Page 31 of Monster's Maiden

"Stay by me," he insists, his grip reassuring yet firm.

I nod, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. The echoes of that event mingle with my present terror, forming a knot of anxiety in my chest. Zyrith’s presence beside me should be comforting, yet a part of me can’t shake the feeling of impending doom.

Why now?

The questions whirl through my mind, unanswered and unsettling. All I can do is cling to Zyrith and hope this storm will pass without shattering our fragile peace.

Yet, the tremors persist, each jolt reverberating through the chamber, amplifying my unease. Dust cascades from the ceiling like sand through an hourglass, and the bioluminescent moss flickers erratically, casting ghostly shadows on the cavern walls. I can’t shake the sense that our sanctuary, once a haven, now teeters on the brink of collapse.

A million emotions confront me at once, and I try to hold back the tears. The idea of being buried alive or trapped in these depths fills me with sheer terror.

I glance around our chamber, taking in every detail—the rough-hewn walls marked by centuries of erosion, the moss's dim glow barely illuminating the space. It feels more like a tomb than a sanctuary now, its oppressive atmosphere closing in on me.

"What if there's another way out?" I blurt out, desperation creeping into my voice. "Somewhere safer than here?"

Zyrith’s eyes narrow as he studies me, his expression inscrutable. "You believe there's another path?"

"I don't know," I admit, my voice cracking. "But we can't just stay here and hope for the best."

The tremors intensify even more, shaking loose more debris. My heart pounds with each quake, my breaths coming faster as panic claws at my chest. The scent of earth and moss fills my nostrils, grounding me momentarily. But the thought of the cavern collapsing over our heads sends me into a panic once more.

I don’t want to die here, not when my life with Zyrith has only just begun.

“Stay close to me,” he says again, his voice a deep anchor in the storm of my frantic emotions.

I nod once more, though I feel far from settled. The past and present blur together in a swirl of chaos. Each tremor feels like a reminder of our fragility. He seems unperturbed, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s just as uncertain as I am.

Mounting fear and concern intertwine within me as the minutes pass, raising alarming questions in my mind about our imminent safety and stability in this underground realm. I clutch Zyrith’s arm, needing something tangible to hold onto.

His skin is cool under my fingers, a small comfort in this sea of madness. “We’ll be okay,” he murmurs, as if sensing my inner turmoil. “Never let go of me, Lara.”

“I… I don’t want to. But what if we get separated? What if I lose you?”

“Then I will do whatever I can to find you again.”

I want to believe him, but the worry won’t let go of me. It wraps around me like vines, constricting and suffocating.

The tremors show no sign of stopping, and neither does my growing sense of foreboding.

18

ZYRITH

The rumbling persists, sending vibrations through the cavern floor. I tense, each fissure and crack in my skin responding to the disturbance. I gaze over at Lara, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. The bioluminescent moss flickers, casting eerie shadows that dance along the cavern walls.

"Stay on your feet," I command, my voice a deep rumble that reverberates through the chamber. Lara nods, her breath coming in short, quick gasps. Her fear is palpable, a tangible thing that grips the air between us.

I scan the cavern, every sense on high alert. The ground beneath me quivers as if the earth itself is restless. Memories of past disasters flash through my mind—times when my world was torn asunder by forces beyond comprehension. But this is different. This feels more... deliberate.

My thoughts churn like a turbulent river. Who could be causing this? The sanctity of my refuge is at stake, and with it, the fragile bond I've forged with Lara. I must protect her, no matter the cost.

What if someone is coming to take her away from me? Away from this cavern that we’ve built into a home?

The rumbling intensifies, an incessant reminder of our precarious situation. The sound grates against my ears, a low growl that seems to emanate from the very bowels of the earth. I clench my fists, feeling the rough texture of my skin against my palms.

“When will this end?” Lara whispers.

“It always does,” I reply simply. “There has never been a time where the rumbling continues for too long. Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”

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