Cole's last chance

“Get him!” Cole shouted. In unison, the stone figures charged Ramarro. More issued from the walls and ground. Bearded warriors raced alongside graceful ballerinas—Cole recognized several of them from his previous visit to the similar sky castle.

  Ramarro waved a casual hand at the nearest statues. They wobbled but kept coming. He held a hand up as if commanding them to halt. Those directly before him slowed. The others continued toward him at their normal pace.

  A statue of Dandalus rose up from the ground beside Cole. “This is your battleground, Cole,” the statue said hurriedly, his voice low. “This is the one place you might defeat the torivor. The elements of this island were designed to resist his commands and to follow yours. The island will try to hold him here. It’s no sure thing, but perhaps it gives you a chance. Do not let him escape. If you don’t win here, you will fail.”

Chapter 33