I nudge Blaze and as he lifts off, I feel Kera's fingers sweep down my leg. I push Blaze higher into the clouds and thank G.o.d humans can lie.

Kera's right. There are too many.

I lean forward, hold low and tight to Blaze, and begin our dive.

Game On.

There's a shout. A clash of swords. Reece has made himself known, and it won't be long before he ends up hurt or dead. Blaze swoops down and lets out a stream of fire. The camp comes to life. We buzz over the area time and again, avoiding their attempts at bringing us down.

When the dark souls appear, I spin Blaze away and he rumbles deep within his throat. In no time, four dragons, scarred from tip to tail, appear and slash at the dark souls, tearing them apart, yet just like at Ainsbury Cross, the black ribbons repair themselves and strike back.

Searching the area, I find Reece. Our landing shakes the ground, drawing Reece's attention. I shout for him to get on Blaze. "You can't fight them. You won't win."

"I can't let him live."

I know his hate for Granel is strong-I feel it, too-but this is a no-win situation for Reece.

"He'll die. I promise you. But right now we need to get Signe and Kera out of here."

A big hairy thing charges us. I don't have time to do anything but launch myself at Reece, wrap my arms around him and tell him to trust me. The ground opens up under us and we fall through. Reece screams and I clamp my hand over his mouth before covering our heads with dirt. Confident Blaze has taken care of the problem, I pop us back out of the ground.

I immediately slam Reece against Blaze's side. "This is my world. My problem. I'm not asking you to get on. I'm telling you."

Reece nods and mounts Blaze. I take my place in front of him and tell him to hang on. Blaze leaps up and we lurch through the air, dodging all manner of missiles and magic they're throwing at us.

"We're going to need your friends," I tell Blaze. A few moments later, the ma.s.sive dragons flank us like a bombing squad. We sweep down and skid to a stop close to Kera and the others. We don't have much time. Granel's army is pulling together fast.

A dozen wolflike men charge out of Granel's camp, and two of the dragons turn to face them. From deep in the ground, I bring up a line of sticky tar that traps a few, but others jump over and meet the dragons head-on. Several of them are charred by the dragon's breath. Others are crushed by the heavy tails or ripped apart by the dragons' jagged teeth.

Reece jumps off Blaze and pulls Signe to one of the other dragons, ignoring her questions about Granel. I go to Baun and help him mount the other, and then settle Kera in front of him. A cannonball flies over our heads and tears through the woods behind us. It hits the ground and explodes into a million pieces that shred the trees into mulch.

I don't want to know what damage one of those will do to flesh and bone. They may have overestimated the distance, but knowing Granel, he won't make that mistake again. "Go straight over the gorge."

"Are you sure we can make it?" Kera asks. "If dragons can fly out, why haven't they before?"

"Arrows!" Reece yells. We all turn to see a hailstorm of arrows fly our way. Reece nudges the dragon he and Signe are on and they leap into the air and head toward the gorge.

Before I can think, Baun raises his hand and the arrows turn into b.u.t.terflies. Hundreds of black and gold wings fill the sky. Without missing a beat, he digs his fingers into Kera's shoulders for balance. "Why would they leave? The Unknown is more of a sanctuary for them than a prison."

"He would know," I tell Kera, then grab my dad's arm, forcing his attention onto me. "Whatever you do, don't turn back."

"What are you doing?" Kera tries to hold me there, but I yank free and slap the dragon on its side, sending it after Reece and Signe.

Even as Kera's cry lingers in my ears, I jump onto Blaze and we spring into the air. The other two dragons follow, leaving behind the crushed and burned bodies of the wolf-men. I fly low, and we scour the camp with fire, diverting their attention so the others can escape. Arrows zing past. A net shoots out and entangles one of the dragons. With its wings and feet caught, it spirals down to the ground, where a swarm of beasts converge on it until there's little left.

The largest, most scarred dragon lets out an earsplitting wail. From out of the trees rises a ma.s.sive flock of hybrid lizard-birds. They descend on the camp like a wave of locusts.

I seize the opportunity and wheel Blaze around and head for the gorge. The big dragon follows, but stops short, landing near the bridge. As Blaze and I pa.s.s over the gorge, I glance back and see the heavily scarred dragon spit an arc of fire toward a line of men, and then leap into the air and fly off toward the volcano.

We enter the silent air of the gorge, and that feeling of being sucked down hits. Blaze, the smallest of the dragons, fights to make it over the dead s.p.a.ce. When we hit the cloaking magic, it feels as if we're flying through syrup, and with each wing beat we drop a little more. Then, we break across the gap that separates the Unknown from Teag, and in the distance, I see a huge fiery ball fly high, then descend with a thud that shakes the air.

Blaze spins out of a patch of thick smoke and ash. Everywhere I look, villages, trees, and field are burned or burning. The devastating sight makes the Roman invasion of Gaul look like a half-hearted effort. The whole landscape has been transformed. We collide with another smoke plume, and when we punch through to the other side, Kera's dragon comes alongside us. She points in the fireball's direction. "Someone made a fortress and is driving all the people toward it."

Reece and Signe are heading that way. I have my doubts as to the wisdom of that, but there doesn't seem any other choice.

One moment we're flying, slipping in and out of smoke and ash, the next we're dodging artillery. Blaze gains speed and zips close to the ground before he pulls up, skimming a huge stone wall as we climb toward the top. We veer to the left, and I urge Blaze to land on the roof of a tower where I have a perfect view of the place. An elaborate stone city stretches out in front of us.

I can't imagine Hadrain creating this. Why would he? Why here?

Each building is perfectly carved and precisely placed for dramatic exposure. I get the feeling I've seen this place before. But how could I? And then I see it. The Hall of Whispers.

My heart nearly stops. This isn't just any place. This city is in the video game Knights of Feldoria. Weren't all of Jason's favorite movies based on games, or turned into games? He had to have built it. About now I'm wishing I'd spent more time with those guys who had permanent nerve damage in their thumbs because they lived and breathed the video game scene after school.

So far, Jason has replicated only part of the Ruined City-five of the Nine Towers of Strength, one of which Blaze and I are sitting on, the Victory Gate situated along the west side of the city walls, the Weeping Gate to the north, the ma.s.sive Hall of Whispers where the lord of the city lives, and the labyrinth of main streets, which can change direction without warning. That Jason was able to create what he has so far is amazing and terrifying at the same time.

Looking closer, I see men fighting within the streets. Guns and swords. Bombs and traps. It's like the game, only worse. Real people are dying.

I nudge Blaze's side and we fly over the city's defenses. Along the wall, catapults fling monstrous stones, and murder holes are put to good use. Vats of tar bubble at specific intervals along the wall. I see two men set a tar-coated stone ball into a catapult and strike a light to it. Fire engulfs the ball, and a few seconds later, the stone is launched toward a line of Hadrain's men. The sky is alight with fire before the stone slams through people, siege towers, and defenses alike. I have no idea where to begin looking for Kera or any of my other friends. The ma.s.s of war hits my ears and my eyes, and I worry I won't know who is who.

We pa.s.s a man standing atop a watchtower. He locks on to me, twirls a sling above his head, and lets fly a small ball that whistles past. Nothing in Teag is simple. Blaze knows it, too, and darts away. Hearing a crack, I turn and see the ball explode. Tiny shards of colored gla.s.s shoot in all directions. As the gla.s.s falls, it gathers together and becomes a colorful bird that flies back to the man. I'm out of range, and he turns away from me, though he doesn't waste any time. The bird is placed into another ball and loaded into the sling. I frantically search for his target and see Kera and Baun dodging a behemoth tri-top.

The man starts swinging his sling. I call fire to my hand and shoot it toward the tower. The man stops swinging and grabs his bird before he tries to run. Big mistake. Flames burst before he takes two steps, and he falls to the floor, his bird a mess of melted color in his hand, his howls of pain coloring the air.

I circle Blaze around and chase after the tri-top. We dart in, and I blast it with fire while Blaze slashes the tri-top's wing. The beast screams and lashes out at us. We whirl away and come around for another attack. I pull out my sword, and when we fly beneath the animal, I slice its belly open. With a cry, it tumbles away.

Kera looks my way and I point to the ground near a spot at the foot of one of the towers. Though three streets lead to it, the tower is well protected by a walled courtyard. We land in front of the wall, and before Kera can jump down, I dismount and stop her. "I want you out of here."

"You keep trying to protect me, but I'm a better fighter than you."

"She is right," Baun says from his perch. "I've seen her."

"You're blind," I snap. "Stay out of this."

He jumps down and I hear him mumble, "Now who is the one discriminating against others?"

Kera tries to dismount and I push her back onto the dragon. "It's not about skill. I don't think I could handle it if you got hurt."

"What about you? Do you think I am happy knowing you are risking your life while I sit in safety?"

"This argument is moot," Baun says.

Moot. Who uses words like that? Oh yeah, my crazy dad. I glare at him, but he can't see how annoyed I am. "How so?" I ask in my most sarcastic, disrespectful tone.

"None of us can defeat your friend alone. It will take all of us together."

Kera blinks, surprised by his announcement. "But I thought you said you could save Teag if you were set free."

Baun waves his hand in front of him as if he's waving away her doubts. "It was my thought, until I realized we've split my power into too many parts. Remember you each hold a piece of my power that Navar stole from me. Only when all the power works together is it whole. Only then can your friend be defeated."

Kera pales. "You want your power back?" She slips off the dragon and looks up at me in a panic. "He wants his power back. What have I done?"

She helped release the one guy who could make her fully human again. I have no doubt it's a shock to her.

I tuck her under my arm and hold her close. "It's okay. He can't take it from you. He can only ask you to borrow it, but you're not going to give it to him." I direct my words at Baun. "You're not going to ask her for it."

"Of course not."

I breathe a sigh of relief, but it's short-lived. He can get his power back if he kills Kera.

I push her behind me, draw my sword, and hold him back with the tip. "If you come near her again, father or not, I will kill you."

An arrow whizzes by. Blaze and the bigger dragon spring into the air and set to defending us from above as I drag Kera with me behind the short wall surrounding the base of the tower. Two men lie dead and I push them out of the way.

Another arrow flies inches from Baun. I may not like him, but I can't stand by and see a blind man get used for target practice. I dart back out and shove him behind the wall with us. He presses his back to the stones and sweeps a shaking hand through his hair.

Squatting between him and Kera, I say to him, "I think you should stay here, out of trouble, and let us handle this."

He shakes his head. "Dylan, you need me. I am not as helpless as you think. We've landed smack in the middle of a full-blown war for Teag. One of your friends is tearing it apart, and Kera told me one of Navar's commanders is preparing to break out of the Unknown, and with him every unspeakable evil created. At the moment, I have no interest in doing anything but saving my kingdom and its people. That I promise you."

Kera places her hand on my arm. "He cannot lie."

A grenade lands against the base of the tower in front of us. I warn Baun and then cover Kera with my body. Baun slams his hand on my back and an invisible shield surrounds the three of us just before the grenade explodes. When the dust settles, more than a few stones shake loose from the wall.

My dad lifts his hand, and I straighten. We hear the enemy demand that we show ourselves. Not likely.

Baun retreats to his huddled position and I try to read his face, but it's blank. He's saying all the right things, but I don't trust him. "I want your word you won't harm Kera."

"Dylan," Kera's tone makes it sound like I'm being unreasonable. But this is the man who tried to exterminate humans and almost succeeded. How can she trust him?

He sighs. "I vow never to harm you or Kera. Now can we find your friend and end this?"

"Fine." I peek around the corner. A zap of energy has me ducking out of sight, but not before I've counted two guys on the left and four on the right. The dead soldiers have a few weapons, some kind of explosive device, three knives, and a dented shield. I quickly form a plan and relate it to Baun and Kera. They want us to show ourselves? Then let's do it. I move to a position opposite the two guys and wait for Baun's signal.

Baun suddenly pops up, drawing everyone's attention to him. Hiding behind the shield we borrowed from the dead guys, he throws the explosive and pops back down. By pure luck, the explosion hits the enemy. I vault over the wall and take out the two soldiers nearest me. Kera quickly throws each knife. The first pierces an enemy soldier's throat, the next embeds between another soldier's eyes, and the last sinks into a nearby soldier's heart. The last soldier standing lets go of a long strip of leather. A big cat that looks like it belongs in the museum of things-that-became-extinct-a-long-time-ago leaps out and heads straight for Kera. She jumps over the wall, slides neatly beside the animal, and uses her incordium dagger to gut the cat in one swipe.

The lone standing soldier turns and runs. Neither Kera nor I bother to chase him.

I go to Kera and look her up and down for any injuries. "Are you okay?"

She wipes her blade on her pants as if she's doing nothing more than polishing it. "Yes. You?"

"I'm cool." I follow the damage she did, and for the first time, I see her with clear eyes. My girlfriend is seriously bada.s.s. I had no idea.

While Baun stands there, a suit of armor replaces the rags he's wearing. It's futuristic and medieval at the same time. "Can we go now?" He adjusts his helmet. "Your friends are near the Weeping Gate. I trust you know the way?"

"How do you know that?"

"It's a gift I acquired years ago. One of my favorites."

Acquired as in killed for it?

I notice he doesn't tell me how that particular all-seeing gift works. He's not stupid.

He holds out his hand and a long metal staff appears. He runs a finger along the dusty surface, presses a b.u.t.ton, and spikes appear at the ends. He presses the b.u.t.ton again and they disappear.

A weapon within a weapon. That sums up Baun. When you think you understand him, he shows you something you don't expect. The faster we get this over with, the faster I can hand him over to Hadrain. Let Kera's dad deal with the crazy-and now free-Lost King, since it's his fault he's out.

I hear Blaze call and look up to see him and his friend circling the area. If he can read my mind, which I think he can, he'll know where we're going and follow us. Kera goes to Baun and guides him around the mess we made.

"Nice armor," I say. I'm actually a little jealous my powers don't extend to dressing myself with just my thoughts.

"It's something I created long ago and never had the chance to wear. A leader should look the part."

Baun's what I call a suit-and-tie guy. I've never liked them much. "More importantly," I say, "a leader should act the part."

"By all means," he sweeps his arm out, "lead the way, Dylan."

Just like in the game, the streets move, causing a whole block to change direction and the player to get turned around if he's not careful. It's why I hate that particular game. It makes no sense. Thankfully, the Weeping Gate isn't far, but when we get there, the fighting is brutal.

Pushing Baun into a sheltered area, I tell him to stay until it's safe. I then turn to ask Kera to protect him, but she's gone. I'm slowly getting used to that aspect of her personality, but I still don't like it. I dive into the action, searching for her as I fight off the enemy. They're pretty easy to spot. While Hadrain's men are in muted greens and browns and golds, Jason has outfitted his men in armor more elaborate than Baun's. As I move through the street, I use everything I have. My sword, fire, and speed, and magically using the things around me to beat back the enemy.

I b.u.mp into Wyatt when I dive behind a cart for protection. In the game, there aren't many places to take cover, and it's tempting to stay too long, thinking you're safe. But you never truly are.

Wyatt smiles, and says between breaths, "Nice of you to join us."

We're both blood-spattered and panting. I dig the tip of my sword into the ground, fire sparking off the cobblestones, and rest my head against the side of the cart. "What's the plan?"

"Surviving. If you can do that and push the enemy back past that waterwheel," he says, pointing to a large mill in the middle of the square, "I'll see you then."

We both stand, and out of nowhere, an amazingly beautiful woman with long blond hair shoves me away and nearly takes off my head before Wyatt stops her. "He's with us, sweetheart. Pa.s.s it on to your sisters."

She kisses Wyatt full on the mouth and runs off. I point after her. "Who's that?"

"One of the seven sisters. They're Lucinda's friends. You can't miss them. Gorgeous, every last one of them." He then dives back into the fight.

Something rolls under the cart. I sprint away, but I'm not fast enough and it explodes. I catch air and land in the dust a few feet away. I shake my head, trying to clear my ears. Someone shiny stands over me, and I shield my eyes as the helmet is yanked off and tossed to the ground.

Square jaw. Thick neck. Jason.

"d.a.m.n. When will people learn? Everyone gets killed when they hide behind the cart."

His sword rises. I roll to the side, but the blow never comes. When I roll back, I see Baun wielding his metal staff, whirling it around his head and body, keeping Jason at a distance from me.