A clear stream of water flowed quietly under the shimmering light of the moon, its gentle murmurs a stark contrast to the frosty forest around it.
Axis trailed behind Lyra, who darted gracefully from branch to branch, her light purple feathers glinting like amethysts in the moonlight. The frost crunched beneath his boots, while Lyra seemed to glide effortlessly above it all, untouched by the cold.
On their journey, they crossed paths with countless beasts—some fierce, others timid. Yet all scattered the moment Lyra came into view, their instincts bowing to her unspoken authority. It was then that Axis realized: Lyra wasn't merely a part of the forest. She was its queen, perched high atop the food chain.
But to Axis's dismay, her regal demeanor didn't diminish her playful streak. She zipped back and forth, her chirps teasing him at every step.
"Kreee… [You're such a slowpoke!]" she called, her tone brimming with amusement.
Axis sighed, trudging forward. "I'd like to see you try this on two legs," he muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on her flitting form.
Their path eventually opened onto a steep cliff overlooking a vast and seemingly bottomless valley. The air grew colder, the wind rushing past with a haunting howl. Without Lyra leading the way, Axis might have stumbled off the edge in the darkness.
"Do we need to go down?" Axis asked, leaning cautiously over the edge. The jagged rocks below made his stomach churn.
"Kree... [Yes,]" Lyra replied with an air of confidence.
"Sorry, but I'm pretty sure I can't climb down there," he said, taking a step back from the precipice.
"Krr… re… krit… [Leave that to me]," she chirped, her violet eyes glinting with mischief.
"Wait, wha—"
Before Axis could finish, he felt a firm shove from behind. His footing gave way, and with a startled cry, he plummeted into the abyss.
The world became a blur as the icy wind tore at his face, stinging his eyes and numbing his skin. The jagged valley walls rushed past him, and the ground below loomed closer with every second—a dark, unyielding expanse. His thoughts spiraled into chaos.
"Am I going to die like this?"
"No! Not while I'm still in the dark. Not while I don't know what my family did to me. Not while I haven't found myself!"
"I can't die just yet!"
Determination flared in his chest, chasing away the paralyzing fear. Snapping his eyes open, he scanned frantically for anything to slow his descent. Jagged trees jutted from the cliff face, their branches clawing at the air like skeletal hands.
"Those branches… they might break my fall!"
He twisted his body toward the rocky wall, careful not to get too close lest he risk a fatal collision. Reaching out, he grabbed at the first branch he passed, but it snapped instantly under his weight, jolting his arm with a sharp, searing pain.
"If this keeps up, my arm might be useless soon."
Ignoring the ache, he gritted his teeth and reached for another branch. Then another. Each impact jarred his body, numbing his arm further, but he managed to slow himself incrementally.
As the fog of fear lifted, the valley floor came into sharper focus below. A narrow strip of solid ground cut through the middle, flanked by a shimmering pool of water on one side.
"I don't know how deep that water is… but it's better than smashing into solid rock."
Axis shifted his trajectory, angling himself toward the pool. With one last burst of effort, he pushed off the cliff face and braced for impact, the icy wind howling in his ears.
Would the water save him—or claim him?
Hi guys hope you are enjoying the novel so far thank you for reading and hope you keep reading, add to library spare some power stones and keep reading.
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