I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 118 The Sacrifice and the Sprint

"That went better than expected," Horizon muttered, scanning the endless expanse of sand before them. "Looks like we've landed in the desert this time. Nyx, can you pick up on the exit's energy?"

Nyx circled above, her wings slicing through the dry air. "Not sensing anything unusual here," she called down. "But I can pinpoint the monolith's location."

"Seriously?"

"Ever since I picked up on the monolith's energy back there—both its dormant and active states—I can track it now," Nyx explained, voice confident.

Horizon nodded, considering. "But what if the exit needs to be triggered like the monoliths? That might explain why you don't sense it right now."

Nyx shook her head. "The exit's connection leads directly to the outside world, so it operates independently of this dimension's rules. It should stay accessible, radiating a distinct energy that I'd easily detect. I'll know it the moment we're close."

"Good. Then let's keep moving," Horizon said, eyes narrowing as he gazed into the arid horizon.

=== ???? ===

Meanwhile, before, Seraphina and the others were stunned when, out of nowhere, a small group of strangers emerged, seemingly from thin air, and made a beeline for the monolith that loomed like a pillar of dark stone.

The men touched its surface, and just as quickly, they vanished.

"Who the hell are they?" Dawnfire growled, her fiery eyes narrowed with suspicion and frustration.

Aria's voice shook slightly as she murmured, more to herself than anyone else, "Did that guy just . . . disappear into the monolith?"

For a moment, Seraphina felt a surge of anger and disbelief—had those strangers really used them as bait to distract the guardian?

But she pushed those thoughts aside; there was no time for blame or questions. What mattered now was that they had a way forward, a chance to escape this nightmare of relentless battle and reach the next region. Without hesitation, she snapped into action.

The wolf, sensing Fiora's command, let out a thunderous howl before launching forward, its powerful legs propelling it across the forest floor with incredible speed.

The team held on tightly as the beast bounded over roots, leapt over fallen branches, and dodged debris scattered across the forest. The monolith loomed in the distance, an ominous beacon calling them forward.

Back at the battlefield, Seraphina danced around the Eldergrove's attacks, her blade flashing as she struck where she could.

Though each strike left only the faintest scratch against its stony exterior, she pressed on, refusing to give ground.

"Come on," she muttered, eyes narrowing. "You want a fight? Then fight me!"

The guardian lunged at her, but she twisted away at the last second, her blade slicing through one of its extended roots. The severed piece thudded to the ground, writhing for a moment before falling still.

The Eldergrove let out a furious bellow, its eyes flaring with anger as it turned its full attention onto her.

Meanwhile, Fiora's wolf raced across the forest, the monolith drawing closer with each powerful stride. Dawnfire, Velvet, and Aria kept glancing back, their faces filled with worry and guilt as they watched Seraphina holding off the monstrous guardian on her own.

"She's . . . really doing it," Aria murmured, awe in her voice.

"Of course she is," Velvet replied, gritting her teeth. "She's Seraphina, after all."

"Is she going to be alright?" Fiora asked, worried.

"She will be, don't worry," said Dawnfire.

As they neared the monolith, Fiora tightened her grip on the wolf's fur and prepared herself.

Everyone could feel the pulsing energy radiating from the stone as they approached, its power almost tangible.

With one final bound, the wolf brought them within reach of the monolith, and Fiora and the others extended their hand, touching its surface.