Bisma ran down the last of the stairs, looking over her shoulder again, afraid it would be for the last time. She wanted to climb up all the way to the very top of her room to see the view just once more: the trees, the lake, the river.
Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind: the Rushing River. If she could use her magic to direct the river through the Forest, it could stop the fire. The Enchanted Forest was far too weak to accomplish such a feat on its own. The howling winds had stopped.
The Forest was dying.
‘Xander, get the girls to safety,’ Bisma said quickly.
He still held Deeba in one arm. With his free hand, he grabbed Bisma, stopping her, the question evident on his face.
‘I’m going to the river. I have an idea.’
‘I’m not leaving you,’ Xander said, shaking his head.
‘I need to make sure the girls are safe,’ she said. ‘Please.’
His face broke. Around them, the smoke was thickening. Deeba buried her face into Xander’s neck, whimpering. Azalea held onto Nori, both coughing, while Mei clung to Luna.
‘Please, Xander,’ she said, eyes pleading. ‘Make sure they’re safe.’
He swore then pulled her close, crushing his lips to hers. He kissed her hard.
Her heart broke. She wanted to cling to him, but their paths were going in opposite directions tonight.
‘I’ll be back,’ he said, pressing his forehead against hers. ‘I promise.’
She nodded, pushing him away. She ran to the Rushing River, not looking back. She knew Xander would take care of the girls and make sure they got out safe.
The river was deeper into the Forest, away from the fires, and as Bisma ran, the temperature cooled, the air clearing from the smoke.
When she arrived at the river, its waters roared. She knelt on the banks, pressing her hands into the soil. Magic sparked up her arms; she could feel the river and its power.
‘Come on,’ she whispered, forcing her magic into the land. ‘Please.’
Bisma pushed herself to continue. Slowly, she felt the waters beginning to change direction; a trickle separated from the river to head toward the fires, then a small stream.
But it wasn’t enough, not nearly enough. At this rate the Forest would be burned down by the time the waters reached it.
So instead of pushing herself, Bisma pushed her magic. All of it, every ounce she could muster, every bit that was inside her. She poured it into the earth, willing it to take.
The breath was knocked from her as the magic connected with the soil. She felt the change. Whereas before her magic had felt like molding something in her hands, now it felt like she was bleeding.
The small stream expanded as half the river redirected and began rushing toward the fires.
It was working!
She continued to push, letting the Forest take her magic; she would give it all.
But she felt herself dwindling, her energy depleting. She looked at the Rushing River—it still wasn’t enough. She could see red in the distance; the fires were still blazing.
She needed more. Closing her eyes, she pushed once more.
Then—a hand in her hair.
‘Xander,’ she gasped, looking up to see him.
‘The girls are safe,’ he said, rolling up his sleeves. ‘I’ve got you, Bis.’
‘Xander, no,’ she said, her breath hitching as the magic continued to pour out of her.
