The valley echoed with the thunder of boots, claws, and metal feet as the team bolted through the canyon at full speed.
Pip sprinted ahead with Penelo slumped across his back, eyes rolled back and lips mumbling softly, her trance holding firm as her mind soared high above the rocky cliffs, merged with some kind of great-winged avian beast.
"Left!" she mumbled. "Sharp turn! Veer right, then down the ravine!"
Sera skidded past a ridge, Lula fluttered ahead with her barnoss wings slicing the air beside Zora, and Vuvi led the pack, grumbling about how this trip was supposed to be relaxing.
"She better be right about this," Vuvi huffed. "If I stub my toe one more time—"
Suddenly, Penelo's body tensed. Her arms flailed slightly, then slumped limp. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked groggily at Pip's metallic shoulders. "No... no, no, no… my link! It's fading!"
