Page 145 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“Should he have the Vessel?” I felt bad questioning him, but I’d never forgive myself if we lost it when we were this close to our escape.

Jaxus glanced back, meeting my eyes, then searching beyond me. “I trust my brother.”

I nodded, trying to catch up with Jaxus. Every minute longer we were in this tunnel, we risked passing out. Then they would drag us back to Kerani, and all would be lost.

Shouting echoed off the walls. “THEY ARE UP HERE.”

I ducked my head, ignoring it. Nothing would help me if I didn’t put every ounce of energy into the climb.

“We aren’t going to make it. They are gaining on us too fast.” Drystan’s wound gushed, flooding dark red fluid down his chest.

“Let me have the vessel.” I turned, reaching for it, before seeing a light flickering in the dark not too far behind him. “They are gaining.”

“Just keep going,” Jaxus called. “We are nearly there.”

“We won’t make it, brother,” Drystan’s voice turned strained.

“Help me,” Drystan pleaded, grabbing hold of my robes.

“I can’t.” I met his eyes.

His golden gaze begged in silent pain.

“I can’t carry us both. Give me the vessel.” I was too drained after giving most of my reserves to Jaxus.

“It’s heavy. You won’t be able to lift it.”

“One of us has to, and if you’re struggling—” I reached for it.

But he pulled it out of my grasp. “Brother. Don’t leave me behind.” The pain in his voice struck my chest, and instead of grabbing the vessel from his hands, I grabbed his arm to try and drag him up the last few meters.

A massive arm reached past me. “Let me.”

“What about the vessel?” I asked, knowing Faolan would need help.

“Go help him,” Jaxus said through his teeth.

I could barely move past Jaxus in the cramped space, running the last few meters with energy I summoned from only the Goddess knows where. I burst out into a chamber with Faolan and Emrys, who had their shoulders pressed to a massive stone with their legs braced against the floor, heaving.

“I can’t do it,” Faolan said.

“Yes, we will. We have no other choice.”

My heart hammered in my chest, but I focused on the last few meters of the tunnel.

“Where do you want me?” I quickly surveyed the spot and found a space between the wall and the edge of the stone. I dropped my pack and ducked under Faolan’s arm to wedge myself in.

He nodded as he figured out my plan. “Great. On three.”

I put my feet on the wall, knees bent, waiting for his count.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

I heaved with all my might, but my body was too fatigued from the lack of sleep and strenuous climb. The stone didn’t budge.