Chapter 38: Under attack
Axelius gritted his teeth, frustration written all over his face. "Damn it! There’s so many of them in the sky!" he spat, his fists clenched tightly. Owen bounced practically yelling, "It’s safer in the forest! Don’t even think about doing something reckless, Axel!"
Axelius glanced back at the towering trees, shadows stretching like dark fingers, but there was no time to think. He grabbed Millie’s hand firmly, his grip strong and unyielding. "Come on!" he shouted, pulling her along.
"Y-Young Master!" Millie stammered, nearly stumbling over her own feet as Axelius dragged her forward, his eyes locked on the thick cover of the forest. The branches stretched like protective arms, promising shelter from the chaos above.
But before they could make it, a deafening roar split the air. Millie’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the massive shadow swooping down from the sky. "Young Master!" she screamed, her instincts taking over. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around Axelius, yanking him to the side with all her strength.
They tumbled to the ground just as the wyvern’s massive claws scraped against the dirt where they had just been standing, ripping up chunks of grass and earth. Dust and debris filled the air, and the force of the near-miss left their ears ringing. Millie held Axelius tightly, her breath shaky, her eyes squeezed shut.
"Back! Back!" Owen bounced to the hole "It’s coming back!"
Axelius turned his head, The wyvern, massive and menacing, had landed right in front of them, its wings stretching wide, blocking any escape. Its eyes glowed with a crimson light, and its scales shimmered with a metallic sheen. It snarled, thick streams of smoke puffing from its nostrils.
"No time, Millie! Move!" Axelius shouted, Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand again, practically dragging her back toward the iron-grated hole. They stumbled and crawled, dirt smearing their clothes as they scrambled desperately back inside.
Millie squeezed through first, her small frame slipping under the grates with surprising speed. Axelius followed, his shoulders scraping slightly against the sides as he pushed through. Owen bounced, "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"