The laughter had barely faded…
When the earth exploded.
BOOOOM!
The entire valley lurched violently.
Villagers screamed as they were thrown off their feet.
Horses broke free from their reins.
The wolves scattered, howling in panic.
Kaelira nearly lost her balance before Ronan caught her.
“Stay behind me!”
A deafening crack split the air.
Then another.
And another.
The ground beneath Black Hollow began to fracture.
Long jagged fissures tore through the village streets, swallowing wagons, fences, and the remains of burned cottages.
The earth itself seemed to be breaking apart.
“What is happening?” Kaelira shouted.
Ronan’s face had gone pale.
“This shouldn’t be possible.”
The crack widened.
Stone collapsed into darkness.
Then…
Something ancient began to rise.
⸻
Massive
