Mia’s POV
The roar shook the world.
The bridge trembled violently beneath our feet as chunks of ancient stone broke away and vanished into the endless darkness below.
The creature kept rising.
At first, all I could see were its eyes.
Two enormous crimson eyes, burning like dying stars beneath the chasm.
Then came its claws.
Each one was longer than the tallest pine surrounding the clearing, formed entirely from writhing shadows. Black mist poured from its body, swallowing the silver light of the bridge wherever it touched.
A suffocating pressure settled over the battlefield.
Several students collapsed immediately.
Some screamed.
Others couldn’t even find the strength to speak.
My knees threatened to buckle beneath me.
“So…” Brin muttered through gritted teeth.
“…that’s defini
