CHAPTER 56:
The ground lurched again, and a deep, grinding roar rose up from beneath us — the sound of mountains moving, of ancient rock shifting against ancient rock. The valley walls were closing in, sliding inward with terrifying slowness, each foot of progress feeling like a heartbeat stretched too long. Above, the sky narrowed to a thin strip of pale grey, and the violet light of the Spire burned brighter, casting long, jagged shadows that seemed to crawl toward us with hungry intent.
“Back!” Cole shouted, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the narrow pass we’d come through. “We have to get out! Now!”
We turned and ran, boots slipping on the smooth black stone, the roar of the closing walls growing louder with every stride. But when we reached the pass, it was gone — sealed shut
