Chapter 33: The Encrypted Clues

The cavern hummed with an uneasy silence. The once-glowing symbols on the console had dimmed, leaving only the faint illumination of the overhead crystals. Mia leaned heavily against the console, her breaths shallow. The effort to shut down the system had drained her, but she couldn't shake the sense that she had only scratched the surface of the secrets hidden here.

Zoe placed a steadying hand on Mia's shoulder. "You okay?"

"I will be," Mia murmured, her voice distant. Her gaze lingered on the darkened console, the echoes of the whispers still faintly buzzing in her mind.

"We need to figure out what's next," Caleb said, reloading his rifle with practiced precision. His voice carried the weight of someone always ready for the next battle.

Ruby scanned the chamber, her sharp eyes narrowing as she spotted a faint glimmer at the far end. "There's more to this place," she said, striding toward a corner partially obscured by rubble.