Argolaith took the first step.
The moment he did, the weight doubled.
His legs burned, his breath grew shallow, and every movement felt like pushing against a mountain.
Kaelred followed, his jaw clenched in frustration.
Step.
The weight increased.
Step.
His body screamed in protest.
Argolaith grunted, his knees threatening to buckle.
Kaelred groaned. "This is insane. If it keeps getting heavier, we're not going to make it."
Malakar, still standing at the start of the bridge, called out cheerfully. "Then don't stop moving."
Kaelred cursed under his breath. "Easy for you to say."
Argolaith didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
Stopping meant falling.
Falling meant failure.
The bridge was long. Far longer than it looked.
Each step was a battle.
Each breath was a struggle.
But Argolaith pressed forward.
Halfway across, Kaelred collapsed.
He fell to one knee, his arms trembling as he gasped for air.
"I… I can't."
The weight was crushing him.
