Chapter 8: The Way To End It

Ava and Noah stood in silence, the Keeper's refusal hanging between them like a heavy chain. The air was thick with something unspoken, a tension that neither of them could shake. The Keeper’s silver eyes remained locked on Noah, filled with something between sorrow and resentment. "So that's it?" Ava asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. "You're just going to turn us away?" The Keeper sighed, his gaze flickering toward the city beyond the threshold. "It was a mistake for you to return. Your presence has already disrupted the balance." Noah stepped forward, jaw tight. "We don’t have time for riddles. If you know what’s coming, then you know we can’t face it alone." "No," the Keeper said, his voice a whisper of finality. "You cannot. And yet, you must." Before Ava could demand an explanation, a sharp sound rang out through the air—a horn, low and ominous. It sent a chill down her spine, even before she registered the Keeper’s reaction. His expression turned grim as he turned back to them. "They know you’re here." Noah grabbed Ava’s wrist. "We need to move. Now." Ava barely had time to protest before they were running, the ground beneath them trembling with an unnatural force. Behind them, dark figures emerged, their movements too fast, too inhuman. Then the air changed. A guttural snarl echoed through the city, deep and bone-rattling. The shadows parted, and something massive emerged. A creature with hulking, twisted limbs and gleaming fangs, its eyes burning like molten embers. Ava gasped. "What is that?" Noah’s grip on her tightened. "The Prime Minister’s beast. It’s here for us." The creature roared, surging forward. The ground cracked beneath its weight, stone splintering as it moved. The walls of the city trembled, dust falling from above as the monstrous being advanced. Ava and Noah ran, weaving through the crumbling cityscape. Their breaths came ragged and fast, their bodies pushed to the limit as they darted between half-fallen structures and twisting alleyways. The beast was faster. Closer. The pounding of its footsteps vibrated through their bones, its breath hot against their backs. Every step felt like it brought them closer to inevitable doom. Ava risked a glance behind her and immediately regretted it. The beast’s claws scraped against the stone, carving deep gouges into the walls as it propelled itself forward. Its mouth, filled with rows of jagged, dripping fangs, curled into a grotesque snarl as it zeroed in on them. "Faster!" Noah shouted, gripping her hand and pulling her along with more urgency. His body was tense, his mind likely calculating the distance between them and their only hope for escape. They turned a sharp corner, and then the cliff came into view. Ava’s heart lurched. "No, no, no—" She skidded to a halt, dirt and loose rock scattering beneath her boots. Below was nothing but darkness—an endless void stretching into oblivion. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. There was no way down. No safe landing. The beast was nearly upon them, its claws outstretched— And then, a gust of wind, a whispered incantation— The world twisted around them. The sensation of falling gripped Ava’s stomach, sending a jolt of panic through her body. She reached blindly for Noah, her fingers grazing his wrist before everything blurred together in a dizzying rush of motion. The beast let out a furious roar, its frustration echoing across the canyon. And then— They landed. Not in the abyss, not beneath the beast’s crushing weight—but on solid ground, the impact jarring but controlled. Ava gasped, sucking in sharp, cool air as the scent of herbs and firewood filled her lungs. A woman stood before them, her robes flowing gently in the night breeze. Her eyes, aged yet piercing, flickered between them with a knowing expression. "You two really know how to make an entrance," the herbalist said, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Ava lay still for a moment, trying to steady her breath, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She turned to Noah, who was staring up at the sky, his chest rising and falling heavily. He looked just as stunned as she felt. "Where—?" Ava started, but the herbalist raised a hand, silencing her with a single glance. "You’re safe. For now." The woman’s voice was calm but firm, a presence of authority woven into her tone. "But you don’t have long. The Prime Minister will not stop hunting you. And neither will his beast." Noah pushed himself into a sitting position, wincing slightly. "You saved us." "That remains to be seen," the herbalist said, eyes darkening. "You are not safe here. But you are needed." Ava shuddered, still feeling the weight of the chase, the presence of the beast lingering in her bones. She looked past the herbalist to the small cottage behind her, tucked away within the dense forest. A single lantern flickered in the doorway, casting warm light against the trees. Noah followed her gaze, then turned back to the woman. "Who are you?" The herbalist tilted her head, amusement dancing in her expression. "Who I am is of little importance. Who you are, however, is another story." Ava narrowed her eyes, her heart still pounding from their escape. "And why should we trust you?" The herbalist smiled, stepping aside to gesture toward the door. "Because if I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have made it this far. Now, come inside. We have much to discuss." Noah and Ava exchanged a wary glance before slowly pushing themselves to their feet. The night air felt too still, too charged, as if the beast's breath still lingered in the shadows. But the warmth of the cottage called to them, promising a moment—just a moment—of respite. Without another word, they stepped inside, and the door shut behind them with a quiet finality.

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