The ground beneath the Kingin tribe started to tremble, and ominous cracks snaked their way through the earth, causing a momentary pause in the chaotic battle. Ant guardians and Kingin warriors alike turned their attention to the growing fractures, voices murmuring in surprise and fear.
Gedion, one of the ant guardians, exclaimed, "What's happening? Is this an earthquake?"
Another guardian, Ember, responded, "No, this feels different."
Devon, Keleora's junior brother, nervously asked her, "Do you know what's going on, Keleora?"
Keleora shook her head, her eyes locked on the spreading cracks. "I'm not sure, but..." Inwardly, she wondered if this might be the work of Akun. The timing was too coincidental, and she couldn't put it past him to create such chaos.
