Elara wanted to die. Right there. Just drop dead from embarrassment.
But she nodded mutely, clutching the jar tighter.
They continued forward, reaching the true edge of the forest.
The corruption was immediately apparent. The trees were wrong—bark splitting to reveal purple-black wood beneath, leaves withered and hanging like dead flesh. The mist thickened here, swirling around their ankles.
And there, partially hidden by undergrowth, was the gap.
A natural opening between tree roots and earth—the same one Viktor, Bella, and Kaida had used to escape the forest days ago. It was narrow, maybe three feet high, requiring anyone to crawl through on hands and knees.
Olivia stopped, studying it. "We go through there?"
"Yes," Viktor confirmed. "It leads to a small clearing where the corruption is strongest. That's where you'll need to work."
Olivia nodded firmly, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Understood. I'll go first then."
