With a sharp motion, Sir Aldric pulled Helia behind the largest nearby tree. Short of breath, she pressed her back against the trunk, her legs trembling.
How could so many chimeras have gathered here?Was this a common occurrence? A trap? A thousand questions raced through her mind, none offering a satisfactory answer.
Sir Aldric quickly scanned their surroundings. The two creatures were advancing, their heavy breathing filling the air with a tangible threat. No escape seemed possible. Even if Helia tried to run toward the camp, nothing guaranteed she would be safe.
He turned to her, grasped her shoulders, and locked his gaze onto hers.
"Miss, whatever happens, do not move from here."
His tone was grave and commanding. Before she could protest, the chimeras lunged toward them. Determined, Sir Aldric drew his sword and stepped out of hiding, ready to fight.
Curled up against the tree, Helia could not look away. The beasts' roars, the clash of steel against claws, the knight's hurried footsteps—everything echoed like a deafening thunder in her ears. She wanted to believe Sir Aldric would make it. That he was strong enough to defeat those monsters. But fear froze her blood.
Then the horror doubled. A dull sound echoed to her right, followed by a guttural growl. A shiver ran through her as she slowly turned her head. Her blood ran cold when she saw, between the shadows of the trees, another chimera advancing toward her, its eyes gleaming with hungry light.
Her heart pounding wildly, she cast a desperate glance toward Sir Aldric. He was still struggling against the other two creatures and was barely holding them back. One of them had already lost a wing under his blows, yet it continued to fight with savage fury.
She understood he could not help her. A cold chill crept up her spine. Trapped between the trees and the creatures, she hesitated only an instant before instinct took over.
She ran.
Her legs felt ready to give out, her breath tearing painfully in her chest, but she had no choice. The chimeras charged after her, crushing branches beneath his monstrous weight.
Engaged in combat with the two creatures facing him, Sir Aldric heard the sound of breaking branches and immediately recognized the frantic pace of a desperate run.
He heard the chimera lunging after his Lady and caught, out of the corner of his eye, her silhouette fleeing through the forest. Adrenaline urged him to intervene, but the two monsters before him redoubled their attacks, preventing him from turning away.
Helia screamed for help, hoping someone—anyone—might hear her. But the forest was an oppressive labyrinth, and no sign of rescue appeared through the suffocating darkness. Her frantic gaze swept the surroundings, desperately searching for a place to hide, an improvised weapon, anything that might give her a chance. But there was nothing. Only trees, shifting shadows, and the threatening rumble of the chimera drawing closer.
She zigzagged between the trunks, struggling to keep her lead, knowing it was only a matter of seconds before the creature caught her. Then, suddenly, the darkness of the trees opened onto empty space.
She skidded to a halt.
The ground ended abruptly before her, she stood at the edge of a cliff. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the vertiginous void stretching beneath her feet. Jumping meant certain death. Turning back meant throwing herself into the monster's jaws. There was no escape left. Behind her, the chimera roared, ready to strike. Paralyzed, Helia let out one final cry of terror, convinced this was the end.
She dropped to her knees, breathless, her limbs shaking with despair. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself to accept the inevitable. Her heart hammered wildly as she awaited the fatal blow. But the seconds stretched on, seeming to last an eternity, and nothing happened. Then a metallic flash cut through the air.
She opened her eyes abruptly, and the first thing she saw was a black cape billowing before her, stirred by the sudden movement of its wearer. Her gaze instinctively rose, following the familiar silhouette standing between her and the beast.
It was the Crown Prince.
She remained frozen, shock preventing her from reacting. How had he gotten there? Had he followed the chimera? Had he heard her scream? She had no idea. But as their eyes met, a wave of relief washed over her, loosening the icy grip tightening around her chest. Sword raised, he barely managed to block the chimera's razor-sharp fangs and drove the attack back with impressive strength.
"Get to safety!" he shouted between blows.
She obeyed immediately, scrambling to her feet and running back toward the forest. The Prince struck again and again, forcing the creature back with disconcerting ease, until one final thrust drove his blade deep into the beast's flesh.
But even as it fell, the creature lunged forward with brutal force. The impact was violent enough to drive the sword in too far, throwing him off balance. Already too close to the edge, his foot slipped on the dusty rock, and before he could recover, his body tipped dangerously backward.
Helia felt her heart skip a beat.
"Your Highness!" she screamed, rushing forward.
Only a few meters separated them when she grabbed his hand. In a desperate reflex, she held on with all her strength before he could fall completely.
He immediately tightened his grip on hers, his gloved hand clenched around her wrist. As soon as she felt his weight, her fingers trembled under the strain. He was far heavier than she was, his armor making the effort unbearable.
He reacted instantly, bringing his other arm up, his fingers gripping the rock firmly. He strained his muscles, trying to stabilize his weight without pulling Helia down with him.
As their combined efforts finally began to succeed, the Prince managed to haul both arms onto the rock, clinging firmly to the edge of the cliff. Helia, still gripping his arm, helped him as best she could to pull himself up.
But behind her, a final rasping cry echoed.
In one last surge of rage, the chimera beat its wings violently. The air it displaced slammed into her with brutal force. Thrown off balance, she pitched forward, instinctively releasing the Prince's arm.
Without thinking, he immediately let go of the cliff with one hand to catch her, his fingers closing around her wrist. Their eyes met for a frozen instant, suspended between tension and urgency.
Then the rock gave way. His other hand, the one anchoring him against the cliff, slipped as the stone crumbled under his weight.
And in a breath, they both fell into the void.