The tunnel extended beneath them, now visible like a dark artery cutting through the sea of cores.
The displacement of the enormous rock masses had left massive spaces that had taken the sea of cores to a lower depth than ever, exposing the previously hidden tunnels.
When Elio announced the retreat through the tunnel, it wasn't to hide, as despite everything, the tunnels remained the best way to run without being interrupted by cores in the path.
The escape route was clear, but the number of people complicated any organized retreat. Elio observed the almost two hundred soldiers and builders, knowing a difficult decision was inevitable.
The retreat order didn't have the expected effect.
More than a hundred soldiers remained in their positions, including Milo's group and Enid. The pride of those who had contributed to the tunnels was stronger than their survival instinct.
But Elio had a more urgent concern.
