“Baba said he’d have to utilise the best of his skills to get us back on time. We don’t stand a chance,” Chinar put in.

  “Baba would be very disappointed if we gave up without trying. He shouldn’t be…his sacrifice mustn’t be in vain,” said Iora so resolutely that it surprised Chinar and Owlus.

  With empty stomachs, terrible grief, bruised limbs, and a fistful of determination, they climbed down the shaky tree and cautiously began going downhill. They could no longer take the crumbling branch paths and aerial highways. It was difficult walking on the jungle floor too as many branches were hitting the path. The impact of the falling branches was minimised by the loops of lianas that tied the jungle in a tangle. They had hardly progressed when winds began to whisper and howl. Lianas began to snap due to the strong winds, sending the massive branches into free fall. There was no place to take shelter.

  Iora saw a huge conifer with towering spikes that still stood intact. She pointed it to Chinar and Owlus, and they ran towards it.

  “Climb this!” shouted Iora, her long, black curls blowing all over.

  Braving the blustery weather, they somehow managed to reach the top. It was the most difficult for Chinar. He had to hold on to the spiky trunk, cutting his hands and feet, and barely avoided a crashing bough. Battered, the three of them clutched at the branches of the crown.

  “There’s no hope, this is the end,” said Owlus with a heavy heart.

  “My mum will keep waiting for me…,” Chinar tried to suppress a sob.

  Iora didn’t say anything. She just slumped there gazing into the dying forest.

  A dark cloud of dust spread overhead, blocking the sun. The canopy swayed like a wave in a torrential sea. A faint sound rose above the moaning wind.

  “Did you hear that?” asked Iora.

  “Hear what?”

  A soul-stirring call rose above the din and this time both Chinar and Owlus heard it. They saw a dot floating towards them from afar, growing larger and larger against the ominous grey backdrop.

  “Aquila anima!” exclaimed Chinar.

  It was indeed Aquila anima, the eagle bird spirit that roamed the forest with Thunderbird.

  “What’s it doing here?” asked Owlus, as it landed on a nearby tree.

  Her wise red eyes, pristine black and silver feathers, curved yellow beak and head held high made her look majestic and out of place in the disintegrating surroundings.

  Aquila anima sat on an adjoining tree and extended one of her wings to the conifer so that it touched its crown. She turned her head and looked at them intensely. Without hesitation, Iora crawled onto her wing and reached her back. Chinar and Owlus also climbed onto her back, balancing against the bellowing wind. The eagle spread her wings and gave a loud cry. Sparks came out of her silver feathers before she took flight.

  “How did you know we were here?” asked Owlus holding the eagle’s back, finding it hard to believe that they had been rescued.

  “You know Baba was…,” Iora started but fell silent.

  Aquila anima kept flying in silence.

  “Where are you taking us?” asked Chinar but didn’t get a reply.

  In a different time and circumstance, they would’ve enjoyed the flying experience. The forest became more and more dreadful below them. Some patches had not just dried…they looked charred.

  “Why…,” asked Chinar.

  “Dark forces are gaining power as the Animal Angel becomes weaker,” said Owlus, terrified. “They’ve brought this to the forest…They must not succeed tonight!”

  Homo diabolus had been an obscure concept. But now they could see what he was capable of doing. They passed many rivers, which were reduced to thin quivering lines of water.

  Before evening, they reached the Scar-faced River and found it filled to the brim with water. The forest in this area was still the normal thick green mass. Troupes of monkeys, foraging birds, buzzing bees…everything was in order. There was no dark cloud of dust here and they could see the sun on the horizon behind silky clouds. This sight lifted the heavy pall from their hearts.

  “Everything is alright here!” said Owlus; Chinar nodded with a faint smile.

  “But why?” murmured Iora.

  The eagle reached a point near Twitterland on the side of the river where there was a large clearing and began to glide over it. The trees had not been cut to make the clearing but had shrunk back to the sapling stage. This place brimmed with life. Sparks emitted from the clearing now and then. It was from the stinger of the Insect Angel. They understood why this place was not devoid of life—the Angels had come!

  The Angels sat in a circle on the bank of the river. The Animal Angel looked frail and moved his snake tail with difficulty. The Bird Angel with her two heads looked regal and stood tall. The Aqua Angel had risen from the river, and her stunning transparent figure glowed. Water flowed from both her sides into the river. Perhaps that was why the Scar-faced River was full, thought Iora. The Insect Angel, who was in his giant form, sent a blazing light through his stinger every now and then. But the Tree Angel couldn’t be seen anywhere.

  Webster, the six-eyed Insect Angel’s guard and the mustachioed crab, Crabster, stood alert behind their respective Angels. Proboscis Porty, Fast Loris, the baby elephant, Emphuchi, and a pack of black Leoparbees stood guard behind the weak Animal Angel. Many Twitters with their family birds were scattered on the fringes of the clearing, some on trees and others on the ground. Iora looked hard to get a glimpse of her father but couldn’t make out anything from that height.

  “When are we going down?” she asked impatiently.

  The eagle spirit didn’t reply.

  Thunderbird finally raised her head, looked at them and snapped her beak. Aquila anima let out a cry and took a downward plunge. Iora, Owlus and Chinar held tightly on to her feathers. Owlus was sure he’d fall but the landing was smooth, without a jolt or bump. The eagle firmly placed her claws on the ground. The Twitters beheld the Angels in awe, not able to believe their good fortune. Iora, Chinar and Owlus bowed to the Angels. The giant spider, Webster; the white baby elephant, Emphuchi; the monkey, Proboscis Porty: the primate, Fast Loris; and the mustachioed crab, Crabster greeted them, all pleased to see the trio. Emphuchi adjusted his tuft of hair, Proboscis munched incessantly, and Webster’s six eyes rolled over the ground, surveying everything raptly. They were all on alert.

  “Where’s the Tree Angel?” Iora asked the eagle, who was nearest to her.

  But it simply gazed at the twilight sky.

  Iora and Owlus turned to see a figure running towards them from the periphery of the clearing. It was Iora’s father, Heron! Iora ran towards him, and he picked her up from the ground in an embrace. Madame Flameback flew towards her and chirped happily, extending a wing to stroke her head. Fisherking and his wife also came running from a group of Twitters standing under the trees at the end of the clearing. Owlus’ sister Fowlus was in the group as well, but she stood rooted to the spot, afraid to come too close to the Angels. Now it was Owlus’ turn to be hugged by his parents. Chinar stood near Aquila anima, looking longingly as both his friends reunited with their families.

  “Thank Angels, you’re fine!” Heron held Iora at arm’s length, observing her with concern.

  “And thank Angels, you’re fine too,” chimed Iora, giving him another hug.

  “Of course, now that you’re back!”

  “The dark forces wanted your blood!”

  “Grandpa Cockatoo told me you had got this idea after you were bitten by the Rogue Thorn Worm. I just returned three days ago. Father sent many Post Chimps, but they couldn’t reach me. And when they did…and I found out, you’d gone missing!” Heron’s breath shuddered, “You know, your mother also left, and she never returned…”

  “Oh, Father…”

  Madame Flameback looked at Heron with concern. But Heron regained control and smiled at Iora. Madame Flameback said in a lighter tone, “If Bungee Banyan had feet instead of roots, he would’ve run to meet you here!”

  “How is Grandpa Cockatoo?”

  “He’s fine and waiting for you. He can’t run like me, you know,” Heron pointed towards a cluster of trees. “He had gone looking for you in the jungle but found no clue to your whereabouts. When I went to look for you, I met Beetle, heading to Twitterland to see me.”

  “Beetle’s okay!”

  “Yes, he’s fine and is with Grandpa. He said he was bedridden and suffering from partial memory loss, so he couldn’t come earlier. He convinced me that you were in safe hands with Baba and would return on the moonless night. Where is Baba? I want to thank him.”

  A dark cloud came over Iora’s face, “Baba is…gone…trying to save my life…”

  Before Heron could ask any more, Webster’s voice boomed, “The moonless night has begun.”

  Everyone looked up at the greyish sky, which began to turn a deathlike black.

  “Why do you think the Tree Angel has not arrived yet?” asked the Bird Angel.

  “I fail to understand…” trailed the Aqua Angel’s words.

  “We cannot do anything without him,” the Animal Angel said in a barely audible voice.

  The Insect Angel clicked his claws and a multitude of firefly torches lit up the clearing.

  Owlus came to Iora with Chinar.

  “I’m so sorry, Chinar; I didn’t introduce you to my father. Father, Madame Flameback, this is my friend, Chinar.”

  Madame Flameback stared at him, shocked.

  “Non-jungle dweller. We saw this boy the other day by the river,” said Heron.

  “Yes, the same one. There’s so much to tell you, Father!”

  “And how are you doing, my boy!” Heron beamed at Owlus.

  The ground beneath them shook slightly. A sapling emerged in the shallow waters of the river near the Aqua Angel and soon turned into a full-fledged tree with tiny star fruits budding from it.

  “The Tree Angel is here!” Owlus flicked the hair away from his eyes.

  All the Angels looked relieved.

  “About time, Tree!” The Insect Angel stretched his wings.

  “There is destruction everywhere. I could not just ignore it on the way,” The Angel rustled its leaves, its deep voice echoing in the surroundings.

  The cluster of roots emerged behind it with their pointed spikes ready for attack.

  “We cannot begin until it is completely dark,” said the Aqua Angel, floating above the river.

  “I have to see Grandpa and Beetle. I’ll be back before the Angels start…whatever they’re going to do,” Iora ran towards the trees.

  Madame Flameback flew back shaking her head at the non-jungle dweller.

  Iora had to see Cockatoo. She had to ask her grandfather if he was involved in the incident fifty years ago, even if it meant hurting him. She fervently wanted to be proven wrong just this once.

  “I’ll come and see Beetle,” said Owlus, running after her but then stopped midway. He couldn’t face Beetle and break the news about Baba. He returned to Chinar who stood awkwardly with Heron.

  Beetle rushed to hug Iora when she reached the cluster of trees outside the clearing.

  “I am so happy to see you fit and fine, Beetle,” she said as thoughts of Baba wracked her heart. She then hurried to her grandpa who stood in a dark corner under a tree.

  “Grandpa?”

  There was no reply except a suppressed sob. Suspiciously, Iora approached him, Beetle following behind. Cockatoo stood with his back to them, facing the tree trunk.

  Iora cleared her throat, “Grandpa, please don’t mind my asking this but there’s something that I need to clarify.”

  He still didn’t reply.

  “Why grumpy, Cockatoo? Your granddaughter has achieved an enormous feat,” said Beetle, oblivious of Iora’s thoughts. He approached and touched him on the back.

  Cockatoo slowly turned around. Iora took a step back at the unexpected sight.

  The Moonless Night

  Cockatoo’s face was smeared with tears. Iora had never seen him like that, “What’s wrong, Grandpa?” she said, hurriedly coming to him.

  “I am sorry, child. If something had happened… Thank Angels, you’ve…” Cockatoo wiped his tears.

  His stern face looked much softer and older.

  “Oh, Grandpa! I’m so sorry. I really am!” Iora hugged him. There was no way she could ask him uncomfortable questions.

  “Grandpa, I’ll be right back. The Angels will start anytime.”

  “Carry on, child.”

  “Hello there!” Her Grandpa’s old friend Kookaburra stood leaning on a tree a little away. He came forward and held her in an embrace.

  “Good to see you, Kookaburra. I’ll be back soon.”

  Iora tried to leave but Kookaburra didn’t let go.

  “In a hurry again, are we?” His voice dripped with acid.

  “What’s going on here, Kookaburra?” Beetle approached him.

  “We’ll talk later, Kookaburra, let her go right now,” said Cockatoo.

  “Shut up, old fool!”

  Iora stared at Beetle and Cockatoo, who both looked baffled.

  “Who do you think you heard the other day when you were in the well, Iora?” Kookaburra continued in his frosty voice.

  He seemed powerful, not half-crippled with joint pain.

  “I thought you were as clever as your meddlesome mother. Clearly, you aren’t.” Kookaburra’s grip tightened as he gagged her with one hand.

  “Let her go. What’s come over you?” Cockatoo’s forehead was creased with shock.

  Beetle started to rush toward them, but turned, hearing something move behind him.

  A mass of human figures slithering on the ground advanced towards the Twitters and Agogwe from three sides. Fungi grew from their bodies. The faces of these dark spirits were wrapped in dry vines, and only their parched mouths and eyes were visible. Before Iora could cry for help, two figures slithered towards Beetle and Cockatoo and grabbed them. Vines from their bodies grew instantly and covered Cockatoo’s and Beetle’s mouths. They were dragged behind the adjoining trees. Kookaburra followed with Iora in his grip.

  “Finish it, quick!” commanded Kookaburra, his words coming out jagged and sharp. It was this very voice she had heard outside the well that night.

  “I should’ve finished this the night Chirkut came to me near the well. I lost a great chance to aid Homo diabolus fifty years back. It was too late by the time I finished those two Ghosts…and now you go around meeting the Angels! I’ll make sure things don’t go wrong this time,” Kookaburra’s eyes bulged with spite as he dragged her behind a cluster of trees.

  The unknown agent of Homo diabolus, who had aided the anti-natural forces and killed the two Ghosts of Yellow Leaves was Kookaburra! Iora stared at him, horror-struck. She had not remotely suspected this half-witted old man. Yes…now the pieces fell into place—‘Cooka’ was not Cockatoo but Kookaburra. She also remembered seeing Kookaburra dozing in his garden the night she was bitten by the Rogue Thorn Worm. The old Twitter’s grip was so strong that she couldn’t even fight back.

  “Kill them!” Kookaburra ordered.

  With one twist of the dark spirits’ hands on their necks, it would be over. Neither the Angels nor the other Twitters could see what was going on behind the row of trees. Iora knew she had to act now. There was not a moment to lose. Her legs dangled near Kookaburra’s knees. She knew his weak knee and kicked him hard.

  He let out a painful grunt, and his grip loosened. With all her might, Iora flung herself on the dark spirits and struck the one holding Beetle on its vine-covered face. It jerked and fell back. She then turned towards the one holding Cockatoo and hit it as well. It loosened its grip on Cockatoo and grabbed Iora. Other spirits began to slither towards Beetle and Cockatoo lying on the ground. Beetle stirred and struggled to get onto his feet. A spirit caught him and covered his mouth with dry vines again. Kookaburra limped towards them.

  He grabbed Iora and gagged her mouth, when a familiar voice rang in the air, “So we finally meet, Kookaburra.”

  Kookaburra turned, disbelief washing over his face. “You’re alive!”

  Iora stopped struggling and looked in the direction of the warm, familiar voice. Immense relief and joy flooded her. It was Baba! Baba was alive!

  Baba held a bolt of lightning. He slashed the dark spirits, which had started to move towards him with spectacular speed. The gurgles of the spirits rose and fell as the dazzling light hit them and their ashes scattered in the breeze.

  “Release!” Baba demanded, pointing the lightning towards the creature suffocating Beetle. It let go of him. Beetle fell in a heap, then slowly crawled towards the unconscious Cockatoo. The other dark spirits were stretched on the ground, with their heads raised and their vines clutching the earth, awaiting Kookaburra’s next command.

  “I’ll kill Iora if you don’t stop, Baba!” Kookaburra was a little shaky now.

  Iora almost felt bad for him. She still couldn’t believe it was the same Kookaburra, the lonely Twitter who everyone made fun of.

  “Stop fooling around. We both know you can’t kill Iora; not now at least. Your revered Homo diabolus will never forgive you if you do!”

  Iora didn’t understand any of this.

  “Now, put her down!”

  But Kookaburra stood firm.

  “Don’t try me. You know how potent Thunderbird’s weapon is!”

  Kookaburra hesitantly released Iora and placed her on the ground. She stared at him incredulously, “Why…?”

  He smiled distastefully at her, scratching his unkempt beard.

  “Come here at once, Iora!” said Baba.

  She quickly joined Baba and turned to look at Kookaburra.

 

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