The massive shadow above them continued to spread across the ancient wilderness until it swallowed the light filtering through the canopy, turning the world beneath the giant trees dim and cold.
For one long breath, nobody moved. Sage stood with Mina gripping his robe tightly, his eyes slowly rising through the gaps between the enormous leaves, while Gregor, Brutus, Caelis, Lyana, Vanthrice, Boren, and the rest of the adventurers all followed his gaze with the same growing horror.
The forest around them had become unnaturally quiet, as if every beast, insect, bird, and hidden predator had instantly understood that something far greater than them had arrived.
Even the enormous trees seemed smaller beneath that shadow, their titanic branches trembling as a heavy pressure descended from above, pressing against everyone's shoulders like invisible chains.
