Rise of the Erifs (The Fire Song Chronicles Book 1)

Chapter 23

Earth  

AURORA WALKED THROUGH THE FOREST, THE FIRST SLIVERS OF LIGHT streaking across the sky, her bow in her hand and her quiver slung over her shoulder. She had decided to go hunting, to catch a nice fat rabbit to cook for lunch before they left. With the sudden population boom on the island, the food stores had been running dangerously low and last night Daye had informed her that they had finally run out. So now here she was creeping through the forest silent like a panther. She smiled as the sun warmed her back. Her eyes swept back and forth searching the forest floor as she headed towards a small stream.

Aurora was heading slightly uphill towards the stream, not far from the Pathway, when she saw something that made her freeze in her tracks. She just stared at it for a moment before she slowly walked over. After a few seconds she leaned down and picked up the arrow.

Aurora examined the arrow. From the head to half way up the shaft was covered in dried blood. She frowned, touching the feathers lightly. She recognized the fletching. She could do so because she was the one who had made it. 

And she knew exactly when she had shot it. 

Aurora's expression was grim. She remembered chasing an Erif blindly through the forest, as they had split up after kidnapping her father, and then shooting the arrow into the bushes. She hadn't seen or known who exactly her opponent was. But now she had some idea.

Aurora felt a sudden burst of anger. She was about to throw the arrow down in a rage when she smelt it. She took a deep breath and was sure of it.

Smoke.

Aurora felt her heart race. She turned and ran.

*   *   *

Alex was jolted from his sleep.

"Alex! ALEX! GET UP!"

Alex jumped up from the bed. His eyes widened as the door burst open. Kalani stood there, a wild look in her eyes. Smoke billowed in.

"I said get up! Or do you want to burn to death?!" Kalani screamed, before coughing as smoke raced into her lungs. 

Alex could see the glow of the fire behind her.

Kalani raced into the room. She grabbed the chair to Alex's desk and hurled it out the window, smashing the glass and sending it spraying everywhere. She glanced back at Alex.

"Come on!" Kalani scrambled out the window.

Alex was still in a daze somewhat. He grabbed his backpack that he'd packed the night before and followed Kalani. He didn't have time for anything else. He was only wearing his pyjama pants. Once outside Alex could see the whole front of the cabin was on fire, the flames rising high into the dark sky. Alex followed Kalani away from the flames and towards the forest.

At that moment something stepped out of the roaring inferno. Alex froze, watching the monster calmly walk towards them. His hair was flaring out in its spectacular flames all around, illuminating the darkness and making the shadows dance. He towered over them, his frighteningly bright violet eyes boring into Alex. In his hand he held a large glowing orange sword with flames racing down the edges. His muscular arms easily wielded it back and forth in a series of rapid strokes, leaving fiery streaks in the darkness.

Alex felt the fear grip him by the throat and slowly squeeze. He was frozen to the spot. He couldn't move. Couldn't think. All he could see was the terrifying monster out of a nightmare walking towards him.

The Erif snapped his head to the right in time to see something come hurtling out of the forest. The firelight glinted off something and he jumped back just as an axe skimmed past. Daye swung her shield around and slammed it into the Erif sending him sprawling backwards. She glanced over at Alex.