Amphibia Novels & Stories

A sign hung above the entrance. Reptile, Amphibian & Invertebrate Conservation House Founded and funded by Raphael Capone. Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of misunderstood species. Raphael opened the door, "Come inside." The room beyond was enormous. Rows of habitats stretched in every direction. Glass enclosures, terrariums, climate controlled rooms, aquatic displays. My eyes widened, there were snakes, huge ones, and tiny ones. Lizards, frogs, toads, tarantulas, scorpions, beetles.

I was curious to see what it wanted to do. Finally, twenty minutes after, all sorts of savage beasts had appeared, as though for a grand assembly. Aerial birds and land beasts of all kinds arrived from all around. Based on descriptions from the books in the Book Collection Vault, I could name several just by a glance. Still... some were just unbelievably unheard of. The animals watched Boss and I, in all ecstacy. Scorpion Tail Chameleon seemed to be radiating an inexplicably aura that left me puzzled. Finally, the lion spoke:

I ask. “They are a type of salamander, aquatic animals that can spend time out of water, but prefer to live in the water.” As she speaks, I lift my hand and see that I have a white, blue, purple and tan axolotl in my hand. They have little protrusions on their head that stand out in the water, but lay against their head when they are out. “Those are external gills.” Anastasia says, gently running a finger over the axolotyls in her hand. She has a yellow one with black spots that keeps nipping at the others.

She tried to engage him in a conversation, so that she could go outside and look at them closely for a moment. “Really?” He didn’t leave her a step. He supposed that if he let her leave, she wouldn't be back soon. Besides, Alex might be lurking somewhere in the garden. “They appeared before the Ice Age, in the Tertiary. They formed enormous forests. Could you imagine a forest of blooming magnolias? Must look amazing!” She dreamed. “Later it was the Ice Age that destroyed them. They only survived in the Far East and North America.” "That's probably why they're so resistant to frost." He added, watching her closely.

It was a butterfly. I blinked twice in amusement and slowly reached out, only for it to fly over a potted hydrangea in the corner. I contented myself with watching from afar. It flapped its majestic wings elegantly— black etched with purple dots and an intricate pattern on the sides. Somewhere on the internet, someone pointed out that butterflies cannot actually see their wings. I wonder if it was actually true and what a shame that would be. To be so beautiful and yet so painfully unaware.

Chapter 05: Knowing Hellbender After the signing contract, I returned to my room. Yes, mine since I became part of this giant moving ship. The Hellbender. On my way back to my room I always saw banners with a skeleton hellbender blowing fire. According to the biology book I once read before, it's the Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis, much more known by the name Hellbender, a large aquatic salamander. Its appearance is not that appealing but its sharp teeth are enough to cut through human skin.