Read The Seventh Crystal for Free Online

of the wings around the statue. “
This
,” the giant laughed, “
is the great Princess Darvina.
”
    Chris tried to turn invisible, but it didn’t work.
    “
Your feeble magic is no match for Mogg. You have failed, warrior. Give me the crystal.
”
    “You mean this crystal?” Chris pulled it out of his shirt. “Heads up!” He tossed it across the room to Shawn.
    Both of the giant’s faces turned purple with rage. “
Give it to me!
”
    Shawn tossed it to Jimmy. “Sorry, your Moggness. I don’t have it anymore.”
    The giant pointed one of his clawlike fingers at Shawn. Instantly the boy turned to stone.
    “Separate!” Chris shouted. “Don’t let him get the crystal.”
    Jimmy hid behind one of the lions. “What should I do with it?”
    Chris pulled his sword and was about tocharge the giant when he remembered the clue. “The old woman at the beginning of the game. Remember, Jimmy? She told us the only way to save the princess was in the lion’s—”
    “
Nooooo
,” Mogg thundered. Jimmy watched in stunned horror as Mogg shifted his finger in Chris’s direction. Chris was turned to stone in the middle of his attack.
    The giant turned to Jimmy. The small boy cowered behind the statue. He reached around the lion and put the crystal in its open mouth for safekeeping.
    Mogg’s form started to change, as if he were melting, and he screamed in agony. Instead of a giant he was now a two-headed eagle. He spread his wings and flew through an open window, disappearing from sight.
    Chris was the first to change back. “What happened?”
    Shawn was next. Jimmy explained that Mogg had turned them both to stone and was just about to get the crystal when Jimmy had stuffed it into the lion’s mouth.
    Chris grinned. “That was the clue I wasabout to give you. The old woman said the lion’s mouth at the palace was the only way to save the princess. You did it, Jimmy!”
    “Yes, Jimmy, you did.” A soft voice came from the steps. The statue had turned into a beautiful girl. She walked down the steps and kissed Jimmy lightly on the cheek. Then she moved to Chris, her flawless face inches from his. “I am forever in your debt, warrior. How can I repay you?”
    Chris turned red and looked at the floor.
    “I can’t believe this.” Shawn stepped up to the princess. “He wants to get out of this stupid game.”
    The princess looked puzzled. “Game?”
    “Yeah, you know, as in go home, scram, outta here.”
    “I see.” The princess gently took the gold chain with the stars from Chris’s neck and placed it around her own. “Is it your wish to go home, warrior?”
    Chris nodded shyly.
    “Remember this, warrior. The people in the country of Gothan and the Palace of Zon are deeply grateful. We will always be here if youneed us.” She put both hands on the magic stars and closed her eyes.
    Suddenly Chris felt as if he were traveling backward against the wind, spinning faster and faster—until he blacked out.

C HAPTER 14
    Chris’s eyes fluttered open. He had on his usual clothes, and he was lying in the grass near the fountain. He sat up and stared. The statue was gone. All that was left was the marble platform where the girl used to be.
    Jimmy and Shawn were crawling to their feet.
    Shawn looked around. “We’re back!” He sat on the edge of the fountain. “That was some wild trip.”
    “I wonder how long we’ve been gone?”
    Jimmy sat down near Shawn. “My mom is probably going nuts.”
    Chris looked at his watch in disbelief. He wasn’t sure when the adventure had started, but the whole thing hadn’t lasted more than a few minutes.
    “Where you been, man?” Cliff trotted up the sidewalk. “I’ve been looking everywhere. Are you ready for me to trash these dudes?” He doubled up his fist and shook it threateningly at Jimmy.
    Shawn paused. He looked from Chris to Jimmy, stood up slowly, and put his face close to Cliff’s. “Get lost, dweebo.”
    Cliff’s mouth fell open.
    “Don’t you