CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX - TREACHEROUS TERRAIN

Finally, with a mighty roar, Arryk managed to drive his sword deep into the beast's throat. At the same moment, Erik's blade found its heart. The beast's death cry echoed through the cavern, a sound of rage and disbelief. It thrashed wildly for a few moments more, then collapsed to the ground with an earth-shaking thud. For a long moment, no one moved. The silence that fell over the cavern was deafening after the chaos of battle. Then, slowly, the realization of what they had accomplished began to sink in. "We... we did it," Freya said, her voice filled with wonder. "We actually did it!" The tension that had held them all in its grip for so long finally broke. Freya threw herself into Arryk's arms, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. All the fear, all the longing, all the unspoken feelings between them poured out in that moment. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their eyes shining with emotion. "I thought I was going to lose you," Freya whispered, he