Chapter 1717 - The Hollow Stirs

The moment the creatures stepped into the clearing, the temperature seemed to drop. A shiver crawled down Elena's spine as she locked eyes with the nearest abomination. It had once been human—she could see the remnants of a face, twisted beyond recognition, its mouth stretched into an unnatural grimace. Its eyes, glowing with eerie green light, held no soul.

Liam drew his sword in a slow, deliberate motion, the metallic rasp echoing in the tense silence. "They're watching us," he murmured. "Waiting."

Elena knew he was right. The creatures weren't attacking, not yet. They were studying, observing. **Learning.**

Her grip tightened on her blade. "They're an extension of the void," she said softly. "It's testing us."

A low growl rumbled through the air, the sound reverberating through the trees. One of the creatures twitched violently, its body jerking forward before it suddenly lunged—fast. Too fast.