The wind howled across the cliff as the valley below glowed with a strange golden light.
Emily stood frozen at the edge, staring into the massive chasm that had split the earth open. The energy inside it pulsed like a living heartbeat, sending waves of light up into the darkening sky.
Her chest tightened.
Something about it felt… familiar.
Alexander stepped beside her immediately, his hand gripping her arm.
"Emily, step back," he said quietly.
But she didn't move.
The energy below seemed to pull at her like gravity.
"I can feel it," she whispered.
Daniel looked between them nervously.
"Feel what?"
Emily pressed a hand against her chest.
"It's like… it knows me."
Behind them, Voss laughed softly.
The sound was cold and satisfied.
"Of course it does," he said.
Alexander turned sharply.
"What are you talking about?"
Voss adjusted the silver briefcase under his arm and nodded toward the glowing abyss.
