The Evertree

  The thought of Shane and Zerif releasing Kovo from his prison spurred Conor to even greater speeds. If Kovo escaped, all would be lost.

  Faster. Almost to the top. Conor let out a yelp as another sudden avalanche of rocks nearly sent him toppling down. He gripped the wall precariously, his feet dangling for a moment. An image of himself plummeting to his death flashed through his mind. Conor clenched his teeth and pressed himself close to the rock wall. Thanks to the Granite Ram, he found his footing.

  Shane and Zerif had already cleared the top. At least the rain of rocks had stopped. Conor spared a second to make sure the others were all still climbing, and then he made three more giant leaps. He lunged up with his arm on the last leap – and his fingers curved around the top of the cliff side.

  Exhausted, he pulled himself up.

  Conor yanked the Granite Ram talisman from around his neck and held it aloft to Essix. The falcon snatched it from his hand with startling quickness and carried it away to the others.

  From the top of Muttering Rock, he could see the entire expanse of red and brown plains surrounding the rock formation, stretching endlessly in every direction. A faint sliver of sunlight peeked up from the eastern horizon, bloodred in color.

  Conor pulled himself up to his feet. “Briggan,” he gasped, calling for his spirit animal. With a flash of light, the wolf appeared at his side, already growling. Conor’s gaze fell over the plateau he now stood upon.

  It looked like something out of his nightmares, and yet also entirely unfamiliar. Red rock. Dead, crooked trees, so unlike the golden leaves he always saw drifting in his dreams. But what commanded his attention was an enormous stone temple standing in the center of the plateau, composed of a ring of towering pillars and twisted wood that looked distinctively like ancient, petrified antlers. One of the pillars was carved in the shape of an elk – Tellun’s image, he realized – as if standing permanent guard. Each pillar stretched high toward the sky, casting long shadows against the ground. In the temple’s center, trapped behind the circle of twisting antlers, was the yawning mouth of a pit. Shane and Zerif now stood beside this pit. Conor’s throat constricted.

  In the waning darkness, he also made out the smooth coils of a snake, and the hulking figure of an enormous eagle. Gerathon and Halawir were here. The hackles on Briggan’s back rose, and his growling grew louder. Conor searched frantically for the mighty elk too, but there was no sign of Tellun.

  Conor’s eyes darted to the pit. It was huge and black, an endless, yawning hole in the earth. Around the edge of the pit’s mouth, Shane and Zerif had arranged all of their talismans, each spaced evenly apart. The pit looked empty.

  Shane met Conor’s gaze momentarily. His eyes were cold and hard – and full of triumph.

  Oh, no.

  Kovo had already been freed.

  A dark figure crouched in front of the pit, his body illuminated by flashes of lightning. The sunrise had lightened the sky, and Conor could now make out the beast’s scarlet eyes. It was an ape. A gorilla.

  Kovo.

  Kovo lifted his fists to his chest and pounded it twice. He vaulted onto his hind legs and roared again. Conor couldn’t believe how big he was – he blocked the sun entirely. Behind Conor, the others had finally crested the cliff and looked on in shock.

  Kovo smashed his arms back down to the earth, shaking the entire plateau. His mouth curved at Conor and Briggan in a slanted smile. “Ah,” he said, his voice deep, angry, and ancient. “One of the Four Fallen.” He glanced behind them to see Rollan, Abeke, and Meilin with their spirit animals flashing out of passive state. Essix swooped down to join Rollan. “I am glad you’ve returned, my brethren. I did not wish us to part on such bad terms.” He glanced in disdain at the statue of Tellun behind him, then back to Conor. “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”

  Briggan’s fangs gleamed. Conor had never seen his wolf so enraged.

  Kovo laughed at Briggan’s expression. Then he turned his stare back to Conor. “Thank you for answering me,” the ape said.

  Conor frowned. His mind swirled in confusion. “What are you talking about?” he snapped back. He glanced around the plateau again. Tellun. Where is he? He’s supposed to be here! “Tellun!” he tried calling out.

  Kovo’s smile widened. “There’s no use. Tellun is not here, boy.”

  “B-but …” Conor stammered. “The visions …”

  “Tellun didn’t send those visions to you,” Kovo answered. “I did.”

  Kovo did. Conor’s eyes widened. They had traveled all this way not by Tellun’s beckoning, not to stop Kovo from escaping his prison – but because Kovo himself had called them here, deceived them into it. No wonder Conor had been able to see it even when Briggan was in his dormant state, even when he should not have been able to have such dreams. Kovo had been waiting here for them to arrive, with the final talismans. The realization hit Conor hard. I should have known.

  “You …” Conor began. “You brought us here to get the last talismans.”

  Kovo chuckled once. His dark eyes glinted bloodred in the light. They locked on the Granite Ram hanging around Abeke’s neck, then to the Coral Octopus around Rollan’s. “Clever boy,” he said. “I hadn’t intended you to make it all the way up Muttering Rock. Shane failed to stop you in the plains below. Ah, well. No matter. The talismans are here.”

  Fooled. Deceived. Betrayed. Conor felt so helpless and ashamed.

  “Don’t look so disappointed,” Kovo said, still smiling. He reared up onto his hind legs again. “I will put them all to good use.”

  Then he slammed his fists into the ground.

  The blow radiated out from Kovo in a ring of dust. Conor fell flat again as the entire plateau disappeared in a haze of light. Through it all, Conor could see the talismans arranged around the pit as each begin to glow a different color. Their glow grew brighter and brighter, wider and wider, until the colors all fused into one. Conor shielded his eyes from the blinding light.

  Then the light vanished.

  When Conor opened his eyes, the talismans around the pit were no longer there. Instead, a beautiful staff made of what looked like radiant silver wood sat in Kovo’s open palms, gleaming under the churning black clouds. The top was curled in the shape of a shepherd’s crook, a silhouette that Conor knew all too well. Sparkling white lines ran down its length. Kovo took the beautiful staff and held it high over his head, then slammed it down onto the ground. The stone pillars and twisted antlers around him trembled, then cracked. He took a deep breath.

  “The Staff of Cycles,” he said reverently, “is mine.”

  KOVO HAD SENT FOR THEM. KOVO HAD TRICKED CONOR. All this effort, all they’d lost on the journey to Stetriol – the Greencloaks at the bay, the Tellun’s Pride, Dorian – had been at the request of Kovo, who’d expected them to appear all along.

  “We have to get out of here,” Conor suddenly said beside Abeke. He grabbed her hand and nodded at Rollan. “They’ll get our talismans.”

  They only managed to sprint a few steps to the edge of Muttering Rock before Halawir launched himself from his perch. He reached the edge long before they could, then spread his enormous wings, blocking out the sky. They all stumbled backward from a blast of wind. Halawir landed near the ledge, his eyes fierce and menacing.

  “Where are you going?” he said in a harsh, taunting voice.

  Abeke backed away from the eagle’s sharp talons, then whirled around to face Kovo again. Her friends reluctantly did the same. They were trapped here. Abeke’s hand tightened so hard around the Granite Ram that she could feel it digging deep grooves into her palm. Her eyes stayed focused on the silver staff that Kovo held aloft. What the staff could do, she had no idea – but it held the combined power of every talisman except for hers, the Coral Octopus, and Tellun’s Platinum Elk. What would happen if the remaining talismans fused with it too? Already, the sky above them had begun to change again, the clouds rimmed with ominous purple.

  A movement from Shane,
who still stood with Zerif by the pit, distracted Abeke. He took several steps toward Kovo. “I’ve fulfilled my promise,” he said. He stretched one hand out. “I brought them to you. Now, it’s your turn.”

  A hungry light had appeared in Shane’s eyes, taking over the cold triumph that Abeke had seen there moments earlier. Her hand that wasn’t clutching the talisman now clenched into a tight fist. Shane was asking Kovo to hand over the staff.

  Kovo cast Shane a brief look. He said nothing. Then he turned away again and nodded toward Gerathon. The serpent’s tongue flicked out once, as if in agreement, and her scaly mouth curved into the semblance of a grin. The hunger on Shane’s face wavered. For the first time, Abeke saw doubt there – real doubt.

  “You’re not worthy to rule,” Kovo finally said, his deep voice rumbling. He didn’t even bother looking at Shane. “Never speak of it again to me.”

  Shane’s confusion changed to shock, then incredulity. Then, rage. It twisted his face and made him hideous. “You promised me,” he snapped. “Everything I’ve done, all I’ve sacrificed.” He paused in his rant to look at Gerathon. Sudden realization hit him as he studied the serpent’s cold gaze.

  “You … !” Shane choked out, pointing at Gerathon. In the depths of his rage, Abeke could hear raw grief. “You killed Drina for nothing!”

  Gerathon’s eyes slitted as her mouth grew wide. “Not for nothing,” she corrected him, looking to Zerif. “Drina believed that we served your pitiful family, when it was you who served us. You should have known, Shane, from the very beginning.”

  “You coward!” he snarled. “Forcing us to do your dirty work. You call yourself a Great Beast!”

  Gerathon just laughed. “Careful, boy,” she said. “Lest you value your life so little.”

  “You –”

  “Do you know how painful death can be?” Gerathon hissed. Her slithering coils pushed her higher, and she stretched her neck up until she towered over them. “I can make you scream when you die, and this time, it will be for nothing.” Her fangs gleamed. “Nothing but my amusement.”

  Shane couldn’t seem to fathom what had just happened. He looked from Kovo to Gerathon, then back again, as if expecting something to change if he stared hard enough. In spite of everything, Abeke couldn’t help feeling a twinge of pity for him. But the pity didn’t last long, not when she thought back to what Shane had done to Meilin, to how many deaths he had been responsible for … to how he had made her trust him.

  No. Don’t. She forced her heart to harden and hate. This is what it feels like, Shane, to be betrayed by those you trust.

  Kovo turned his attention back to the Four Fallen. He hoisted the staff again. “He who controls the Staff of Cycles,” he roared, beating at his chest, “controls the Evertree. The fate of Erdas. He controls all.” He narrowed his dark red eyes at them, focusing particularly on Abeke and Rollan. “You have lost! Give me your talismans. You have no use for them any longer, and I will put them to very good use. The world needs the talismans to bind together. Hand them over, kneel to me, and I promise you mercy.”

  “Like you promised Shane you would let him rule?” Rollan snapped. “You keep using that word – I don’t think it means what you think it means.”

  Kovo’s mouth curled up as he bared his teeth. “Resist,” he roared, “and I will destroy you all.”

  For a moment, no one moved.

  Then Zerif stepped forward and bent his knee to Kovo. He lowered his head. Abeke watched, stunned. An oily man to the end – how quickly he turned his back on Shane, now that it seemed all was lost.

  “I pledge my loyalty,” Zerif said to Kovo.

  Shane let out an enraged cry. Then he called on his crocodile. It burst forth in a flash of light, front legs reared up and jaws already open – Shane grabbed one of its spikes and leaped onto its broad back. The crocodile’s front legs smashed down to the ground, shaking the earth, and they lunged for Kovo.

  Shane didn’t even cover half the ground between himself and the ape before his crocodile suddenly halted in mid-step. Shane let out a wrenching shriek of pain. Then he fell from his crocodile’s back and collapsed to the ground. He writhed. Abeke gasped.

  Gerathon turned her control on Shane, forcing him back onto his feet and toward them. Abeke instinctively looked toward Meilin. As she feared, Meilin’s pupils dilated and her irises faded to yellow. She shook her head violently. The color of her eyes flashed between dark and gold as she fought against Gerathon’s pull. “Go!” she shouted at the others. “Don’t worry about me – fight Shane and Zerif!”

  “Now,” Gerathon hissed. “Attack!”

  Shane tried to resist, but Abeke could tell that his limbs moved of their own accord. He fixed his mindless stare on them and lunged.

  “Go!” Conor suddenly shouted.

  He, Rollan, and Abeke surged forward as one, their spirit animals at their sides. Conor and Briggan aimed for Shane and his crocodile, while Essix flew ahead of Rollan and opened her talons at Zerif. Zerif called his jackal – and for the first time, they saw the tawny animal emerge. It lunged for them with frightening speed. Shane aimed for Abeke, but Uraza leaped between them with an earthshaking roar. She attacked Shane’s crocodile with claws extended.

  Something black and white flashed in the corner of Abeke’s eyes. Jhi! The panda reluctantly stayed at Meilin’s side as Meilin struggled against her bonds, throwing herself at Abeke with all of her strength. Her eyes were completely yellow now, her pupils fully dilated. Abeke jumped backward. Even fighting against the control, Meilin was a formidable opponent. She kicked out at Abeke, trying to trip her, but Abeke managed to dodge it and throw Meilin to the ground. Meilin struggled wildly, unable to stop herself.

  “I’m sorry,” Abeke said breathlessly, “but I have to do this.” Then she hit Meilin in the jaw, right where she knew she would knock the girl unconscious.

  The hit landed where Abeke wanted it. Meilin’s limbs went limp, and her eyes turned dazed. Abeke set her gently down, then leaped up and charged at Shane.

  She had just reached him when Kovo lifted his staff and pointed it at all of them. A violent flash of light exploded from it, engulfing everyone.

  Abeke halted. She threw her hands up to shield her face. Then, unbelievable pain stabbed her.

  ROLLAN CRUMPLED TO THE GROUND WITH A CRY OF agony. His muscles felt like they were on fire. His joints cramped up. What’s happening? His head clouded with a tight, painful tingling, and for a split second he felt as if he wasn’t himself at all – that he was a complete stranger, and his real form was floating somewhere outside his body. For a moment, he was reminded of when he had been sick in Zhong. His thoughts flitted away as confusion clouded him. Who am I?

  Nearby, he saw Uraza stumble and fall with a pained growl. Essix let out a shrill cry – her flight turned erratic. She landed with a crash, sending up a shower of dust, her wings splayed out in agony.

  “Essix!” Rollan managed to shout through his own pain. He tried to crawl toward her, but another spasm of pain lanced down his legs, forcing him to curl up in a ball. Tears sprang to his eyes. Through his blurry vision, he could see that Conor and Abeke had fallen too.

  Kovo roared in triumph. He stepped away from the edge of the pit, his staff still glowing in his hand, and walked toward Abeke. He’s going to take the Granite Ram, Rollan thought. He struggled to get up, but his limbs felt weak and useless. He could only look on as Kovo towered over Abeke, effortlessly shoved the girl’s arms aside, and opened his giant hand toward her. Rollan’s eyes widened in horror. He’s going to crush her.

  Abeke cringed away from the enormous fingers as they reached for the talisman looped around her neck. With one vicious yank, the talisman snapped free from its rope.

  “No!” Rollan managed to shout. He glanced at Essix’s struggling figure again. I have to help her! “Essix, come here!” He pointed to the spot right above his heart. Essix turned her head toward him, her eyes full of agony. Rollan wasn’t even sure that sh
e could go into the dormant state after Kovo’s attack – but being dormant had to be better than letting her suffer like this.

  Essix let out a weak cry before vanishing in a flash of light. To Rollan’s relief, she reappeared over his heart in her usual place. A small surge of energy rushed through him – for now, he felt momentarily stronger. Rollan looked toward the others.

  “Use the dormant state!” he called to them.

  Conor called for Briggan, and Abeke for Uraza. Each spirit animal disappeared in a flash of light. Only Meilin stayed unconscious on the ground, Jhi beside her.

  Conor shook his head, as if to clear it. His expression was still contorted in pain, but the little surge of strength his spirit animal had given him allowed him to crawl up onto his knees.

  Kovo lumbered to Rollan’s side and loomed over him. Rollan could only hold a weak arm up in a vain attempt to stop him before he grabbed the Coral Octopus hanging around Rollan’s neck and pulled it free. Rollan’s heart dropped.

  Kovo had all of the talismans now.

  The ape lifted the staff and set its point down on the ground. He tied first the Granite Ram and then the Coral Octopus around the top of the staff, using the broken chains that had once held them in place around Rollan’s and Abeke’s necks. As if in response, the earth shuddered. Rollan’s fingers raked through red dust, leaving long scratches. He gritted his teeth as pain continued to pour over him. There was nothing he could do.

  “Thank you for your cooperation,” Kovo said to them, although nothing in his sneer gave any indication that he felt grateful. He patted the staff in a taunting gesture, as if daring Rollan to come retrieve it. Then he tightened his fist around it and turned his back. “Come,” he called to Halawir and Gerathon. “The Platinum Elk is all that is left.”

  The Platinum Elk. Rollan struggled up as Halawir took to the skies, carrying Gerathon in his talons. Kovo disappeared over the edge of Muttering Rock, leaping into what seemed like oblivion to the ground far below.