Chapter 55: Love of Monster
Pant...Pant...Pant...
The Thrixell was right behind them. Von, Amber, Robin, Maya, and the Priest ran as fast as they could.
Von shouted, "Everyone, hurry up! According to the map, we’re only half a league away from the teleportation portal!"
Amber thought to herself, "The Thrixell were supposed to stop chasing us after Gabby died. That means Robin’s theory was wrong."
The group ran across the rolling hills, their boots thudding against the uneven ground. Behind them, the Thrixell horde charged forward.
Von slowed down, his eyes locked on the towering figure rising over the hill. The King of Thrixell.
He turned to the others, his voice calm despite the chaos. "I’ll face the King. You handle its underlings."
Maya’s eyes widened with fear. "Von, no! That’s suicide!"
He gave her a soft smile, unable to hide the weight in his heart. "I’m a hero. I swore to the Gods I’d protect others. And right now, that means taking down the King of Thrixell."
He looked up at the beast, then back at his friends. "Besides, I think I can beat it."
But they all knew the truth. The King of Thrixell was a force of destruction. Von’s odds were a slim.
Amber remarked, her voice cracking. "Then I’ll go with you."