Max Stone and the Lost Star of Zirdon (9 page)

‘Oh, no' cried Max as the Lizard came crashing to a halt beside the fallen stone.

‘The Star!! I don't believe it earth boy, after all this you simply throw me the Star! Well do not think that I will take mercy upon you, I shall still eat you for
brreeeakfast'
.

KRÄÄXOR
held the Lost Star high above his head and cried out triumphantly ‘The Lost Star of Zirdon!!' He began to scream with the prize finally in his grip.

Max was terrified. If he destroyed the Lost Star, they were all done for and the Kaemon would be free. That would be it, the end, and no more life on Zirdon.

‘Give it here' Max commanded the giant lizard, trying to hide the tremble in his voice.

‘Ha, earth boy, your show of bravery comes too late. I shall crush this puny stone and all of your precious friends shall die because of your stupidity'

‘NOOOOO' cried Max and with all his might he thrust out his left hand and summoned the stone to him. The pattern on his hand throbbed and burned painfully as it called the Lost Star to him.

The Lost Star pulsed blue in
KRÄÄXOR
's hand and he looked at Max in surprise. The Star beamed brightly sending deep blue bursts of colour around the cave, each wave becoming stronger until the entire cavern radiated with the blue light of the stone.

‘What trickery is this earth boy?'
KRÄÄXOR
was less sure of himself and getting mad as hell. ‘Your tricks will not save you now!'

KRÄÄXOR
hated the way the Star vibrated and pulsed in his hand, he gripped it tighter trying to crush it but it resisted. It felt like the Star had a life of its own.

Max seized his chance and thrust his left hand at the Star, the pattern in his palm pulsating wildly. The stone hummed and vibrated in return.

Again
KRÄÄXOR
gripped the Star tightly in his hand meaning to crush it with his brute strength.
‘GRHHH'
he grunted as he closed his fist tightly around it.

But the Star trembled in his hand, shaking madly to get free. Suddenly it shot from
KRÄÄXOR
's grip and flew into Max's hand.

‘No! No! No!' cried the enraged Kaemon Leader ‘you will not deny me this.' He rushed at Max, drawing his jagged blade and swung it at Max.

Max dodged the blow, rolling on the floor, just getting out of the way as the blade clanged loudly onto the ground of Kerlang stones, sending sparks flying. Pain shot through his wounded shoulder.

Frantically he looked around the cavern, slightly dazed, searching for some clue.

And then Max spotted it, the small opening in the wall just ahead of him. ‘
This must be it'
he thought, ‘
this must be where it belongs
.'

KRÄÄXOR
came at him again, his blade swinging wildly, his huge spiked lizard tail thrashing and his face snarling in anger.

‘I shall enjoy my
brrrrreakfast
of earth boy' he ranted in fury. ‘Give me that Star.'

‘Never!' cried Max bravely.

KRÄÄXOR
swung again and Max barely dodged the blow, feeling the blade slice the air just over his left ear. He was closer to the opening now and he made a dash for it.

KRÄÄXOR
stood looking menacingly at him, his beady black eyes full of hatred and malice.

Max had to reach the small opening in the wall of Kerlang stones, he just knew that was where he had to put it. ‘
But how
? The questioned burned in his mind.

By now
KRÄÄXOR
had worked out what Max was trying to do and he stood between him and the wall, his blades drawn, his forked tongue flickering like mad.

And then Max had an idea! The picture of the Ranguilla filled his mind. ‘
That's it'
he said out loud to the confused
KRÄÄXOR
‘
That's it'

He stood and held the Star out in front of him. He summoned all his energy into the Star and he felt it heat up in his hand.

At first
KRÄÄXOR
thought the cowardly earthling was just handing it to him, until he realised what was happening.

The Star burned a bright in Max's hand, casting a blue glow on his face and lighting up the whole diamond cavern. The gems in the roof and walls sparkled and shone magnificently.

And then it happened!

A bolt of blue lightening shot from the heart of the Star and hit
KRÄÄXOR
clean in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Max's hand got hotter and hotter as though he held a coal from the fire but he kept on pushing and pushing. More and more blue energy channelled through the Star, slamming a very surprised
KRÄÄXOR
to the ground.

Max took his chance and ran to the small opening and shoved the burning Star inside.

Suddenly the whole cave of Kerlang stones came alive. The entire place cracked and splintered, great splits ripping through the walls, roof and floor.

‘Oh no. What now?' thought Max

He felt the ground beneath him literally melt as the cave turned into a molten river of diamond lava. The Star sent out great beams of light that were almost blinding.

Max had to act fast.

The floor was now a river of molten Kerlang Stones and already it began to fuse and reform.

He had to get out of here or he would forever become part of Zirdon.

KRÄÄXOR
screamed in anger at Max. He could see the Star fuse into the wall of hard stone and he knew his chance would be lost. He waded through the flowing diamond river to the Star and plunged his hand deep into the wall, desperately trying to retrieve it.

Max saw what he was trying to do and shouted at him ‘No
KRÄÄXOR
, don't. It's going to set hard and you'll be stuck here.'

KRÄÄXOR
turned to face Max and sneered ‘Nice try earthling, your pitiful cries won't help you now.'

Max didn't waste any more time.

He scrambled back to the slippy tunnel he had fallen down, and launched himself onto the ledge and out of the flow of the fast-setting Kerlang stones.

KRÄÄXOR
reached deep into the opening of the wall and looked in horror as the flowing Kerlang stones changed from molten diamond to rock-solid crystals around his reptile claw. The Star was so close but tiny blue crystals began to form around his fingers, fixing them hard. He couldn't move his arm, and he screamed in horror as the crystals formed up along his arm, fixing him fast to the wall.

Max marvelled at the change. It was like a new planet was forming inside the cave. Great waves of energy and light pulsed and vibrated. The Kerlang stones flowed like a fast river, the glittering gems seemed alive with energy.

He could see what was happening to
KRÄÄXOR
as the level of the Kerlang stones began to rise, and it began to harden around him. The crazed Lizard Leader thrashed about wildly, but already the level was up over his waist and rising fast.

Max took one last look and scrambled his way back up the slippy slope.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE KEY

Outside, the tide of the raging war had changed.

On the battle field, Altusa and his army felt the beating heart of Zirdon pulse strongly.

Altusa pointed to the Stone of Azul. ‘Look', he cried, ‘the earth boy has made it, the Lost Star has been replaced.'

A great cheer rose up around the battle field.

The Stone of Azul shone a brilliant blue, casting its radiant beauty high into the sky and the soldiers took strength from it. They pressed their enemy harder and with a renewed vigour.

The Lizard soldiers seemed to lose their appetite for battle. It was as if the passing of their leader
KRÄÄXOR
broke a spell that had hung over them. One by one they cast down their blades and held their arms high in the air in surrender.

Altusa, Mar-Hoc-Seia and Srana circled the battle field, proud of how their soldiers had fought, proud of their bravery.

Altusa gave the order to round up the remaining Lizard warriors and they were quickly herded into a tight circle. Three lines of Guards were posted around them; Altusa would take no chances.

Boctamus and Tomac also fared well.
DRÄÄGNOS
seemed less hostile, less able to wield his heavy blade with the passing of his leader and they quickly disarmed him.

Tomac bound him, hand and foot, while Boctamus raced forward to find Max. Tomac and Yan-Ho tended to the wounds of Lothius.

At the entrance to the Stone of Azul, Boctamus could hear the earth moving, shattering and splintering deep below. He feared the worst for his friend.

‘Max?' he called into the tunnel ‘Max? Are you there? Are you alright?'

There was no answer and he was about to launch himself into the tunnel when he thought he heard something. He listened closer and yes - it was faint but there was definitely a voice.

‘I'm coming Boctamus, I'm coming!' Max gasped. He was out of breath as he raced to the top before the tide of molten Kerlang reached him. If that happened he would be bound to the planet forever, like the fallen
KRÄÄXOR
.

Frantically, Max climbed, pushing himself to go higher and faster. It was a bit like climbing up a steep slide with a slippery floor and he often lost his footing and fell backwards. As Max crawled the last few inches from the tunnel the Kerlang stones hardened into an impenetrable plug sealing the Lost Star and the heart of Zirdon for the very last time

At last he could see light ahead of him and a few short minutes later an exhausted Max Stone emerged from the tunnel. Boctamus was there waiting for him and he reached down to haul him out.

Boctamus threw his arms around him and hugged him fiercely. ‘You've done it Max!! You've done it!! I've no idea how, but you've done it!!'

Max quickly told Boctamus what had happened, how
KRÄÄXOR
had followed him into the cavern, how the Star had come to him when he summoned it, and how when he had put it into its rightful place that the cave had turned into molten diamond lava.

‘And what of
KRÄÄXOR
?' Boctamus asked.

‘He tried to get the Star. I tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen, he just couldn't let go' said Max. ‘When he grabbed the Star his whole hand crystallised and then, well, he just turned to stone.'

Tomac and Yan-Ho came up alongside, a limping Lothius at their side.

Tomac beamed a smile at the sight of Max. ‘Greetings Max,' he said. They all looked battle-weary and bruised but triumphant at the same time.

Yan-Ho looked tired but happy and he too joined in the good spirits. ‘You've done it Max, you actually did it'

Max smiled but he was worried at the sight of the wounded white Fight-Cat and asked ‘and what of Lothius? Will he be alright?'

‘Ah yes Max, he is strong and it may take a while before we can hunt together again, but he is well'

Max stepped over to Lothius and patted his great white mane.

Just then Altusa and some of the other Tigral and Swaveb Tribe members came on the back of the Fight-Cats. They cheered and whooped, punching the air in triumph.

Altusa leaped from the back of Srana, helped Mar-Hoc-Seia down, and stood in front of Max.

‘Max Stone' he said in a loud commanding voice so all around could hear. ‘All of Zirdon is in your debt. Your grandfather Arthur would have been very proud of you.'

Mar-Hoc-Seia stood beside his young friend and added his words of congratulations. ‘You will be forever welcome here, you are our adopted son, Max Stone.'

All around, the warriors cheered and whooped and chanted his name.

‘M-a-x, M-a-x, M-a-x, M-a-x!'

Max was a little embarrassed at the attention and he noticed Mar-Hoc-Seia holding his shoulder, ‘Are you alright?

‘Ah yes Max, nothing a good ug-sucker won't sort out' he beamed proudly at Max. ‘And you Max, you seem to be hurt?'

‘Ah it's nothing really', said Max, more concerned at what was going on around him. His shoulder was a bit bruised but he knew it would heal.

‘And what of the Kaemon Klann? Where are all the soldiers?' he asked when the noise of the celebrating soldiers died down a little.

Altusa, who was embracing his son, Tomac, over the saving of Zirdon and their families, turned and answered him. ‘Once their leader,
KRÄÄXOR
, fell, his spell over them was broken and they lost their will to fight.'

‘What will you do with them? Are they not now stuck here on Zirdon, now that the Star has been forever replaced?'

Yan-Ho and some of the other miners of the Swaveb Tribe stood forward. ‘Don't worry Max, we'll find good use for then in the cold Caves, mining the Kerlang stones. We can let them out into the sunshine for good behaviour for a couple of hours each day, but otherwise we will keep them nice and cold.'

‘Maybe in time we may even become friends and they may earn their right to be free,' said Mar-Hoc-Seia.

Max smiled, very happy for how it had all turned out, not knowing what to say or what to do now, when suddenly a shadow crossed his face.

Mar-Hoc-Seia stood beside him, sensing that something was troubling Max.

‘Is something the matter Max, are you hurt? Will I fetch an ug-sucker?'

‘No, no, well not really, I fell on my shoulder when I tumbled into the cave, but it's ok really. It's, well, it's just that, I was wondering…'

‘Go on,' said Mar-Hoc Seia as all the others looked on wondering what was troubling the earth boy after he had won such a victory. Boctamus watched him closely, hoping he could help his friend with whatever upset him.

‘Well now that the Star is gone…' Max began, not really wanting to sound selfish. He knew it had to go back but it did leave him with a bit of a problem.

‘Go on,' encouraged Altusa.

‘Well I don't know how I will ever get home! I mean it was the star that brought me here, and well it's, ….., it's…'

Mar-Hoc-Seia smiled warmly at him.

‘Max, Max, don't you realise?' He took Max's left hand in his furry hand and pointed to the pattern in his palm.

‘You are the key Max,' he said simply.

‘What?' Max didn't understand - how could he be the key? It didn't make sense.

‘You are the key, the Star chose you Max when you took it from your grandfather's attic and it brought you here. It did so for a reason. The Star could sense that you had a brave heart and the courage of Fight-Cat. It left something of itself within you.'

Max studied the four-bladed pattern with the diamond at the centre in his left palm.

‘But how?' he asked

‘Just hold it to the sky and wish yourself home Max.' said Mar-Hoc-Seia.

‘It is really that simple,' added Altusa

Max turned around and looked at the friends he had made on Zirdon - the brave Tomac and the pure white Fight-Cat, Lothius. Even when wounded this Fight-Cat stood tall and proud. Next he looked to Tomac's father, Altusa, the great leader of the Tigral Tribe and his heroic Fight-Cat, Srana, Yan-Ho and Sey-Mar of the Swaveb Tribe, brave and true to their people. And of course Mar-Hoc-Seia, wise and kind. And perhaps his best friend of all, Boctamus.

He walked over to Boctamus and said to him, ‘I shall miss you Boctamus, you are a great warrior and will always be my friend.'

Boctamus took Max's hand and shook it vigorously, ‘Max, you are the bravest boy I have ever seen and I shall always count you in my wishes. If you were born into the Tigral Tribe you would have been a great hunter one day.' Mannuk sensed the occasion and came up behind Max, nuzzling his head into his back.

Altusa stood and spoke for all present: ‘If ever you or earth is in need of help you need only call, Max Stone. All of Zirdon will answer your call; you have only but to ask.'

Max stood getting ready to leave and the Fight-Cats formed a circle of honour around him.

He hesitated at first but then lifted his left palm to the sky.

This time he was glad to see the clouds swirl and form into a tornado overhead. As he began to lift off the ground the mighty Fight-Cats let out a triumphant roar in honour of the brave earth boy who had saved Zirdon.
‘RRROOOAAARRRRR'
they cried as one.

The Tigral Warriors saluted him, with their blades held high into the sky while the Swaveb cheered and clapped for him.

Max shot higher and higher into the sky, the pattern on his left hand pulling upwards towards the portal that was opening in the sky - the portal that would lead him home and back to his Gran's house in Kerry.

This time he was prepared for the rough landing and he crouched low and landed on his feet.

All around him the garden furniture was strewn around, mixed with litter and fallen branches. The sun was just dipping in the sky. It was early evening.

He couldn't believe what had happened in the short time he was away.

He began to lift the furniture and put it back into place and then he heard his Gran's car pulling into the drive at the front of the house.

She was wearing a bright pink dress, decorated with yellow and white flowers. She also wore one of her trademark wide-brimmed hats, a bright blue one with a bold yellow bow.

‘Hi Max, I'm home,' she called in a cheery voice as she came around the corner of the house. She was laden down with shopping bags, talking as she walked. ‘I'm sorry I'm so late' she said ‘but shopping with Mrs DeLahunte really can be a task sometimes, did you know that she took…..!'

She stopped in her tracks as she turned the corner of the house and saw the mess of the garden, tree branches strewn everywhere, and garden furniture all topsy turvy.

‘What happened here?'

‘There was a bit of a storm' Max offered weakly, not wanting to lie to her, but not really wanting to try to explain either. She would think he was crazy.

She looked at Max with questions in her eyes. Somehow he thought to himself ‘
she seems to know'

She put her bags down on the grass and began to help him turn the tables back.

‘Must have been some kind of a freak storm we had here, there didn't seem to be any damage along the road that I noticed.'

‘It came in really quick and fast' Max said truthfully, ‘it came in like a mini-tornado and then was gone.'

She looked at him, and nodded.

‘I had a call from Ben's Mom, they are a day ahead and should be down later on this evening' she said, trying to move away from the topic of the strange localised storm.

‘Great' said Max, relieved she wasn't going to press him any further. Besides, he couldn't wait to tell his friend Ben all about his adventure.

‘Oh, I almost forgot' she said as they finished clearing up and Max was helping her with her bags inside the house. ‘Mrs DeLahunte bought you a bun, to welcome you back for the summer. It took her a very long time to pick it, so I do hope you enjoy it.'

Later that evening after tea, there was a knock at the door.

‘Get that for me, would you dear?' said Gran.

‘Sure thing' said Max bouncing up from the table.

Max opened the heavy old front door and there smiling at him was Ben.

‘Hey Ben, great to see you.'

‘Hey Max, how are things?'

‘Fantastic'

‘Sorry we couldn't get down earlier' said Ben, ‘but my dad had to work. Anything strange or interesting going on?'

‘Aw, no problem' said Max ‘but you wouldn't believe the afternoon I have just had.'

‘I think we're going to have our best summer ever' said a beaming Max Stone.