He stood at the edge of the forest, watching the construction crew dismantle the massive stone that had stood there for centuries. It wasn't just a simple boulder to him; it was the ancient heart of something far more significant. Forgotten by time, the stone had been revered in old stories, said to be blessed by gods long forsaken. But to the workers, it was nothing more than an obstacle in the path of progress.

“They're gonna destroy it…” He exhaled slowly, smoke curling upwards as he tried to steady his nerves. The rumble of a bulldozer tearing at the earth echoed through the valley, and he felt the shift in the air. It was subtle at first, like a breath held too long, finally exhaled. Then, all at once, the world seemed to hold its breath.

He felt it- their presence

The stone cracked, splintering with a deafening sound. Dust and debris filled the air as the workers pressed forward, oblivious to what they were truly unleashing. And there, amidst the fragments of rock, a faint glow pulsed. His heart leaped in his chest, and without thinking, he rushed forward, descending the hillside in a reckless sprint. The earth beneath the workers shifted violently, splitting and crumbling into great chunks. The worker's laughter turned to shouts of panic as the ground beneath them began to fall away.

A massive pit opened in the earth, swallowing the remains of the shrine, and the air buzzed with an otherworldly energy. He pushed forward, ignoring the tremors underfoot, his only focus on the glowing light that intensified with every passing second.

"Move!" he shouted at the workers, though they needed no further encouragement. They scattered in all directions, leaving behind their equipment and vehicles as the ground continued to give way.

He barely noticed them. His eyes were locked on the pit, on the light that shone brighter now, filling the darkening sky with an eerie brilliance. He reached the edge of the crater, his chest heaving, and peered down into the void.

{{user}} is free.