đź“– Chronicles of the Watchers
Chapter 15: The Chain Bridge
The abyss howled.
Wind tore at their clothes as the three stood before the vast chain, each link the size of a house, stretching into the darkness. It swayed, groaning, as though it resented being used.
Behind them, the creature shrieked, its claws scraping sparks against the tunnel walls.
Liora didn't hesitate. She leapt first, boots slamming against iron, and began sprinting across the chain. "Move!"
Kairo followed, nearly slipping as the chain shuddered under his weight. Selene came last, lantern clutched close, its light throwing wild shadows across the abyss.
The beast roared again and lunged, its colossal body bursting from the tunnel. It slammed onto the chain, making the entire bridge buck like a whip. Kairo's knees buckled, and he almost plunged into the black.
Selene grabbed his wrist just in time. "Don't look down!"
Too late. He had already seen the abyss. And once more, it stared back—thousands of golden eyes blinking in unison.
"Kairo!" Selene shouted, pulling him forward.
The beast crawled onto the chain, its many limbs clattering like drums. Each claw dug deep into the iron links, shaking the bridge. Its eyes blazed red, locking onto them.
Kairo's mark flared so violently that the metal beneath his feet began to glow faintly gold. The chain steadied.
Azariel's voice whispered in his head.
"Run, vessel. Or let me rise."
"No!" Kairo growled aloud, forcing himself to move.
The chain stretched on endlessly. Every time they gained ground, the creature surged closer. One claw swept at them—Liora spun, slicing down with her sword, sparks flying as steel met scale.
"Jump!" she barked, pointing ahead.
Another chain intersected, swinging wildly in the wind. Liora leapt first, landing hard.
Kairo's stomach dropped. The gap was wide, and the abyss endless.
"Go!" Selene screamed, shoving him.
He jumped. Time slowed—he swore he saw Azariel's wings unfurl around him, carrying him across. His feet slammed into the next chain. He stumbled, but stayed upright.
Selene followed, barely catching the edge. Kairo grabbed her arm and hauled her up, just as the creature leapt after them.
The chain shuddered under its weight.
Then, with a sound like thunder, one of the links snapped.
The beast screeched, claws scrabbling as half the chain bridge collapsed into the abyss. For a moment, its massive body dangled above the void, before it clutched another chain and began climbing again, furious.
The three stood panting, trembling on the swaying bridge, knowing it wasn't over.
Selene's lantern flickered, almost dead.
Liora raised her sword again, voice hoarse. "It'll keep coming."
Kairo's mark burned like fire. He swallowed hard.
"Then maybe… I'll have to let him out."
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⚡ End of Chapter 15.