Blinding light engulfed the room, flooding every corner with intense energy, leaving Alex and Jim stumbling in the darkness of their own panic. It wasn't just the ruins collapsing around them—it was something deeper, as if the very fabric of reality had begun to tear apart.
"Shadow! MOVE!" Alex's scream echoed, barely cutting through the thunderous roar of the crumbling stone. But Shadow remained transfixed, his hand still clasped around the ancient artifact he'd seized from the pedestal.
"Jim, help me!" Alex lunged forward, grabbing Shadow by the shoulder, pulling with all their strength.
Jim was at their side in an instant, helping to drag Shadow away from the pedestal as cracks began to split the floor. The entire chamber shook violently, and the air buzzed with an energy that felt like it was moments away from detonating.
