Chapter 45 : The Ruins

Lyra

The desolate canyon trail seemed to stretch on forever under the baking twin suns.

Jagged obsidian peaks loomed all around, their sharp silhouettes slashing across the hazy crimson skyline.

With a grunt, I hauled myself over another jutting rock embankment, sides heaving.

Sweat soaked my fur, weighing down my pelt uncomfortably. This had to be one of the most brutal, unforgiving marches I'd ever attempted.

'Want me to take over for a while?' Ria offered, her tone uncharacteristically subdued and sympathetic. 'No shame shifting forms if these bipedal legs are too puny to keep up the pace.'

I shot her a sidelong look, shaking my head adamantly despite my body's desperate pleas for respite.

"No way am I giving those prune-faced sadists even an inch to criticize or mock me over," I growled out loud, wiping fresh rivulets of perspiration from my brow. "We power through this crucible on two legs only. I'll prove my strength of will and maternal stamina protecting Gabriel's legacy th