Everville: The City of Worms Read Online Free PDF Page A

on one spot.
    The impact created an earthquake that grew in intensity, building second by second, moment by moment. The ground could take no more of it, and for half a mile in every direction of the point of impact, the dirt surrounding it collapsed into the underground catacombs.
    “Help us, Master Keeper. Help!” Elmer shouted as the ground above him came raining down.
    Oldrik grumbled as Elmer and Calvin sought shelter by huddling around him. The collapse had cut off the path to the river leading to The Valley of Darkness, leaving Oldrik and company stranded but unscathed, at the bottom of a massive sinkhole that was now open to the torturous sun above.
    The three giants landed at the bottom and surrounded Oldrik.
    “You will not pass,” Borak, the largest of the three giants, said. Borak stood three times the height of the other giants, a real giant among giants. He had dark brown hair and eyes, with chiseled muscles, and a face that wore the scars of battle. A sturdy helmet sat atop his head, and metal chainmail armor made from the special stones in the underground realm of the giants covered his upper body.
    “We will eventually. You can delay us for now, but we will move forward,” Oldrik said menacingly.
    Borak’s eyes lit up with anger. He swung his fist in Oldrik’s direction, but it was no use. Oldrik had erected a shield with the power of his rod to prevent anyone from harming him or his followers.
    Borak and the other two giants continued to expend significant amounts of energy bashing the shield that stood in their way.
    “Your tricks won’t last forever, Oldrik. You’ll be sorry when we finally get to you.”
    “You won’t get to me, Borak. Your strength is useless, and you will regret your stupidity in helping The Keeper.”
    Borak bent down. Every sinew, tendon, and fiber of muscle in his massive thighs flexed, every hair stood erect as his legs prepared to launch him into the air. He jumped up as high as he could, and as he did, his body resembled a rocket once his feet lost contact with the ground. On his descent, he crouched his body and used every bit of force available to bear down on the top of the shield above Oldrik and the others. The impact made a deafening crackle and shook the ground, sending out tremors for miles.
    Borak and the other giants continued to take turns colliding with the shield in what appeared to be a futile attempt to break it. Oldrik remained unfazed. All the while, his connection with the races surrounding The Other In Between had been growing, and by that time, he had been able to connect with the minds of the Fwaylan that resided in The Valley of Darkness and had mentally called upon them to help. Oldrik knew it would only be a matter of time before the Fwaylan arrived, and then he could continue his trek to the Dark Forest.
    In The Valley of Darkness, the Fwaylan began to appear from behind the rocks. All across the valley, thousands of them started moving in unison. Their lumbering movement became a jog, and soon a gallop. From the top of the concave cliffs to the river’s entrance, an almost limitless herd of menacing, oversized canine-like creatures poured from all regions of the valley. The sound of their movement created a roar that filled the valley and echoed into the underground caverns.
    The Fwaylan entered the river’s entrance and made their way into the underground caverns, appearing as a faucet flowing in reverse. It wouldn’t be long before they arrived in the land of the giants, and Oldrik sensed their approach.
    “They’re coming for you now, Borak. I suggest you leave while you still have the chance to do so in one piece.”
    Borak ignored Oldrik’s jibe and continued pummeling the shield. With one last attempt, the ground beneath the shield collapsed and the sinkhole grew to reach the new main level of the giants.
    The walls around the giants collapsed and tons of rock piled up, covering much of the empty space that had existed before, but