The group moved in silence as they left the jagged remains of the canyon behind. The terrain shifted once more, the ground beneath their feet softening into loose gravel and sparse grass. The air was heavy, suffused with an almost palpable sense of foreboding. It wasn't just exhaustion that weighed on them now—it was the knowledge of what lay ahead.
Mia walked beside Zoe, her glowing hands dimmed but still faintly pulsing. Each step felt heavier than the last, her connection to the monoliths leaving her drained yet tethered to their energy.
"Do you think he's regrouping?" Zoe asked, her voice low.
"He's always regrouping," Mia replied, her tone sharper than she intended. She sighed and glanced at her sister. "Sorry. I just… I feel him, Zoe. He's angry, but he's also… calculating."
