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AS THE BUILDING BEGAN to shake more and more violently I struggled to maintain my balance, as well as my composure. I could feel the fear tightening in my throat and looking at the wide eyes of Gunter, I knew I was not alone. Oddly, seeing the same fear on his face made me feel better. At least I wasn't experiencing this catastrophe alone!
The earthquake finally reached its zenith, and both Gunter and I fell to the ground. As we did, the carefully stacked scrolls that I had spent several hours organizing came tumbling to the floor with us, followed by the shelves that contained them. Moments later, I heard a most peculiar noise. From above us, I heard a heavy whooshing sound, like air being beaten by massive wings. It was as if a bird of epic proportions was flying in the main hall of the library! But no such bird existed, right? Seconds later I heard an even more terrifying sound. It was a tremendous roar! The cry came from deep within a creature so large and ominous I was certain it was no bird.
I had to know what was going on upstairs. So, against my better judgment, I crawled towards the steps that led to the main hall.
“Jon! Are you crazy? Stay here!” Gunter hissed at me, but I paid him no mind.
I crept to the foot of the stairs and then peered upwards. From here I had just enough room to see what was causing the shaking above us. It was a mammoth dragon! Its wings were beating the air angrily and it thrashed its tail back and forth, knocking over bookshelves in the confined space. It's two piercing red eyes roved about the library angrily. I held my breath as if the creature could sense my presence by my breath alone. This must have been what was in the egg!
After several more tense moments, the dragon finally leaped skyward and took flight. By brute strength, he burst through the roof of the Grand Library and soared upward. A few seconds later he was gone from view. I didn't hesitate a moment longer, but burst out into the main hall, with Gunter hot on my heels.
“Is anyone hurt?” I cried.
“Over here, under this bookshelf.” I heard a faint voice cry.
Gunter and I sprang to the shelf and pushed it aside, revealing a badly frightened Professor Booker.
“Professor! Tell us what happened!” Gunter cried.
“It's a catastrophe. A catastrophe I tell you!” The professor moaned.
“I agree,” I said, looking around at the wreckage of the library. “This will take months to repair!”
“No! Not the library,” the man said, brushing dirt from his clothes. “It's the artifacts! The dragon stole artifacts from us!”
“Professor,” Gunter began. “You were nearly eaten by a giant lizard, and you're worried about losing some artifacts? What could you possibly have lost that's worth more than your life?”
Professor Booker looked at us with fearful eyes. “My boys, that dragon stole the Dominus Venari and the Wings of the Pathfinder!”
A pale color washed over my friend's face.
“Ohhh.....” was all that he said.