The trembling intensified, cracks spiderwebbing through the golden pavement beneath their feet. Buildings that had once stood tall and proud began to ripple, their glass exteriors shattering like fragile illusions.
"Back to back!" Ayan shouted, drawing his disruptor and scanning the shifting environment.
The team formed a defensive circle, each member brandishing their tools. Mira activated her beacon, a faint pulse of light emanating from her palm.
"Hold steady," Ayan instructed, his voice calm but firm. "This is just a defense mechanism. The subconscious is reacting to our presence."
"This feels more than reactive," Nitya said, her scanner emitting frantic beeps. "It's like we've triggered something buried deep—something it's trying to protect."
