Andrew and the Quest of Orion's Belt (Rise of the Fallen)

by Ivory Autumn

  Chapter Eleven

  Lizick Trees

  Andrew whirled around as another Lizick tried to take him from behind. He sliced its wriggling tongue in two before it touched his skin. He felt the power of truth, and light surge through him even stronger. It was a feeling so beautiful, and bright that every Lizick that came at him cowered before him. He paused, and looked up. He thought he heard is name called. In that single moment of distraction, a Lizick tongue suddenly came at him from the side and wrapped itself around the sword, jerking it out of his hands.

  Instantly, all the light, and strength vanished from Andrew's body. He was instantly, powerless against these giant creatures just as any other boy. Andrew dashed to retrieve the sword, but he was not fast enough. A sticky tongue wrapped around his ankle, and pulled, dragging him towards its mouth. Then another Lizick wrapped its tongue around his other foot. Two more Lizick’s tongues latched onto the tongues that were attached to his ankles. The Lizicks all tried to slurp their tongues inward simultaneously.

  Andrew cried out in pain. It felt like they were pulling all the sinews in his legs and ankles apart. Mustering all his strength, he grabbed the sticky wad of tongues, clenching his fists as hard as he could around them. He closed his eyes, and pressed. A gradual tingling sensation ran down his arms and flowed out through his hands, into the Lizicks tongues. There was a flash of light, and the Lizick’s tongues instantly went as limp as shoelaces. Andrew fell to the ground, watching in wonder as the energy that passed through his hands, rippled through the Lizick's bodies, slowly petrifying them into a forest of frightening trees. The Lizicks unexpectedly sprouted orange leaves and twigs, then roots that settled the horrible Lizicks into the ground. Their blue tongues were now long tree branches that descended into the hollow hole of their mouths.

  Their horrible drum-like cries were instantly silenced. Andrew slowly stood, but teetered back as wave of nausea engulf him. His arms and hands burned and tingled. He took a step towards his fallen sword, but his knees buckled and he fell face forward into the sand.

  Rhapsody appeared from behind, with Freddie, Talic, and Ivory by his side.

  “Is he alive?” Ivory wondered.

  Rhapsody smiled a knowing smile. “He’s fine. When an elf uses his gifts to such a great extant as Andrew just did, his heart slows and nearly stops. He's just incredibly exhausted."

  "An elf?" Talic laughed. "You're kidding, right?"

  Rhapsody ignored Talic, appearing to be absorbed in whatever loud thoughts he was thinking. He bent down and inspected Andrew's open palms, his eyes suddenly widening. The diamond marks in Andrew's hands were still glowing and giving off a silver steam. He smiled, and nodded. "It's as I supposed. I found him!”

  “What is?” Freddie asked. “Is something wrong?”

  Rhapsody looked up, a fierceness in his eyes. "No. Everything is right, for once."