Devika's icy gaze widened at the snap of the creature’s jaws where she had stood just moments before. A shudder rippled through her as the realization struck, how narrowly she had escaped death itself. Everything was moving too fast; she felt lost amid the chaos. The beast attacking, Duskbreaker defending, her scrambling to flee, it all blurred together until dizziness overtook her.

The creature laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

Each echo grated against her ears, sending a frigid chill through her veins. Every hair on her body stood on end; she had never felt such electric terror before.

Then, through the noise, Devika heard her friend’s voice, his desperate pleas for the beast to spare her. But what about him?! Would he truly throw his life away for hers? She was a ghost, a wraith, an invisible entity lingering in the background—while he was vibrant, alive, unyielding.

A decision pressed upon her chest like a weight. Run… or stand and fight.

With a trembling breath, Devika turned sharply and surged forward, coming to Duskbreaker’s flank. A snarl tore from her throat as she pressed against his side. If this was to be his end, it would be hers as well. He would not face this terror alone.

She only wished she could speak his name, to thank him for his unwavering kindness. But all that left her was silence. Hollow and eternal.