Oslo's legs shook as Dorian barked the order.
"You. Go inside. Check it out."
Oslo froze. "M-Master Dorian, shouldn't we…?"
Camilla's voice trembled behind him. "Wait! He's still—"
Dorian's glare turned her words to dust. "Shut up. He goes. No one else moves until he reports."
Camilla straightened. "But—he's still… I mean, shouldn't we—"
Before she could finish, Dorian's palm struck her cheek. She went sprawling, hitting the cold stone floor. Blood dribbled from her mouth.
"You worthless trash," he hissed. "Consider yourself lucky I even took you under my wing. Next time, this won't end with a slap." He leaned closer, voice low and menacing. "Am I clear?"
Camilla's voice broke. "Y-Yes… Master…"
Rhea shrank slightly, pressing herself against the rocks, trying to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible. Lyra, on the other hand, smirked faintly, amused, then whispered, "Keep your voice down. Don't wake it."
Dorian's attention snapped back to Oslo. "Trash. Don't make me repeat myself."
Oslo's fists clenched, knuckles whitening. He stepped forward, throat dry, stomach twisting with fear.
The cave swallowed him whole. Darkness pressed in from all sides, thick with the scent of damp stone and iron. His grip tightened on his blade until his palms burned.
A low, steady breathing echoed ahead.
Oslo's eyes darted forward.
There—curled in the center of the lair—was the beast.
White scales shimmered faintly in the dim light, layered like polished bone. One massive wing lay torn and useless, jagged edges stiff with dried blood. Its head rested against its forelimbs, chest rising and falling in a slow, powerful rhythm.
*It's… asleep.*
Oslo exhaled shakily.
He bolted back toward the entrance, nearly tripping over his own feet. "It's… asleep," he said, voice cracking. "The beast… it's asleep."
Dorian's lips curved into a sharp grin. "Good. Lead the way."
They moved to the edge of the cave, crouching behind a jagged outcrop. Oslo went first, trembling. Dorian followed, eyes locked on the creature.
Up close, the damage was clearer—ragged scales, dried blood caked between plates, the faint twitch of claws even in sleep. Disbelief surged through him, then twisted into something hotter. Hungrier.
*A demonic Pegasus…*
*Wounded.*
*A legendary beast… ripe for the taking.*
He placed a firm hand on Oslo's shoulder. "We go back. Quietly."
When they returned, Dorian ignored the weaker three entirely and stopped in front of Lyra.
"It's real," he said, voice low and steady. "A demonic Pegasus. Wounded—but real."
Lyra froze. Her eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. "That's… impossible. You're sure?"
Dorian nodded. "I saw it myself."
She took a sharp breath, shock rippling through her expression. For a moment, she said nothing. Then, quietly, "What are we going to do?"
Dorian didn't hesitate. "We kill it. This opportunity is ours. Rightfully ours."
Lyra's gaze flicked toward the other three. Doubt crept in, tightening her jaw. *With this team… is it even possible?*
Dorian noticed. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Listen carefully. We have the advantage. It's wounded. It's asleep."
He raised a finger. "Plan A—we sneak in. No noise. No hesitation. I strike first, straight for a fatal point, while it's still asleep."
Lyra's eyes sharpened.
"If the blow isn't enough," he continued, "Plan B. You move. Use your speed. Draw its attention. Keep it focused on you."
His tone dropped further, almost a whisper. "While you do that, I finish it."
He glanced briefly at the others. "They provide support."
Then, even quieter, his voice barely carried. "If everything goes wrong… we escape. They buy us time."
Lyra went still. Then she nodded once. "Understood."
Dorian straightened. "Move."
They stepped into the chamber.
The cave opened wide, oppressive with raw power. Even asleep, the beast dominated the space, its presence weighing down every breath. Each step felt heavier than the last.
They moved slowly. Carefully. Silent as shadows.
The moment the last of them crossed fully into the chamber—
The beast's eyes snapped open.
Blood-red orbs flared with rage and intelligence as a thunderous roar ripped through the cavern, shaking stone, bone, and soul alike.