The Evertree was full again. Its golden leaves towered over the volcanic walls of the crater, as if reaching up towards the open sky, noisy with the song of birds.
The ground started to shake. It sounded less like an earthquake than…footsteps. The ground shook with each thundering step. Then, as if dawn had broken, there was a light. A blinding flash of light engulfed the tree for an instant. When it disappeared, something stood before the tree.
An enormous elk. Its majestic antlers twisted to form a cage, head held in a regal stance. Hanging from one of the antlers was a small platinum figure of an elk, jiggling with each shaking step.
Tellun was back.
Another flash of light engulfed the Evertree, and Rumfuss appeared, closley followed by Dinesh and Cabaro.
On the other side of the trunk, Suka ambled out, with Gerathon, Arax and Mulop close behind.
High up on the branches, perched Halawir and Ninani.
In the distance, Kovo came wandering towards the Evertree.
The Great Beasts had arrived.
Tellun was the first to break the tranquil silence,"It is the beginning of a new era." His voice was deep yet rich, and demanded respect.
He turned to Kovo, gaze hardening,"You have broken our oath to be Guardians of Erdas, and endangered the entire human race. We gave you a chance to renounce your evil works, but you refused. I must therefore proceed to your imprisonment. Cabaro, Arax, make sure he arrives in his prison." The sounds bounced off the mountain walls, leaving eeiry echos.
"With pleasure." The lion advanced, tail flicking menacingly. He leaped, soaring over the branches of the tree. The lion landed a body-length near Kovo, and pinned him down using his large paws, claws fully extented. The ape wriggled under the paws of Cabaro, to no avail.
Cabaro snapped the cord that hung from his neck. A mini ape carved from obsidian clattered to the ground, and rolled to rest beside Tellun.
Arax lowered his horns and charged straightonto the thin stretchof land that connected Nilo and Stetriol, carrying Kovo on his head, with Cabaro watching closely. The ape's voices of anguish were drowned out by the large clompping of hoves that followed the ram.
Tellun then nodded in the direction of Mulop and Ninani, then his gaze bore into Halawir and Gerathon.
Halawir flapped his wings vigourously, eager to escape, but Mulop's tentacles held his legs back. Another tentacle shot out and grasped the Bronze Eagle from his neck. He then waddled into the sea, and shot forward with a burst of ink.
Ninani the Swan had Gerathon in her claws, ready to take off. She launched herself up into the clear blue sky, with her prisoner's body trailing behind.
Beside the Evertree, a faint glow started to take place. The soil parted, and four elaborate carvings rose from the earth.
The Silver Wolf of Briggan.
The Amber Leopard of Uraza.
The Bamboo Panda of Jhi.
The Copper Falcon of Essix.
"What…do…with these?" grunted Rumfuss, hooves scraping the earth.
"We return them to their original owners." Dinesh stepped out from the shade. He was gigantic, with his head touching the canopy of leaves.
"Agreed. We leave soon," responded Tellun.
They waited for dusk.