearing, the team continued their investigation. They knew that understanding the mystery of the sculptures and the behaviour of the Fern Panther could be key to their survival on this strange planet.

The team still tired settled among the lifelike sculptures, they took turns resting while keeping an eye on the Fern Panther. Baskets filled with fruits and makeshift daggers crafted from sharp sticks lay within reach, a small comfort in their precarious situation. The Fern Panther, ever watchful, blended seamlessly with the forest, its presence a constant reminder of the danger they faced.

Ben looked up from his half-eaten fruit and broke the silence. "You know, cats are known for their patience and their violent streaks. This one might just be biding its time."

Mr. Major nodded. "Yeah, I've dealt with enough big cats in training to know they can strike without warning. We can't let our guard down, not for a second."

Timmon sighed and leaned back against a statue of a hawk. "Great. So we're sitting ducks here, with nothing but fruit and pointy sticks. What's our plan if it decides to attack?"

Mr. Major's eyes scanned the perimeter. "First, we stay calm. Panic is the enemy here. We rest in shifts, two of us always awake to keep watch. If it does come at us, aim for the eyes and nose—most sensitive spots on any predator."

Ben chuckled darkly. "Wonderful. So we're playing 'poke the giant pussy' while we wait for a miracle. I know a few friends that played that game now they have diapers to change."

Timmon shifted uneasily. "At least we know it won't come into the rest point. There's got to be a reason for that. Maybe we can use these sculptures to our advantage."

Mr. Major rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You might be onto something. These statues... they're too detailed to be just decoration. Maybe they're some kind of deterrent."

Ben took another bite of his fruit, deep in thought. "Whoever or whatever made these statues had a reason. We need to figure out what that is. It might be the key to surviving this place."

Timmon glanced at the Fern Panther, which continued to circle the perimeter silently. "So, we rest, we watch, and we wait. And while we do, we try to understand these statues and why they're here."

Mr. Major nodded. "Exactly. Haste makes waste, and odds make duds—whatever that truly means. We take our time, stay alert, and use our brains. We're not out of this yet."

Ben smirked. "Brains, huh? Good thing we've got a biologist, a geologist, and a Navy SEAL. Sounds like the start of a bad joke."

Timmon chuckled. "Yeah, let's just hope the punchline isn't our demise."

The team's humour barely masked their growing unease. They were acutely aware of the Fern Panther still watching them from the forest's edge, its presence a constant reminder of the danger lurking just beyond their temporary sanctuary.

In the gathering twilight, Team Uno resolved to uncover the secrets of this planet, aware that each revelation would bring them closer to understanding the truth behind the sculptures—and the forces that shaped this mysterious world.