106
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
Both men pointed into the smoke, and nodded their heads in
agreement, confirming Ki Mab’s lying statement. “They must be
in trouble!” he yelled, while trying to keep his footing on the
steep slope.
“We could use our powers to fly up to them, Viviana. It
would be much faster.” Jonathan said loudly, trying to think of
some way to help.
"We can't leave four people who have no powers. They could
get killed quickly if the volcano decides to spew more lava. But, I
can touch Kuó and give him some special strength," Viviana
whispered to Jonathan, then said to Ki Mab. "Have your man set
Kuó down on that large rock over there." When Viviana stood
next to Kuó, she placed both of her hands on his head. It took
about thirty seconds for Kuó to absorb enough strength to be
able to keep up with the grown men and the outsiders, who
never seemed to tire. They all went up towards the mouth of the
volcano, vainly searching through the smoke, trying to see
Bardala and Tital up ahead.
"I still cannot get them on my walkie-talkie, maybe their
batteries are dead," Jonathan said, as he unbuttoned his shirt in
the oppressive heat.
On the last flat shelf of land, before the summit, sat an oddlooking large clay jar. As the group approached it Ki Mab said
excitedly, “It’s still here, right where I left it. Men, use your
walking sticks to carry the jar to the rim. Maybe I can appease
the mountain god.”
“What’s in the jar, Ki Mab?” young Viviana asked.
“The village gold, my...” Ki Mab said holding back. “We must
sacrifice something precious to stop the falling rocks. To the
summit, young warriors!”