The silence in the war room was shattered by a single, urgent transmission.
Marcus was studying maps of the rebuilding efforts when the radio crackled to life. The voice on the other end was desperate, filled with fear.
"Marcus! It's Elara! The dark energy—it's not rebuilding. It's evolving! Something is happening in the northern settlements!"
Marcus grabbed the radio, his heart racing. "Elara, what's happening? What do you see?"
The transmission cut off, replaced by static. Then, a single word, barely audible: "Run."
Marcus felt his blood run cold. "We need to go. Now."
---
The journey to the northern settlements was a blur of urgency.
Marcus led his team through the frozen wilderness, their footsteps pounding against the snow. The First One traveled with them, its massive body mo
