Those bastards were fast. Above, the helicopter had already spotted them. Stanley, apparently anxious, peered down from the cabin door. The rope ladder, lowered from the helicopter, swayed wildly in the wind.

Felicia glanced at the distance; they still had far to go. Time, however, was running out. The collapse above worsened with each second; in under two minutes, the area would be a wasteland of rubble.

Stephan pulled her forward. Felicia felt she was running at her limit, but his pace was even faster; her feet barely touched the ground. She felt like a kite, dragged along by him. Dust, sand, and debris whipped at her face, clinging to her hair and clothes. Breathless, she gritted her teeth and pressed on.

Then, a massive boulder plummeted. Stephan reacted instantly, grabbing Felicia and dodging. Though his reaction was lightning-fast, the impact wave sent them tumbling. As they hit the ground, Felicia heard Stephan grunt in pain.

For a moment, the collapse paused. Stephan shielded her with his body, protecting her from the debris; several rocks struck his back. Felicia instinctively tried to shield him, though it was futile.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, regretting her descent into the canyon. If she hadn't come, Stephan might have escaped with Stanley.

"I'm fine. Don't worry," he replied, resting his head lightly against her neck, his warm breath causing her neck to itch.

She flinched. He chuckled softly, his tone lazy yet tinged with helplessness. "What's this, little troublemaker? Did you come down here to die with me?"

Felicia wanted to explain she’d come to warn him, but her efforts were pointless. The explosions were deafening; her presence wouldn't have changed anything. She remained silent.

Stephan playfully pinched her waist, then pulled himself and Felicia to their feet. He leaned closer, leaving her speechless.

They didn't linger. Stephan took her hand, and they ran. Their path was smoother this time; they quickly reached the rope ladder. The helicopter had descended. The ladder wasn't quite touching the ground, but close enough to jump.

"Go up first," Stephan instructed, boosting her upward. She felt weightless, grabbed the ladder, and looked down at him.

Earlier, the boulder's impact had thrown them both; Stephan had clearly been injured, groaning in pain. Yet, his expression remained calm. Felicia, however, saw blood staining the ground beneath him.

It eerily resembled a dream she’d had. Her pupils constricted in shock.

A more intense tremor shook the ground. A massive explosion triggered a chain reaction; the canyon walls cracked and crumbled. With a deafening boom, countless boulders cascaded down.