The cloaked Keepers of Dark Monsters surrounded them, Isabel's heart raced with dread. The air thickened with malice, their dark figures blocking any chance of escape. She felt the weight of despair settle on her shoulders, heavy and suffocating.
"Rax…" she whispered, her voice trembling as she turned to Pyraxor, who struggled to rise. His magnificent scales shimmered in the dim light, but the fierce fire that usually burned within him flickered dangerously low. The poison was taking its toll, and the sight of her dragon in pain tore at her heart.
"We can't give up," she urged, trying to summon strength despite the overwhelming odds. "We have to keep fighting!" But as the Keepers tightened their grip, her resolve began to waver. They were everywhere—dark creatures circling them like vultures, their eyes glinting with hunger and anticipation. Isabel felt panic rising in her chest, a gripping fear that clutched at her very core.
This could be the end. The thought was a cold, hard reality that gripped her with icy fingers. She didn't want to die—not like this, not without fulfilling her purpose. And more importantly, she couldn't bear the thought of losing Pyraxor. He had been her protector, her ally, and her friend. Without him, the world would be a darker place.
"Rax," she murmured, her voice cracking with emotion, "I can't let you suffer because of me." She reached out to touch his shoulder, her fingers trembling as she felt the heat of his scales slowly fading. "You're the last descendant of Drakthar. If you fall, the ancient lineage will die with you." The weight of her words hung heavily between them, a truth that cut deep into her soul.
But Pyraxor didn't respond. His eyes fluttered, struggling to remain open, and Isabel felt a wave of despair wash over her. She could see the poison coursing through him, darkening the vibrant red hues of his scales, robbing him of his strength. What kind of poison could do this to a dragon? The realization sent shivers down her spine. The Keepers had crafted something powerful—something that could incapacitate even the mightiest of creatures.
Fear crept into her bones, chilling her to the core. She could lose him, and the thought was unbearable. How could they have brought such a weapon?
And most importantly, she realized with a sickening twist in her stomach that she still hadn't taken her revenge. The anger she had felt toward the Royal Family for capturing them, for threatening everything she held dear, surged within her. But how could she achieve vengeance when the very source of her strength lay weakened at her side?
"I won't let it end like this," Isabel vowed, clenching her fists tightly. "I will find a way to save you, Rax. I swear it." The fire of determination began to kindle within her, battling against the despair that threatened to consume her.
But as the Keepers closed in, their dark forms looming larger, Isabel felt a twinge of uncertainty. What could she do against such overwhelming odds? Could she fight them without Pyraxor at full strength? The fear of failing, of not being strong enough, weighed heavily on her heart.
Isabel took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She had to act, had to fight for both of them. Even if the darkness surrounded her, she wouldn't surrender to despair. With each passing moment, the bond between her and Pyraxor flickered, reminding her of their shared strength. She would not allow fear to dictate their fate.
As Isabel struggled with her inner turmoil, her heart pounding in her chest, the dark Keeper aimed once more at Pyraxor. She felt a deep sense of dread wash over her. This was it—the moment when everything could shatter.
"No!" she screamed, her voice filled with desperation as she watched the Keeper draw back his arm, preparing to unleash another dark attack.
"Rax!" she shouted, her heart racing as she saw the dark energy building in the Keeper's hand, ready to strike. In that moment, a wave of panic surged through her, and she lost all sense of composure.
The Keeper unleashed the dark magic with a fierce shout, a bolt of shadow speeding toward them with terrifying speed.
Time seemed to slow as Isabel watched in horror. The dark magic struck Pyraxor squarely in the chest, and her heart dropped as she saw the impact. Pyraxor shrieked in agony, a sound that echoed through the forest, sending chills down Isabel's spine.
"No!" she cried, her voice breaking.
As Pyraxor's massive form staggered, Isabel felt the connection between them falter. A surge of raw power bubbled within her, igniting in response to her anguish. It was as if an ancient magic, long dormant, had awakened within her, ready to unleash its fury.
In an instant, the magic burst forth, illuminating the entire forest with a blinding light that banished the darkness. The brilliance radiated from Isabel like a sun breaking through a storm, expanding outward in a shockwave that enveloped everything in its path.
The light intensified, casting away the shadows and illuminating the twisted forms of the dark creatures and their Keepers. Their shrieks of terror filled the air as the raw, ancient energy swept over them. It was a force of nature, fierce and untamed, and anyone caught in its range found themselves consumed by its power.
Isabel felt her body tingle with energy, the light swirling around her like a protective barrier. The Keepers, once so menacing, now staggered backward, their malevolence eclipsed by the force of her magic. The dark creatures writhed in agony as the ancient power struck them down, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.
Isabel could feel the intensity of the power surging within her, a primal force that knew no bounds. She felt invincible, but soon realized it was too much. The ancient magic was overwhelming, and she could feel her energy fading fast. As the last remnants of darkness disappeared, the light suddenly imploded, and everything fell silent.
Exhausted, Isabel felt herself losing consciousness. "Rax…" she managed to whisper before everything went dark.
Beside her, Pyraxor struggled against the effects of the poison but couldn't hold on any longer. The poison that had surged through thim draineh his strength, and he collapsed next to Isabel.
With their connection cut, they lay still, the forest quiet and peaceful again. The chaos of battle faded away, leaving only the sound of birds chirping and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.