Half Heart Hero: Rise of Sifa [Book 2]

Sacrifice

"I never meant for any of this to happen," Namaari answered, holding the necklace in her hands.

"LIAR!" Raya roared.

Namaari started to cry. "I don't care if you believe me. Sisu did. But you didn't trust her. That's why we're here," Namaari said. She kept her eyes on the pendant cupped in her hands. "Do whatever you want, but you're as much to blame for Sisu's death as I am."

She closed her eyes waiting for Raya's blow. A cry from outside penetrated Raya. She glanced out the window and was stunned to see familiar faces.

When she'd left Tong, Boun, Tuk Tuk and Noi in the woods, she'd left them there with the gem pieces to protect them from the Druun. But now they are here.

And they are using the pieces to help the citizens of Fang escape.

"Tong, there's still people back there! Hurry! We're running out of time!" Boun yelled

"Got it! Everyone, out! Come with me!" Tong cried, leading people before him.

Raya suddenly understood. She could help destroy the world or she could help save it. That was the choice she had to make. Leaving Namaari huddled on the floor, Raya ran to her friends. Namaari looked up, noticing that Raya was gone.

*****

Outside, the city was in chaos. Druun swarmed everywhere in an unrelenting whirlwind. Through the swirling clouds of darkness, Raya could faintly see the dim glow of her friends' gem shards as they tried to fight the Druun off. She headed right toward them. She wanted to help however she could.

"Get to the water! Keep going!" Boun called.

Noi waved hers too, managing to clear enough of a path for people to escape. Tong was piling people onto his back. He raced them to safety, then resumed for more. Even though the Ongis were doing their part to keep the Druun away, Raya helped load a group of terrified children onto Tuk Tuk's back. But each time she drove one Druun back another swooped in. The gem was losing its power. The magic was dwindling.

"Okay, Tuk, these are the last of 'em," Raya shouted over the hissing growls of the Druun. "Go! We're right behind you."

But as Tuk Tuk trundled off, a Druun rose up, blocking his path. The children on his back screamed.

"Tuk Tuk!" Raya rushed to help them. But the Druun was closer. It swooped angrily toward her friend and the kids. Suddenly, Namaari leapt in front of Tuk Tuk holding the glowing gem piece high to drive back the Druun.

"What are you waiting for? Go!" Namaari yelled as the startled Tuk Tuk.

Namaari turned toward Ko while Tuk Tuk hurried away with his cargo of children. Ko ran over to her older sister. She was so glad that she is still alive. She barely escaped from the Druun and struggled to get everyone out.

"Namaari! Weren't you coming with us?" Ko asked her sister.

"Just go! I'll be okay!" Namaari responded to her little sister.

Ko nodded her head as she was told. The young girl then took off to lead the other people to a safe place. But then another earthquake hit. The ground beneath them cracked. As Boun, Tong and Noi looked up and saw Namaari, they faces became shocked and tense.

"Raya!!" Boun shouted.

"It's the one who slayed Sisu!" Tong roared after he caught the sight of Namaari.

Now it was Raya's chance. Her mind is still in a dark rage. She stepped over Namaari, raising her sword. But suddenly, the ground rolled again and gave way beneath their feet. Raya felt herself falling down. Then the world collapsed around her and everything went black.