2: The Attack

Chapter 60: The Attack 2

Huge vibrations beneath the castle intensified. 

Something was moving beneath the stones. 

It wasn't the tremors of collapsing structures—it was alive.

Lirian pressed herself against Gabriel as he coughed violently, clutching his chest. 

The air in the sealed corridor had grown thin, and the dust from the crumbled ceiling made it worse. 

His normally steady breaths were ragged and shallow.

"Gabriel!" Lirian gasped, gripping his arm. "You're not okay. We need to get out of here!"

He waved her concern aside, though his hand trembled.

 "I'll be fine. We need to keep moving. If we don't find a way out soon…"

He didn't finish. They both knew the truth.

"Listen."

Gabriel's voice dropped, and he tilted his head toward the floor.

 At first, Lirian only heard the muffled sounds of destruction from above.