Chapter 288 No weakness
No more fear, Kyra thought, taking a deep breath. The chill that had crawled up her spine moments before was now gone, replaced by a firmness. She straightened her posture and stared directly into the eyes of the monsters below, her gaze hard and unflinching. With a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, she thought, "I will end all of you soon." Each one of them would fall by her hands she was already planning it, already picturing how she’d take them down, one by one.
She tried to summon her powers again, to feel the familiar rush of energy that once flowed through her veins. Nothing. Every connection was blocked, like an invisible barrier keeping her from her strength. Desperately, she reached out to Kaia, but there was no response. The silence echoed in her mind, only adding to her frustration.
Before she could think of another plan, Benjamin landed near a cave made of dark, jagged stones. The air was thick with heat, much hotter than before. Her forehead began to bead with sweat, her breathing became labored, and the cloth she had wrapped around her nose suddenly felt like it was suffocating her. The temperature was unbearable, making her cheeks flush red, and a wave of nausea washed over her.
She couldn’t hold it back any longer. Ripping the cloth from her face, she stumbled to the side, her body heaving as she started vomiting, her coughs harsh and ragged. The heat pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe, each gulp of air scorching her throat.
Still, even as she doubled over, her mind never left the thought of survival. No weakness, she reminded herself. This was only temporary.
Benjamin’s eyes flickered with disgust as he watched Kyra retch on the ground. He had thought, at the very least, that this female had some level of composure, but now, seeing her in such a state, his opinion of her dropped even further. Gosh, all females were the same—fragile, disgusting, he thought, rolling his eyes.
He made no move to help her, not even offering a hand. Keeping his distance, he coldly said, "Follow me." His tone was clipped, devoid of any sympathy or care, as if her suffering meant nothing to him.
Kyra wiped her mouth, feeling the soreness in her throat, and her mouth tasted bitter from the vomiting. She wanted water desperately, but Benjamin didn’t even glance back to check on her. He offered no comfort, no kindness. With a heavy breath, she followed him, her body aching, her throat raw. She swallowed down her frustration and kept moving forward.
The cave was suffocatingly hot. Kyra felt the intense heat pressing against her skin as soon as she stepped inside, and she couldn’t understand how it was possible. Wasn’t it winter? Why is it so hot in here? she wondered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. But there was no time to dwell on it. She had to stay focused, her night vision allowing her to navigate the darkness of the cave as she followed Benjamin deeper inside.