A shockwave exploded outward, rippling through the forest. The roots shrieked and crumbled, the cracks sealing as the Codex's glow faded to a faint ember.
Silence fell. Wei Lin collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath. Darian crouched beside her, one hand on her shoulder.
"Lin?" he asked, his voice softer now. "Are you with us?"
Wei Lin blinked, her face pale but determined. "I… I stopped it."
Mara stepped forward, the glow of her staff steadying. "For now."
Selene looked around the Hollow, where the trees had stilled, their shadows lingering like watchful eyes. "This place isn't done with us."
Darian stood, helping Wei Lin to her feet. "Neither is whatever's inside that Codex."
Wei Lin swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she held the book close. "Then we'd better get to the shrine. Before it's too late."
