A Journey To The Clouds, Escape From Cloud Castle - Book Two - ✓

Chapter Twenty-four

Don't take another step closer to them!" I hear Ally demand. The giants show their teeth and growl, while the cyclopes turn red-faced in anger.

"What? What are you going to do? Hurt us! That's not possible. . . it's. . . impossible!" A cyclops shouts. Its Bones. The cyclops and giants in the room nod in satisfaction at the giant's words. They think they're so smart!

"Actually, yeah. We'll do anything to save them. That means violence." Ally says through gritted teeth. I slowly move towards Ally in a form of protection.

"Ah-well, violence seems to be my middle name." He mocks.

"How can that be? I saw you in my visions. You're so pesky and weak!" I announce, my anger taking hold of me. Ally looks at me sharply.

"Connor don't-"

"I'm stronger than you think. You'll see soon enough!"

"You don't want this." Ally says, her tone strong and clear.

"What do you mean?" The cyclops demands.

"Violence. Just hand Hazel and Lily to us and we will leave peaceably. And peacefully means no violence." Ally states. I can tell she's trying to hold back anger.

"Ah, but alas. I would love nothing more than to do the honor of slaying you." he says sadly, shaking his head. In the back, a giant roars in delight. The other cyclopes and giants join in cheering with delight.

A sudden realization hits me like a brick wall-we don't accumulate weapons. We'll need to go full-on with our hands. Whoops. And I thought about bringing a sword or two. Stupid me.

Ally quickly rushes towards me and grabs my hand. I suppose she just realized what we're in for.

"We'll give our all." I whisper sharply. I squeeze her hand hard before adding, "If we meet our end. . . then I have one more thing to say." I tell her. Ally looks at me with confusion.

By the time I open my mouth to attempt to tell her again, I spot the Giants at the corner of my eye. It's go time.

I immediately jump in front of Ally and pull my arms in front of my face. I jump onto the giant's back and release my anger I had ever bottled up on his neck. Then, without warning, he falls over, unable to gasp a breath. Fresh adrenaline rushes through my veins. I brace myself for an attacker- flexing my fingers in and out in a fist, and taking deep breaths.

Ally throws herself at a Giant as he bends over to snatch her up. She kicks with all her might, only stopping when he howls in pain and backs up. This buys her a few seconds and she uses them wisely.

She scrambles up his leg with a stick that was right by her foot, shoves it below his head and he breathes out a scream that stops abruptly.

Ally moves into the circle of the giant's and cyclops and is taken guard by Hazel and Lily. I rush to her aid, willing to help her protect them. I then see a quick hand movement, gesturing for them to flee.

"Go!" She sharply whispers. Hazel and Lily roughly make it onto their two legs and run towards the castle barrier that guards the forest. I see Lily and Hazel try to find an exit. Me and Ally stay to fight a little while longer, creating deep grooves in the skin and fur of the Crew of Doom.

I search for Bones and finally find him. I run faster than I've ever ran and catapult myself onto the top of his head. He struggles to break free before He finally sinks onto the stone ground.

"Ally!" I call desperately. The fray of fighting had died down much, and to me, that was the precise moment we would escape. Ally rushes towards me, and fishes her sword into the Cyclops arm. The Cyclops then went limp. Me and Ally nod in satisfaction for a few moments before we make a run for the castle exit.

The remaining giants and cyclops dash after us, skirting through the halls as we finally make it to the wooden door.

I pull the door open roughly, blisters scarring my hands as I do so. At the last moment, Ally's shirt gets caught in the lock. I gasp in fright as the Cyclops and Giants come closer, ready to snatch her up. In an unthinkable action, I forcefully pull her out, pull her into my arms,and race out of the door, locking the Crew of Doom in.

Just then, the barrier protecting the castle goes down. How I can tell is that the barrier gave off a soft periwinkle blue glow and that just disappeared. I get Ally onto her feet and run towards the lush green grass.

"Ally. . ." I trail off. I gently help her sit on a fallen tree once we get a few miles away from the palace. A few trees remain, and the forest is thin enough to see Hazel and Lily trampling away from the massive estate.

"Connor. . . Thank you, I-"

"Hush." I tell her in a soothing voice. Ally smiles at me.

"Are you alright?" we ask in conjoined voices. I chuckle.

"Yes I'm fine. I hope you are too." I say, pulling a fallen piece of hair behind her ear.

"I am, don't worry." She says. After a few brief moments, we slowly get up and start to walk in the direction of Lily's cottage, which is no longer hidden by the extensive greenland that was once here.

"Connor?" Ally asks in a whisper. I turn around and look at her. She walks besides me, our fingers touching.

"Yeah?" I ask, tipping my head to the side.

"What were you going to tell me before the battle?" She asks. I smile at her and I put my arm around her neck. She lays her head on my shoulder in response as we walk silently through the deserted forest.

"That I love you too."