Marcus ran.
His lungs burned. His legs felt heavy.
He gripped the dragon girl's hand tightly. She stumbled, but he kept her moving.
They sprinted down the long corridor of the first level. They reached the spiral staircase.
"Up," Marcus gasped. "We have to go up."
They climbed.
Round and round they went. The stone steps seemed endless.
Marcus's heart hammered against his ribs. He counted the steps.
Ten. Twenty.
Suddenly, a sound shook the earth.
BOOM!
It came from the first floor.
The stone walls vibrated. Dust trickled down from the ceiling.
Marcus froze for a second. He looked down into the dark shaft of the stairwell.
'That was loud,' he whispered.
He knew what it was. It was the little girl.
She had unleashed something.
'I hope she is alright,' Marcus thought.
Then he shook his head. 'Who am I kidding? She is definitely alright. I should worry about the wall she hit.'
He looked at the dragon girl.
