Lurok's gaze sweeps the walls, the ceiling, searching for something. His eyes narrow as they fix on a point above the tunnel entrance we just came through, on a network of cracks in the stone, a place where the weight of the mountain strains against the tunnel's structural integrity.
"There," he says, his voice suddenly calm amid the chaos. "The stone is weak there. A strong enough blow could bring it down, seal the tunnel behind us."
"Giving us time to escape,” Nirik says, understanding immediately.
Lurok nods, his icy gaze meeting Nirik’s with unexpected intensity. "Take the females. Go. I will hold them here."
I stare at him, comprehension dawning slowly. "You mean to collapse the tunnel while you're in it?"
"Someone must remain to ensure it falls," he says simply. "To keep them busy long enough for the rest of you to get clear."
"I will do it," Nirik interrupts, straightening despite his wound. "You are stronger, Lurok. They will need you if they encounter more resistance ahead."
"No," Lurok's tone brooks no argument. "You cannot fight them off and collapse the tunnel with your injury.”
"There must be another way," I protest as I shoot more fireballs into the tunnel.
Lurok bares his fangs. "There is not, human. Now go, before I reconsider my moment of altruism."
The enemies in the tunnel surge forward, an attack Lurok meets with devastating force. He drives them back, creating momentary space.
"Go!" he roars again, his tail lashing as he braces for the next wave. "Warn Varok of what you have learned and protect the seer. The future of our kind may well rest in her visions. I will join you if I can."
A spear whistles through the air, forcing us to duck. It embeds itself in the wall mere inches from my head, a stark reminder that time has run out.
Nirik grabs my arm, pulling me toward the ascending passage. "We have to move. Now."
I take one last look at Lurok as he positions himself beneath the weakened section of ceiling, gathering his strength for what comes next.
Then we're in the tunnel, climbing as fast as Nirik's wound will allow. The passage is narrow, forcing us to move single file, me in front, Zara with the torch behind me, and Nirik bringing up the rear. Behind us, the sounds of combat echo: the clash of metal, the impact of bodies against stone, shouts and hisses of pain. Lurok's roar rises above it all, primal and defiant.
A distant rumble shakes the tunnel, small fragments of stone dislodging from the ceiling to patter against our shoulders. The vibration grows, intensifying into a thunderous roar that seemsto fill the world. The floor beneath our feet trembles, nearly sending us sprawling.
Nirik grabs my arm, steadying me as the tunnel continues to shake. "He did it," he says, a mixture of awe and grief in his voice. "He brought down the ceiling."
The sound swells to a crescendo, punctuated by distant screams that cut off abruptly. Then, gradually, the trembling subsides, leaving only the soft patter of settling dust and the rasp of our labored breathing.
We pause as Nirik leans heavily against the wall, his breathing labored and uneven. In the torch light, I can see fresh blood seeping through the fingers he presses to his side.
"We should rest," I suggest, eyeing his wound with growing concern. "Just for a moment."
Nirik shakes his head, wincing as the movement causes fresh pain. "Not here. Any survivors will find another way around." He pushes himself upright, scales scraping against stone as he struggles to maintain balance.
I glance at Zara. Silent tears for the naga who chose to stay behind carve paths through the dust on her cheeks.
"Do you think he made it?" I whisper to Nirik, already knowing the answer from the grim set of his jaw.
His gaze flickers to Zara before he answers. "That collapse was massive, but if anyone could survive being buried under half a mountain..." He lets the sentence hang, unfinished but hopeful enough for her sake.
The knowledge settles like a stone in my stomach. Another death, another sacrifice in a conflict I'm only beginning to understand. If we survive this, if we make it back to Vessan-Kar and to Varok, I will ensure Lurok's choice was not in vain. Whatever truth lies at the heart of this conspiracy, I will uncover it.
I adjust my hold on Zara’s hand, murmuring words of comfort I don't entirely believe myself. We press onward, climbing higher through the passage as it broadens around us. Behind me, stone scrapes against scales and Nirik's body slams sideways into the rough wall, followed by a hissing gasp. I turn to see his muscular tail quivering beneath him like a dying thing.
"You need to rest," I insist, no longer willing to pretend I don't see his suffering. "Just for a moment. Please."
He meets my gaze, and for the first time, I see fear. "If I stop," he says quietly, "I am not sure I will be able to start again."
The frank admission sends ice through my veins. I look back the way we've come, at the trail of blood droplets marking our path like a morbid guide for anyone following. Nirik has pushed himself far beyond what should be possible, driven by duty and the desperate need to see us to safety.
