章 118: LIVES ON A THREAD

Sofia stifled a gasp, her eyes wide in disbelief. "It's... it's supposed to be extinct," she whispered, barely able to contain her awe and fear.

Ethan, his face pale, nodded slowly. "That's the Dark Griffin. Legends say it once ruled the skies before disappearing centuries ago."

Kaelen gestured for them to continue moving, his heart racing. Every step felt heavier, the weight of their silence more precarious with each inch they covered. For a moment, it seemed like they would make it past the creature unnoticed, the soft sound of their footfalls blending into the Griffin's steady breathing.

But then, disaster struck.

Morris, in his cautious attempt to step over a loose rock, accidentally kicked it, sending the stone skittering across the cave floor. The sound echoed ominously, bouncing off the walls like a thousand bells ringing at once.

The Dark Griffin stirred.

'Oh sh*t, this is bad'