by Adam Blade
“There’s Silver!” Elenna shouted, pointing as the wolf darted into the mouth of a small cave, half-hidden in the mountainside. “Silver!” she yelled above the gathering roar of the rockslide. “I have to get him,” she cried, running toward the cave.
Tom looked up and saw the rocks and debris hurtling down the mountainside toward them. Silver barked wildly, running back and forth into the cave. The rockslide was almost on top of them!
Elenna reached Silver as the first pieces of rock rained down. Storm reared up, kicking the air.
“We’ve got to get out of the way!” Tom cried. “Or we’re going to be buried alive!”
Tom brought Storm under control and turned him around. He didn’t want to abandon Elenna and Silver, but he had a plan. Leaning forward in the saddle, he urged the horse into a gallop down the mountainside. Rocks hurtled through the air.
“Faster, Storm!” Tom urged. “Come on —” He broke off with a cry of pain as a chunk of rock cracked into his shoulder and knocked him off Storm. He felt himself falling through the air. He hit the path with a bone-jarring thud. The pain washed over him, and he could feel himself blacking out. “I have to stay awake,” he murmured, forcing his eyes open. But his vision was blurry. He heard the clatter of Storm’s hooves disappear into the roar. Without thinking, he rolled over into a small ditch next to the path.
Then the tidal wave of rubble and debris poured past him. His mouth and eyes filled with grit. He squeezed them shut.
Soon, everything went quiet again. For long, silent seconds he didn’t dare to open his eyes. When he did, the world was dark and he was covered in the dust and silt thrown up by the rocks that had hurtled past.
Gasping for air, he looked over and saw that Storm, too, was covered in silt, but otherwise unharmed.
“Elenna! Silver!” he called out, straining to hear a response. After a few long seconds, he heard the muffled sound of barking. They were still alive — but the cave was sealed shut by the rockslide.
Tom climbed his way up to the blocked entrance. “Elenna!”
Barely, he could hear her cries for help. He began to scrape away some of the tightly packed dirt.
“Tom! We’re trapped!” Elenna yelled out. “We’re okay, but I think we’re running out of air!”
Tom looked around, his mind racing wildly. He had to free his friends. He began digging frantically at the blocked cave, when all of a sudden, he hit something solid — a boulder. He thought back to the rockslide in Colton. He had to find its weak spot, if it had a weak spot.
“Elenna, don’t move. Stay still and breathe slowly,” Tom called. “I’m working as fast as I can —”
He broke off as a pounding rumble shook through the ground, soon followed by another and another, each one growing louder and closer.
“Footsteps!” he gasped.
Tom turned around.
A huge, terrifying figure came into sight, feeling his way around a bend in the mountain path. He paused and gave a ground-shaking roar. The whole mountain trembled.
Cypher.
He was as tall as the tallest trees, and his body was more massive than a house. His arms and legs bulged with muscle. His feet left huge indentations in the ground.
He walked like a man, but a man he was not. He was a giant Beast; his gnarled hands ended in yellow claws.
A thick gold collar hung around the Beast’s neck. That must be Malvel’s enchantment, Tom thought. The Beast’s mouth gaped open to reveal crooked, yellow teeth. Tom felt fear rising up inside him, pushing the air from his throat.
“Tom!” Elenna yelled. “What’s going on out there?”
“Shh!” Tom hissed desperately.
But it was too late. At the sound of Elenna’s voice, the giant stiffened. He swung his head slowly in Tom’s direction. With another thundering roar, he lumbered toward the cave.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE IMPOSSIBLE LOCK
THE GIANT TOOK ANOTHER CRASHING STEP toward Tom. He stopped and sniffed the air. Tom stood completely still. The dirt and silt that covered him was helping him blend in.
Tom tried to breathe as quietly as possible so Cypher wouldn’t hear him. But there was no way to communicate to Elenna and Silver that they had to be quiet, too.
Silver let out a growl that could be heard even through the blocked cave. Cypher turned at the sound and took another thunderous step closer. Tom didn’t dare move. His eyes were level with Cypher’s feet. The rough yellow nails were thick with grime. If Cypher took another step, Tom would be crushed. He tried to keep his breathing shallow and quiet, but he could feel his body shaking with tension. He clamped his mouth shut and hoped that his teeth wouldn’t start chattering. The Beast swung a heavy fist and let out a roar of frustration.
Cypher gave a loud snort and then let out another roar. He turned and began to stalk his way back up the mountain. Tom felt a rush of relief. The giant had given up! As Cypher lumbered away, Tom saw the clasp that held the collar in place. It gave off a golden glow like Ferno’s and Sepron’s.
Just when Tom thought he was safe, Silver growled again — more loudly this time. Cypher snapped his head back around, his eye narrowing. He let out a roar and stomped furiously toward the cave. Tom had no choice. He had to distract the giant to save Elenna and Silver. He had to run.
Grabbing the rope and his shield from Storm’s saddlebag, Tom took off running. As he darted through the trees, Tom thought fast. Somehow I’ve got to climb higher than Cypher, so I’m level with his neck. Then maybe I can undo the lock and get that enchanted collar off him.
Weaving through the pines, Tom could hear Cypher coming after him. Each footstep shook the ground. Tom could hear trees snapping and crashing down as the giant knocked them out of his way.
There was no way Tom could outrun the giant — he was too big and too fast. Tom had to buy himself some time.
Scrambling down the slope, Tom spotted a patch of bushes. He made a quick left into the thicket of mountain berries, hoping the bushes would disguise him. He pushed deeper into them. Coming out the other side, there was a huge tree with a hollow in the base of its trunk. Tom dived inside.
The old tree shook with each pounding step of the giant, but inside the trunk it was mossy and soft — and the perfect size for Tom. He tried to calm his breathing and be as still as possible. Tom waited a few seconds before peering out from his hiding spot.
Just a few short yards away, Tom could see the giant’s massive legs, the size of tree trunks. He must be looking around, Tom thought. Now was his chance. If he could climb to the top of the tree, he might be able to lure Cypher toward him — and get close enough to the lock to free him.
But before Tom had a chance to scale the tree, Cypher began moving. Tom listened as the sound of the giant’s footsteps disappeared into the distance.
He had to hurry. Elenna needed his help, but there was no way Tom could save her if Cypher was still on the loose. Tom moved nimbly and quietly, following the thump of Cypher’s giant footsteps up the mountainside.
It was hard work climbing up the mountain. With each footstep, loose rocks and pebbles shifted under him, threatening Tom’s balance. But he kept climbing until he reached a narrow ridge in the mountainside. Clinging to cracks in the rock, he followed it as it snaked upward to the clouds.
But when Cypher stopped, Tom climbed higher. He hauled himself onto a ledge. Looking down, Tom saw the giant below. Now it was time to free the Beast.
Tom held his breath. The giant was sitting on a wide, flat perch. Above him, a bird gave a harsh cry. Tom glanced up. It was an eagle circling on the currents of air. This must be the Place of the Eagles, Tom realized.
Tom lay down flat on the ledge. The stone was hard and cold underneath him but he knew this was his chance. If he edged forward he might just be able to reach the clasp and try to unlock it.
Heart pounding, he edged forward along the ledge until his arms reached the lock. His fingers tingled as they touched the gold. He drew hi
s hand back and grasped for the key around his neck. Then he inserted it into the lock. Come on, he silently begged the lock. Unlock. Starting to panic, he twisted a little harder. Too hard.
Cypher suddenly sensed him. With a furious roar, he swung around and lashed out with his huge, clawed hand. It smashed against the side of the mountain, close to where Tom lay. The impact echoed around the mountains. Tom clung to the ledge.
But to his horror, he saw that a crack had appeared in the rock beneath him. Tom watched as the crack zig-zagged its way through the rock. With a groan, the split widened and the rocks started to crumble apart, dirt and pebbles raining down. Any second now it would give way, and Tom would plunge to his death.
Realizing he had no choice, Tom took a deep breath, scrambled to his feet, and jumped onto Cypher’s shoulder to grab hold of the collar.
The giant roared and climbed to his feet. Tom swung through the air, but somehow kept his grip. Cypher swatted at his head with his enormous hands, trying to get at Tom. Tom twisted this way and that, trying to avoid the blows. If so much as a finger landed on him, he would be squashed flat. But he couldn’t let go — if he did, he would fall to his death.
Enraged, the giant staggered about, trying to regain his balance. The ledge they were on was narrow and the cracks in the rock made every step dangerous. Tom saw that Cypher was blundering toward the edge of a cliff — beyond it was a sheer drop down into the mist.
With a thunderclap of splitting rock, the ledge gave way. Cypher and Tom plunged into empty space.
CHAPTER NINE
OVER THE EDGE
TOM CLUNG TO THE GIANT, THE WORLD RUSHING by as they fell. For a few seconds they were in freefall. Then Cypher groaned as his back slammed and scraped against the steep slope of the mountainside.
The slope began to level out to a small ledge. The cliff face was steep, but the rough surface of the rock was scattered with ledges and gullies. Tom felt relief flood through him as they landed with a hard thump on a ledge. But they were falling so fast that they skidded straight across the smooth rock. Without time to stop, they went over the edge and were falling again.
The giant tried to thrust his gnarled fingers into some cracks and holes in the mountainside. But he couldn’t stop them from falling. Cypher roared and threw back his head.
Tom was shaken free. His fingers closed around thin air as his hands were torn away from the collar. He went hurtling through the air and landed heavily on a steep rocky slope, scrabbling for a handhold. His fingertips dug into a crack in the rock. Terror swept through him as he glanced down. A vast misty chasm was waiting to swallow him below.
This is it, Tom thought, this is the end!
To his right, he saw that Cypher had managed to cling on to the edge of the ledge, too. But they were both hanging helplessly.
Tom looked up. He was only an arm’s length from the edge of a ledge. But he was barely managing to hold on. His fingers were already numb, his arms tingling fiercely with pins and needles.
Swinging his feet, Tom found a foothold. Then, with the last of his strength, he dragged himself up onto the ledge. Once he reached safety, Tom lay there gasping. Time was running out. He had to get to Elenna before it was too late. But he still had to free Cypher. There might not be another chance.
Tom looked to his left. The giant’s fingers were latched onto the edge of a fissure in the rock. Cypher’s massive body dangled from the cliff, his feet disappearing into the mist below.
If Tom was ever going to free the Beast, now was the time. He crept on his hands and knees to where the giant’s fingers gripped the rock face. Tom was going to have to climb down the Beast’s arm in order to reach the lock on the collar.
Tom took his rope and tied one end around a tree root sticking out of a crack in the cliff face. He then tied the other end around his waist. It was now or never.
Creeping slowly, Tom climbed onto the giant’s hand and began to shimmy his way down Cypher’s enormous arm. Tom felt a burst of warm, wretched air hit him from behind as the Beast let out a ferocious roar. But Tom was safe. So long as Cypher was clinging to the ledge, he wouldn’t be able to swat at Tom.
Tom inched his way down until he reached Cypher’s massive shoulder. With sure feet, Tom scrambled across his shoulders and to the back of his neck. Holding on to the gold collar for balance, Tom could almost reach the lock.
He shimmied a little further until he was hanging onto the collar with just one arm while he reached for his key with his free hand. If Cypher moved now, Tom would surely fall.
He took a deep breath as he slid the key into the golden lock. With a popping sound, the gears clicked free and the locked opened. The collar loosened. Cypher was free!
CHAPTER TEN
NEW BEGINNINGS
CYPHER LET OUT A ROAR OF RELIEF AS THE collar fell away into the misty depths below. Tom fell along with the collar but stopped with a jerk. His rope held fast.
Dangling above the misty chasm, Tom could see a small ledge just to the left of the giant’s knee. He didn’t know if the Beast would understand, but he called up to him.
Amazingly, Cypher moved his foot to the ledge. With something to stand on, the giant was able to raise himself up onto the ledge above. With a great struggle, Cypher pulled himself to safety.
From below, Tom watched in awe as the Beast climbed up the rock face, and disappeared over the ledge. Tom sighed with relief. He had succeeded in his mission. Another Beast was set free from Malvel’s evil magic.
Tom’s relief didn’t last long. With a lurch of his stomach, Tom remembered Elenna. He had to get her out of the cave — and soon.
As he searched for a hold, Tom felt the rope around his waist tighten. Someone was pulling him to safety.
With a final jolt, Tom found himself on the ledge at the feet of the giant. Looking up, he saw a kind expression on the Beast’s face. Tom wanted to thank him, but there was no time. He had to rescue Elenna. And, Tom realized, Cypher could help.
Scrambling to his feet, Tom called out to Cypher. “I need your help!”
The Beast let out a booming snort.
“I need to rescue my friend!” Tom cried. “She’s stuck in the cave where you first saw me.”
Cypher didn’t waste a moment. The Beast scooped Tom up in his hand and began moving across the ledge. At its edge was a steep slope that led back down to the cave.
Tom shut his eyes tight as the giant trudged down the mountainside. Cypher’s enormous strides brought them down the slope and back to the caves with amazing speed.
“In there!” Tom called out, pointing to the blocked cave. “She’s in there.” Storm was standing next to the pile of boulders in front of the cave. He had been keeping watch while Tom was gone.
Cypher set Tom down, and with one swift movement of his massive arms, he cleared the debris from the front of the cave. Tom tried to peer in, but couldn’t see through the heavy dust that hung in the air.
Then, in a leaping bound, Silver burst from the entrance.
“Silver!” Tom called excitedly. “Where’s Elenna?”
Silence hung in the air.
“Here. Over here.” Elenna’s voice was quiet and scratchy. Tom rushed into the cave. Elenna was slumped in a corner. She looked pale and very tired, but she was still breathing. She had survived.
Tom helped her out of the cave and into the fresh air and mountain sunlight.
“You did it, Tom. You really did it,” Elenna gasped as she looked up at the towering giant. “Colton and all the other mountain towns will be safe again.”
The color returned quickly to Elenna’s face. She sat up to get a better look at Cypher.
“He doesn’t look so bad, after all,” Elenna said. Tom thought about the chase through the forest, the terrible fall from the cliff, and nearly dropping into a chasm.
“No, not so bad at all,” he said with a satisfied smile. He had survived another chapter of the Beast Quest.
As Tom was thinking about all the adve
ntures he had survived in the last couple of days, he looked up toward Cypher. The giant’s single eye welled up with a tear. Tom quickly raised his shield — and the tear splashed upon it. The scorched wood burned bright yellow for a few magical moments. Tom ran his fingers over the surface. It was smooth, as if nothing had happened. With a smile and snort, the giant grunted a farewell and lumbered back into the mountains.
Suddenly, five little wolf cubs came bounding out of the cave! Their coats were white with little smudges of gray around their pricked-up ears and tiny feet. Elenna straightened up and looked at Tom. “This was why Silver ran off in the first place,” she said.
“He must have sensed they were in danger,” Tom agreed.
“Not anymore,” said Elenna, pointing back down the path to where a pure white wolf was hovering. “Look — that must be their mother!”
The cubs jumped about excitedly and bounded off toward her. Silver watched as the mother cuffed and licked them, nudging them together into a group.
“She must have lost them in one of the rockslides,” said Elenna, stroking Silver behind the ear. He howled at the mother, who yapped twice, as if in reply. Silver turned and trotted off back down the mountain path.
Tom turned to Elenna. “Come on. Let’s follow him.”
Tom and Elenna made their way back down the path to Colton. Tom led Storm, who followed quietly.
They made the journey back as quickly as their aching muscles allowed. To their surprise, a group of townspeople were waiting near the town hall.
“We heard another rockslide and worried you two were caught in it,” Belco said, sighing with relief.
Tom and Elenna just grinned in response.
