The cavern thundered with the dragon's rage. Smoke billowed from its maw, claws raked furrows through ancient stone, and every beat of its wings sent coins scattering like leaves in a storm.
Arlo and Sari scrambled, barely staying ahead of its fury.
"This thing's supposed to be bored?" Arlo thought frantically. "It looks more like it's about to throw the mother of all tantrums!"
The dragon thrashed, slamming its massive tail into a wall. The shockwave rippled across the chamber, and before either of them could react, Tessa was caught in the blast.
She screamed—then crumpled against a pile of treasure. Her dagger clattered from her hand as her body went limp.
"TESSA!" Sari's voice cracked.
Arlo's blood froze. He sprinted toward her, but the dragon's claw smashed down, blocking his path. Dust and rubble rained from the ceiling as the beast's molten eyes narrowed.
A slow, rumbling laugh filled the cavern.
"HA HA HA..." the dragon sneered, voice like grinding stone. "Your precious healer lies broken. Without her, let's see how long you'll last."
It leaned down, hot breath rolling over Arlo and Sari. "... I have slain heroes, kings, and armies. What chance do you have against me? You are insects... beneath me."
Arlo's fists shook. He glanced at Tessa's crumpled form. Her chest rose faintly—alive, but unconscious.
Sari's eyes darted between the dragon and Tessa, panic flooding her face. "Arlo—we can't—she's—"
"I know." Arlo swallowed hard, forcing his voice steady. "Listen. Grab Tessa and run."
"What?!" Sari snapped her gaze to him. "And leave you to be dragon chow?"
"Do it!" Arlo barked. "That thing wants a fight? Fine. I'll give it one. But you—" He met her eyes, desperation burning in his. "You make sure you guys escape."
Sari opened her mouth, ready to argue, but the dragon's tail slammed down again, cutting her off.
"Go! Run!" Arlo screamed.
Arlo's hand darted into his pocket. Frantically trying to get his hands on to something... anything. His fingers brushed something small, cold, and all too familiar.
A single copper coin.
The same coin Tessa had tossed to him back then at the church.
He stared at it for a heartbeat, the weight of it heavier than gold.
"...Guess it's finally time to cash you in."
He tightened his grip, then hurled it skyward.
The coin spun, glinting faintly in the dim firelight—then struck the cavern ceiling with a ting.
And fate answered.
The air grew heavy. The dragon's eyes flicked upward, suspicion creasing its arrogant snout. Then the ceiling groaned.
Cracks spider webbed through the stone. Dust rained down in thick clouds.
Arlo's breath caught. He knew this feeling, deep in his bones. His skill had triggered.
Herald of Disaster and Fortune.
The cavern ceiling began to collapse.
Boulders the size of carriages tore free, plummeting in an avalanche of ruin.
Sari shrieked, clutching Tessa's limp body and dragging her toward the wall. The dragon roared, twisting in fury as the sky of stone fell upon them.
And in the center of it all stood Arlo—arms outstretched, eyes blazing with grim resolve.
"Come on, fate..." he whispered, as the world caved in.
The last thing he saw before the dust swallowed everything was the dragon's massive shadow, rising up to meet him desperate trying to escape.
Then came the crash.
And the darkness.