By the time they reached the hidden entrance to their base, dawn was just beginning to creep over the horizon. Liam appeared beside Aiden as the team filed in, their forms flickering faintly in the early light.
"You need rest," Liam said, his tone firm. "Pushing yourself further won't help anyone."
Aiden shook his head. "There's no time for that. If the Abyssal Maw is real, and someone's trying to unleash it, we're already behind."
Liam studied him for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "At least take some time to regroup. The team will need direction, and you'll need clarity."
As much as Aiden hated to admit it, Liam had a point. He couldn't afford to falter—not now. "Fine," he said, relenting. "But only for a couple of hours. Keep digging into those texts. I want to know everything there is to know about this Abyssal Maw."
