"It's climbing the tr—" Izikel's voice barely escaped as a whisper, his face frozen in terror.
Before he could finish, Sophia clamped a firm hand over his mouth, silencing him. Her eyes darted toward the sound, then back to her companions.
She signaled for Izikel and Lyzah to stay quiet, pressing them closer to the trunk of the tree. The rough bark bit into their backs, but it gave them a sliver of security—some illusion of protection as the beast closed in.
The Maw beast ascended steadily, muscles bulging under a grotesque hide, claws digging into bark like hooks. Its movements were slow but deliberate, and with each heave, it seemed to gain speed.
Izikel could hardly breathe. That thing—monstrous, savage—shouldn't have been able to climb. It was too large, too heavy. Yet here it was, scaling the towering tree with terrifying ease. His gaze flicked outward, and his stomach dropped.
