The hidden tunnel hummed with a low, almost imperceptible thrum, a sound like dormant power. Lyra stood beside Kael, her fiery hair a beacon in the dim light. Her eyes, still glistening from unshed tears, were now fixed on the holographic map Kael held, on the jagged peak that pierced Aethernia's digital sky. Mount Aethel.
"Mount Aethel," Kael murmured, his voice a promise, echoing softly in the enclosed space. "We're coming for you."
Lyra gripped her sword, its hilt cool beneath her trembling fingers. "A very angry mountain, you called it. Any idea what kind of 'angry' we're dealing with?"
Kael brought up Mount Aethel's system data on his Admin panel, its green glow illuminating his grim expression. "The environmental readouts are… unstable. Glitching weather protocols. Extreme cold, h
