Zay

Sasha and I ran back into camp. I raced over to Ryan as Sasha skidded to a halt beside Tyler. I shook her shoulder. "We found it!" I whispered as Ryan's eyes drifted open.

"Found what?" She mumbled, "Zay? What? It's the middle of the night..."

"The Bamboo Panda!" I hissed, glancing back over my shoulder to where Sasha was having about as much luck.

"The Bam... Bamboo Panda?" Ryan blinked slowly, her eyes glazed with sleep.

"Yes!" I growled impatiently.

"Oh..." Ryan yawned.

I huffed and stood, turning toward Sasha and Tyler. The latter was sitting up, questioning Sasha quietly. I walked over. "We have to attack tonight. If we wait any longer, the Conquerors will arrive!" I announced, the beginnings of a migraine throbbing in my skull.

Tyler pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Zay, we can't. It's the middle of the night; we'll be at a huge disadvantage!"

I paced, restless and annoyed. "So? We'll be able to see well enough!" I pointed up at the full moon.

Tyler sighed again, but rolled to his feet and brushed the dirt off his clothes. "Alright. Wake the others."

I shared a surprised but triumphant look with Sasha then we split up and set to work waking the team.

Less than half an hour later, everyone was awake and ready for battle. I gripped my daggers, pre-battle jitters dancing on my nerves.

Tyler beckoned us forward and we advanced as silently as possible through the forest. We emerged on the same rise that Sasha and I had discovered beforehand, moonlight illuminating the dew-touched grass in speckles of cold silver.

Tyler waved us back as he crept forward, peering over the rise, then returning to the group. "Okay, it's the same as always. Five animals; a stag, a red panda, a tiger, an ox and a Komodo dragon. We know the drill. Zay, Sasha, you've got the dragon. Niko, Lucia, take the stag. Tazi, Lizzie, the ox. Ryan, Flynn, You've got the tiger. Navia, Sabien, you're with me for the talisman." Tyler scrutinized our group. "Clear?"

"Clear!" We chorused.

I glanced over at Sasha, who looked especially calm. I gripped my staff tightened and tried to relax. We've got this.

We crept forward and crested the ridge, nothing more than shadows in the moonlight. My eyes roved the tree line across, searching for any sign of movement. For something, anything. Or maybe it was not a something, but a someone. Stop it! I berated myself, trying to focus again.

Sasha's soft whistle pulled me from my thoughts. He tapped his temple with a finger and pressed a finger to his lips.

Quiet your thoughts; we need to focus. I understood immediately and gave him a single nod.

He nodded back, then glanced at the Komodo dragon. Looking back at me, he held up two fingers with two hands, then moved them apart and pointed them at the two different sides of the reptile.

Split up and attack from both sides. I nodded, then held up my right fist.

He nodded back, holding up his left fist.

I take right, he takes left.

We crept forward side by side, then parted ways and advanced separately. I adjusted my grip on my daggers and fell into an offensive stance. The Komodo dragon realized what was happening when Xavier flashed out of passive. He slithered around my ankle, scales pinching my skin. I ignored it, focusing on our battle. The Komodo dragon roared and snapped at me. I jumped nimbly to one side.

Sasha snarled loudly and plunged his sword into the lizard's side. The dragon squealed and whirled around; I had to duck to avoid it's tail.

Sasha and Delar became two whirlwinds of colour as they slashed and jabbed at the Komodo dragon's snout and neck.

I was getting dizzy watching them... or was I just getting dizzy?

"Conquerors incoming!" Ryan's shriek pierced the air above the sound of the battle.

I spun on my heel and settled into a defensive stance, my daggers loose in my hands. "Come on, idiots." I growled, staring around for the enemies. "Where are you?!"

The trees on the far side of the clearing shivered, then a battalion of the black armoured soldiers ran out. They engaged in whatever conflict was closest, hacking at people and animals.

I glanced back at Sasha; he seemed to be handling the Komodo dragon just fine alone. I launched forward and plunged into battle against the Conquerors, searching, searching... for someone I desperately needed to see.

Then, there he was, engaged in a fierce battle with Tyler. He barked orders, his viper perched on his shoulder.

Zarlo. My heart ached as I kicked my opponent away and drew closer.

Tyler glanced at me, sweat glistening on his face and arms. He shook his head frantically, distracted from his fight.

Zarlo kicked him in the chest and pointed his sword at Tyler's neck.

"If you know what'ssss good for you, you'll ssssstay down." Zarlo snarled, not sounding anything like the brother I remembered.

Tyler glared up at him, still managing to look defiant even when he was flat on his back in the dirt.

"Zarlo." My voice rang out over the sound of battle, the buzz in my ears quieting.

He spun, sword raised. "Z-Zay?!" His voice and eyes returned to normal for a split second. "Ah, Zay." He corrected himself. "My traitoroussss sssissster."

I clenched my teeth, ignoring the flicker of movement in my peripheral vision as the huge animals vanished. "I never asked to come here. I was brought unwillingly."

Zarlo laughed roughly. "Of coursssse. And you're ssstill with them? I don't think sssso."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Tyler leaped up from the ground and smashed the flat of his axe over Zarlo's head.

My brother stared at me, his eyes flicking back to black before rolling back into his head as he crumpled to the grass.

Tyler stepped over the prone body, striding over to me. "That," he said with a sigh, "was both the stupidest and bravest thing I've ever seen."

I met his eyes, my mind replaying the moment of fear and anguish in Zarlo's expression. "Did we get the talisman?" I asked finally, turning away from the guardian.

"Yep." Tyler said, a frown evident in his voice. "Navia has it."

I nodded once, watching the Conquerors run from the clearing. One darted past us, dragging Zarlo's unconscious body into the cover of the forest. I walked to Sasha. "Sorry for abandoning you."

"Don't worry about it." Sasha peered at me. "Are you alright?"

"Of course." I nodded, even though I felt terrible. My head spun as I took another step, forcing me to stop again.

Sasha opened his mouth but I cut him off. "I'm fine. I just need to... sit down." I plopped down onto the grass, the world blurring before my eyes. Dimly, I made out Ryan kneeling in front of me, but I couldn't hear what she was saying. My eyes drifted shut, and I was consumed by the darkness behind them.

Ooooh! Intense chapter! What's gonna happen? Also guys I just wanted to say thank you, because this book got a ranking!!! #10 in book3! Woohoo!

edit: 23/03/2024
me when i barely edit. sorry i am so tired but anyway. here, enjoy
also hbd zay and zarlo
(I will probably post another chapter tmr but I am so tired it's unreal)