9. THE SUMMONING

CHAPTER 9 THE SUMMONING Drake, Aruna, Worm, and Zera fought off the shadow phantoms as Petra played the Star Flute. The enchanted, airy tune echoed across the mountain. Worm created more green bubbles to absorb the shadow phantoms. Zera flew overhead. She hit the phantoms with green poison mist to dissolve them.

Aruna threw rocks at them. And Drake, with both hands now free, took his silver sword from his belt. A shadow phantom floated toward him. "Ayaaah!" he yelled, thrusting the sword into the shadow phantom. As soon as the sword hit, the phantom vanished. "Yes!" Drake cheered, but then he heard a cry overhead. Zera was tumbling out of the sky! Petra stopped playing the flute. "Zeral" she cried. "Worm, stop Zera's fall! I'll protect you," Drake yelled. "Petra, keep playing!"

Drake ran to Worm and began slashing any shadow phantoms that came near. Worm's eyes glowed. Green energy surrounded Zera as Worm used his mind powers to gently lower her to the ground. Drake immediately saw what was wrong. One of Zera's wings was turning into a shadow!

Drake had seen this before, when a shadow phantom had touched Jean in Sindhu. If Shu the Water Dragon hadn't saved her, her whole body would have turned into a shadow. But Shu was not here. "A shadow phantom touched Zera's wing," Drake explained to the others. "We can't help her on our own. But hopefully, the Star Dragon can help her!" I hope the Store Dragon can save us all! thought Drake. Petra finished the song and ran to Zera's side. Suddenly, a circle of glittering light broke through the sky-shadow. Startled, the shadow phantoms scattered, disappearing back into the gloom. A dragon swooped down from the sky. "Nova!" Drake cheered.