Cyrus moved on pure instinct—obsidian wings folding around Kane's frail body, sheltering him as debris crashed against dragon scales.
"Hold on." Cyrus scooped Kane into his arms with desperate gentleness. "Just hold on."
Kane's head lolled against Cyrus's shoulder. His nine-tailed form flickered, dissolving back into human form as consciousness slipped.
"Tired..."
"I know." Crimson energy flared as Cyrus's wings unfurled again. "Stay with me."
The cavern collapsed behind them as Cyrus launched skyward through volcanic fissures.
Cyrus's wings faltered mid-flight, crimson scales flickering as exhaustion clawed at him.
Blood dripped from gashes across his chest where the King's claws had torn through flesh and bone.
His muscles screamed with each beat of his wings, demanding rest he couldn't afford.
Not yet. Not when Kane's breathing grew shallower with each passing second.
The volcanic shaft stretched endlessly above, narrowing into a sliver of moonlight.
