Their hearts pounded like war drums as the guards closed in. Their formation was tight, their expression unwavering–no hint of mercy in their eyes. Still cloaked in shadows, Lyam clenched his jaws.
" No, I'm afraid you're the one that should fear us. " he said, as if trying to convince Avalon itself. One guard stepped forward–taller than the rest, likely their commander. His voice was sharp and cold. " Surrender now, and you might just live long enough to see the kingdom of VulcanFire take out these dragons. Once and for all! "
Aeron took a defiant step forward, shielding Starfania just slightly. " We won't let that poison be launched. You're playing with forces beyond your control. "
The commander sneered. " It's already too late. The Eternal Sun is almost in position. By then it will be too late. "
That's when Starfania noticed it–the antidote vial clenched tightly in Lyam's hands, its contents shimmering faintly even in the dim light. She glanced upward, beyond the guards, to the launch rig high above, its massive valves beginning to hiss with pressurized energy. They had minutes–maybe less. Starfania looked back at Aeron and Lyam, her thoughts racing. Her gaze darted across the room–searching, pleading for something, anything. Then she saw it. Tucked away beneath one of the nearby crates was a small, compact sphere–copper-plated, with three faintly glowing lines etched across its surface. Her heart skipped a beat. Fireball Flare. Cesar had shown it to her once back in his workshop, half-joking, saying, " Just toss it and look away, unless you enjoy being blind for a few hours. "
Without hesitation, she reached into the shadows and grabbed it. The guards took a step closer.
" Don't move! " one barked, his grip tightening on his spear. She didn't move–she threw. The device soared through the air, clinking once against the floor before erupting in a blinding explosion of lights and sound. The room was instantly swallowed by chaos.
" Cover your eyes! " Starfania shouted to her group. They ducked behind the crates as brilliant flashes filled the air, the high-pitched screech of the bomb disorienting the guards. Screams echoed as they stumbled, some dropping their weapons in panic.
" Go! Now! " Lyam barked.
They bolted out from cover, sprinting past the stunned soldiers. Aeron grabbed his sword and slammed it into the control panels near the launch bay doors, triggering them to open with a mechanical hiss. Ahead, the rocket loomed like a monstrous silhouette against the blood-red glow of the eclipse. The toxin container, large and pulsing with a sickly black hue, was already locked in place.
" We don't have much time! " Starfania yelled.
T-minus 1 minute
Starfania's heart pounded as she glanced below–an advancing cluster of guards surged after them, relentless and gaining ground. Fear clawed at her chest, but she forced it down. Then, through the blur moment, Lyam stopped in his tracks and turned to face the coming guard. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the guards closed in.
"I'll hold them off!" he shouted, his voice ringing with determination. Aeron and Starfania exchanged quick glances, panic flickering in their eyes.
"No! We can't leave you!" Starfania cried, desperation rising in her throat. But Lyam was already moving, positioning himself between his friends and the approaching threat.
He raised his sword, the blade catching the faint light and glinting ominously.
"You need to finish this!" he urged, determination etched on his face as he threw the antidote to Starfania. "This is our mission. You have to get that antidote into the rockets before they kill all the dragons."
The guards were almost upon them now, a tide of uniforms and raised weapons. Aeron hesitated, torn between loyalty and necessity.
"Just be careful!" he called out before he turned back to the rocket, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Starfania followed close behind as they raced towards the launch bay. Every second felt like an eternity.