She moved as close to the edge as she could possibly go, wrapping her toes around the end of the plank. Opening her arms wide, she called with all her heart—to the mist, to the wind lions, and to one dear friend who was so very far away.
“Promi! Hear me, please—if you can possibly hear my voice callin’ all the way from yer bridge.”
She started to go on, then her sobs came pouring out. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Somehow, amidst the sobs, she forced herself to go on.
“She’s dyin’, Promi. Atlanta is dyin’!”
Fighting back more tears, she called into the swirling vapors. “Come help her, Promi! Come help her before there’s no more hope.”
Shangri hung her head. Her kerchief, loosened from her mad dash through the City, slipped off completely. It fell, catching wind currents, into the gorge, spiraling downward. Finally, it vanished in the mist.
“I’m tryin’ to do what ye told me,” she whispered, so softly that she could hardly hear her own words. “Tryin’ to keep some hope.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “But it’s hard, Promi. So very, very hard.”
CHAPTER 26
Our Fight
A few moments after the Universal Bridge collapsed, leaving a wide swath of emptiness in the sky of the spirit realm, the sphere that had protected Promi and Jaladay dissolved. Yet they hardly noticed. They were embracing each other, aware only of their grief.
Floating together in the mist, they didn’t say any words. Nor did they shed any more tears. Their weeping had subsided, leaving them empty of everything but pain. Deep, enduring pain.
Winds swept over them, scattering the shreds of mist. The moaning, shrieking winds sounded like the cries of people who had lost the ones they loved.
At last, Jaladay spoke. “They’re gone,” she said morosely. “I can’t sense their spirits anywhere.”
“And they died for no reason,” came Promi’s bitter reply. “No reason at all—except Narkazan’s goals of conquest.”
Jaladay pulled herself a small distance away. Taking off her eye band, she peered at her brother. “That’s not true, Promi. They died to save us. And in that, they succeeded.”
Peering into her forest green eyes, Promi gave a slow nod. “They did. But Jaladay . . .” His voice broke.
“Yes,” she finished, gently touching his hand. “I, too, would much rather they’d still be alive.”
“Still here.”
“Yes . . . still here.”
“Well now,” said a grumpy voice nearby, “that was unexpected.”
“Kermi!” Opening her arms, Jaladay gave the monkeylike creature a warm hug. “You found us.”
Wrapping his long blue tail around her arm, he said, “That’s true. But,” he added, staring at the empty space between the bright and dark clusters of worlds, “we seem to have lost the bridge.”
Jaladay’s eyes moistened again. “We’ve lost more than that.”
Kermi jolted. “You don’t mean—”
“Yes,” she said despondently. “They’re gone! Sammelvar and Escholia are . . .” She paused, struggling to say the word. “Destroyed.”
“Terrible, terrible news,” said a deep voice above them.
Lifting their heads, they saw Theosor watching them grimly. His invisible wings whirred as he hovered, ruffling his majestic mane.
Shaking his immense head, the wind lion said, “Never again will we know spirits of their wisdom and grace.”
“Or courage,” added Promi, gazing sadly at his old friend. “They sacrificed their lives to save ours.”
Clenching his jaw, he looked from Theosor to Jaladay and back again. “Which is why we must finish their work.”
“Right,” agreed Jaladay. “We must defeat Narkazan.”
Promi nodded decisively. “Once and for all.”
“True, young cubs.” Theosor flew closer. “And we have no time to waste. My scouts have confirmed that he is massing a huge army in the Xarnagg region. He may have gathered all his forces there.”
“Except,” said Jaladay bitterly, “for the ones who were hiding down in the darkness of Noverro, waiting to ambush us.”
Promi sent her an understanding glance. Then, turning back to Theosor, he asked, “Where exactly is Xarnagg?”
“Far past the Caverns of Doom,” answered the wind lion. “Evidently, when you stole his original battle plans, he realized that his only chance to succeed was to mass his forces far enough away that we wouldn’t learn about it until too late.”
Promi nodded. “But your scouts still managed to find out.”
“Not without cost,” replied Theosor, his rumbling voice dropping even lower than usual. “One of my best lieutenants, the wind lion Hassero, gave his life so we could get this information. When he and his partner were returning with their news, they were attacked—and he threw himself in the path of a flashbolt so his partner could survive.”
Gravely, Jaladay and Promi traded glances.
“If we leave right away,” Theosor added, “we will still have the advantage of surprise. I have told our forces to wait in hiding for my return.”
“We have one more advantage,” observed Promi.
“What is that?” asked the wind lion.
“We have the Starstone.” Promi tapped his tunic pocket. “In here.”
Theosor shook his great mane. “It is good you found it, brave cub. But only because now it’s not in the hands of Narkazan. We can never use it as a weapon against him.”
“But he was going to use it as a weapon against us, wasn’t he?”
“Yes. But only after he corrupted it, reversing its powers. The true Starstone can only be used to magnify positive magic—to create, not to destroy.”
Disappointed, Promi said, “I see. So we’ll just have to defeat Narkazan the old fashioned way.”
“Right,” agreed Theosor.
Putting her eye band back on, Jaladay asked, “Did Hassero and his partner learn anything else about Narkazan’s plans?”
“Nothing. All we know is that, instead of assembling at the Caverns as he originally planned, his army is out at Xarnagg.” Theosor’s nostrils flared, “But that alone is significant—enough for us to mount a surprise attack.”
“Let’s go, then, while we still have that option,” said Promi. Turning to his sister, he added, “I’ll miss you.”
“No you won’t,” she declared.
Puzzled, he peered at her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you dolt, that I’m coming with you.”
Kermi smirked, and a pair of bubbles leaked from the corner of his mouth. “I love it when you put this manfool in his place.”
Ignoring the kermuncle, Promi pressed Jaladay, “Are you sure?”
“As sure as you are,” she told him. “This is our fight. For our world.” Quietly, she added, “And our parents.”
“You’re right,” her brother agreed. Glancing up at Theosor, he asked, “Can you carry both of us?”
“Absolutely, young cub.” The wind lion bobbed his massive head and moved right beside them. “Climb on.”
Just before they did, both Jaladay and Promi looked one last time at the twin galaxies Evarra and Noverro. One radiated constant bursts of light and color, while the other swirled in layers upon layers of darkness. Where they had been bound together for many ages, they now existed utterly apart. For now there was no bridge to connect them.
CHAPTER 27
Faith
Flying faster than any wind in the spirit realm, Theosor carried his passengers with both grace and speed. Promi and Jaladay, seated on the lionsteed’s back, and Kermi, who had wrapped himself securely around Jaladay’s neck, could easily imagine that their bodies had merged with Theosor’s. They felt the depth of his breathing, the span of his legs, and the constant vibration of his w
ings as they vaulted through the shifting mists.
Watching the movement of Theosor’s muscular shoulders, Promi understood as never before the sheer power of the wind lion. The great creature’s fur gleamed like silver moonlight, while his mane rippled constantly in the wind. And Promi remembered when he’d ridden on this same broad back when they outraced Narkazan and cast the evil spirit into the Maelstrom.
Difficult as that was, young cub, said Theosor, speaking directly into Promi’s mind, this will be much harder. We will not easily defeat Narkazan and his entire army.
I know, the young man replied. But defeat them we will.
Theosor roared, charging through the ever-shifting landscape. On all sides, mountains of mist bloomed out of wispy plains, only to transform into billowy canyons or silvery seas. Constantly evolving, ever remaking itself—this was the spirit realm.
Vaulting into an especially large, shadowy cloud, Theosor abruptly slowed down. Then his passengers suddenly noticed subtle movement all around. Creatures!
In the shadows were dozens of wind lions, scores of people in human form, as well as an array of wide-winged birds, a host of wyverns, a band of huge brown bears, a swarm of bees, and one being who resembled a giant octopus with enormous eyes. And more creatures moved in the more distant mists.
Promi and Jaladay saw immediately that this army had been practicing battle maneuvers. The wind lions were soaring together in bands of five, stopping in unison, then flying faster than before. The bears, though immense, were leaping over one another and dodging blows with great agility. The human warriors were swinging their long silver swords, honing their thrusts and counter-thrusts. Meanwhile, the wyverns, who resembled small blue dragons with daggerlike talons, whirled and dived through the mists of the cloud. Not far away, the swarm of bees zipped up and down in tight formation, reversing course instantly on signals only they perceived.
“All cease,” rumbled Theosor.
Right away, the warriors stopped practicing and drew closer to their leader. To Promi and Jaladay’s surprise, the army was even bigger than they had realized.
“With an army like this,” said Promi, “we really do have a chance to defeat Narkazan.”
“A good chance,” added Jaladay.
Theosor nodded to one particular wind lion, who glided forward. Her coat shone silvery blue, with the extra sparkle of dew from this moist cloud. Although she lacked a mane, she stood just as large as her leader. When she spoke, her voice conveyed both strength and intelligence.
“Yes, Theosor?”
“Shellina, I want to ask you—”
“I would be delighted,” finished Shellina. “It would be a pleasure to carry one of your passengers.”
Theosor gave a deep-throated chuckle. “You are always one wingbeat ahead of me.”
Glancing over his shoulder at Jaladay, Promi said, “I know the feeling.”
His sister grinned. Then she turned back to the silvery blue wind lion, her expression more serious. “I am Jaladay, and I’d be most grateful if you would carry me. As well as my friend here, Kermi.”
By the way of introduction, Kermi uncoiled himself just enough to blow a small stream of bubbles.
“An honor to meet you both,” said the lioness.
“The honor is ours,” replied Jaladay. She paused, regarding Shellina through her eye band. “Especially because I sense that you were the partner of the brave lion Hassero, who gave his life to save yours.”
Shellina bowed her head slightly, then said, “You are right. He was also . . . my brother.”
Frowning, Jaladay replied, “Then I am doubly sorry for your loss.” With a deep sigh, she added, “We both know what it’s like to lose family.”
Padding closer, Shellina’s rich brown eyes gazed at Jaladay. “Yes, we do.” Nudging Jaladay’s leg with her nose, she said, “And we will know much more about each other before this battle is through.”
“That’s certain.” Leaning closer to Theosor’s head, Jaladay ran a hand through his mane and whispered, “Thank you, great friend.”
“Any time, my dear cub.”
Quickly, Jaladay moved over to Shellina. Meanwhile, the lioness traded final thoughts with Theosor about their battle plan. At last, Theosor gave a powerful roar and spoke to the whole group.
“It is time,” he declared with a shake of his mane, “to defend the freedoms of this realm!”
A thunderous chorus rose from all sides. It was as if a sudden storm had erupted inside the cloud.
“Our strategy remains unchanged,” the wind lion continued. “We will have the advantage of surprise. As well as something even more important—our eternal devotion to each other and this realm.”
He shook his great mane. “So from each of you, I expect only this: Your courage. Your loyalty. And your love for all we hold dear.”
Another thunderous roar erupted.
As the cheers died down, Theosor said just to Promi, “And from you, brave cub, I expect only the qualities you have shown before. Not long ago, you saved both our lives, as well as the Starstone—and I believe you will now do the same for this realm.”
Promi nodded, feeling the wind lion’s faith flowing through him. At the same time, he felt a prickling of doubt—the same doubt he’d always felt when others believed in him. Whether it was Atlanta, or his parents, or Jaladay . . . he still wasn’t quite sure why they had such faith in him. Even the two friends he’d lost in battle, the kind old monk, Bonlo, and the brave turquoise dragon, Ulanoma, seemed to see more in Promi than he saw in himself.
He drew a deep breath. “You have great faith in me, Theosor. And today . . . I hope to earn it.”
“Now we go,” bellowed the wind lion. “To Xarnagg—and to victory!”
Out of the cloud they poured, like a great flock of birds (although, in this case, birds comprised only a small portion of the flock). With Theosor in the lead, they flew close together. Yet that formation couldn’t disguise their great diversity. For they really had only one quality in common: their vows to protect the spirit realm from domination by Narkazan.
Riding on Theosor’s back, Promi watched their surroundings change rapidly. They flew through misty canyons and over pinnacles that grew taller by the second. They plunged into a swirling tunnel of colored winds, a place where a gust of bright yellow blew into a cyclone of deep blue that was suddenly swept aside by a gale of orange and green. And they soared past a world of wondrous sounds, where stringlike clouds vibrated constantly, misty flutes blew haunting notes, and vaporous drums pounded echoing rhythms.
Onward they flew. All Promi knew about their route was that they would fly past the Caverns of Doom, not far from Narkazan’s old lair in the icicle cloud where Promi had rescued Jaladay. After the Caverns, they would pass near Arcna Ruel, the cloud castle built by Narkazan before he’d been toppled—though that defeat had turned out to be only temporary. Somewhere in the misty lands beyond Arcna Ruel, Promi knew, lay the little-explored region of Xarnagg.
Theosor, who had been listening to Promi’s thoughts, spoke again into his mind. You remember that cloud castle well, don’t you, bold cub? It was there you first found the Starstone—and Narkazan.
Promi nodded, his long locks streaming behind as they flew. I’ll never forget it.
Nor will I, as long as my mane keeps growing. Theosor added, In fact, Narkazan was recently spotted back at Arcna Ruel. That makes sense, since his army is gathering not far beyond there.
The wind lion abruptly turned and dived straight into a watery cloud as dense as a lake. For a few seconds, they were submerged completely in cold water, unable to breathe. Then, just as abruptly, they burst out of the cloud, trailing a silvery stream of mist.
Glancing to the rear, Promi saw that all the warriors were still flying right behind them in close formation. While they now looked wetter than when he’d first seen th
em, their expressions made it clear that they were still every bit as determined to prevail. And to end Narkazan’s ambitions once and for all.
Looking closely at Jaladay, who was leaning forward with her arms wrapped around Shellina’s sturdy neck, Promi felt a surge of pride. She is made of strong stuff, that sister of mine. After all she’s been through—she’s now riding into battle.
Then, in his head, he heard a voice—Jaladay’s voice. The same could be said for you, brother of mine.
Promi grinned. He turned forward again, and almost immediately noticed a drop in temperature. Soon it grew cold enough that he could see Theosor’s breath, blowing white clouds from the lion’s nostrils as the wings continued to whir. Before long, Promi started to see ice crystals floating all around—some of them as small and slender as a finger, others as massive as a mountain.
Just ahead appeared a massive gray cloud whose entire surface was pocked with lightless pits. The Caverns of Doom.
Passing the abandoned caverns, Promi shivered—not just from the cold. He felt a wave of relief that at least their battle wouldn’t be fought at that ominous place.
Boom! A powerful blast suddenly exploded out of one of the caverns!
Careening sharply, Theosor swerved just an instant before a flashbolt, burning with intense white flame, zipped right in front of his nose. Half a second later, the flashbolt would have surely hit the wind lion, as well as Promi.
“Attack!” roared Theosor. “We’re under attack!”
CHAPTER 28
Battle for the Spirit Realm
Like deadly missiles, Narkazan’s forces poured out of the Caverns of Doom. Because each dark pit was, in fact, a sizeable chamber, out of each flew large groups of warriors—including hundreds and hundreds of mistwraiths.
Caught completely unprepared, the band of defenders lost their tight formation. Theosor swerved so sharply that Promi clung with all his strength to the lion’s mane. An instant later, Theosor came around to lead a charge at the oncoming forces.