03 Beware!

CHAPTER 3 BEWARE! The storm bugs turned and buzzed away. Tag watched them leave, his eyes wide. "Are you okay?" Skyla asked Tag. Tag finally pulled his foot free from the vine and nodded. "I don't think the bugs were trying to hurt us," he said. "I think they wanted to warn us."

"About what?" Blaze asked. Tag looked at Claw. He was sure that the storm bugs had looked right at the old vulture when they'd spelled out the message: Beware! What were they trying to tell us? he wondered. "Maybe they were warning us about the jungle?" Claw suggested. "We're lucky we have a firehawk to protect us." Blaze smiled.

The friends made their way through the jungle. The trees were tall and thick with long, curvy leaves that touched the ground. Twisty green vines wound around the trunks and along the ground. As they walked, the air grew hot. Tag could hear the sound of hundreds of insects chirping and humming to one another. He held his dagger tight as he looked around for any other dangerous creatures. "How far is the temple from here?" Blaze asked Claw.

Claw looked unsure. "It has been a long time since I was there. The jungle has grown even thicker." "Maybe the map can help us?" Skyla whispered to Tag. Tag moved away from Claw and unrolled the map. It showed a picture of green trees. In the center was a small picture of Tag, Blaze, Skyla, and Claw.

There was no sign of the Golden Temple. "I think we're lost," Tag said. Blaze frowned. "Well, let's keep following this path." Tag cut at the thick vines hanging in their way. The farther they walked, the smaller the path became. Soon, there was no path at all. They were surrounded by trees and bushes on all sides. "Are you sure you know where you are going, Claw?" Tag grumbled. Claw ignored him. "Use your firepower to make a path, Blaze," he said.

"No!" Blaze cried. "My firepower could burn down the jungle. We'll have to clear the path without using my powers." Together, the friends pulled at the vines and bushes. Tag used his dagger to cut a way through. "Skyla," Tag whispered. "I think Claw is lost." Skyla frowned. "Try checking the map again," she whispered. Tag reached into his sack when Blaze suddenly shouted. "The temple!" Blaze cried, jumping up and down. "We've found the Golden Temple!"