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CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE

INAN

S TANDING AT THE BASE of Mount Gaīa, I feel the world closing in. Everything I fought to stop unleashes under the Blood Moon. The woven city unravels before my very eyes.

The New Gaīans continue to clamor underground. Cries ring out as people fight to clear the canals. Villagers leap from plot to plot. The few vineweavers inside the city walls race to usher the youngest to the front.

Outside the city’s mountains, the rampage of the Skulls builds. Their collective boots thunder. The sound of clashing iron fills the air. Fire rages through the forest outside the city’s center, blazing as the enemy draws near.

I think of Tzain and the vineweavers approaching Or?sha’s front. Of Mae’e and Zélie down below.

If she doesn’t wake…

My mind brings me back to the cage I found Zélie in. The night we shared on the island. I promised to keep her safe.

I promised she would see her homeland again.

Baldyr’s onslaught rages, yet I don’t know where to fight. I don’t know where to go. The weight of my failures threatens to drag me down to the ground—

BOOM!

I whip around. A string of explosions rings beyond New Gaīa’s mountain entrance. Another explosion rings, and the roaring waterfall comes to a stop. Plumes of fire shoot into the night.

With one final blast, the mountain crumbles before my eyes. Even from a distance, the heat burns my face. Blazing boulders crash into the canals.

Then hundreds of Skulls charge through the black smoke.

No…

Shouts of battle rage as the Skulls descend. They ride longships sculpted from their bloodmetal, using them to sail through the floating civilization.

Red torches set flames to floating plots of vines. Glowing hammers smash through the ornate temples and square huts. Skulls pull the grenades at their belts, setting bombs off throughout the city. Mushroom clouds erupt as a pair of Skulls blast through the red bricks of a schoolhouse.

Horror chokes me as the city of New Gaīa burns. The Skulls take over the canals. A collection of boats moves past the town center, heading toward Mount Gaīa.

My hands tingle as I ignite my magic. I don’t know how many Skulls I can take at once. But I won’t let them get to the others.

Even if it costs me my life.

A sudden pulse ripples beneath my feet. I’m brought to my knees as the entire mountain quakes. A powerful crack! echoes through the red night. My lips part as I look up to the carving of Mama Gaīa. The emeralds light in the sculpture’s eyes.

Be okay. My heart thrashes in my chest as I run to the stairwell. Steam rises out of the entrance. New heat sears through the obsidian.

Mae’e and Amari struggle up the black steps, the shaking mountain fighting them as they rise. Each holds one of Zélie’s arms around their necks. Zélie’s body hangs limp between them.

I move forward, taking Zélie’s body into my arms. Every wound has been healed, but she’s still cold to the touch.

“Her spirit isn’t gone.” Mae’e grabs Zélie’s hands. “I felt her when I awoke. A piece of her still lies with Mama Gaīa. She’s been connected to our Mother Root since Yéva and I brought her back.”

“Your vision?” I ask.

Mae’e reaches up to me, grazing my white streak. “When I awoke, I saw you again. I understand the connection that you share!”

I look down to Zélie, knowing this is how it must be. If this is how our battle ends, it’s up to her to defeat King Baldyr. Only she can take on his monstrous strength.

“Go.” Mae’e points to the winding trail. “Carry her to the mountaintop. Petition Mama Gaīa. Exchange her breath of life for yours!”

Amari’s face falls. She grabs on to my arm. “Inan, wait—”

“We don’t have time.”

I step back, allowing them to take the destruction in. Mae’e drifts to the mountain’s edge. The flames of her city reflect in her diamond gaze.

A rage I’ve yet to see takes hold of the hierophant. Thick vines whir around her like blades. The vines lift her into the air as a current of molten rock spreads beneath Mae’e’s feet, ready to release.

Up above, Mount Gaīa roars. A mountain about to blow. Amari looks from me to the approaching Skulls. Tears shine in her amber eyes.

I set Zélie down and pull Amari close as a blue light engulfs both of her hands.

“I’m sorry.” I speak the words into her hair. Then I take Zélie’s body back into my arms.

I steady myself as I fight my way to the mountain’s summit.