The Machine's Heart

An illustrated stories story from Wonder Books — free to read, with narration.

The Machine's Heart — an illustrated stories story. 20 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.

The Machine's Heart — book cover — Wonder Books
The Machine's Heart — an illustrated stories story. 20 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.

Page 1

Rainbow bridges arched between colossal, glowing treehouses, a city suspended in the emerald canopy. Waterfalls cascaded down shimmering leaves, feeding rivers…
Rainbow bridges arched between colossal, glowing treehouses, a city suspended in the emerald canopy. Waterfalls cascaded down shimmering leaves, feeding rivers that snaked through the vibrant foliage. This was Arboria, and it was at war. An ominous shadow fell across the idyllic scene as a colossal metal behemoth, a war machine unlike any seen before, lumbered into view.

Rainbow bridges arched between colossal, glowing treehouses, a city suspended in the emerald canopy. Waterfalls cascaded down shimmering leaves, feeding rivers that snaked through the vibrant foliage. This was Arboria, and it was at war. An ominous shadow fell across the idyllic scene as a colossal metal behemoth, a war machine unlike any seen before, lumbered into view.

Page 2

Kira, a young pilot known for her daring maneuvers, stood silhouetted against the setting sun. Her calloused hands gripped the worn leather of her flight suit.
Kira, a young pilot known for her daring maneuvers, stood silhouetted against the setting sun. Her calloused hands gripped the worn leather of her flight suit. This machine... it's different. I can feel it, she thought, a knot of fear tightening in her stomach. The fate of Arboria rested on her shoulders.

Kira, a young pilot known for her daring maneuvers, stood silhouetted against the setting sun. Her calloused hands gripped the worn leather of her flight suit. This machine... it's different. I can feel it, she thought, a knot of fear tightening in her stomach. The fate of Arboria rested on her shoulders.

Page 3

She glanced at Elder Rowan, his face etched with worry as he monitored the energy signatures. The machine hummed, a low thrum that resonated deep within Kira’s…
She glanced at Elder Rowan, his face etched with worry as he monitored the energy signatures. The machine hummed, a low thrum that resonated deep within Kira’s chest – a cold premonition of what was to come. It wasn't responding to commands.

She glanced at Elder Rowan, his face etched with worry as he monitored the energy signatures. The machine hummed, a low thrum that resonated deep within Kira’s chest – a cold premonition of what was to come. It wasn't responding to commands.

Page 4

The Class Omega unleashed a devastating energy blast, vaporizing a section of the rainbow bridge. Treehouses plummeted into the abyss below.
The Class Omega unleashed a devastating energy blast, vaporizing a section of the rainbow bridge. Treehouses plummeted into the abyss below. Kira gasped, adrenaline surging through her veins. This wasn't a simple skirmish – it was annihilation.

The Class Omega unleashed a devastating energy blast, vaporizing a section of the rainbow bridge. Treehouses plummeted into the abyss below. Kira gasped, adrenaline surging through her veins. This wasn't a simple skirmish – it was annihilation.

Page 5

The Machine's Heart — page 5 illustration — Wonder Books
The Machine's Heart — page 5 illustration — Wonder Books

Kira clenched her jaw.

Page 6

Kira dove her fighter, weaving through the falling debris. Energy blasts ripped through the air around her.
Kira dove her fighter, weaving through the falling debris. Energy blasts ripped through the air around her.

Kira dove her fighter, weaving through the falling debris. Energy blasts ripped through the air around her.

Page 7

She ignored him. Years ago, her grandfather had told her stories of Arboria's past. He told her, "Arboria was never built, Kira. It was grown.
She ignored him. Years ago, her grandfather had told her stories of Arboria's past. He told her, "Arboria was never built, Kira. It was grown. And anything that grows can be grown again — but only from a seed. Never from a plan." She had always thought it was a bedtime story. She was beginning to think it had been instructions.

She ignored him. Years ago, her grandfather had told her stories of Arboria's past. He told her, "Arboria was never built, Kira. It was grown. And anything that grows can be grown again — but only from a seed. Never from a plan." She had always thought it was a bedtime story. She was beginning to think it had been instructions.

Page 8

A surge of energy erupted from the Class Omega. It struck Kira's fighter, sending her spiraling out of control. Alarms blared in the cockpit as smoke filled the…
A surge of energy erupted from the Class Omega. It struck Kira's fighter, sending her spiraling out of control. Alarms blared in the cockpit as smoke filled the air. She was going down.

A surge of energy erupted from the Class Omega. It struck Kira's fighter, sending her spiraling out of control. Alarms blared in the cockpit as smoke filled the air. She was going down.

Page 9

Ejecting at the last moment, Kira felt a searing pain as she was thrown clear. She tumbled through the air, watching her fighter crash into a towering…
Ejecting at the last moment, Kira felt a searing pain as she was thrown clear. She tumbled through the air, watching her fighter crash into a towering treehouse. The explosion rocked Arboria. She managed to deploy her parachute.

Ejecting at the last moment, Kira felt a searing pain as she was thrown clear. She tumbled through the air, watching her fighter crash into a towering treehouse. The explosion rocked Arboria. She managed to deploy her parachute.

Page 10

Hanging precariously from her parachute, Kira surveyed the damage. The Central Tree pulsed weakly. Hope was fading fast. This is it, isn't it?
Hanging precariously from her parachute, Kira surveyed the damage. The Central Tree pulsed weakly. Hope was fading fast. This is it, isn't it? she thought grimly. Everything we fought for, about to be erased. The Class Omega began to advance towards the Central Tree.

Hanging precariously from her parachute, Kira surveyed the damage. The Central Tree pulsed weakly. Hope was fading fast. This is it, isn't it? she thought grimly. Everything we fought for, about to be erased. The Class Omega began to advance towards the Central Tree.

Page 11

Suddenly, a signal crackled over her comms. It was Elder Rowan, a botanist and scientist.
Suddenly, a signal crackled over her comms. It was Elder Rowan, a botanist and scientist.

Suddenly, a signal crackled over her comms. It was Elder Rowan, a botanist and scientist.

Page 12

Kira frowned. "Say that again, Rowan. You want me to leave the Tree?" "The Tree cannot be saved from here," Rowan said. "Its heart is a seed, and the last seed…
Kira frowned. "Say that again, Rowan. You want me to leave the Tree?" "The Tree cannot be saved from here," Rowan said. "Its heart is a seed, and the last seed is in the Whisperwind Caves." "That’s an hour out. The Omega reaches the Tree in twenty minutes." "Then it reaches it," Rowan said quietly. "And you bring back what grows after." Kira closed her eyes. "I hate that you’re right."

Kira frowned. "Say that again, Rowan. You want me to leave the Tree?" "The Tree cannot be saved from here," Rowan said. "Its heart is a seed, and the last seed is in the Whisperwind Caves." "That’s an hour out. The Omega reaches the Tree in twenty minutes." "Then it reaches it," Rowan said quietly. "And you bring back what grows after." Kira closed her eyes. "I hate that you’re right."

Page 13

Kira landed hard, severing the parachute cords. The Central Tree was growing fainter. There's no other choice, she thought grimly. Arboria is counting on me.
Kira landed hard, severing the parachute cords. The Central Tree was growing fainter. There's no other choice, she thought grimly. Arboria is counting on me. She took off into the forest, heading for the Whisperwind Caves.

Kira landed hard, severing the parachute cords. The Central Tree was growing fainter. There's no other choice, she thought grimly. Arboria is counting on me. She took off into the forest, heading for the Whisperwind Caves.

Page 14

Deep within the Whisperwind Caves, Kira navigated the treacherous tunnels. Razorwings screeched from the shadows. She pressed on, her flashlight beam cutting…
Deep within the Whisperwind Caves, Kira navigated the treacherous tunnels. Razorwings screeched from the shadows. She pressed on, her flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. Finally, she reached the heart of the cave. Before her was an altar radiating energy.

Deep within the Whisperwind Caves, Kira navigated the treacherous tunnels. Razorwings screeched from the shadows. She pressed on, her flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. Finally, she reached the heart of the cave. Before her was an altar radiating energy.

Page 15

The crystallized sap pulsed with raw power, a miniature sun contained within jagged crystals. It was beautiful, yet deadly.
The crystallized sap pulsed with raw power, a miniature sun contained within jagged crystals. It was beautiful, yet deadly. As Kira reached for it, a colossal Razorwing descended from the cave ceiling. The creature roared, barring her path.

The crystallized sap pulsed with raw power, a miniature sun contained within jagged crystals. It was beautiful, yet deadly. As Kira reached for it, a colossal Razorwing descended from the cave ceiling. The creature roared, barring her path.

Page 16

Kira dodged the Razorwing's attack, the creature's claws scraping against her armor. She leaped onto the altar, grabbing a handful of the crystallized sap.
Kira dodged the Razorwing's attack, the creature's claws scraping against her armor. She leaped onto the altar, grabbing a handful of the crystallized sap. The energy surged through her, burning her skin. With a cry, she hurled the sap at the Razorwing.

Kira dodged the Razorwing's attack, the creature's claws scraping against her armor. She leaped onto the altar, grabbing a handful of the crystallized sap. The energy surged through her, burning her skin. With a cry, she hurled the sap at the Razorwing.

Page 17

The sap struck the Razorwing, causing it to shriek in agony. The creature dissolved into dust, its form unable to contain the raw power.
The sap struck the Razorwing, causing it to shriek in agony. The creature dissolved into dust, its form unable to contain the raw power. Kira collapsed, exhausted but alive. She knew what she had to do.

The sap struck the Razorwing, causing it to shriek in agony. The creature dissolved into dust, its form unable to contain the raw power. Kira collapsed, exhausted but alive. She knew what she had to do.

Page 18

Weakly, she stumbled back towards Arboria, carrying the remaining crystallized sap. The Class Omega was almost upon the Central Tree.
Weakly, she stumbled back towards Arboria, carrying the remaining crystallized sap. The Class Omega was almost upon the Central Tree. It raised its energy cannon, preparing the final blow. Kira knew this was her last chance.

Weakly, she stumbled back towards Arboria, carrying the remaining crystallized sap. The Class Omega was almost upon the Central Tree. It raised its energy cannon, preparing the final blow. Kira knew this was her last chance.

Page 19

With a final surge of strength, Kira hurled the crystallized sap directly into the Class Omega's energy core. The machine shuddered violently.
With a final surge of strength, Kira hurled the crystallized sap directly into the Class Omega's energy core. The machine shuddered violently. The crystallized sap began to react, disrupting the energy flow. A blinding light erupted from the machine.

With a final surge of strength, Kira hurled the crystallized sap directly into the Class Omega's energy core. The machine shuddered violently. The crystallized sap began to react, disrupting the energy flow. A blinding light erupted from the machine.

Page 20

The Class Omega imploded, its metal body collapsing into a harmless heap. The Central Tree pulsed with renewed vigor, its light restoring Arboria's vitality.
The Class Omega imploded, its metal body collapsing into a harmless heap. The Central Tree pulsed with renewed vigor, its light restoring Arboria's vitality. Kira collapsed, exhausted but victorious. Arboria was safe. For now.

The Class Omega imploded, its metal body collapsing into a harmless heap. The Central Tree pulsed with renewed vigor, its light restoring Arboria's vitality. Kira collapsed, exhausted but victorious. Arboria was safe. For now.

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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