Spirit Animals - The Ten Keepers: The Lost Talisman of Ursala [Book Two]

Chapter Fifteen - Shai Lu Man

Riley's POV

"Welcome to the lost city of Zhong," Shen announced, "Shai Lu Man."

"Woah," Ivan said, "Even the name is cool."

"No one knows what happened to the Zhongese people who lived here," Shen said, "but from the books we read, we found Shai Lu Man."

"Is there a medal?" Irene asked.

"Yes, Shai Lu Man's medal," Shen answered, "Made of pure gold but we haven't have time to investigate further. That main building over there, it is said to be found in there."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jef asked, "Come on, we need to find the medal."

"Someone's excited," Zoey mumbled.

They followed Riley's father down to the city. Riley looked around in awe. All of the buildings were made of stone. Some were broken, probably because of a battle. They stopped in front of a huge building with steps leading to the entrance. Shen took the lead as they went up the huge steps.

"Who would want to abandon this place?" Zoey saying, "It's well hidden and hard to get to."

When they reached the entrance and went in, Riley didn't see much inside.

"No medal here," Ivan said.

"But there's this lever," Jef told them who was standing in the middle of the room beside a big lever.

"Maybe the lever opens a secret door," Zoey suggested.

"Let's try it then," Jef said and started pulling the lever.

"Wait don't-" Shen started but Jef had already pulled the lever.

The ground started to shake and the door closed suddenly, a wall in its place. Before they could move, the ground gave way beneath them and they were falling.

John's POV

"But wait," Zoron was saying, "You still didn't tell us how you survived."

They were walking through the tunnels again, Haley leading the way.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," Eilene replied, "Well, Zerif jumped off the boat, I jumped after him. The boat exploded, 'kaboom' while we were underwater. Zerif was already swimming away and man that guy swims fast!"

"Are you joking or are you serious?" John asked.

"I'm very serious," Eilene said, "I started swimming after him but then I got very exhausted and I can't remember much but I found myself on a beach. I was running away because i'm pretty sure you guys didn't want me after that betrayal and I bumped into Shane."

Shane's POV

Flashback

Shane had watched the whole thing as the Great Beasts sacrificed themselves and killed the Evertree, a new Evertree growing. He watched as the Four Fallen and their partners hugged each other happily. He took the chance to run away. He kept on running until he reached a beach and spotted the last person he expected to see.

"Eilene?" Shane exclaimed.

"Good to see you too, Reptile King," Eilene said flatly.

(Flashback interrupted again)

"Is that how you became a Redcloak?" Hope asked.

Eilene answered, "Not yet. I was with him and he started talking about regretting everything and wanting revenge and stuff. He took me to Eura where I had a bit of a break."

"You're not the only one who had a break," George interrupted, looking at John.

"Tell me that later," Eilene said, "After a couple of days, he needed my help and wanted me to join the Redcloaks. He, of course, offered me training and I got better with my staff."

"Staffs," John scoffed.

"Whatever," Eilene snapped, "I wasn't officially a Redcloak but I agreed to help him. During that time, I found the answers to the book."

"Interesting story," Haley said, "You guys have come a long way."

"Yeah, a long way down," John said.

"Anyways, what's this break that George mentioned?" Eilene asked.

"Oh that," George replied, "After the war, John decided to take a break for a year. The only reason he's back to being a Greencloak is because of the message Lenori sent us."

"I can speak for myself, thank you very much," John said, shooting a glare at George.

"The only reason she sent you was because we told her to," Eilene told them.

"Then that means John became a Greencloak again because of you," George said, earning another glare from John.

"Anyways, your saying that Shane is the other Redcloak named King?" Zoron asked.

"Yes, now this is too many questions and information and it's hurting my brain," Eilene said.

Just then, there was scuttling and Haley's eyes widened with fear.

"We need to get out of here," Haley told them, urgently.

"Why?" George asked.

Before she could speak, John spotted what spooked Haley. The Many.

Ivan's POV

Ivan groaned, his head aching. He looked around and saw the others splayed on the ground nearby.

"What just happened?" Ivan asked.

"The lever opened a secret doorway all right," Zoey replied, "We fell down it."

"Sorry," Jef mumbled.

"Guys," Irene whispered, "Look."

Ivan looked to where Irene pointed and gasped. It was a long hallways and all the way to the other side was something that looked like a medal. But right in between were suspicious looking tiles and statues of soldiers with huge battle axes on each side of the wall.

"I've read of traps guarding the way to Shai Lu Man's Medal," Shen told them, "I guess this is it."

"Does it say anything on what to do?" Riley squeaked.

"It only says two words," he answered grimly, "Just run."

I just love cliffhangers as long as they update it soon. Anyways, I was wondering if I should do a book 3 of "The Ten Keepers" or end it here in book 2.

Please vote and leave a comment on what you guys think. Stay tuned for the next chapter!