Page 89 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

“Govek, what—” She broke off in another cough. She couldn’t get enough air. There was too much dust. Her lungs felt like they would explode if she took one more breath.

“Cover your mouth with your shirt!” Govek screamed, the latter half of his words cut off by more crackling pops. She looked behind him and could barely make out the crumbling wall. The light faded.

They were running out of time.

Govek gripped the shirt for her and brought it up around her mouth. “Breathe, Miranda!”

His hands went back to the wall as he roared, “You must be silent when we enter!”

“W-what?”

“It is the goblins realm.” He bellowed so loud her bones shook and she could still barely make it out over the roaring of wind and cracking of rocks. “If they find we have broken in they will.. .”

Will what?

One look at his face and she knew it would not be good.

But it was either this or be crushed to death.

Govek’s eyes squeezed shut in concentration, and the glowing patterns bloomed to life again.

Booms shook the cave as boulders fell. Miranda gripped Govek for support as the ground beneath her feet bucked and trembled.

She looked back and the magical glow had illuminated the darkness. Bringing the rock face into horrible focus.

It was rippling and buckling like water. It was mere seconds from crumbling down.

Right on top of them.

“Govek!” she screamed just as stale air slammed into her back.

Goosebumps broke out all along her arms.

Her stomach twisted.

Her forehead broke out into a cold sweat.

Her wide eyes glanced back, and her heart seemed to stop.

The darkness of the tunnel was pure agony to behold. It hooked its claws into her mind, dragging her out of her sanity and into the icy churning depths of dread.

“No! Govek, no!”

Her voice did not sound like her own.

“We must!” He somehow managed over the thundering booms of boulders falling all around them.

“I can’t go in there! I can’t!” she wailed, clawing at his hands. “God, let me go.”

She would not survive this. She was going to die.

Alone.

In the dark.

He gripped her hard under the arms and dragged her into the black.

Into the vault.

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