Page 114 of Of Blood & Stone

Sylzenya jumped, cold air rushing past her face as she landed on the monster’s back, blade aimed for its head; she pierced it. Shrieks shattered the clearing as Sylzenya yanked the sword out of its skull, pulling the creature to the side to avoid it falling on top of Elnok.

She gasped.

Elnok was pale, his breaths labored; black web-like veins crawled up his neck and along his face. Two holes marred his chest. The distraction cost her.

Air pushed out of her lungs as she was slammed into the earth, the sword sliding from her grip.

She reacted quickly, grabbing the two poison-filled fangs before they sunk into her skin. Uncanny strength surged through her body, her muscles contracting as she fought against the monster. Poison dripped onto her skin, the creature’s eyes frantic and hungry as it squirmed to end her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as another arachni dashed for Elnok.

No more of this.

A loud crack echoed in her ears as she twisted the arachni’s head. The monster’s body fell limp. She dodged the massive weight about to trap her as she jumped to her feet, grabbing her sword and slicing three limbs off the arachni charging for Elnok. It fell to the side, screeching.

She grabbed Elnok and covered him with her body.

Her heart faltered as more arachnis skittered out of the shadows.

They needed to retreat.

Without another thought, she flung Elnok over her shoulder and ran. Everything around her slowed, the arachnis moving in a sluggish manner. She swung her sword at every creature blocking her path, slicing limbs, stabbing eyes, and evading poisoned fangs.

She didn’t look back as she cleared the horde, running faster than she knew was humanly possible.

She ran until her body gave out, collapsing to the earthen floor. No more shrieks filled the air, the skittering of sharp legs gone. Sweating and shaking, she placed Elnok on the ground,her heart cracking as his breaths slowed further, eyes closed, the poison continuing to crawl through his veins.

They needed Aretta’s Willow—now.

She rummaged through his clothes, pulling out the compass tucked in his chest pocket. A moment of terror took her as the needle spun, a golden glow pulsing until it finally settled on the direction they needed to take.

Still east.

Elnok’s eyes slowly peeled open.

“Sylzenya,” he whispered, voice raspy and weak.

Her vision blurred as she tucked one hand underneath his head, propping him up as she held his hand.

“It’s alright,” she said, “You’re safe now.”

His throat bobbed as his eyes studied her face.

“You look… awful.” He paused, clenching his jaw as pain riddled his features. “Am I dead?”

“No,” she replied, “But you were poisoned. We need to get to Aretta’s Willow as soon as possible.”

Elnok blinked. “How long do I have?”

Sylzenya bit her lip to keep it from quivering. Based on what she’d learned in ancient scrolls and the discussions she had overheard from Dynameis, less than a day. And they still had no idea how close they were to the tree.

“You’ll make it,” she said, keeping the tears behind her eyes.

He laughed softly. “You’ve never been good at lying, you know.”

She squeezed his hand tight, rubbing her thumb over his fingers, the cool metal of a ring sliding under the pad of her finger.

A gold ring.

---