"ZIXUAAAAAN!!"
Cecilion's scream ripped through the forest, raw and desperate, echoing off the twisted trees like a soul calling out into the abyss.
He stumbled forward, arms tightening protectively around Paige—but in his panic, he nearly lost his grip. Her body slipped slightly from his trembling hold.
"Careful!" Mateo rushed forward just in time, steadying them both. Without a word, he took Paige from Cecilion's arms, nodding grimly. Cecilion didn't argue. His entire mind was unraveling.
As Mateo carefully backed away with Paige, Cecilion turned and bolted toward Harith, who was already crouched beside the gaping, jagged hole in the earth.
Harith leaned down with his phone, its weak flashlight flickering like a dying star against the abyss. "Zixuan!" he called, his voice sharp with urgency. "Zixuan, answer me! Can you hear me?!"
Nothing.
Just silence.
No echo. No rustle. No sign of her voice rising back from the dark.
