Fates Intertwined

39. | A Father

The four scattered. A beam of fire shot toward them and they ducked behind a bunch of giant rocks, hiding themselves. The Fleurachia let out a roar, charging forward and spinning around.

Zyran glanced back at Aurora, her form still. "Distract it!" He yelled.

"What?!" Lina and Nara yelled, ducking out of the way as it shot another beam of fire toward them.

"Zyran!" Eric yelled as Zyran jumped up, running toward Aurora. He slid on his knees before he was hovering over her.

"Aurora!" He yelled for her. "Aurora, wake up! I need you to wake up." He shook her, trying to wake her. He picked her up into his arms, leaning his head toward her chest. He listened for her heartbeat. After a long while, he finally heard it, just barely.

It was slow. Too slow for his liking.

Eric and Nara ran toward him and Aurora while the Fleurachia was caught up in fighting Lina. Lina cried out as it threw her back into one of the rock walls, grunting as she hit the floor.

But as she got up, it was no longer focused on her. It was focused on Zyran and the girl he had in his arms. It ran straight for him, Zyran glancing up. He wasn't going to get her awake in time for them to get out.

As it grew closer, he leaned over her, shielding her from the creature running for them. Nara let out a scream, covering her face with her hands. It wasn't until he felt something brush against his hair that he looked up. The Fleurachia stood over them, blowing out a huff of air. But it didn't attack.

Nara peeked from her hands, noticing that Zyran was still alive. Slowly, she moved toward them. Eric blew out a breath.

"Is she alive?" He asked, looking at Zyran.

It took him a moment to realize what he had said, but then he nodded. "She needs air. If she stays, she'll suffocate."

Eric turned to the creature. "Can you help us get out? To air?"

It leaned forward and nudged Aurora's arm. Zyran glanced down at her sleeping figure before he was cupping underneath her knees and standing. Eric and Nara followed.

The Fleurachia began walking in the opposite direction, deeper into the cave. Zyran glanced at Eric before he followed it. Lina moved to follow, but it stopped and growled at her, looking ready to fire another ball of fire at her.

Nara rushed in front of her, and it backed down, continuing on. They followed it through the cave, through one of the little hallways. They didn't know how long they followed it, but it wasn't long before it was leading them to light. It stopped at the exit, sitting down while the four walked out into the sunshine.

Zyran laid Aurora down, leaning her up against a rock. He crouched, cupping her face. "Rory." He whispered. "I need you to wake up."

Lina glanced at the creature, and when it found her staring, it growled. Her head snapped away.

Aurora let out a cough, her face scrunching. Zyran smiled, relieved she was still alive. She slowly peeled her eyes open, looking around.

She swallowed against her dry throat. "Did we change our mind about the cave?" Was the first thing out of her mouth.

Zyran let out a chuckle. "No. We made it through." She looked at him, brows furrowed, then he was helping her to her feet.

"How long was I out?" She brushed her hair behind her ear.

"An hour?"

"Too long."

Zyran and Lina both answered, Aurora glancing at them with a confused look.