Prologue Previous Chapter

Shara

The battle was joined, and her stone man raced towards Jiant. She watched, a wicked smile on her face as the foul man struggled with her beast. You don’t have a chance.

Reya stood next to her, staring at the battle, staring at the stone man.

“Shara?” She asked. “What… how?”

Desire and imagination. That had been the key. It had all fallen into place when she found herself bound hand and foot, listening to Zar discuss how he was going to cook and eat her friends – her family. As the flames had been lit, she had imagined the rain pouring down, strong enough to douse the flames.

And the rains had come, mixed with the wind, smashing through the village of liars and murderers and betrayers. I hope this storm never ends. I hope that these people are scattered and lost. I hope that no one ever lives on this land again. The air had flashed gold for just a moment.

I want to be free of these ropes. With another golden flash, she felt them dissolve. Scrambling to her feet, everything had changed.

She imagined a storm, ripping the village into pieces. And the winds had roared as a massive cloud formed overhead, smothering the sky. Buildings began to shatter under the assault. Shara smiled. I will never be afraid again. The golden powers would see to that.

And then Jiant had burst forth from the woods, interrupting her thoughts. She stared at him, hating him for what he had done to her brother, to her people. He was so full of power and strength, and malice. It was time to pay him back for his cruelty.

The stone man had been an inspiration. Reya’s remark about the strange pile of rocks had stuck in her mind. Something that could defeat Jiant. Imagine that statue, smashing Jiant, driving the giants away, letting them experience some of the terror that they had visited on so many others. And then want it to exist, to perform this terrible task.

Still, she had been surprised at how it had arrived – not with a flash, before her, but crawling out of the ground. There was still much for her to understand.

And when the stone man’s head was smashed apart, she was astonished that it continued to fight, it didn’t even seem to be affected. Much to learn.

Reya screamed triumphantly as Jiant was flung to the ground by the stone man, lying motionless.

That’s it. Keep at it Destroy them all. Hunt them, the way they hunted us. The air flashed golden again, just for a moment.

Odd. I wonder what’s causing that.

“Oola killed one!” Reya cried

Shara’s eyes searched the field. There she was. Ooof! She winced as the tall one snatched her up, and then laughed in delight as it howled in pain when she bit into its hand.

Still, her heart skipped when the giant threw her across the field. She tried to imagine some way to land safely, but it was too sudden, and her mind was jumpy. Shara winced as her friend slammed into the ground.

When she had appeared again, above the ridge, she had let out a cheer. Oola the fierce!

Just then, three giants piled on the stone man. What do I do? It stumbled and fell beneath their weight. Should I make another? Why not? Why not fill the world with stone guardians to protect her friends. But then Oola again came to the rescue, stabbing the giant in the back with her knife. “Ha!” Shara crowed, the cheer dying in her mouth as the giant fell on top of her.

“Oola? Oola?” She screamed, stumbling forwards.

The large giant ran past Oola’s motionless form, narrowly missing crushing her beneath its heel. “Oola!” Shara shrieked. “Get up! Get up!”

The stone man stood up. “Help her!” She called, still sprinting forward through the rain. The stone man started rumbling towards Oola. No.. wait.. slow down.. She desperately tried to focus her thoughts, to stop it. Too late. The foot came down. “Oola, no!”

The stone man kept running, chasing the giants, oblivious to what it had done.

Shara was at Oola’s side in a heartbeat, tears streaming down her face.

Too late. I’m too late.

Her friend’s body was smashed, a bloody, gory ruin. Perversely, there was a peaceful smile on her face. She held Oola’s face in her hands, kissing her hair over and over again, sobbing uncontrollably.

The others gathered around her. Din was sobbing. “She saved my life.”

“Shara..” Lam said, uncomfortably.

Shara looked up. “I can bring her back.” She said, looking at all of them as they gathered around her. “Yes. My powers. I just have to want it, to dream it.”

“Shara?” Barak said, his voice unusually distressed. She ignored him, and closed her eyes. I can do this. I just have to concentrate.

“Shara? No. You can’t heal the dead.” Mika whispered, interrupting her concentration.

“I can. I just have to focus.” Shara hissed, Oola’s hair tangled between her fingers. “Leave me alone.”

“Shara… what about the burning dead?” Reya said softly.