Chapter 120 A Friend's Pain.

The sun had barely risen over Ashwood when the first screams pierced through the quiet of the early morning. I bolted upright in bed, the shrill cries echoing in my ears. My heart raced as I threw on clothes and sprinted outside, my mind already racing through the possibilities of what could be happening. It didn't take long to find out. The Phoenix Beast, a creature of immense power and wrath, had struck again. I followed the chaotic scene to the edge of town where a crowd had gathered, murmurs of fear and confusion spreading like wildfire. Maya’s name was being whispered among the crowd, and each mention sent a chill down my spine. I pushed my way through the throng of people, my breath catching as I saw her lying on the ground, surrounded by paramedics. Her clothes were torn and bloodied, and her face was pale, a stark contrast to the fiery chaos around her. “Maya!” I shouted, forcing my way to her side. The paramedics were already at work, their expressions grim as they assessed