Ash crawled through the narrow gap between the rocks, his breath heavy and sweat dripping down his forehead. The heat from the Golden Amulet burned against his skin, a constant reminder that time was running out. Behind him, the dragon let out a deep growl, its head turning, scanning for any trace of its prey.
Every step grew harder. His injured leg was weakening, and blood from his arm dripped steadily, leaving a trail on the stone. He knew he couldn't last much longer like this. But even in desperation, his instincts remained sharp.
"There has to be a way," he muttered, eyes searching the terrain, looking for any last chance to escape.
On the far side of the valley, a steep path wound up through jagged rocks. Climbing it without equipment was almost impossible, but it could be his only way out. If he could reach the top and hide behind the large boulders, maybe the dragon would lose track of him.
