The carriage rumbled to a stop.
Outside the reinforced walls of Elandra, the forest loomed—dark, silent, and heavy with anticipation. Valegrove wasn't known for being quiet, not even at sunrise. But now, not even the birds dared chirp.
Strike Team Alpha disembarked one by one. Kael was the first to step down, eyes scanning the terrain with the precision of a seasoned commander. Darius followed without a word, dragging his massive shield behind him. Shade was already gone the moment the door cracked open—no one even saw him leave. Marianne helped Reina down next, while Inigo and Lyra took up the rear.
A few meters ahead, nestled between the roots of a jagged cliff face, was the rift.
It shimmered like a vertical pool of dark liquid glass, humming with quiet menace. Occasional pulses of blue and violet light danced across its surface like veins.
"That's it," Kael said, drawing his blade. "Weapons out. No telling what's on the other side."
