The roar of the Guardian Beast echoed through the forest.
BOOM!
Golden lightning split the sky.
The storm above the Forest of Echoes had become a living nightmare.
Dark clouds twisted endlessly overhead.
The trees trembled.
The earth shook.
And hundreds of glowing eyes stared from the darkness.
The Hollow Ones had surrounded them.
Emily felt her heart pounding.
Every instinct screamed danger.
The Hollow Ones stood motionless between the trees.
Watching.
Waiting.
Their glowing eyes reflected centuries of pain.
Centuries of failure.
Centuries of hatred.
The first Hollow One stepped forward.
The same creature that had spoken before.
Golden cracks spread across its skin like broken glass.
Its glowing eyes locked onto Emily.
"We found you."
The broken voice echoed through the clearing.
The Guardian Beast immediately moved.
Its enormous body positioned itself between Emily and the Hollow Ones.
Protective.
Unyielding.
The first Hollow One smiled.
A sad smile.
