The forest exploded in silver. Light burst from the ground in a wave that raced outward in every direction. For a moment the trees glowed from beneath, trunks lit as if the roots themselves had caught fire. The air vibrated. The earth roared under us like a creature exhaling for the first time in centuries.
Then the collapse began.
The ancient structures deep beneath the forest floor groaned as the last support lines failed. We watched from the ridge as plate after plate of hidden stone sank into the earth. Roots that had once spread for miles curled inward, retracting into the soil like dying tendrils. Each one left a dark scar in the dirt before folding into nothing.
Trees swayed in long arcs. Leaves shook loose and spiraled through the glowing air. Birds fled the canopy in frantic bu
