The array flickered once more, as Chu Miao swept her hand. The protective lines of light collapsed with a soft ripple, vanishing into the earth.
The night seemed to grow darker instantly, and the pressure pressing down on them became heavier now that the thin shield was gone.
The beast's eyes gleamed like two lanterns in the dark, and with a guttural roar, it stepped into the clearing.
The firelight from the camp shone on its scales, each one thick and jagged, like slabs of molten iron cooled mid-forge. It opened its mouth wide, the jaw almost snapping, while dripping heat nearly warped the air around them.
The beast appeared in full view of everyone and their jaws almost dropped to the ground from shock.
A fire lizard.
This was the first time most of them had seen such a big lizard. Moreover, it was covered in scales as large as a basin.
