"Wait," Finn interjected, his gaze locked on the tendrils. "If we take this out, it could collapse the whole tunnel system. We might not make it out."
Ruby's eyes narrowed. "And if we leave it, the Shadow uses it against us. We can't risk that."
Mia stepped forward, her hands glowing as she approached the structure. The whispers coalesced into a single, clear directive: Break the connection.
"I can do it," she said, her voice steady. "But you need to get out of here."
"No way," Zoe said firmly, moving to stand beside her. "We're not leaving you."
"You don't have a choice," Mia replied, her light intensifying. "I can hold it back, but only if you're safe."
The ground trembled, cracks spidering across the floor. The creatures' screeches grew louder, echoing through the tunnel.
"Mia, we're out of time!" Ruby yelled.
