The situation still looked dire. Now that the seven flying beasts were free from fighting the centipede, they could once again focus on the easier prey. The centipede itself also didn't just magically disappear — during their fight, its body repeatedly slammed into the ground or the walls of the ravine it came from, causing the ground to shake violently. If Astel stayed, he'd still probably be crushed sooner or later. But running also wasn't an option.
He could feel that the bones of his broken legs were starting to wear out. After not letting them rest and heal properly for so long, they started sharpening themselves, wearing out their shape and structure. The blood flowing inside the leg also made it swell up in a way that made his legs look like balloons. He knew that if he moved any more than he already had, his legs probably wouldn't ever heal properly. Worst case, the bones would regrow in a funny shape with his legs awkwardly bent, making him have to break them again.
The thought made him shudder as a voice yelled inside his mind.
'What are you doing! We have to move, it's not safe here.'
Astel slapped himself.
So what if he would never walk again, so what if he'd have to break his bones intentionally, so what if he had to suffer. Everything that mattered was that he survived. Survival meant a chance to make things right — to find his sister, to find Lyra, to avenge his mother. In that moment, for the first time in his life, he had completely forgotten — no, forsaken — the idea of becoming a hero. The only thing on his mind was how he'd live to see another day.
With a groan, he forced his body into a crawl, making his way toward the ravine.
Noticing this, Felix panicked.
'No, no, no, no. We're not going there, you hear me?'
Astel ignored him, pulling himself along the soft grass, the ground shaking from the fight happening just a short distance down the ravine.
'Astel! Do not go into the ravine, I warn you. You will die.'
Astel froze. A shiver ran down his spine. He forced his voice out under the intense pressure.
"There's no other choice. Just look above."
Felix's gaze reluctantly shot up. The seven flying beasts were close enough to be seen fully, no longer just distant dots in the sky. He could just about see their elongated jaws — hidden under what looked like helmets made of bone — dripping with saliva as their gazes pierced his soul. He took a small step back. They were getting closer.
His eyes flicked between the shaded forest, the flying beasts, and the ravine. Just the thought of entering the underground made his feathers puff up. He looked at Astel helplessly crawling toward the sharp edge.
He took a deep breath before opening his wings and lifting off.
He flew high, attempting to grab the attention of the flying beasts before darting into the forest. His small body was able to evade the chasing jaws of the winged monsters. He couldn't bring himself to follow Astel down there, but after seeing his intense determination to stay alive, he did his best to improve the chances of him making it.
With a spin, he barely dodged the sharp jagged teeth of one beast. Another descended on him from above, trying to slam him into the ground and eat him. Luckily, another beast slammed into it from the side due to Felix's sharp movements.
Meanwhile, Astel moved toward the edge of the ravine, grabbing tightly onto the moist soft dirt. The ground shook continuously, his ears hurt like they were going to rupture any moment from the loud impacts. The voices shrieked, chanting in languages he couldn't even begin to understand.
So far it seemed like Felix was having an easy time running from the larger predators — but that couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, his heart was beating so fast he wasn't sure he could fly much longer. His whole body burned as he flapped his wings faster than ever. But it wasn't enough. The distance he covered with ten flaps, they covered with one. With a glance behind him, he could see their relaxed movements, making him realize they weren't even trying. They were just playing with him.
With a sharp turn, he managed to barely evade two of the beasts that tried to catch him from the front. He was slowly getting surrounded, but the forest was close. If only he could make it, he'd probably live.
Astel reached ahead, his hand already feeling the cold stone. The ravine was close. He had to push himself just a little further.
Felix could feel something breathing down his back, but he chose not to look. Pushing his body even further, he created some distance between himself and the beasts. The forest was just before him.
He did it. He managed to escape.
For just a split moment, he relaxed.
In that instant, he lost his rhythm.
Suddenly, one of the beasts dove down from the front, blocking him from the forest. Under normal circumstances he would have dodged as he did before, but due to losing his focus — his rhythm — he hesitated. He moved out of the way a little too late. His wings impacted against the body of the giant beast. With a quiet crunch, he lost his balance, his body flying through the air before landing in the crown of a smaller tree.
Near Astel, the large centipede shifted. It felt different than before — crawling outside as if the ravine itself was beginning to restrain it. The clicking sound made Astel's body shiver as the towering body slowly disappeared from the sky, leaving an empty space above.
The six beasts that had been chasing Felix gathered around the tree, intending to bring it down and finish their hunt. Suddenly, a big shadow covered the ground. As it moved, it threatened to not only crush the tree, but everything along with it. They looked at each other for a moment before taking off at once, ascending back into the tall sky.
The dazed Felix stared at the centipede's shining body — both thankful for it and terrified of it.
At least he had saved Astel. His old friend would be proud.
Then a thought came to mind. He had only seen six beasts surround the tree.
'Oh no.'
The shadow grew bigger as the centipede approached the ground.
Back at the ravine, Astel was just about to climb down the edge when he noticed a shadow covering his body. He bit his lip, waited for a moment, then pushed himself into a roll with his arms. He narrowly dodged the sharp claws of the last flying beast, who quickly ascended back into the air, circling around for another pass.
'Shit.'
His mind was searing from being this close to so many powerful monsters for so long. It was so irritating — being so close, yet so far away.