The Red Wolf growled, its eyes locked onto me, and in that instant, I knew-I had no time left.

I scrambled backward, my heart racing, but the beast was already advancing. Panic surged through me as I looked around frantically for a way out, but the passage was blocked by debris, and Almond was too far to reach.

I was trapped.

The beast lunged.

Time seemed to slow as I raised my arms defensively, bracing for the impact, but just as its massive claws came down toward me, there was a blinding flash of light. I heard a roar of pain, the sound echoing through the ruins, and suddenly the...