The tanks and armored cars pushed forward, wheels crunching over dry leaves and cracked pavement as they sped through the old zoo. Trees whipped past in a blur. For a brief moment, Kailun allowed himself to think this might actually work. They were making record time.
But then the ground shook.
A sudden, violent tremor jolted the vehicles. Kailun gripped the edges of his seat, eyes narrowing. "Everyone stay alert!" he barked. His voice echoed through the comms.
Outside the window, the forest still looked deceptively peaceful—sunlight filtered through the trees, birds flitted between branches. But something felt off. Very off.
Another tremor came. Stronger this time. The ground wasn't just shaking—it was pulsing, like something enormous was moving beneath them.
Then they heard it.
A thunderous trumpeting sound rolled through the trees.
