Rissa’s POV

The earth did not explode.

It unfolded.

So slowly that for a moment my mind refused to understand what I was seeing. The soil parted like breath releasing, not torn but welcomed aside, roots sliding away from each other as if guided by invisible hands. The silver light beneath it did not flare or blind. It deepened. It thickened. It gathered itself with purpose.

My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Something was rising.

Mark shifted in front of me, his arm extending slightly ...