The helicopter blades spun down, groaning like something that just wanted to stop. Finally, the noise from the mountains and the city’s screaming faded behind them. Up here, the air was razor-sharp and thin, biting through their clothes. It smelled old—like dust that’s been gathering for centuries and wet stone that never sees the sun.
Maya stood right at the edge of the landing platform. In her hand, the gold crystal felt different now—alive, almost. It thudded in her palm, sending heat up her arm. All around the helicopter, thousands of purple-winged creatures waited. They didn’t scatter. They didn’t attack. They just stood there, staring at Maya with their huge, glowing eyes. The silence was heavy, like an army waiting for someone to give the order.
“They’re waiting for you, Maya,” Ca
