**Lyra's Point of View**

The word "sanctuary" was relative. The Sunken Grove wasn't a safe place; it was a sensory overload. The first few days were just a test of how long you could last. It felt like breathing soup because the air was so full of life energy. Every noise was louder, and every smell was a strong mix that made my head spin. The grove's constant, low hum was a physical pressure on my eardrums, and the note was so low that it shook my bones.

It was worse for Kenny. His senses ...