Pushing through soldiers stumbling about with weapons in hand, Talia caught sight of several corpses crushed almost beyond recognition between the collapsed tents.
Fear twisted her stomach painfully.
But the thought that Varkas might end up like that made it impossible for her to stop.
She ran frantically across the camp, littered with scattered equipment and debris, trying to catch up to him.
Then a heavy thud echoed through the air.
Turning toward the sound, Talia's face drained of color.
A wyvern had landed not far away.
Before her eyes, it swallowed an entire soldier whole.
Blood spilled from the corners of its mouth each time its massive jaws moved, drenching its black chin.
The sight was so unreal that she could not even feel fear.
Staggering backward on trembling legs, Talia searched desperately through the chaos.
Then she spotted Varkas among a group of soldiers rushing forward with spears.
“Varkas! Varkas!”
She ran toward him with all her strength, like a child spotting a parent in a crowded marketplace.
Varkas, who had been issuing orders to the knights, turned toward her.
The instant their eyes met, his eyes widened slightly before narrowing again.
He looked furious that she had ignored his instructions and left the safe zone.
The sharpness of his gaze sent a chill through her, but Talia did not stop.
She continued toward him.
One thought filled her mind.
You have to stay somewhere safe with Varkas.
Don't fight.
Leave that to your subordinates.
You should stay by my side.
The childish, unreasonable thoughts tangled together amidst her ragged breathing.
There was no way he could have heard them amid all this chaos.
Yet Varkas strode toward her as though he somehow understood.
Talia reached out her hand.
Then a thin scream pierced the air.
“Varkas!”
Varkas immediately turned his head.
Following his gaze, Talia's eyes widened.
Aila stood alone in the middle of the chaos.
Separated from her escort in the confusion, she was stumbling desperately forward while a vast black shadow descended above her.
The moment he saw it, Varkas moved.
Without a moment's hesitation.
Watching him become distant in an instant, Talia stared blankly.
A miserable plea rose from her constricted throat.
Don't go.
Don't go to her.
A sob, molten as lava, seemed to burn through her throat.
Varkas seized Aila and pulled her into his arms, rolling away at the last possible second.
The monster, robbed of its prey, raked the ground violently with black claws and released a furious roar.
Drawing his sword, Varkas stepped in front of Aila, shielding her from the enraged beast.
But the creature had little interest in prey that had already escaped.
Its enormous head swayed from side to side as it sniffed the air.
Then its eyes turned toward Talia.
She froze.
A pair of glowing red eyes stared directly at her.
The monster's pupils widened with excitement as it found a new target.