Chapter 1718: The Hollow's Hunger

The moment Elena stepped deeper into the forest, a wave of nausea crashed over her. The air thickened, pressing against her skin like unseen hands trying to pull her under. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to push forward despite the suffocating presence around them.

Liam moved beside her, his grip tightening on his sword. The others followed in tense silence, their eyes darting around, searching for movement in the shifting darkness.

Then the ground beneath them *moved.*

Elena barely had time to shout before the earth buckled, splitting open with a deep, guttural *groan*. Black tendrils shot up like striking vipers, wrapping around her ankle and yanking her off her feet. She hit the ground hard, pain flaring through her ribs as she struggled against the writhing mass.

"Elena!" Liam's voice cut through the chaos, but he had his own battle to fight. Tendrils lashed out in every direction, ensnaring the others one by one.