current surroundings. The citadel of Stonewall rose proudly to the south, about a couple of miles away.
“Surely, they felt us crash,” Ramin said, reading my thoughts.
Behind us, there were sprawling woods that stretched for miles. We’d landed smack in the middle of the plains that separated Stonewall from the continental forest. Fortunately, we hadn’t ravaged any of the new villages that had been developed at the citadel’s base.
“It won’t be long now before someone from GASP comes by,” I replied. “We definitely made an entrance.”
I was nervous and excited at the same time. GASP had no way of fighting Ramin directly, so I doubted they’d come at us with any kind of hostility. Even if that were the case, it would all come to a sudden end once Ramin identified himself and mentioned my presence inside him. After all, we’d come here for help.
“My only hope is that your friends get here first, and not a hostile local Hermessi.” Ramin sighed. “I would assume Wei and Firr wouldn’t come for me, but I can’t say the same for the others. You know by now how quickly an allegiance can shift if Brendel has your child hostage.”
“Let’s keep a positive mindset, Ramin. I’m outside my body, and I can’t really afford to panic.”
Indeed, minutes after we landed, figures began to emerge around the crater’s edges. Hundreds of Bajangs from Stonewall. They all looked down at us, understandably fearful. Some cubs had snuck through, as well, and their mothers kept pushing them back and growling at them to keep their distance. It wasn’t safe, they said.
Their reddish manes were ruffled and raised, the sign of an impending attack. I doubted they’d charge at the fiery Hermessi before them, but I certainly understood their need to show that they weren’t afraid, that they would do anything to defend their territory. I would’ve done the same, if I were them.
“What are those?” Ramin asked.
“Bajangs. Endemic to Calliope. Somewhat similar to werewolves, in the sense that they can shift from these humanoid creatures into large and extremely dangerous predators—only felines. Also, they’re not restrained by the lunar cycle. They’re able to change at will. The Bajangs are fierce and territorial, but worthy allies to have,” I explained. “They were very helpful during the war against Azazel.”
I’d had time to tell Ramin a few things about GASP’s previous challenges during our stardust travel. He’d been brought up to speed on the Eritopian and Nerakian affair, but I’d yet to delve into our more recent Stravian war. Hopefully, I’d get to do that later, from my body, after this Hermessi problem was resolved.
Pink streaks flashed across the sky. My very soul swelled with joy, as the nine Daughters of Eritopia appeared on the western edge of the crater, joined by my brother, Phoenix. “They’re here!” I squealed. “That’s Phoenix, my brother. Viola, the Daughters… they can help us!”
They were stunned to see Ramin standing at the bottom of the crater. For a moment, I could swear they were confused as to what the next step in this encounter might be. Ramin raised his arms in a friendly gesture.
“I mean you no harm,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Who are you?” Safira asked, her tone cutting across the crater like a sharp knife through the tenderest of meats. She was understandably suspicious and defensive. Again, a necessary display of power and fearlessness before an unknown Hermessi. “You’re not Firr.”
“I’m not. I am Ramin, the Fire Hermessi of Neraka.”
Silence ensued. My brother stepped forward, his boots on the very edge. “You were with my sister! Where’s Harper?”
“Still here, with me. Inside me,” Ramin replied. “You cannot see her, and she cannot speak to you, but I am more than willing to communicate on her behalf until we find a way to get her back to her body safely.”
Before any of the Daughters could react, Phoenix slid down into the crater and rushed to greet us, his eyes wide and glimmering with hope. For a moment, they flashed gold. He was using his True Sight, probably wondering if Ramin was telling the truth.
“Why is everyone so suspicious of you? They know you helped me. We were on a mission together,” I murmured.
“Something must’ve happened,” Ramin whispered to me, then raised his voice as he pointed toward the ocean, where black smoke continued to rise in a thick, uneven, swirling rope. “What happened there, Phoenix?”
“That was Mount Agrith,” Viola said, appearing next to Phoenix. She was promptly joined by