Ghost Monkey, стр. 43

"Fetch and see." He grinned, and as he drooled through his open mouth, it dribbled blood down to the ground.

"I agree." Once he had the items, he could kill Mobtachkta and no one would have to worry about the demon again.

EARTH SPIRITS APPEARED at the temple because men sanctified the ground. There was a large structure, though it looked centuries old. A massive mound built by the spirits hid the sanctuary underneath. Spirits placed two large earth statues on top of the grass mound, though the monuments lacked the finesse of a man-made statue. They were simply rocks connected together through ball joints. The head floated, a perfect orb of onyx which stayed above the abdomen.

Spirits littered the surrounding area, resting on smaller mounds. Some had a body and four long, spindly legs, as if they were spiders. A few were simple pillars put together in the fashion of a body. A fin extruded from the ground, a reminder there were more earth spirits down below.

The spirits all glanced briefly at Sugriva, then went back to their poses. A few smaller ones approached and rubbed against his leg as if an affectionate pet. The dirt from the spirits got on his legs, under his fingernails, and stained his palms. Dead skin was ripped off, and some blood mixed with the dirt. Sugriva kept his manners and did not flinch.

Mirth filled Sugriva's breast, and he laughed. "The demon gave me an easy task. I'll be home by tomorrow for dinner at this rate."

Crude stairs of differing heights delved into the mound, leading down into the ancient chamber. The entrance provided the only light, and between that and the uneven ground, Sugriva nearly tripped a handful of times. When he reached the bottom there was a small stone rod held on a pedestal. It was no more than six inches long and two inches thick. A forgotten language adorned the pedestal.

He took the rod and twirled it. The rough stone felt good against his fingers, and though it felt a little heavy when he first lifted it, Sugriva became used to the weight. At least, that made more sense than the heft of the that weapon changed. It would do well to kill Mobtachkta.

Then the earth shook hard enough that Sugriva had to brace himself against the shifting. As the temple shifted and let more light in, Sugriva stared as four massive earth spirits lifted the corners of the temple.

Then dirt and earth dropped down to crush Sugriva. He shrunk down to a monkey, but that would not save him either.

"Stone, Mobtachkta says you can shift size. Now would be the time to do it."

The rod shot behind him until it braced against the earth, then propelled him up the stairs, growing longer than a staff. He snuck through the small opening, and the staff shrunk nearly instantly to the size of a baton. The four earth spirits in the temple burst through the depression left behind, and the sound of rocks grating roared through the jungle. Sugriva looked for the other spirits, but they all shrunk away.

"Not a great sign," Sugriva muttered.

The spirits were large statues, each standing on two oblong legs, attached to a joint in a round body. Two more limbs came out as arms, which were capped off with sledges and knives. Then there was a head, with eyes burrowed out. They had mouths filled with teeth. One had amethyst teeth, another gold, a third white crystals, and the final one with clear teeth.

Sugriva ran through the jungle, but the spirits were able to speed through with the aid of the earth, leaving a deep rut wherever they traveled. He shot himself up with the staff, the wind ripping through his hair as he launched over the canopy. He used the staff to ease himself down. Then he did it again in a different direction, landing near a small pond. He stayed in the trees, as predators were common near ponds. Below deer looked up from drinking.

The monkey laughed gently. "I lost them." Then the earth shook, and the deer bolted. They had to be tracking the staff, he rationalized. Or they could feel extraordinarily well through the earth. He heard some earth elementalists could perform such feats.

A hammer came down and thundered as it struck the earth. Sugriva jumped up on the arm and ran the length. The arm tossed Sugriva into the sky, toward the spirit's mouth.

"Hope this works." Then he extended the staff into the clear teeth waiting for him. It struck and crystal shattered. Sugriva dropped to the ground, and as soon as he landed, he placed one end of the staff in the ground and willed it to extend. It struck the spirit under the chin and the head popped off. The giant crashed into the ground. The body and head shattered into a beautiful display. The other three, after seeing the first fall, withdrew.

A STONE PATH WAS CARVED into the mountain range which cradled southern Sankive. It led up, working back and forth on itself, until Sugriva was dizzyingly high. Where streams carved through the mountain, rickety wood bridges allowed passage. Even as a monkey, it was horrifying. He was not a good mountain climber. Rocks gave way. Vines broke. Every step he flirted with tragedy.

The locals, on the other hand, nearly ran past him. They swayed bridges, though not intentionally. They clanked down the wood planks, and the planks would rebound in an attempt to buck the monkey.

Toward the top, it was difficult to breathe. He heard of this, though never experienced it. He took deeper and deeper breaths, but it was as if there was no air for his lungs. "I hate this place. Ashtadash, wipe away the Miyam. Flood their stupid kingdom, and dash it from the rocks to the jungles." He laid on his back, finally at the top, and gasped.