Dust and debris choked the tunnel, thickening the air with a suffocating heaviness. Stones of all sizes tumbled down, crashing with a deafening roar. Amid the chaos, screechers—vicious creatures—flailed desperately, their talons scratching at the stone walls in a futile attempt to stop their fall. But there was no escaping it; they were plummeting to their deaths.
Lyra, who had been clinging to El's back, was suddenly torn away by the force of the fall. Without a second thought, Eleanor reached out, grabbing Lyra mid-air, pulling her close. There was no time for hesitation, no space for fear. The only thought that mattered was keeping Lyra safe. The ground was rushing up to meet them, and Eleanor knew the impact would be deadly. But if she could protect Lyra, maybe one life could be saved.
