Chapter 42 - Devoured in Dragon's Mouth
The dragon responded with a deafening
roaaarrr!!!
and my instincts kicked in. With newfound strength granted by my awakened abilities, I leaped away, soaring through the air, barely avoiding the dragon's colossal claws.
My heart raced as I gazed down at the beast, its enormous maw gaping open, ready to swallow me whole.
In that instant, I unleashed all of my mana, letting it radiate outward. Dragons were known for their sensitivity to mana, and I hoped that my sudden surge of power would confuse it.
Perhaps it would mistake me for a formidable adversary, like an archmage. It hesitated, its mouth remaining wide open, a flicker of uncertainty in its eyes.
But time was running out. The dragon's mouth drew closer, and I knew I had to act. With every ounce of my mana, I strengthened my body, knowing it would hurt like hell but also that it was my only chance at survival
In a desperate, heart-pounding moment, I made a daring maneuver in the air, narrowly avoiding the colossal jaws of the Black Dragon.
My body soared through the sky, propelled by sheer determination and the protection of the ethereal barrier I had crafted using my unique ability, «Mana Transmutation»
The thought raced through my mind, 'Now's my chance to escape this nightmarish creature'
But just as I prepared to flee, my eyes fell upon Thalia, standing there, drenched in sweat, her face contorted in sheer horror.
Questions raced through my mind in a whirlwind of panic. 'Why is she here? Did she follow me into this deathtrap? Can't she use her to sense the impending danger?'
Time seemed to slow as my thoughts spiraled into chaos. Without fully comprehending why, I acted on pure instinct, channeling all my strength and agility to fling Thalia far away from the imminent peril.
"Run! " I yelled, my voice laced with urgency.
It wasn't a conscious decision; it was as if some hidden hero within me had surfaced, driven by an innate need to protect.
As I watched Thalia being hurled to safety, I couldn't help but wonder why I had done it. But there was no time for answers.
In the blink of an eye, I faced the gaping maw of the dragon, its cavernous mouth closing in around me. Fear, raw and overwhelming, surged through me as I realized the inevitable – I was about to become the dragon's next meal.
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Thalia's POV
My heart pounded like a relentless drum as I cowered behind the towering tree, my eyes locked onto the immense Black Dragon.
I had ventured here using my ability, , which had screamed over and over again and warned me not to proceed any further.
But my curiosity had gotten the better of me, and I had come, only to find Zeph engaged in a fierce battle with the monstrous creature.
The dragon's presence reigned terror upon the forest, each of its colossal steps sending shockwaves through the very ground beneath me.
Its deafening roars reverberated through the air, threatening to shatter my composure.
Fear clung to me like a second skin as I watched the terrifying spectacle unfold, helpless and terrified,I can't move.
Amidst the chaos, Zeph's quick reflexes came to the fore.
He sprang into action, a blur of determination, his eyes wide with panic as he spotted me frozen behind the tree.
In the blink of an eye, he propelled me with astonishing force, and I tumbled to the ground in surprise.
His urgent command, "Run, Thalia! " pierced through the chaos.
But before my mind could fully register the danger, the dragon's titanic jaws snapped shut, devouring Zeph in an instant.
My eyes widened with disbelief and terror as I bore witness to the unthinkable.
My heart ached at the memory of Zeph's resolute expression.
'He died for me.'
'I am responsible for another life lost due to my weakness.'
'Sorry, Brother.'
'Sorry, Zeph.'
'I am pathetic.'
"I want to die... haaa... haaa..." I struggled to catch my breath.
'My legs are giving up.' My legs had completely given out.
'No, I have to live. Another person sacrificed their life for me.'
sniff.....sniff
Tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes as these conflicting thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me overwhelmed and shattered.
My breaths came in ragged gasps as I lay on the forest floor, stunned by the horrific turn of events. The Black Dragon's malevolent eyes turned towards me, its hot, fetid breath washing over me. I knew I couldn't stay there.
With a all strength left in my legs, I pushed myself up and stumbled away from the scene, tears mingling with dirt and sweat on my face.
'I...am...sorry...sniff'