The slightest quake, or even a step, could dislodge debris. Hazel placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, stilling him. "Wait," she whispered, "the energy here feels strange."
At that moment, a subtle tremor ran under their feet, rattling shards of glass in a nearby window frame. Elias took a small step back. "What was—"
Before he could finish, the very ground beneath them gave a violent shudder. The vibrations were so powerful they could hear old buildings groan in protest. High above, a flock of startled crows shrieked and soared away in an inky cloud.
"Something is wrong," Hazel muttered, her hand clutching at Luke's arm.
And then it happened all at once: A colossal upheaval rocked the entire Lion City. Streets buckled and heaved, as though an ancient behemoth were awakening beneath the asphalt.
Concrete slabs tilted upward, vines whipped through the air, and bits of crumbling facades collapsed with thunderous crashes.