Last of the Nephilim

by Bryan Davis

  Acacia looked up. The cone’s entire opening crumbled. She yelled, “Extinguish!” and threw herself and Irene through the dwindling wall of fire.

  Candle and Listener jumped to the cave’s outer wall just before the chamber’s roof collapsed. Tons of rocks crashed down into the volcano’s throat, some falling through while others plugged the hole and piled up in a heap.

  Acacia, Irene, Billy, Candle, and Listener pressed their bodies against the side wall, watching the rain of boulders, rocks, and dirt. Soon, the breeze swept the dust away. The volcano top was now just a flat stony platform with a surrounding circular wall and a heap of stones in the center.

  Billy leaped for the pile of rocks and began slinging them to the side. “Bonnie and Shiloh!”

  As the castaway stones tumbled down the slope, Acacia and the others joined him. “I don’t sense a portal,” Acacia said as she pushed a stone to the side. “It might be gone.”

  Irene dug into the grit and pebbles with both hands. “My daughter’s hurt! We have to get it open!”

  In spite of the frigid wind buffeting their faces, beads of sweat speckled each brow as they grabbed, clawed, and tunneled. Soon, only a cluster of rocks remained wedged at the top of the volcano’s throat. As before, Billy pushed Excalibur into one of the gaps and pried a stone loose. When it gave way, the obstruction broke apart and tumbled into the void. A new stream of sulfur-laden fumes rushed upward and dissipated in the wind.

  Acacia knelt and peered into the darkness, while Listener pointed her spyglass.

  “I think I see magma,” Acacia said. “My eyesight is normal now, so the portal is probably gone.” She looked up at Billy. “The other realm is out of reach.”

  “Can’t you open a new one?” Billy waved his arms in the air. “I mean, like you did before. Just make the fire spin and open it up again.”

  Acacia shook her head. “I open portals that are already there, and I have moved portals from one place to another, but creating a new one requires more firepower than I can generate.”

  “I see someone,” Listener said. “Two girls who look exactly alike.”

  Irene dropped to her knees and looked down. “Bonnie and Shiloh!”

  “They’re lying close to a burning tree. Too close, I think, and …” Listener’s brow furrowed. “And now they’re gone.”

  “If she can still see the other realm,” Acacia said, lifting her arms again, “I’ll try to open it. I’ll give it all I’ve got.”

  Acacia followed her usual portal-opening procedure, shooting more flames than ever into her cyclone, but the museum room never appeared. Of course, she could have jumped into the hole anyway just to see if it led to the mines, but the leap would have been suicide if reality matched what her eyesight told her.

  She lowered her arms and let the spin of fire die away. “It’s no use. There’s no way to get down there now.”

  Billy clenched his teeth. “I can’t believe this! Bonnie’s hurt, and now we can’t help her!”

  “She’ll have help.” Irene wrapped Billy in her arms and leaned her head against his. “Sapphira’s still there. She and Shiloh can take her to Yereq.” A sob broke through, shaking her words. “I’m sure … she’ll be all right. Remember the prophecy.”

  He patted her on the back but said nothing. His facial expression said it all—a blend of anxiety and determination in his wrinkled brow and steeled jaw.

  “There’s nothing more we can do here,” Acacia said as she huddled with the two children. “We’d better get out of this cold wind.”

  Pushing Irene back, Billy added, “And get you to the garden. We need another dragon as soon as possible.” He took off his coat and gave it to her, leaving only a thick sweatshirt for himself. “Let’s get going.”

  After hiking down the side of the volcano, they crossed a field of rippled lava, black and crumbling. Tree-studded slopes rose on each side to rocky peaks, lining this valley of basaltic stone. A few puffy clouds raced overhead, riding the numbing breeze that swept down and funneled through their channel, making their passage a wind tunnel. Fortunately, it streamed in from behind, cold, to be sure, but helpful as it pushed them speedily along.

  As usual, Listener gazed through her spyglass from time to time, always on the lookout for any oddity, announcing every sighting of clouds that might bring another rainstorm, or birds that might be carrying shadow people. Finally, as they approached a thin forest, she grabbed Billy’s shirt. “A dragon! A red one!”

  Billy looked in the direction her spyglass pointed. “I see it. It’s coming this way!”

  “Could it be Goliath?” Acacia asked.

  “It’s not Goliath,” Irene said. “Look at those powerful wings. I would recognize them anywhere.” As the breeze tossed her blond locks, a smile spread across her face. “It’s Clefspeare.”

  A few seconds later, Clefspeare landed on the dark field, his red wings a striking contrast to the black lava residue.

  Billy ran to his side. “What’s up, Dad? Why are you here?”

  “An important mission.” He heaved large gulps of air. “Life or death.”

  While they waited for him to catch his breath, Candle scooted closer to Billy. “I wonder how he found us without a guide.”

  After a final deep breath, Clefspeare pulled in his wings and settled to the ground. “I apologize for my lack of endurance, but I flew here as quickly as I could, and I fought a ghastly wind all the way.” He lowered his snout toward Candle. “One of your people gave me general directions, and once I sensed Billy’s presence, I followed my nose.”

  “Dad,” Billy said, nodding toward Irene. “Look who’s here.”

  Clefspeare shifted her way and bowed his head. “You are a welcome presence, Irene, but we have no time for pleasantries. I must take Billy back immediately for a vital flying mission. With no healthy dragon to watch the birthing garden, the villagers are vulnerable.”

  Billy hooked his arm around Irene’s. “Can you carry both of us? That way we can get another dragon right away. Candle knows how to lead Acacia and Listener home.”

  “Let us take Listener as well,” Clefspeare said. “With the wind in our favor, I will be able to carry three.” He lowered his head to the ground, allowing Billy, Irene, and Listener to climb his neck and settle on his back, Billy in front, then Irene and Listener. “Come as quickly as you can,” Clefspeare said to Acacia. “If what we have in mind for Billy to do doesn’t work, Ashley will want to try a fiery healing. Although Elam believes she needs to rest further, she will not be persuaded easily.”

  Acacia nodded. “I understand.”

  Clefspeare spread out his wings and beat them furiously, raising black lava dust in his wake as he rose into the sky. Within seconds, he and the three riders disappeared over the treetops.

  Acacia took Candle’s hand. “Know any shortcuts?”

  “I was hoping you’d ask that,” he replied, grinning. “Listener’s scared of them, so we went the long way coming up here.”

  “I’m glad to hear you’re so sensitive to her fears.”

  He half closed one eye. “Are you afraid of skunk lizards?”

  “Skunk lizards!” Acacia brushed lava dust off her tunic and tugged down on the hem. “Well, I’m not sure what they are, but with a brave young man at my side, I’m sure I can manage.”

  “You sound so much like my mother, I think …” Candle’s smile suddenly wilted. His companion pushed under his dreadlocks and nestled against his ear, pulsing a soft blue light.

  As tears welled in his weary brown eyes, Acacia laid a hand on his shoulder. “I used the right words for you. You really are a brave young man. You remind me of Valiant.”

  Candle tilted his head and rubbed her hand with his cheek. “Do you really think so?”

  “I know so. And your mother knows, and your sister knows. And I’ll bet even the skunk lizards know.” She gave his back a gentle push. “Now lead the way, valiant soldier. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Val
iant pushed a clump of tall reeds to the side. Across a wide, shallow gulley, the land sloped upward to high ground where at least thirty huts encircled a field of crops as well as a modest collection of pigs and goats. Some of the beasts were tied to hewn logs that had been pounded into the mud, and some were corralled within waist-high wooden fences. “Father Abraham’s trail leads here,” he whispered. “But I cannot see him.”

  Pushing his nose past Valiant, Dikaios looked through the gap. “Nor I. Perhaps I can pose as a witless horse and be taken in.”

  “Father Abraham said that the people have already heard you speak.”

  “Flint did not hear me, and knowing Greevelow, I doubt that a man of such few words would ever volunteer to tell him. As far as Flint knows, I am merely a faithful horse who sought help for Abraham. He has no idea that I am able to act as a spy.”

  “Very well. I will wait here and watch.”

  Dikaios strode into the clearing, then paused and looked back. “If they decide to tie me up like some kind of senseless farm horse, I should be able to free myself, but if not, I will be glad of your help.”

  Lifting his dagger, Valiant smiled. “Easily done, my friend.”

  Standing at the edge of the garden, Elam looked out over the plants, his sword arm drooping. After only an hour of training with Sir Barlow and their new army, his muscles had rebelled. Still, although he had given everyone a break, they would all have to go back to work as soon as he finished overseeing this important task.

  With Thigocia using this opportunity to get her wings checked out at the dragon launching field, and Clefspeare taking off to collect Acacia and Candle, he would have to stick around until at least one of them returned.

  Irene, whom Clefspeare had recently dropped off, stood at his side, gazing at the garden in wonder. “There are living babies within those leaves?” she asked.

  “That’s how they procreate here.” Elam stepped into the garden and crouched near one of the plants. “They didn’t tell me how long it takes.”

  She pointed at the soil. “Are those white things the bones Clefspeare told me about?”

  “They are.” He picked up a short bone. “We think they’re what made this place into a dragon regeneration garden, but we’re not sure how it works. Jared just walked in there and walked back. As soon as he stepped out, he turned into Clefspeare. When Patrick tried, it didn’t work, but I’m hoping he’s just unique for some reason.”

  She took in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  “Let’s do it.” Elam stepped back from the garden.

  As Irene walked along one of the furrows, glancing from side to side, Elam watched her progress. Somehow everything seemed different. Without the brilliant aura around Paili and the energized bones, would it work at all?

  Irene reached down and petted one of the plants. “Is this far enough?”

  “Maybe. Come out, and we’ll see.”

  She hurried back to the edge and stopped. “Okay. Here goes.” With a dramatic stretch, she stepped out of the garden and onto the grassy field. Then, standing upright, she set her hands on her hips. “I don’t feel anything.”

  “That’s because nothing’s happening.” Elam looked up at the sky. “Clefspeare should be back any minute. I hope he found Acacia. We’ll need her fire to energize the bones.”

  “Would Billy’s fire work? He’s at the infirmary. I could go get him.”

  “His fire is different.” Elam set his hands as if holding a ball. “Acacia’s aura is a lot like her portal opener—”

  “There they are.” Irene pointed at the sky. “I guess I’m about to see for myself.”

  Soon, Clefspeare landed, Candle riding tall in front and Acacia clutching his waist. After Elam sent Candle to find his sister at Abraham’s house, he guided Irene and Acacia to the garden. “Let’s try it again, shall we?”

  Irene took three steps along the row and turned around. “I’m ready.”

  Acacia raised her hands. Fire sprang up in both palms. As the breeze flapped her cloak and white hair, a foul odor assaulted Elam’s nose. “What’s that smell?” he asked.

  “Skunk lizard.” Acacia said blankly. “I’ll explain later.”

  As she had done with Paili, Acacia fashioned a flaming blue aura around Irene, leaving a couple of feet of space between her and the surrounding fire.

  “Now walk to the plowed area and back,” Elam said.

  Irene obeyed. The aura floated along with her. With each step, the bones along her path sizzled and popped, glowing bright white. When she returned to the edge, she stopped and looked at Elam through her veil of shimmering blue. “I feel something this time.”

  Acacia waved her arms and whispered, “Extinguish.” The flames immediately evaporated in a puff of blue smoke.

  “Now step out of the garden,” Elam said. “That is, if you’re ready.”

  “I’m ready.”

  While Elam, Clefspeare, and Acacia moved back several paces, Irene again stepped out of the garden. This time, as soon as her athletic shoe touched the grass, it swelled, splitting the leather sides. The swelling spread up her leg, ripping her jeans. Beginning at the ankle, her skin dried out and changed to a scaly coat, darkening from pale to light brown.

  When her other shoe touched the grass, the process repeated, just seconds behind the other leg. With her waist now expanding, she reached for the snap in her jeans.

  Elam turned his head. Better now to listen than to watch. As the process continued, rips, pops, and grunts sounded from the regenerating dragon. Soon, everything was quiet.

  Something leathery touched his cheek. “You can look now, Elam.”

  Turning, he pushed a huge dragon wing away from his face and smiled. “Process complete, I see.”

  “I am now Hartanna once again.” She spread her wings and let the wind billow them like a pair of sails. “What is your command, Warrior Chief?”

  Elam waved Acacia and the two dragons together. “I need one dragon to patrol this garden and the other to help Ashley and Walter with their mission at the sky hospital.”

  “I will go with them,” Hartanna said. “I am anxious to fly again.” She turned to Clefspeare and blinked her fiery eyes. “That is, of course, if you agree, Clefspeare.”

  The red dragon bowed. “I agree.”

  Hartanna extended one of the “fingers” on her forefoot. “Well, look at this!”

  Elam and the others looked at the finger. Shimmering gold scales encircled it, and a red gem had been wedged between scales at the top.

  “It looks like a ring,” Elam said.

  “That’s what I thought. It’s exactly where I wore my rubellite.”

  Clefspeare raised his foreleg. “I have the same markings where my ring used to be, and a gem as well. I had not even noticed.”

  Hartanna picked up her torn jeans. After pushing a claw into the pocket, she retrieved a ring. “Enoch gave me this one,” she said, extending it to Elam. “He said a time will come when I will be able to give it to Makaidos. I would be grateful if you kept it. I have no place to store it.”

  “Gladly.” Elam slid it into his pocket. “Now that we have two healthy dragons, we have many more options, but first things first. Hartanna, go with all speed to the field on the other side of the village. You’ll find Ashley and the airplane there.”

  She bowed her head. “I will.”

  As she launched into the air, Clefspeare flicked his tail toward Elam. “Warrior Chief, I think we should teach your finest soldiers how to ride into battle on a dragon as soon as possible. If you will bring some to this field, we can begin their training.”

  “My finest soldiers?” Elam asked, giving him an uneasy grin. “With Valiant gone, I have no idea how to choose.”

  “A simple test of courage will provide your answer. Allow them to volunteer. Then have Barlow tell them about his flying adventures. If they still want to fly after hearing those harrowing tales, then they will be our test pilots.”

  Ashley point
ed out the airplane’s front windshield. “There it is. I see the sun glinting off its metal surface.”

  “Right. I got it marked.” Billy guided Merlin into a sharp turn. “I’ll just point our nose in the direction it’s going. It shouldn’t be too hard to catch up with it.”

  “If it’s as big as Cliffside described, it’s probably about a mile ahead of us.”

  As Billy completed his turn, a heavy crosswind buffeted the plane, making everyone bounce. Ashley leaned around her copilot’s chair. In the back, beyond the seats, Steadfast knelt between two cots, clutching their sides, while Pearl, a tall, big-boned woman with curly blond hair, leaned over a third, holding it down while the plane rocked back and forth. Their companions zipped from shoulder to ear and back to shoulder again, as if excited by the new adventure.

  An unconscious patient lay in each cot. One heaved fast, shallow breaths—Mason, a muscular man, a builder and the father of two little girls. Something had broken his sternum and bruised his heart. Another patient groaned with each lurch of the plane—Willow, a young artist who had been impaled by one of Goliath’s spines. Apparently it speared his heart. How he had survived this long, no one could tell. Finally, the third patient lay quietly … too quietly—a little girl named Onyx, less than two years old and as dark and beautiful as her namesake. With a punctured lung and internal bleeding, she would have to be the first one out.

  Another sharp lurch shook Ashley back to attention. “How’s it going?”

  “Pretty rough,” Billy said. “The direction we’re heading will keep us jumping like crazy, and we can’t fly as slow as the hospital.”

  Clutching her armrests, Ashley bounced in place, her voice shaking with the jolts. “I see what you mean. A tailwind would be better, but we have to wait for Hartanna to land before we can speed it up.”

  Billy sat up higher and looked out his side window. “Any sign of her?”

  “Not yet.” Ashley leaned as far forward as her seat belt would allow. Near the top of her view through the windshield, a dark spot appeared, bouncing in the sky and closing in on the hospital platform, a small concrete circle that protruded from the side near the front of the tube. “There she is!”