by Adam Blade
TOM TOOK HIS SHIELD AND RUBBED THE feather of the Beast embedded there.
Almost immediately, a screech cut through the air, and a glow appeared on the horizon. “There she is!” cried Elenna. The glow grew into the shape of a winged creature. Tom felt his heart fill with joy. Epos’s dark red feathers glittered in the sunlight, and flames trailed from the tips of her wings. She landed beside them, her talons clattering on the rocks.
Tom placed his foot on Epos’s wing and climbed up, settling into the thick feathers at the base of her neck. Elenna sat behind him.
Epos took to the air, gliding low over the plains. Then she flapped her wings and climbed higher.
“Keep your eyes open for Spiros,” Tom said to Elenna.
He searched the sky for a flash of golden flame, but there was nothing. Tom steered Epos east, toward the volcano that was her home, but there was no sign of the seventh Beast there, either.
“Spiros!” he cried out in desperation. “Where are you?”
With a heavy heart, he guided the winged flame back to the plains where Storm and Silver were waiting.
As they jumped down from Epos’s back, Silver dashed forward and placed his paws on Elenna’s chest, licking her face. Storm nuzzled Tom with his nose.
“It’s good to see you, too, boy,” he said.
Epos took to the skies again, circled once, then gave a caw of farewell. Tom and Elenna waved good-bye.
“I think we need to try the northern mountains next,” Tom said.
“Won’t it be too cold for a phoenix there?” said Elenna.
“Too cold for a living phoenix, perhaps,” replied Tom. “But not a ghost phoenix.”
Mounting Storm, they galloped across the plains toward the foothills of the mountains. The sun started to dip from the sky, and the snowcapped mountains towered above them. If Tom could get up there, among the highest peaks of Avantia, he would be able to see the entire kingdom.
They ascended the mountain path, climbing toward a pass between two enormous peaks. Tom took out the last of their supplies from Storm’s saddlebag — two Ruby Guya fruits from the depths of the Dark Jungle. The juice dripped down his chin as he ate, and it was just the boost of energy he needed.
Soon the air cooled and the path became difficult as they skirted the edge of the slope. Silver placed his paws carefully among the loose rocks, but Storm kept stumbling. Finally, as they reached an overhanging section of cliff, Tom drew up the reins.
“We can’t go any farther on horseback,” he said. “It’s too dangerous. Storm and Silver should shelter here. We need a guide.”
“Cypher?” asked Elenna.
Tom nodded. He rubbed the giant’s token in his shield.
Silver lifted his nose into the air.
“What is it, boy?” asked Elenna.
A low rumbling echoed around them. Storm whinnied and took a few jittery steps backward. From a ridge opposite, a section of rocks crumbled and crashed down into the valley.
“Is it a landslide?” asked Elenna.
Before Tom could answer, a huge hairy hand appeared over the edge of a cliff ahead. The claws were yellow and as thick as wooden planks. Cypher the Mountain Giant heaved himself over the precipice.
Each of his legs was as thick as a tree trunk, and his muscular arms looked as if they could smash buildings to pieces. When Cypher saw them, he let out a roar, and his face split into a wide grin, revealing brown, crooked teeth. His single eye twinkled with kindness.
“Cypher, it’s you, thank goodness!” Tom shouted. Then he pointed to the highest mountains. “We need to go up there. Can you take us?”
Cypher turned his massive head in the direction of the snowy peaks, then scooped Tom up with one hand. With the other he grabbed Elenna. She let out a little squeal, which turned into a laugh. The Beast was gentle, and the pads of his palms were as soft and warm as worn leather.
Leaving Storm and Silver beneath the overhang, Cypher carried Tom and Elenna higher into the peaks. Rocks scattered from his giant feet. At one point, a line of trees blocked their route, but Cypher pushed them aside, bending the trunks like twigs. As they passed through, the trees sprang upright again, showering the ground with leaves.
Soon they reached the snow. Tom peered over the top of the giant’s warm fist to look out for signs of Spiros. They checked behind huge boulders and in shallow gorges. As the snow became deeper, Cypher’s feet left indentations as long and wide as market carts. But there was no sign of other life in the snow.
The mountain giant set Tom and Elenna down carefully for a moment’s rest. Tom immediately scanned the horizon with his magical sight. There was nothing to see but the lonely, jagged peaks.
Fresh flakes of snow had started to fall. Tom shivered. He wondered if the snowstorm was sent by Malvel to frustrate him. Tom had used four Beasts already, and he was no closer to finding Spiros. Malvel was winning. Tom let out a shout of frustration that echoed across the mountain range. Without Spiros and her gift of All-Sight, he would never be able to rescue his aunt and uncle from Malvel’s clutches.
“I’ve failed,” he muttered.
Then he felt Elenna’s hand on his shoulder.
“This isn’t over,” she said. “We mustn’t give up the search.”
“Where else is there to look?” said Tom. “I’ve used almost all of the good Beasts, and we still can’t find Spiros.”
Elenna’s face lit up.
“What is it?” Tom asked.
“I do have one idea,” she replied. “Didn’t Aduro tell us that Spiros was born after all the other six Beasts, to patrol the skies?”
“I think so, yes. Why is that important?”
“Don’t you see?” said Elenna. “She was the seventh Beast to arrive. Perhaps if we get all six Beasts together, in one place …”
Tom stood up and gripped Elenna by the shoulders. “Spiros will return!” he said. “Yes! Of course. Six came before her, now six must come again!”
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMONING THE GHOST PHOENIX
THE SKY HAD DARKENED. LOOKING TO THE west, Tom could see the sun was nearing the horizon. It was snowing heavily now, and the icy flakes tickled his face.
“It’ll be night soon,” he said. “We have to get back down to Storm and Silver.”
Cypher scooped them up once more. Tom felt exhilarated as the Beast ran down the mountain in bounding strides. If their new plan worked, they’d find Spiros and save his aunt and uncle from Malvel.
Once they were near the foothills, they said good-bye to Cypher.
“We know the way from here,” said Tom. “But we may need you again soon.”
The mountain giant grunted, then trudged off through the snow. Tom and Elenna slid down the rest of the slope on their behinds, whooping with delight. Storm and Silver were waiting where they’d left them, sheltered under the rocks.
Tom took blankets from Storm’s saddlebag. He gave one to Elenna and wrapped the other around his shoulders. Silver’s thick coat would keep him warm. Then Tom led his three companions to the base of the mountains by the light of the moon, which glowed faintly behind thin shreds of mist.
“We need to get to the Western Ocean by dawn,” he said. “We have to find Sepron, then summon the other Beasts there. I’m afraid we won’t be able to rest tonight.”
“I feel more awake than ever,” said Elenna. “And so does Silver, by the look of him.”
Her wolf was alert, with his ears pricked and his tail up.
Tom patted Storm’s flank. “I think Storm will be able to keep going, too.”
The stallion snorted, and bucked his hind legs.
With Tom and Elenna on his back, Storm charged into the night. Tom could hear Elenna’s teeth chattering behind him, but she didn’t complain. The stars flickered above as bats swooped around them.
It was a cold dawn when they reached the Western Ocean, but Tom’s blood felt warm. The sea was calm, with only light ripples disturbing the surface.
Storm stopped on t
he pebbled shoreline, and Silver ran ahead to splash in the shallows. Tom knew what he had to do. He pulled his shield off his shoulder and threaded his hand into the strap. The serpent’s tooth would draw Sepron to him.
Tom rubbed his sleeve against the tooth, then held the shield’s face toward the sea.
A wave traveled along the water, crashing into the beach. Silver scurried away from the edge.
“There’s something out there,” said Elenna.
A larger wave, almost as high as Tom’s waist, came in with the swell. Then a hundred paces offshore, something broke the surface — a flash of colors like a rainbow.
“It’s Sepron!” whispered Tom. The multicolored scales appeared again, fifty paces out. The sea serpent was swimming toward them.
Sepron’s head reared out of the shallows and rose up on a slender green neck. He opened his mouth to reveal curved fangs. Slimy seaweed was tangled in his gaping jaws. But Tom knew that behind the terrifying appearance, Sepron was a good Beast.
The serpent crashed into the water again, sending up a wall of spray that soaked Tom and Elenna. Tom couldn’t help laughing, and Elenna burst into giggles.
“It’s time to put our theory to the test,” said Tom. Turning to face the mainland, he held out his shield, sending out his summons to the other five Beasts. “Good Beasts of Avantia. Unite!”
The wood began to shake on his arm. As the shield vibrated, Tom forced his arm to continue holding it out. All the magical symbols — the scale, the tooth, the tear, the horseshoe piece, the claw, and the feather — glowed in the dawn light. His shoulder screamed in pain, and he gritted his teeth. It was the most powerful sorcery Tom had ever experienced. I have to go through with it, he thought.
“Tom, look!” shouted Elenna. “The Beasts are coming!”
Tom lowered his shield. His heart almost stopped at the sight. Standing at the edge of the beach were the other five Beasts. Cypher stood beside Tagus, whose dark hair was wet with pearls of dew. Ferno stood at one end of the row and blew a spurt of fire, with Epos hovering at the other end of the row, her flaming feathers adding light to the gloomy morning. And finally, Tartok stepped forward, her shaggy fur grubby after traveling so far from the icy plains.
“They’re all here!” said Tom happily.
Cypher plucked both Elenna and Tom from the ground, placing them on his shoulders, and Tom at once looked inland for any sign of Spiros. The mist was beginning to lift now, and as time passed, the sun’s light grew stronger. What if he was wrong? What if Spiros couldn’t be tempted to come to them?
“Now what?” said Elenna, but almost as soon as she had spoken the words, Ferno thumped the pebbles with his tail. Tartok roared and Cypher bellowed. Tagus reared on his horse’s legs and stamped the ground. Ferno lifted her beak and gave a deafening screech. Finally, Sepron splashed in the water, sending up huge waves. Soon the cries of all six Beasts echoed across the dawn, making Tom’s skin tingle.
“They’re calling for Spiros,” he shouted over the din.
A screech penetrated the mist. Tom turned on Cypher’s shoulders. The Beasts twisted their mighty heads to look. Silver was barking excitedly, and Storm whinnied, pacing up and down on the shore.
“Look!” said Elenna, pointing.
Tom peered to a spot in the sky. It looked at first as though the stars were still out — a patch of the sky sparkled even though it was daytime.
Then a shape, no more than a shadow, appeared above the sea fog. It moved quickly, soaring toward them. Tom wasn’t afraid. This is what he’d been waiting for. Spiros the Ghost Phoenix was coming!
CHAPTER SIX
JOURNEY ABOVE THE CLOUDS
SPIROS SOARED ACROSS THE SKY, WEAVING IN and out of the clouds. The feathers of her body were as red as polished rubies, but the wings were golden. Her eyes were emerald green, and she was surrounded by a luminous mist.
“She’s beautiful!” gasped Elenna.
Tom tapped Cypher’s shoulder, and the Beast lowered him and Elenna to the ground. Tom called up to Spiros. “I have to find where Malvel has taken my aunt and uncle!”
Spiros twisted her wings and came to hover in the air above.
“I think she wants us to go with her,” said Tom.
“We can’t ride a ghost phoenix!” Elenna said.
“But we can follow one!” said Tom.
“Of course!” said Elenna, and together they dashed toward Epos and climbed up onto her back. Storm trotted forward and lowered his head. Tom could tell his brave stallion was sad to be saying good-bye to his master again. Silver appeared at his side and gave a high-pitched whine.
“We’ll be back soon!” said Tom. “But this part of the Quest is too dangerous for you two.”
Ferno extended a giant wing over the two animals.
“He’ll look after them,” said Elenna. “Goodbye, Silver. Good-bye, Storm!”
Epos left the ground with a flap of her wings, and the other Beasts grew small as the flame bird broke through the layer of cloud into the clear blue sky. Spiros turned and flew north, her specter-like form gliding through the air like a wisp of colored mist.
Epos set off in pursuit.
“Where do you think she’s taking us?” asked Elenna.
“I don’t know,” said Tom, pulling his silver compass from his pocket. The needle wavered, before pointing toward Destiny. But as they watched, it suddenly swung around — and signaled Danger.
“It can’t be both,” said Elenna. She gasped as the needle swung back to Destiny again.
“Perhaps it can,” said Tom, putting the instrument away. “We have no choice. We have to trust Spiros and her gift of All-Sight.”
They soared ahead, flying among the tallest of the mountain peaks that broke through the cloud. Despite the wind whistling past their ears and flattening their clothes against their bodies, everything was eerily calm. Spiros’s golden wings, shifting in and out of focus, glinted in the sunlight.
“We must be traveling to the icy plains, to Tartok’s land,” Tom said.
“But nothing can live there,” said Elenna. “It’s too cold.”
Tom knew she was right. If his aunt and uncle had been taken there, perhaps he was too late. But he couldn’t give up hope. Aduro had told him that Spiros could help, and he wouldn’t lose faith now.
They left the mountains behind. Although the sky ahead was clear, something didn’t feel right.
“Elenna,” he whispered, “I don’t think we’re alone.”
“I know,” she said with a shiver. “I feel it, too.”
Suddenly, a shriek filled Tom’s ears, and they were cast in shadow. Tom and Elenna swiveled around. There was another phoenix! It was the same size and shape as Spiros, but its feathers were black and it smelled of rotting flesh. Instead of scattering radiant light, it rained sulfurous, hot ash. Its talons looked as if they were made of charred iron.
“It’s disgusting!” said Elenna.
The black phoenix dipped a wing and swooped toward them.
“Hold on!” Tom shouted, and leaned forward, tugging at Epos’s feathers. The flame bird rolled to one side, and the black phoenix’s talons brushed past Tom’s shoulder. Epos continued to roll, and for a moment, Tom felt completely weightless as the world turned upside down. Elenna cried out behind him, and her arms tightened around his middle. Then Epos turned full circle and righted herself.
Tom saw that the material of his tunic was torn at the top of his arm. Any closer, and the Beast’s talons would have taken off his head.
But as the black phoenix climbed again, Tom saw something else. Riding on the evil creature’s back was a girl with a pale face. Her long dark hair flowed in the wind and she stared at Tom with coal-black eyes.
“Who is that?” shouted Elenna.
Tom didn’t have time to answer. The girl was already drawing her sword.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DUEL IN THE SKIES
THE BLACK PHOENIX CLOSED IN ON THEM again, and Tom just had time to d
raw his own sword as the girl brought hers down. He parried the blow, but the force nearly knocked him off Epos’s back.
The black phoenix climbed high above them, preparing for another attack. Spiros remained at a safe distance. Tom knew there was nothing she could do.
“That girl must be one of Malvel’s agents!” said Elenna.
“Keep low,” said Tom, raising his sword as the girl guided her phoenix toward them again.
“Attack!” she screamed.
As it swooped down, the black phoenix plunged its talons into Epos’s side. The flame bird let out a pained cry as a clump of her feathers was torn away. Tom felt Elenna’s hands loosen on his waist.
“Help!” she screamed. Tom twisted around to see that Elenna had slipped off the Beast’s back and was clinging desperately to Epos’s wing. Keeping a firm grip on Epos’s neck feathers with one hand, Tom sheathed his sword and reached down with his free arm.
“Grab my hand!” he shouted.
Elenna’s face was pale with fear, and her knuckles were white. “I can’t let go,” she yelled back. “I’ll fall!”
Tom reached down, feeling the sinews in his arm stretch. Just a little farther and he’d be able to reach his friend….
Then he heard a thud. Epos screeched. The girl’s black phoenix was attacking again. Tom felt the flame bird tip to one side, and it was all he could do to hang on. Spiros was above them now, squawking desperately. Elenna lost her grip. Her fingers slipped through Epos’s feathers and she cried out in terror as she plummeted through the sky. Then the sounds of her screams were lost as she disappeared into the mist.
“No!” yelled Tom. He took off his shield and threw it after her with all his might. “Elenna,” he shouted. “Use my shield!” There was a chance that its magic would stop her falling — if she could catch it. Tom steered Epos down into the clouds after Elenna, but the black phoenix blocked his path. The pale-faced girl let out a cackle.
“You’ll pay for what you’ve done,” Tom replied, his anger swelling.
