Hubrin’s head lurched and released a glob of glowing purple spit. It shot through the air and slapped against the largest of the Link Masters, the one who had earlier been holding Credic. The man whipped sideways and fell to the ground. He scrambled to his feet and began to run, but his body stiffened and was no longer willing.

Will didn’t notice any spit on the man, but for some reason his arms and legs became frozen. He collapsed to the ground, still in an awkward sort of running position. The man’s white monkey jumped to his side and began to howl in anger.

Hubrin wasn’t done.

The giant toad jumped toward another several Link Masters who staggered backward to flee. Will wanted to watch but knew he didn’t have the time. He had to pay attention to what was going on. He turned and a large red cat ran toward him. Will began to call for Swoop but was startled as several roots grew up and trapped the cat. Tenebrim—or at least Ezra—had payed attention.

As Will looked back toward the fighting group, he noticed Credic being dragged away. Credic was spent, and made no attempt to fight, but he made eyes at Will and yelled something that cut through the chaos.

“Look up, Will,” he said.

At first, Will thought it had been said to keep him alert and ready for anyone who might attack, but as Will shot his eyes upward by Swoop, he noticed a hint of movement on the rocky wall. At first it seemed slight, but it was still quite far away.

“Back to the cave.” Will tried to get Bet, Ezra, and his mother’s attention.

Ezra reacted with a confused look, but then twisted back as Tenebrim was blasted to his side by an owl draped in smoke. Bet pointed and Pexel dashed to Tenebrim’s rescue. The squirrel popped a wide barrier circle around himself and the blue mantis. At that point, both Bet and Ezra were vulnerable, but Hubrin leapt beside them and began flipping his tongue out menacingly.

Will ran for the cave. He hoped the others would follow, since they needed to be the first ones in. After twenty yards or so, he turned his body to look back. The message looked to have gotten through, even if it was just because they didn’t want to become separated. Bet and Ezra had begun to head his way, while his mother backed away with steady steps. Hubrin, however, had made no retreat.

Will was getting closer to the opening they had wedged through the first time they’d laid eyes on this valley. He looked up to see if he still had time. He had to be hidden soon.

Bam.

Will was hit across the neck by something he couldn’t see. The force of the blow sent him down to his knees. His head spun to look. The coal-haired Darkhand girl flashed into plain sight for a slight second and then she was gone. How would he win this? How would he fight someone he couldn’t even see? He had Swoop. He had Binders. Now what?

How does Will fight the disappearing Darkhand girl?

Use pockets

Use Swoop

Use something from the natural world around him

This Poll is Closed