“Are you all right?” Otekah panted from behind her.
Diamond swallowed and concentrated. In. Out. You can breathe. You are fine. These rocks are millions of years old, and they haven’t collapsed yet; there is no reason for them to collapse now.
“Diamond? We need to keep going. We cannot stay here,” heaved Otekah.
The very fact Otekah had used her first name brought her back out of her internal reverie. “I know,” she whispered and dragged herself onward.
Relief flooded her as an orange glow appeared in front. She swallowed and pushed on toward it, hoping it was an end to this torture.
Dragging herself over the lip, she fell about four feet from the mouth of the tunnel onto the floor of a large cave. It was excruciatingly hot. She dragged her legs away as Otekah landed in a heap, his dark body glistening with sweat. Somewhere in the tunnel he had discarded his robes. His back was covered in scrapes. Now he wore only leather sandals and loose pants that clung to his body.
Diamond pulled at her own sweat-damp clothes. It would be impossible to stay here for long, there was very little air and the stench of noxious gas stung her nose and burned her eyes.
She pushed herself up. They were standing on a ledge. Below them a river of lava flowed, popping and bubbling its way through the large cave. Where a large pool of the fiery liquid rock gathered, an island of rock protruded through its slowly moving mass.
Diamond pivoted slowly on the spot. On either side of their tunnel sat statues the size of a large wolf. Only these were not wolves, they were canine-like dragons. Huge ones, carved from a strange green rock that she had never seen before. Their eyes gleamed, reflecting the flickering orange light of the lava. Something in their fierce expression made her tense and reach for her magic.
“Well, what the hell do we do now?” asked Diamond, looking left and right.
Otekah mirrored her movements. His brow furrowed, sending droplets of sweat running into his eyes. “I honestly don’t know.”
Diamond shuffled closer to the edge. Heights had never been her favourite thing, but with a river of lava flowing like blood from the heart of the mountain, the sheer drop made her feel dizzy. She winced as the metal of her necklace burned against her skin. The crystal glowed, the metal getting hotter and hotter. Diamond swore and yanked it off her neck. She had no choice but to fling it from her grasp. It slammed into the cave wall, shining brighter than she had ever seen it.
Suddenly the mountain shook, lava spitting in fountains. Dust fell from above, landing in her eyes. The rock she stood on trembled beneath the soles of her boots, throwing her off balance. She squealed, her arms flailing; she almost toppled into the lava flow below.
Otekah’s hand shot out and gripped her arm, yanking her back from the edge. “The mountain is unhappy we are here,” he yelled above the din of the tremors and exploding lava. He scanned the cave. “I cannot see any sign of the spear. Maybe the legends of it were unfounded,” he grated. “Maybe the teachings of the Fire Priests are a lie…”
“No! It has to be here. We just have to find it,” exclaimed Diamond. She refused to believe it was lost, that their whole world was doomed.
Another huge tremor shook the cave, this time sounding like a roar.
Otekah cursed. “By the gods and goddesses who made us, that rock is moving!” he yelled. “Look!”
Diamond stared. The island was stirring, but she had no time to contemplate why; behind her came a symphony of snarls and growls that raised goosebumps across her skin.
She whipped her head around. Green dragons launch at them. “Otekah!” she roared.
Otekah spun. With no weapon, the best he could do was leap over the creature’s back.
Diamond summoned her magic and blinked. No energy surrounded the creatures. They were not alive. Her blood ran cold. She didn’t know how to kill something that didn’t live. She blasted one with a surge of magic. It bounced back against the wall and smashed into three bits. She relaxed, only to swear viciously as it reformed before her eyes.
Otekah grunted from her right.
Moving quickly, Diamond blasted the second creature away from her friend. “What they hell are they?” she yelled as another tremor rocked the stone ledge.
They both flung themselves to the ground as a bellowing roar shook the hot air. Diamond lifted her head. Before her, rivers of lava streamed from the back of a huge dragon. Its gaze seemed endless and full of fire. Gold and green scales gleamed, flashing and clattering as armour came and went. It thrust its horned head closer.
“They are custodians of the cave and the spear. Unless you do as the riddle demands, you will both die,” its voice rumbled. “And right now, young queen, you need to stand up and fight.”
Diamond jumped up and spun around. “Otekah!” she yelled as one custodian leaped at him. She jumped in front of it, sending short blasts of magic into its chest. It bounced back, beginning to circle her. The other one launched from her left as the second drew her eyes to the right. “Clever,” she muttered before cocking her head and blasting them both apart.
“You will not stop them; they will regenerate over and over, quicker and quicker, until your magic no longer works on them,” declared the huge dragon.
“Well, help us then!” yelled Diamond. “You are a guardian, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am Vaalor,” the dragon rumbled gravely. “You have returned with my key. I can feel its presence.”
“Your key?” Diamond’s eyes flicked to where her necklace lay. The crystal was glowing brightly, its light pulsing.
“Yes, but I cannot take it. You must break the riddle. My high ruler cursed me to be imprisoned in this place until destiny chose to bring my goddess’ heir to me. But only the chosen one can set me free.” He gazed meaningfully at Otekah.
“Diamond, keep those custodians at bay. I must break the riddle’s code,” Otekah stated grimly.
“Why you?” she grunted.
Otekah pierced her with his intense gaze. “Devout of faith, loyal of heart,” he repeated. “It has always been the destiny of my line to help protect and return the spear to its rightful owner. And that is you.”
Diamond’s stomach tensed. Fear lanced her heart as she met Otekah’s eyes, the graveness of his words touching her soul. “Think quickly then, my friend. They are coming again.”
Otekah grunted and began repeating the words from the cave as if the answer would come to him.
This time it took more magic and more power to blast the custodians apart.
Otekah muttered to himself as Diamond watched them reform, more quickly than ever. Her heart pounded. “We’re running out of time!” she yelled.
“Cast the light in the blood of fire, take a leap of faith, free the spear, the chosen and guardians’ sired,” he chanted over and over. “The light? The light?”
Diamond screeched with effort as one of the custodians reformed and launched itself. It latched onto her arm, sinking fangs of jade stone into her flesh.
Vaalor roared but could do nothing, forbidden from assisting. Lava flowed around his lower body bubbling as the mountain shook at his frustrated roars.
As she blasted out short bursts of power to break the custodian’s stone teeth and release its grip on her flesh, something glinted in her peripheral vision.
“My necklace!” she yelled at Otekah.
Vaalor roared his approval.
Its radiance was almost blinding as it pulsated.
Otekah dived for the necklace as the other cave custodian pounced. He screamed as the beast caught and crushed his leg between its jaws.
Diamond fought back her own attacker but every time she blasted it, it just shook itself and came at her again.
They were out of time.
“Otekah!” she screamed as his roar of pain rent the air.
His dark eyes found hers as he closed his fist around the crystal of her necklace. Where she thought his gaze would be swimming with pain, there was only clarity.
&
nbsp; The custodian released Otekah’s leg, only to clamp on his other one.
Otekah did not scream. He looked from the crystal necklace to the lava flow, determination crossing his face.
Diamond’s anger and fear lent force to her magic. She changed direction and the custodian attacking Otekah exploded into smithereens. Diamond spun to face her own threat, but it was no longer looking at her.
Otekah had dragged himself to the edge of the precipice, leaving a trail of thick blood in his wake. In his hand he clutched her necklace. He looked at her with pain and regret in his expression.
Diamond beat back the custodian as it launched at her friend. She disintegrated its legs but they began to reform immediately.
Vaalor bellowed again, his flaming eyes fixed upon the necklace.
“Otekah? Move away from the edge,” Diamond pleaded as the ground shook.
“Tell my son I love him,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.
“Wait! What do you mean? Tell him yourself!” she begged, fear coating her tongue as he looked into the lava.
Otekah raised to his knees, his expression showing peace. “Devout of faith, loyal of heart, fate requires a sacrifice, conclusion of your destiny. Cast pure light in the blood of fire. Take a leap of faith. Free the spear, the chosen and guardians’ sired. It is me, Diamond. I have to sacrifice myself to free you, Vaalor and the spear.”
“No!” sobbed Diamond.
The scrape and clatter of stone feet informed her the custodian was attacking. She spun, ignoring the pain in her arm. Screeching, she held it back.
“This has always been my destiny’s path. I have been honoured by your friendship and trust, but now I will be reunited with my little girl. It is my destiny for my time in this world to end now. I wish you well, my queen,” he told her. “Do not let him win.”
Diamond dived for him as he tipped backwards and fell into the burning blood of the mountain.
The custodian leaped for her, ready to bury its teeth in her neck. Diamond closed her eyes, waiting for the pain that didn’t come. Rubble exploded, clattering around her and landing on her face and body.
For a moment she could do nothing but sob, “No! No! No!”
She rolled onto her belly, debris falling around her as she peered over the edge. The heat singed her eyes and skin, drying her tears. As she searched futilely for any sign of Otekah, the lava spat a fountain upward. A light appeared, a burning ball of flame that floated over to Vaalor.
The dragon watched it, lowering his great head until it settled upon his scaled skin, right between his eyes. The light flared as it melted through his scales.
Magic and the stench of burning flesh filled the air, whipping her own magic into a frenzy. She clamped it down, forcing it to obey her will.
Seconds later Vaalor gave a pained roar. He huffed huge breaths through his nostrils. Eyes of golden fire rested upon her distraught face, compassion and regret burning in his eyes. “I am truly sorry for your friend’s sacrifice. My High Ruler, Krato, came to me after the first war with Erebos. My goddess was taken when I failed to protect her. Krato took my sire’s key from me.” He lifted a claw that dripped lava and tapped the jewel now resting in his forehead. “This diamond is your namesake. My mother’s key was a ruby. It shattered into pieces when my brother, Sulphurious, attempted to take the key from her. He killed our sire and dam. When he banished me, Krato told me only the rightful heir would be able to triumph over the custodians, and only the bloodline of the Fire Priest who brought the spear here could set it and me free again.” He bowed low as the volcano shook and its blood surged. “I have been waiting a millennium for you and your friend, my lady.”
Diamond wiped away the scratchy heat from her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm her tears and control her grief. She coughed violently from the burning gas and heat.
“We need to leave, my lady. The mountain is unhappy and wants us gone,” he informed her as another tremor shook the cave. “And you need fresh air.”
Rock showered down upon her.
“The spear?” she croaked, getting to her feet. Her breath hitched at the lava in the ravine. She hoped Otekah had suffered no pain on his death.
Vaalor lifted his rear leg. Clutched in his talons was a golden staff etched with brightly burning runes.
Diamond swallowed hard. Her lungs heaved and her vision blurred. “How. Do. We. Get out?”
Vaalor waded through the burning lava as though it were a stream. “We go up,” he rumbled and picked her up in his front claw.
Diamond did not scream; she trusted Vaalor. He clutched her to his chest and lifted upward, flapping his vast wings. The heat overwhelmed her, stealing her breath. Diamond felt herself drifting, her eyes closing.
“Hold on, my lady,” he rumbled.
Vaguely, Diamond registered the glow travelling from his belly up his long golden neck. With a roar he spewed fire upward. Clutching her tightly to protect her, Vaalor melted the rock above their heads, creating a path to the surface.
Moments later, they burst into the fresh, sun-filled air.
Diamond gasped in desperate breaths of oxygen before the loss of her friend registered again and she slumped in Vaalor’s grip, sobbing for all Otekah had lost. She prayed and prayed to her grandmother to save his soul.
Desperate to feel his touch, she opened her mind to Eryanth, calling upon their bond, wanting to feel that deep connection for the love and support it offered. She searched—and searched.
Nothing.
Fear crept into her heart. “Vaalor, we must head to the Fire Mountains. Now!” she yelled against the roar of the wind and the thump of his wings.
Without questioning her judgment, Vaalor, the ancient guardian of the goddess swung north.
Diamond kept trying to reach her soul bonded. Each time there was nothing but emptiness. She clenched her fists and eyed the spear Vaalor clutched in his rear talons, wondering if she could use it against the Gar Anonian king.
Vaalor swung his head down and eyed her. Here. Take it, he rumbled, his voice now inside her head. He lifted his rear leg and opened his grip enough for her to grab the spear.
She winced as it glowed, and spikes of burning magic immediately pierced her skin. Blood flowed from her, seeping through the runes towards the tip. She watched, her mouth dropping open, as the spear elongated and a sharp crystal tip appeared. As her blood fed it, the crystal glowed crimson.
Her body warmed and a sensation caressed her, one that she had felt only once before in a dream. She watched in awe as white armour flowed across her body. Its fluid warmth soothed her wounds and even her heart felt calmer. Impenetrable silver scales covered her shins and thighs and moulded to the curves of her torso. The outline of dragons and serpents appeared and disappeared around her body.
The guardians.
The endless, multifaceted eyes of an ageless, ancient dragon stared back at her as she looked down. She smiled and touched the outline of its head with shaking fingers. It blinked and nodded before disappearing from view.
Diamond gulped.
Krato knows you have the spear, stated Vaalor.
“Good. Then maybe he will deign to help us,” Diamond remarked.
Vaalor stayed quiet.
Diamond did not push him; instead, she reached for Eryanth. This time anger and fear hit her soul. Her heart squeezed and magic burned through her blood. Sparks flew from her fingertips and the spear glowed brightly.
“No,” she breathed, dread coiling inside her as his mind pulled away from hers. If Eryanth had been harmed in any way, she would incinerate every single person responsible and send their souls to Chaos.
Chapter 13
Eryanth watched Ugan’s unhappy face as Ilya dropped him to the battlements of Salvir’s city walls. She had ordered him to take on the role of regent should anything befall her.
Eryanth could see the fear in Ugan’s eyes as he watched Ilya fly towards her enemy.
With a heavy heart, Eryanth
flew skyward and followed his sister.
The fortified city of Salvir was huge. Its whitewashed buildings nestled among the lush green land, enjoying the fresh water that tumbled down the snow-capped peak. From this height, Eryanth could see the thousands of troops that manned the wall and the obsidian palace, which nestled at the base of the volcano.
King Turez had burned vast areas of jungle to allow a clear view of the city. Dozens of smoke columns rose to the sky where the land still smouldered. The Gar Anonian army had set up camp across the land. It stretched towards the huge lake in the distance and was far larger than Ilya’s army. Gar Anonian soldiers were already dragging large ladders towards the city walls. Clearly the king was not just going to lay siege but fully intended to attack the city.
Ilya roared her displeasure and swung her head. Her eyes burned with fury as she gestured at the ground. Swooping down, she opened her jaws and glided over the line of soldiers. Without mercy, she spewed a line of fire over the men, incinerating both them and the ladders.
An angry and frightened roar went up from the remaining enemy ranks, countered by a clatter of swords and shields and cheer of triumph from the city walls.
At the rear of the Gar Anonian camp, a large tent wavered in the heat and wind, ostentatious enough that it likely belonged to the king.
Guards stood at the entrance, wearing bright green and yellow robes with curved swords upon their hips and bows slung across their backs. An older man dressed in gold-plated armour and green silk emerged. He grinned up at them, seemly not concerned about their presence. At his side stood a beautiful woman with jet black hair. Two finely dressed men stood behind her. Clearly, they were not warriors. Eryanth dismissed them but narrowed his eyes upon the king, hovering above to watch him. A younger man, wearing garb similar to King Turez, flanked the regent. His son, Eryanth presumed.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 114
