Something In The Way-SYLUS X MC X ZAYNE

III: Goodbye, my dragon

Light years in the future...

The air in the cave was thick and damp, clinging to my skin and making every breath feel heavier. The darkness pressed in from all sides, swallowing even the faint glow of the floating light I held in my hand. It hovered just above my palm, casting a pale, golden glow that flickered with every step I took. The rocky walls were jagged and cold to the touch, the faint scent of decay growing stronger as I ventured deeper into the maze-like tunnels.

I pulled my cloak tighter around me, more out of habit than necessity. The chill of the cave didn't bother me—it was the weight of the promise I'd made that truly sent a shiver down my spine.

"I'll come back to you," I'd told him, my voice trembling as I pressed my forehead against his. Zayne's skin had been ice-cold, his once-bright eyes dim with exhaustion. He hadn't argued, but the look in his eyes had been enough. He didn't believe I'd return. Not from this.

My hand trembled as I reached out to steady myself against the cave wall, the uneven stone scraping against my fingertips. I'd made that promise to him, but deep down, I knew the truth. If this failed, if I couldn't find the beast or couldn't bring back what was needed to cure him, there would be no going back. I had already tried everything else. Every ounce of power I had summoned, every spell I had whispered, had only made him worse. My hands—it felt like I was the one killing him.

The memory of him gasping for breath as my powers surged into him made my throat tighten. He had tried to comfort me even then, his voice hoarse and weak. "You didn't know," he'd whispered, his hand barely brushing against mine. "You were just trying to help." But I had known. I had known I was out of my depth, and I had done it anyway.

I swiped at my face, the tears threatening to blur my vision. No. I couldn't think about that now. There was no time for guilt, no time for hesitation. Zayne was slipping away, and every second I wasted meant he was one step closer to the end. I had to do this. For him.

Kaleb had promised to stay by his side while I was gone, his face a mask of quiet resolve as he'd taken my hand. "I'll look after him," he'd said. "You focus on what needs to be done." His words had been calm, but I could see the worry beneath his usual confidence. He hadn't wanted me to leave, but he knew as well as I did that there was no other way.

My light flickered as the tunnel opened up into a vast, cavernous space. I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I took in the sight before me. Bones—thousands of them—were scattered across the uneven ground, their pale surfaces gleaming in the dim light. Skulls stared up at me with hollow, empty sockets, their jaws frozen in silent screams. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and something fouler—muck, rot, and the unmistakable stench of death.

I swallowed hard, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword. It hung heavy at my side, its familiar weight a small comfort in the suffocating darkness. I stepped forward cautiously, the crunch of bones beneath my boots echoing through the cavern. The light in my hand wavered as I moved, its glow reflecting off the slick, uneven walls.

And then, I saw it—a shadow.

It darted across the far wall, a flash of movement so quick I barely registered it. My heart leapt into my throat, and I spun around, my sword half-drawn as the light in my hand flared brighter. My breath came in shallow gasps as I scanned the cavern, every nerve in my body screaming that I wasn't alone.

And then, a deep, low chuckle.

I spun around, my heart pounding as the light from the orb flared brighter for a brief moment, illuminating the figure that had been watching me. My breath caught in my throat.