The structure before them was unlike the hornet's enormous nest.
Enormous pillars of hardened earth and stone rose from several connected floating islands, forming what looked like a gigantic colony of towering chimneys and hollow tunnels.
And every few seconds...
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted somewhere inside, causing the entire structure to tremble and cracks to spread across the rocky towers.
"It's like the whole place is exploding..." Liora whispered.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"Orthoptera..."
As they approached, the cause became clearer. Enormous cricket-like creatures were leaping between the towers, some of which were familiar to him.
'Rupture Hoppers.'
The very creatures Ethan had encountered earlier inside the Gate.
Others were larger and thicker, their rear legs bulging with explosive power, while their vibrating wings released piercing shrieks that echoed across the floating islands.
The sound alone made Ethan wince.
