15 Ch15-What's Wrong, Worm？

CHAPTER 15 WHAT'S WRONG, WORM? Manawa! You're okay!" Pania cried. She ran onto the beach and hugged her brother. Several villagers streamed behind her. A man and woman emerged from the crowd and approached Manawa.

"Mother! Father!" Manawa cried. "So much has happened. An evil wizard took away the power of my Ahi Stone. Tani created a ngaru nui. And this dragon, Worm, saved us all." He pointed to Worm, who was still curled up on the sand. Drake stepped forward. "I'm Drake, Worm's Dragon Master. We need Manawa and Tani to come with us to help us defeat the wizard." Manawa's father nodded. "As a Dragon Friend, Manawa must protect the world from evil." Manawa's mother hugged him. "How long will you be gone?"

"Just a few days," Drake replied. "We can get to my land, Bracken, quickly. And then we need to find one more dragon and create the counterspell." Drake turned to Manawa. "To transport to Bracken, we all need to be connected to Worm. You just need to touch Worm with one hand and Tani with the other. Can she leave the ocean?" Manawa nodded. "She can." His Ahi Stone glowed, and Tani crawled onto the shore. Drake's eyes widened as he took in the huge size of the Sea Dragon.

Some villagers had approached Worm and were gently petting and thanking him. Worm was sitting up, and he looked better. "Can you please transport us to the Valley of Clouds?" Drake asked. "I'm not sure Tani will fit inside the castle." Worm nodded. Drake touched Worm. "Ready!" he said. Worm began to glow a very soft green. Drake closed his eyes, preparing to transport. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes. Worm's glow had faded. "Worm, what's wrong?" Drake asked his tired-looking dragon. I am too weak, Worm replied. I cannot transport!