Chapter 96: Recovery and Recalibration
The temporary cavern offered a rest. Dust settled into the corners, small rock fragments littering the floor. The faint vibrations of the microseismic tremors persisted, finally, after several grueling hours had past the team could pause. Their boots scrapped against uneven stone, each movement careful yet hesitant, as though even in safety, the tunnel still demanded caution.
Ava surveyed her team. Scrapes, bruises, minor fractures—it was all there, a testament to the faultline's relentless instability. She exhaled through her nose. "Alright. Stop. Settle. Now."
Zephyr sprawled onto a protruding rock slab. "Finally. I was beginning to forget what it felt like to be horizontal."
"Don't get used to it," Kael said, flipping a small anchor tool through his fingers. "We're not out of the tunnel yet."
Brian leaned against a wall, rubbing his shoulder where a slab of stone had grazed him. "Horizontal feels like progress. I'll take it."
