WINGS OF ASH AND DESIRE

walls of the cavern. Drayen and Keryth exchanged a glance, their mutua

en hissed, rising to his feet despite the lin

e dim cavern. "This isn't my doing. Whatever's down here... it's ol

n frustration. "

From the depths of the Rift, a pair of massive eyes emerged, glowing

on of shadow and stone, its massive form coiled like a serpent. Horns of jagged crystal jutted

hispered, her v

feet. "I don't ru

o die!" she snapped,

ed Keryth aside, flames bursting from his fists as he met the creature's attac

ruck again, faster and harder, forcing Drayen to dodge. He could feel t

ared, and a barrier of shimmering light erupted between them and the crea

ong," Keryth warned, swea

l it," Draye

's part of the Rift! It's not

o you sugges

aze fell on the glowing runes etched into the walls. "Those markings-th

gaze. "Then why is

she shot back, glaring at him pointe

his jaw. "Fine.

" Keryth said, gripping her staff. "But that

lling his shoulders. "I didn

g from his fists as he drew the creature's attention. It roared i

wall. She began chanting, her voice steady despite the chaos. The ma

iating with a blast of dragonfire. The beast shrieked, it

outed, narrowly avoi

eryth snapped, her con

arl and turned its attention toward her. Drayen cursed, propelling

sprawling, but it bought K

e rose to a crescendo as she completed the spell. "By the power of the se

wrapping around the creature. It thrashed violently, its roar sha

back, panting. "T

r voice was weaker now. The effor

efore it was consumed by the light. The cavern fell si

lten eyes narrowing. "You've go

in. A crack split the chamber, and a voice-deep a

delayed the