Lyra and Arianna turned and ran, dashing down the corridor as fast as they could. They could hear Zhrak's roar of anger echoing off the walls, and they knew that he was right behind them.
They ran through the winding corridors, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Lyra's heart was pounding in her chest, and she could feel her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Arianna suddenly darted to the side, pulling Lyra into a narrow alcove. They pressed themselves against the wall, holding their breath as Zhrak thundered past, his eyes blazing with fury.
As soon as he was out of sight, Arianna grabbed Lyra's hand and pulled her out of the alcove. "We have to keep moving," she whispered. "We can't let him catch us."
Lyra nodded, her heart still racing with fear. She knew that they had to get out of the palace, and fast. But she also knew that Zhrak would stop at nothing to catch them.
As they ran, Lyra could feel the palace growing darker and more twisted around her. The corridors seemed to shift and writhe, like living things. And she knew that they were running out of time.
Suddenly, Arianna stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed on something ahead. Lyra followed her gaze, and her heart sank.
Zhrak was standing in front of them, his eyes blazing with fury. And behind him, Lyra could see the dark and foreboding shape of the palace gates.
They were trapped.