NOVPUB
Chapter 290: Chapter 290 Escape
Joy pointed to a pile of rocks near the trees. "I’ll throw one to distract them. When they go check it out, we’ll run for the gate. Don’t stop. Don’t look back."
Kyra’s heart pounded in her chest as she crouched, ready to sprint. Joy picked up a rock, tossed it hard, and it landed with a thud on the other side of the clearing. The guards turned instantly, moving toward the noise.
"Now!" Joy grabbed her arm.
They ran, feet pounding against the ground as they raced toward the gate. For a brief moment, the fog seemed to protect them, but then one of the creatures turned back. Its eyes locked onto them, and it let out a deafening roar.
"They’ve seen us!" Kyra gasped, pushing herself to run faster.
"Keep going!" Joy shouted.
The ground shook as the creature barreled toward them. Kyra’s legs burned, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Just as it was about to catch up, Kyra felt a faint spark inside her. Desperate, she thrust her hand toward the creature, sending a weak pulse of thunder energy. It hit the beast’s chest, causing it to stumble.
"Go!" Joy yelled.
They sprinted towards the towering gate, the high wall of marble looming before them like their last chance at survival. Joy leapt up, his hands gripping the heavy latch as he pulled the gate open with all his strength. Kyra didn’t hesitate, dashing through the opening just as the monstrous creatures reached them. With a grunt, Joy slammed the gate shut, the thunderous sound of it echoing as the monsters clawed and scratched at the gate. But they couldn’t get through.
Kyra collapsed to the ground, her body trembling from the adrenaline and exhaustion. She gasped for air, her mind barely registering that they had made it out. Joy knelt beside her, his honey-colored eyes wide with relief, a small smile tugging at his lips. "We did it," he whispered, his voice soft and sweet but filled with pride.
However, before they could relax, the gate they thought was locked creaked open. A tall horned monster stepped out, his eyes burning with rage, glowing an eerie red. He growled, his massive form blocking the only way out. Without a word, he grabbed Joy by the throat, lifting him off the ground like he was nothing. Kyra screamed as the monster’s razor sharp claws thrust deep into Joy’s stomach to his back, the sound of tearing flesh followed by Joy’s agonized cry filling the air.
"NO!" Kyra’s eyes widened in horror as blood spilled from Joy’s mouth. His once-bright honey eyes dimmed, the light fading as pain twisted his features.
Without thinking, Kyra gathered the thunder energy inside her, something that had been blocked for so long but now surged forward. She unleashed a burst of power, her thunder power striking the monster directly in the eyes. The creature howled in agony, clutching his face as he staggered back. Kyra’s heart raced as she saw more monsters closing in, their grotesque forms charging toward them. She didn’t have much time.
Channeling her thunder ability, she gathered more energy in her hands and hurled it into the sky. The air crackled with electricity as a bolt of lightning split the heavens, striking one of the larger monsters that had been advancing. It let out a deafening scream as it collapsed to the ground, twitching violently.
Seeing more creatures approaching, Kyra quickly ran to the gate. It was heavy and old, but she summoned all her strength and heaved it shut, the sound of it slamming closed echoing around them. With her last bit of energy, she summoned a faint shimmer of her thunder power, crackling around the door like a protective barrier. She knew it wouldn’t last long, but she hoped it would buy them just enough time.
With the gate secure, Kyra spun around and ran toward Joy.
Her heart pounded as she knelt beside Joy, her hands trembling. Blood pooled around him, the sweet boy’s honey-colored eyes now dull and fading. His breathing was ragged, shallow, and each breath seemed to slip further away from him. She could barely hold back her tears as she pressed her hands over his wound, trying to stop the blood, but it kept slipping through her fingers.
"Joy, hold on!" she cried, her voice breaking.
More monsters were approaching, their growls echoing through the air. She had closed the gate, but it wouldn’t hold them off for long. She didn’t have much time. Her powers were surging now, finally responding to her desperate call, but she didn’t know if it would be enough. Her hands began to glow faintly as she tried to channel every bit of energy she had left into healing him.
"Please, please, please," she whispered under her breath, her focus solely on saving him. She could feel the healing energy flowing through her fingertips, warm and soothing, as she willed it into Joy’s broken body.
But Joy’s eyes were fluttering, his breaths becoming shallower. His small body convulsed as more blood spilled from his lips. He tried to smile, his once-bright eyes now dimming. "It’s... okay, female," he whispered weakly. "I... I’m just glad I helped you."
Kyra shook her head violently, tears streaking down her cheeks. "No! Don’t say that! You’re going to be okay, just hold on!"
She pushed more energy into him, but the wound was too deep. Joy’s body was going limp in her arms, his breathing barely a whisper now. The monsters were pounding against the gate, growling louder, but she couldn’t think about them. She couldn’t lose him—not after he risked everything to help her escape.
"Please, Joy, don’t go," she begged, her voice trembling with desperation. Her energy was fading, the glow in her hands flickering as she grew weaker. She tried harder, but it felt like trying to grasp water in her hands—no matter how much power she used, she couldn’t stop it from slipping away.
Joy’s hand reached up weakly, his blood-stained fingers brushing her cheek. "Thank you... for trying, Kyra," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
