Chapter 1713: Whispers of the Void

The journey back to Blackwood Hollow was cloaked in an oppressive silence. The forest felt alive, as if every gnarled branch and twisted root was watching their retreat. Liam's hand remained steady on Elena's arm, his grip firm as though afraid she might slip away again. The volunteers trailed behind, their earlier courage diminished to grim resolve.

"Elena," Liam began, breaking the silence as they neared the edge of the woods. "What you said back there… about the void being sentient. Are you certain?"

She glanced at him, her face pale but her eyes determined. "I felt it, Liam. It wasn't just darkness. It was thinking, calculating. It wanted me to feel helpless… and it almost succeeded."

His jaw clenched, and he nodded, his pace quickening. "If that's true, we're dealing with something far worse than we imagined. The void isn't just a force—it's an enemy with intent."